By Izayah Morgan
Editorial Staff
By Sophia Oppedisano
Editorial Staff
By Antonio Machado
Staff Writer
[ Editor's Note: This article references data on Page 6 multiple times. This graphic can be found in the post titled "Statistics Graphic: The Gatepost Election Survey" or at this link. ]
The Gatepost conducted an unscientific survey of 300 students and found 78.5% who are registered to vote plan to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. According to the survey, 17.1% plan to support former President Donald Trump. The remaining 4.4% plan to vote for Green Party, Libertarian, Socialist, or Independent candidates on the ballot. The survey was conducted between Oct.1 and Oct. 18. Of the survey respondents, 79% are registered to vote, and 9% planned to register before the registration deadline. Twelve percent are not registered to vote. Students were also surveyed about where they stood on important political issues (see data on Page 6). Most respondents are either affiliated with the Democratic Party (49.7%) or are Independent voters (40.7%). Approximately 9.3% percent of students identify as Republicans, and 0.3% are Libertarians. The major-party candidates for the 2024 election are Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Major polls have indicated Harris and Trump have been tied since Harris received the Democratic nomination in August. Some respondents said they wish they could vote for a candidate not affiliated with one of the major parties, but are discouraged by the current political environment. One anonymous survey respondent wrote, “I would love to vote Green, but it’s risky and unrealistic right now.” Of the survey respondents, 55% identified as white, 19.3% as Latina/o/x or Hispanic, 17.3% as African American, African, or Afro Caribbean, 6% as Asian or Asian American, and 0.3% as Native American or Alaska Native. Sixty-two percent identified as female, 31% as male, 6% as non-binary or gender non-conforming, and 1% as transgender. The Gatepost survey asked students to rate 10 significant issues in the election on a scale of 0-5 in terms of priority and importance, with 0 indicating no knowledge of the subject, 1 indicating low priority, and 5 indicating high priority. Protecting American Democracy Of the students surveyed, 55.3% rated the importance of protecting democracy at a 5, 3.3% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 2.7% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority to them (see graphic F on Page 6). President Nancy Niemi said while it doesn’t surprise her that students were less focused on the issue of democracy than other topics in The Gatepost’s survey, it still “bothers” her. “I am saddened that people don't pay attention to these things the way I wish they would. I think I'd be a little naive not to know that some of those responses wouldn’t show up on our campus sometimes. “The work of creating a country in which everyone's participation is not only secure but truly welcome and invited and nurtured continuously depends on all of us,” she said. Niemi added the current political discourse promotes the opportunity to “vilify people” and creates false narratives to push the agenda of a particular political candidate. She said this level of discourse “denies that we all have the right to an equal and powerful opportunity” to get work done in this country. “Political supporters, particularly of parties on the right … say, ‘Oh, well, all this rhetoric. Nobody really means it. It's just there to get attention.’ … We have the benefit of history,” she said in reference to the autocracy the world saw before and during World War II. “I want our students to understand the importance of that and [understand] that not participating is not an option,” she said. Niemi stressed the value of students thinking about and having smart and civil discourse about the election because of the weight words can hold and how they have the power to lead to action. “[Students] need to believe that they may only be one vote, but that one vote matters. They have to believe that because if you don't, then somebody else makes that decision for you. … You have to believe it matters - that you matter. “We are all a part of this discourse. That's what I want people to understand. Democracy is built that way, [and] it can go if we don't help figure this out. It's much more than about just this vote,” she said. She added, “If one doesn't have the opportunity outside of a college campus to have these types of conversations, [Framingham State] fosters that. … I'm very glad to see that reflected in so many different ways, and that reinforces the kind of organization that I know we are,” she said. Niemi said there are multiple initiatives at FSU to encourage students and faculty to vote, including a Get Out the Vote campaign and scheduling meetings where students are encouraged to discuss the issues that matter to them. Kim Galvani, Coordinator at the Office of Transportation, said the campus RamTram will be offering rides to faculty, staff, and students to and from the polling station at the Memorial Building in downtown Framingham throughout Election Day. Niemi stressed that after Election Day, the same kinds of discourse will be encouraged at both scheduled meetings and during class time among students and professors. She said support for students is of the utmost importance after Election Day. “I plan to be present … checking in with people, talking about it. It's important to do that work as well as the Get Out the Vote work because it's hard to know what to do with those emotions,” Niemi said. She encourages students and faculty to take whatever steps are necessary to go vote on Election Day, including canceling classes or taking a few hours off during the school day to get to the polls. “There are very few minutes in the day that I don't think about this particular