MANSFIELD - Mansfield University Political Science Club held its annual Election Night Live Party at the Hut on Nov. 6, with the help of the Model United Nations Club.
The event began at 7:30 p.m. and continued until President Barack Obama was re-elected. There was entertainment and activities, including presidential trivia, full coverage of the election and free food.
"The goal of the Political Science Club is to increase political involvement and awareness at a college age level," said Gerald Delaney, president of the PSC.
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From left are Mansfield University students Sydney Bosworth, Bethany Wigfield, Alex Block and Valerie Lliff.
The age range 18 to 25 is the most uninvolved in politics, but is ironically most affected by the election, he said. The PSC held the event in hopes of bringing out the political interest of other fellow Mansfield students.
The Political Science Club is a nonpartisan organization open to any student at Mansfield University. The number of students who attended the event showed the interest the PSC was looking for.
"I am pleased that everyone who came had a good time, especially after all the hard work we (PSC) put into this event," Delaney said.
The trivia contest was comprised of questions from student Michael Singer. The questions consisted of basic political knowledge, election process and presidential questions. There were prizes awarded to the teams that won. First prize was awarded a gift basket with an assortment of items. Second prize was a gift card and third prize, candy.
Patricia Cardoso, a senior political science major, has lived in the United States most of her life. She is a legal resident, pays taxes and still is unable to vote.
"It's frustrating because I care about our political system, things are out of my control, if it wasn't for our failed immigration system, I would be a citizen by now and my green card wouldn't have taken 10 years to get, but I'll be a citizen next year so I just have to deal with it until then," Cardoso said.
Cardoso is like many others in her situation; she cares more about the outcome of the election than some who have citizenship ever do; she sees that as taking their freedoms for granted.
"The most exciting part of the whole night was when Ohio was declared. You knew whoever won Ohio, won the election," Cardoso said.
The Hut made for a comfortable setting as students played pool while watching the different media channels coverage of the election. Others sat and enjoyed the food while conversing about politics.
PSC advisers Dr. Rothermel and Dr. Bosworth were present, interacting with the students also. It is interesting to hear the differing views of college students on politics.
College students are considered the most uninvolved in politics and unfortunately most affected by the election. Is it a lack of knowledge or uninformed people or just pure ignorance?
Perhaps it is something that should be talked about in the home by parents?
Regardless of the reason for lack of interest in this matter, young adults need to realize that it is an important issue that should be taken seriously.
Wray is a student at Mansfield University.
