"In the nation's service, and in the service of all nations." As an institution, Princeton is always proud to proclaim this unofficial motto, a statement of its commitment to promote a sense of civic responsibility throughout the University community.
Unfortunately, some of Princeton's policies actually serve the exact opposite purpose. In particular, the policy prohibiting partisan student organizations, such as the College Republicans and College Democrats, from conducting voter registration drives is grossly inconsistent with the stated mission of serving the nation and the world.
In a democracy, the minimum service an individual can render to his or her country is exercising the right to vote. Princeton's policy prohibiting partisan voter registration drives inhibits the ability of students to render this service to the nation, explicitly contradicting the University's stated mission.
The University's intent in enforcing this policy is not malicious: the official rationale is that allowing partisan student organizations to conduct registration drives, the University would risk losing its not-for-profit, tax-exempt status.
Certainly, no one would advocate risking this status, but it seems as though the University is misguided in its interpretation of the regulations. Many other colleges, including Harvard and Rutgers, have retained their tax-exempt status even while allowing partisan organizations to conduct voter registration drives on campus. That these schools still have their tax-exempt status suggests the University is simply quashing students' free expression by being too risk-averse.
The University recently announced its intention to review this policy, and we believe that this is a step in the right direction. Partisan political groups are excellent means of mobilizing student interest in politics, and especially with the upcoming presidential election, they should have the right to register voters on campus. Groups with a clearly defined, partisan political mission like the College Democrats and College Republicans are likely to be much more effective in mobilizing students to register than a nonpartisan group.
In order to promote greater civic engagement and live up to its mission of serving the nation, the University should allow partisan groups to conduct voter registration drives on campus.
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