Student Political Leaders Set Example of Bipartisan Cooperation
There's a lesson to be learned from the collaborative relationship of student political leaders Conor Finley, a Democrat, and Megan Dutra, a Republican .
If political activities on campus are any indicator, there may well be a generation of political leaders coming along who will be willing to bridge the partisan divide.
Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans Chair Megan Dutra’s political opinions differ greatly from those of Conor Finley, president of the Suffolk College Democrats, yet the two student leaders have been able to work together for the best interests of their University colleagues.
“It’s upsetting to see how conflicted the state of politics is today and how it has really gridlocked this country,” says Finley, a junior majoring in Political Science and Public Relations.
Both the College Democrats and College Republicans are actively involved in politics on a state and national level. The clubs host forums and debates each semester with prominent guest speakers.
Dutra and Finley say that they are in constant communication with one another.
“We really do a great job of letting one another know about opportunities to get involved around the city,” says Finley.
The two have appeared on a number of different radio talk shows speaking on behalf of politically involved college students, and they were interviewed together on Fox 25 News following the presidential election.
"Optimism for next generation"
“I think that to be able to have two young students in politics that differ on fundamental issues, yet still manage to work together and help each other is a sign of optimism for the next generation of American politics” says Finley.
Dutra, a senior Philosophy major says that she’s heard about very different types of relationships among students involved as College Democrats and College Republicans at other institutions and thus has come to appreciate just how collaborative the organizations are here at Suffolk.
"Working toward common goal"
“It’s important to be able to educate students on all sides of the political spectrum,” says Dutra. “And I think that one of the main reasons why the College Democrats and College Republicans have such a great relationship here is because we are both working toward the common goal of educating and preparing college students to form their own opinions on pressing issues -- and to take their political aspirations to the next level.
“There is no question that the next generation of politicians will soon be making their mark in American history. It is much more important to start getting students involved in politics and the government process rather than to be arguing with one another on who is right and who is wrong.”