November elections may be long gone but there is still some lobbying happening on campus. Newly enforced rules prohibiting partisan groups from conducting voter registration drives, campaign rallies or fund-raising events for their candidates have sparked student response.
The newly enforced restrictions resulted from a University clarification about its tax-exempt status. Tax law says the University may not "participate in or intervene in any political campaign for public office" — a rule that applies to campus organizations.
Student group leaders say the clarification will be a roadblock to getting more students involved in the political process.
After meeting with the general counsel office, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Tom Dunne wrote in October to student groups clarifying guidelines.
While before partisan groups were largely unrestricted, the memo stipulated concrete restrictions on what they could do, including conducting campus registration drives.
"These procedures are informed by our desire to promote vigorous exchange of ideas as well as our obligations as a tax-exempt situation," Dunne wrote.
In past years, voter registration has been a main function of groups like the College Democrats and College Republicans, though the rules were already in place.
This was a sore topic for College Republicans vice president Evan Baehr '05, whose organization had no registration campaign this year. He said he was upset with the regulations.
"It is frustrating for all College Republicans, and our group can't do anything about it," he said.
When Baehr tried to set up a debate between Senate candidates Douglas Forrester and Robert Torricelli this year, the University would let it happen only if it included all the candidates running and gave each one the same amount of time to speak. The debate never left the drawing board.
The College Democrats did, however, have booths set up in the residential colleges and around campus this fall.
"Registering voters was a natural thing to do as part of our duties as democrats," said Owen Conroy '05, College Democrats president. "But, at the time we were not clear of this policy that prevents us from doing this."
Baehr and Conroy explained that when registering to vote in New Jersey, one does not specify party affiliation.
A Democrat, Republican or independent voter could sign up at any partisan group's table and not reveal his political leanings.
"I am not affiliated with the College Democrats nor was I planning on registering to vote here in New Jersey, but when I walked into the Rocky Dining Hall and saw the Democrats' table I figured why not?" Shuen Chai '05 said. "It was really easy and convenient."
Because of their success in registering voters — about 100 per year — the leaders of the partisan groups on campus are not willing to let the issue of voter registration fall to the wayside. Together the Republicans and Democrats will work with the USG on nonpartisan efforts to register students.
"There are so many political issues at a local level that Princeton students can have an effect on, issues that we cannot ignore, like the alcohol ordinance," Conroy said.
"There is a void left and we must come up with ways to use our manpower to fulfill it."
Read More
Students weigh in on changes to hours at Murray-Dodge Café
Eojin ParkMurray-Dodge’s hours have been cut nearly in half. Previously, Murray-Dodge was open from 3 p.m. to midnight every day. Amid other closures of campus cafes, its hours have been reduced to 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
Murray-Dodge’s hours have been cut nearly in half. Previously, Murray-Dodge was open from 3 p.m. to midnight every day. Amid other closures of campus cafes, its hours have been reduced to 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reflects on path to the Supreme Court in campus lecture
Isaac Bernstein and Justus WilhoitAt Princeton’s Harlan Lecture, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson discussed her journey to the Supreme Court, the power of dissenting opinions, and the importance of inspiring future generations.
At Princeton’s Harlan Lecture, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson discussed her journey to the Supreme Court, the power of dissenting opinions, and the importance of inspiring future generations.
Student employment in flux as University navigates budget cuts
Kian PetlinThe future of student employment remains uncertain amid budget cuts, with impacts ranging from reduced hours to staffing shortages.
The future of student employment remains uncertain amid budget cuts, with impacts ranging from reduced hours to staffing shortages.