The College Republicans at EIU are fresh on campus. They became a registered student organization on Sept. 19. This time last year, the group was nothing more than a conversation piece between two freshmen — Ben Anderson and the other co-founder, Hayden Sennett.
Anderson and Sennett have been buddies since they met at a new student event last year. The two also shared a couple classes together.
Walking together to South Quad from their weather and climate class is where the idea of a Republican RSO would emerge.
“We just noticed that there were College Democrats and Students for Socialism, but there weren’t College Republicans,” said Anderson. “And at first, it was kind of a joke, saying ‘Oh, like, should we start it.’ We kind of laughed it off at first, but then it became a lot more serious.”
The duo’s serious demeanor heightened when they realized their friends would join the RSO if it was founded. With momentum behind them, they began the RSO process.
Eastern’s Student Life Office provides an outline for three beginning steps to form an RSO:
Step one: select members and a faculty/staff adviser
The group had student interest but needed an adviser. Anderson went to John Morris, a senior instructor and undergraduate adviser in political science, and asked him to advise the potential group.
“I said ‘Let me think about it,’” said Morris. “‘I’ll tell you in 48 hours.’ I’ve been non-partisan my 20+ years I’ve been here. I wanted to maintain that.”
Morris reached out to professor and College Democrats at EIU adviser Kevin Anderson with a proposal: Morris would advise the Republicans while also joining Kevin Anderson in advising the Democrats, thereby preserving “non-partisanship.”
The Republicans had their adviser, whom Ben Anderson said he wanted due to the group’s mission of promoting political unity on campus.
Step two: complete EIU Registered Student Organization Online Application
The group had to draft a constitution, wherein they detailed the potential RSO’s purpose, affiliation, finances and structure.
Here, under purpose, the group wrote: “Our goal is to connect like-minded individuals, help students feel comfortable being an open Republican, promote the Republican party, increase voter activity and to promote political unity on campus and in the community.”
For Morris, promoting political unity between the Republicans and Democrats across campus is important.
“I have actually witnessed the presidents of both organizations; they talk to each other,” said Morris. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
Step three: registration process
With potential members on board, an adviser picked, the constitution drafted and leadership selected, Anderson and Sennett could submit their proposal to the Student Life Office.
The office checked to ensure the group completed all required steps and adjusted the proposal as necessary before sending the final copy to the director of student life.
Then, the proposal was sent to Eastern’s Student Government for final review and approval.
Anderson presented the RSO to the Student Senate at its meeting on Sept. 19.
“Student government has members of other political organizations on there,” said Anderson. “I think I got like four or five comments saying it was a great idea. Like, saying it would give Republicans an open space and it would promote bridging the gap between the political parties.”
Following Anderson’s presentation, the RSO was granted approval unanimously by the Student Senate.
Aidan Cusack can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].
