The Yale political scene: left, right, and center

Think the U.S. government is too intrusive? Or that it doesn't do enough to help its citizens? Whether you're a radical liberal, a diehard conservative, or a staunch monarchist, there are plenty of arenas in which to broadcast your political ideology. The many debate, political, and social action organizations at Yale give students ample opportunities to discuss issues with prominent political speakers, to protest, or to help run campaigns.

CAYTE PUSHKAREVA/YH Students Against Sweatshops protested Yale's policies in Beinecke Plaza with shanties manned around the clock.

Many students get their first taste of political debate with the Yale Political Union (YPU). Though debate is still the YPU's main activity, the organization also offers a chance to hear and ask questions of prominent political activists and leaders. Two years ago, the YPU was struggling to regain its former prominence as the quality of its speakers declined.

This past year, however, the YPU continued its resurgence. Its floor entertained former Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, Hustler magazine kingpin Larry Flynt, presidential candidate Bill Bradley (at Toad's Place, no less) and talk show host (and former mayor of Cincinnati) Jerry Springer. Speakers came to the YPU floor to speak on topics such as, "Resolved: Don't Touch My TV!," or "Resolved: The Office of the Independent Counsel should be eliminated."

All YPU members are affiliated with one of six smaller debate organizations: the Liberal Party, the Progressive Party, the Independent Party, the Tory Party, the Conservative Party, or the Party of the Right. The members of these parties also hold their own debates, which range from the philosophical to the silly—the Conservatives have debated, "Resolved: Great minds do think alike," while the Progressives have considered, "Resolved: It's not the sex, it's the lies." Antics add humor to YPU meetings, and the Party of the Right and the Progressives are known to bring ample amounts of port and Bass Ale, respectively, to events.

In January 1998, the Yale College Student Union (YCSU), founded by former YPU members Marc Linde-mann, SY '98, and Matthew Rothman, BR '00, arrived on the scene as an answer to the YPU's failure to bring prominent speakers to campus. The YCSU aims to function more like a lecture series. Recent guests included CIA director James Woolsey, LAW '68, and political cartoonist Gary Trudeau, DC '70.

The Yale College Democrats (YCD) and Yale College Republicans (YCR) both throw their members into the real world political fray. YCD describes itself as "an undergraduate organization that works with the College Democrats of America and the Connecticut Democratic Party to promote the ideals and candidates of the Democratic party." YCD also hosts an annual New England conference for college Democrats. YCR, though smaller than YCD, also has an active campus presenece, meeting with presidential candidate Bob Dole during his campaign. YCR also volunteers to help Habitat for Humanity.

In addition to these organizations, Yale is home to the Conservative Forum, the Yale Black Political Forum and the Women's Center. Each has its own agenda and brings its own speakers. Yale also has a strong activist community, boasting groups like the Student Labor Action Coalition, which supported Yale workers during the 1996 dining hall strike; Students Against Sweatshops, which campaigned strongly this year to stop Yale apparel from being made in sweatshops with a much-heralded camp-out in Beinecke Plaza; and Student Alliance to Reform of Corporations (STARC), a Yale group against abusive corporate practices that has established itself in campuses nationwide.

So whether you want to register voters or just see Larry Flynt's gold wheelchair, Yale can satisfy your political hunger.

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