The Southern University Chapter of College Republicans will reach its first full year of activation at the completion of this semester and according to Quinton Myers, chapter president, the group’s recruitment efforts are struggling.
“We’ve got a school that focuses predominantly on liberal issues rather than conservative issues,” Myers said. He said that philosophy was a primary reason for student apathy towards joining the organization.
“When people tell us or we ask what they think about Republicans, they automatically say that Republican candidates can’t relate to black issues,” Myers said. “And we beg to differ.”
Myers said the organization has only 5 members, all of which are officers, except one. He said the focus of the College Republicans is to establish independent thought processes rather than trying to create a political machine to convert people to the Republican Party.
“Just like any other campus, you need diversity at HBCUs as well,” Myers said. “You come to learn different things and meet different people, that’s the beauty of college.”
He said a goal of the organization would be to promote awareness of its ideals as well.
“All I want people to know is there is an organization on this campus that represents conservative ideals,” Myers said. “We are willing to collaborate with any other organization that would like to do so.”
Ariel Willis, a sophomore nursing major from Jennings, disagrees and said representing the ideals of the Democratic Party has been a long-standing tradition.
“I would never join the College Republicans,” Willis said. “I see black people as Democrats because it seems that we share the same views.”
She said that from her observations, the Democratic Party relates better to blacks.
“History and family has made me a Democrat,” Willis said.
Myers said the College Republicans are currently seeking students willing to chair various committees, as well as those wanting to attain regular membership status.
“We just want people willing to be active and people who want to help the community and have conservative ideals and beliefs,” he said.
He said the organization would conduct membership drives throughout the semester and students can submit their interest sending a letter to the organization’s e-mail address at [email protected].
“I think we have the potential to grow just as big as any other organization on this campus,” Myers said. “When we learn to be an example, that’s when growth starts.”