As fall descends upon Indiana, temperatures are cooling, but the election campaigns are heating up. With November approaching, Taylor faculty and students are preparing for the presidential race and the tension it may bring.
In the History, Global, & Political Studies Department, plans for the election season are in full swing. Jakob Miller, associate professor of political science, is incorporating the election into his curriculum, using the current presidential race as an example in many of his political science classes. He is also planning to get students directly involved in the election process later this semester.
However, Miller made it clear that election-related activities are not limited to political science majors.
Miller has collaborated with Philip Byers, Halbrook Chair of Civic Engagement, to plan some initiatives for the entire campus. Byers is an assistant professor of history at Taylor University.
One of these initiatives includes voter registration. In the upcoming weeks, students can look for a table in the Campus Center where they can register to vote.
The university is also hosting speaker Vincent Phillip Muñoz, Tocqueville professor of political science and concurrent professor of law at the University of Notre Dame, on Sept. 25. Muñoz will talk about the American constitutional system that enables the election process. The daily announcement email and advertisements posted around campus will offer more information about these events.
Byers and Stephen Austin, the associate dean of student leadership, are offering resources to Taylor’s student leaders to help them work through political discussions in a Christian manner. Annabeth Eggebeen, chair of Taylor’s Student Senate, mentioned that one of these resources is called The After Party and is being provided to PAs and DAs across campus.
Student leaders on campus are also anticipating a more politically involved semester.
Wade Frances, student body president, said he has sensed no tension on campus regarding the election. But he felt it would be “remiss” to not anticipate any fallout.
“You kind of want to prepare for the worst and expect the best, I guess,” Frances said. “And I think that's where my head is.”
Frances mentioned the possibility of holding informational sessions centered around the election. Eggebeen also said that the student government has discussed producing resources addressing the presidential race.
Eggebeen has heard students talking about politics in smaller groups, but no major conflict has come to her attention, she said.
As November draws closer, Eggebeen expects some increase in political discussions. When debates and disagreements arise, she encouraged students to be informed while holding to an eternal perspective. She wanted everyone to remember that fellow students and professors are their neighbors.
“I think a lot of people get their salvation wrapped up into politics,” Eggebeen said. “Obviously, Jesus is our salvation, and both political parties, all candidates, all legislators, they're gonna fail you. So [just don’t put] so much of your future, hope and identity into what the result is.”
Like Eggebeen, Frances hopes students remember Taylor’s unifying values.
“I think that is a goal for our campus, [that] even if you disagree with somebody, there's no point in having it be taken personally,” Frances said. “Because if we do believe what we say and what we go to chapel for. I mean, we're all unified under Christ, which he ultimately controls what happens in this world.”
Frances encouraged students to speak about their beliefs while also listening to the opinions of others. By respectfully interacting with people who think differently, he believes ideas can be challenged and refined.
Miller acknowledged the tension that can come with election season. However, he has full confidence in the Taylor community.
“We agree on the fundamental things, right?” Miller said. “We agree on what the good world looks like. We disagree on what the best steps are to get there right now.”
So I'm not terribly worried about tension on Taylor's campus. I have really high regard for Taylor in general, for Taylor students in particular. And class after class, I'm blown away by my students and the depth, the maturity they have in handling topics like this…So I think we're going to be just fine.”
