University of Virginia Library

No Students

Example: Barely two dozen
students have worked locally for
Mr. Williams, whereas he could use
a hundred.

Example: If half the University
student body supports Mr. Williams
(a conservative estimate) and each
one donated a dollar to his campaign,
Mr. Williams' war chest
would increase by $5,000 — enough
for an 11th hour media blitz.

Either 100 students or $5,000
could elect Mr. Williams.

But neither seems forthcoming.

Student non-support in this
fall's election is apparently nationwide.

Last spring, of course, there
appeared to be the blossoming of
substantial student involvement in
Congressional campaigns. The
Movement for a New Congress was
formed at Princeton; universities
planned to recess for elections this
fall; and two of every five students
planned to work for their favorite
(probably anti-war) candidate.

This fall it is apparent that last
spring's enthusiasm was but a flash
in the pan. At universities with a
campaign recess maybe only about
one of ten students is campaigning.
At other colleges, participation is
even lower.

This fall, then, is the year of the
great student cop-out.

The phenomenon, though, is not
new.

Last spring Congress approved
the 18 year-old vote—despite a
complete lack of any student lobbying.