Politics plan involvement

The UTC College Republicans have new leadership and a new direction as they make plans for the upcoming year. Tres Wittum, a senior from Cleveland, Tenn., has been named the Tennessee College Republicans Chairman, the first ever to be named as such from the university.Wittum said he was unanimously voted as the chairperson for the Tennessee division of the College Republicans three weeks ago and has begun plans to take the chapter in a new direction.

"We are the future of the Tennessee Republican party," Wittum said. "If we are not successful our party will fail."

He said he is focusing on getting the members of the chapter connected with senators and legislators.

"Joining the College Republicans is the first step to get involved in public life," Wittum said.

The College Republicans and the Young Republicans chapter for Tennessee plan on working together, and the group has already done work helping Sen. Bo Watson and Rep. Zach Wamp in their campaign efforts, Wittum said. By January students will be knocking on doors and getting more involved, he said.

The College Democrats have their own plans for getting more involved, Stacy Richardson, a senior from Chattanooga and the program director for the Democratic state board, said.

"The College Democrats here and across the state are reaching out to new members now more than ever," Richardson said.

The College Democrats are planning a voter registration drive, and hopefully some fun events that will bring in new members she said.

Seven to 10 schools in Tennessee had College Republican chapters, Wittum said, and now the group has brought the group to five more schools. The group has also planned for their members to meet political leaders and potential candidates on March 20.

"This gives candidates a chance to meet students and gives students networking opportunities," Wittum said. "We are a party of ideas not identity."

Wittum said the hardest part is creating awareness.

"People are scared they are not aware enough, but we don't just talk politics," he said. "The most American thing we can do is debate."

Austin Nely a Nashville freshman, said, to improve their publicity the College Republicans and Democrats could use the signs that hang from the UC and boards where students walk.

"That's where I hear everything," Nely said.

Wittum said the group plans to up their usage of social media such as Twitter and continued use of their Facebook page.

"We encourage students to join our Facebook page, but it isn't

just to be added to your groups, but more to make a commitment to be involved," Wittum said.

"The College Republicans are interested in debate but our primary focus is connecting our members and getting them out there," he said.

Richardson said the College Democrats meet every Monday night at 8 p.m. in the Heritage room in the UC.

For more information on College Democrats contact Erica Savin, the membership director of the State Federation of College Democrats, at Erica-Savin@utc.edu.

Wittum said those interested in learning more about the College Republicans should e-mail him at Tres-Wittum@utc.edu.

"Show you are interested and we'll do the rest," Wittum said.