University Republicans, a new old Recognized Student Organization on campus has been inactive for a few years but is being re-established.

Amy Leonard, student vice president for financial affairs, is the president for the group.

“We promote democracy from a republican standpoint. We want to get students more involved in politics,” Leonard said.

The RSO has been inactive for more than 10 years Leonard estimates.

“There are other political RSOs like the Political Science Association and the College Democrats, but their views are too liberal. We wanted a forum where we could talk about republican issues,” Leonard said.

The group also plans to help republicans campaign in elections, and would like to bring republican leaders to campus.

Leonard has an internship with Chapin Rose, a representative from the 110 district, whom with she has already discussed the possibility of speaking at Eastern.

Student Senate member George Lesica, the vice president of University Republicans has been working out the details of the club with Leonard.

“We’re trying to promote politics through a republican point of view to achieve a plurality of view points on campus. We want to motivate students to vote,” Lesica said.

The groups would like to join Student Senate in getting students to register to vote.

The group currently has 15 members, and will have its first meeting Thursday on the second floor of Coleman Hall in a room to be determined later. The organization is open to all students, faculty and staff.

“You don’t have to be a Republican to join,” Leonard said.

According to Leonard, the first meeting will focus on fundraising ideas.

“We’d like to raise enough money to attend a statewide Republican conference in the future to put Eastern on the map politically.

For more information on the group contact Amy Leonard at 581-7671.