vote. … I can't take advantage of my position … in any way that's partisan. … I'm mindful of my own space, and I'm encouraged and in empathy with everybody else who's in a position of authority on campus who also has to think about that,” she said. Lawrence McKenna, chair of the environment, society, and sustainability department, expressed concern that democracy being undervalued as an issue by student respondents in The Gatepost survey is a crucial misstep in student prioritization of the issues they are voting for in the upcoming election. He was shocked that only 55.5% of the survey respondents placed the protection of American democracy as a highest-priority issue “because unless we have American democracy, all these other things will go away,” he said. “I guess that people are more worried about climate change than maintaining American democracy is good in some sense, but without democracy, we're not going to do anything against climate change,” he said. McKenna noted that students might not understand the full value of democracy and how crucial it is to the upkeep of America as it stands today and emphasized that it is at stake in the upcoming election. He said, “Having never had it threatened before in a way that is conceivable and actionable to them, perhaps they don't understand the threat that is being imposed upon them. “What I'm worried about is that people don't think that American democracy is more important than anything else because without it, we don't have an opportunity to vote,” he said. Meg Nowak, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, noted that American democracy is a complex issue. She said she felt “privileged” to live in a country where she has the right to vote even if she is “not sure that our current electoral college process is perfect. “I am appreciative of the people who have fought for the right of women and BIPOC to fully participate in the process and feel we need to continue to fight for all citizens to have an equal voice,” she added. Joseph Coelho, chair of the political science, law, and global studies department, noted the support students have for Harris in the survey as well as his surprise that students did not rank issues such as climate change, inflation, and providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants higher. Coelho said the biggest shock to him was that only 55.5% of students rated protecting democracy as a highest priority. “I find that to be a little bit disconcerting. … The reason I think that's happening is because we're so polarized as a nation.” He said America’s “culture wars” have also been exported to Europe as far-right parties are beginning to gain more traction. “You're seeing polarization there, and as a result, our democratic system[s] don't seem like they're addressing problems that young people want to see addressed … so you're starting to see a lot of younger people feel disaffected or feel like democracy is not the answer to their personal problems,” he added. “You live in a more globalized, interconnected, and competitive world. … Trying to invest a little bit more time in exposing yourself to multiple opinions, perspectives, and information is probably the best thing to make us a much more informed citizenry, which is crucial for a vibrant democracy,” he said. Kaylie Valente, a senior, said she was speaking with Coelho and “He was saying something that really resonated with me, which was that [the candidates] have turned [the election] into a joke. It used to be pretty civil.” She noted how the discourse in the debate has veered away from just talking about the issues and has become a platform for the candidates to “...take constant hits [with] barely any policy talk. “I believe it was George Washington who said something along the lines that political parties were going to destroy our democracy. I believe that's what's happening now,” Valente said. History Professor Joseph Adelman said civic engagement is necessary for students in order to advocate for the changes they want to see. Paying attention to issues currently being discussed by the public and actively participating as well as voting is crucial, he said. Adelman noted the historical importance of the upcoming election with the stark difference between the major-party candidates and said it is important for students to remain informed and engaged in the voting process. “The two major candidates have presented very different visions of how American democracy should work going forward,” he said. “Democracy, representative government, requires work and active engagement all the time, and there are times when that can feel overwhelming, but that doesn't make it less important or less true,” he added. Adelman explained there are issues far too massive for a single person to solve, such as climate change, but that with enough cooperation and collaboration, progress can be made. He said, “Doing anything is better than doing nothing and working to make change in your community. “If there's anything that American history has shown, it's that there's strength in numbers, and don't assume that somebody else will speak for you. Find a way to get your voice heard. “We live in a society where there is the possibility for broad participation in public decision-making. The founders, the people who wrote the Constitution, had a very limited idea of who could participate in that, and we have expanded that to include students, people of color, and women. … We've improved on their idea, but the premise is participation. “We've seen that in the last 10 years. The kinds of ways in which people talk about racism and sexism in American culture has changed because people, a lot of them students, have been writing on social media and essentially forced a change in the kinds of terminology that we use in the ways we frame the discussion,” Adelman said. “You can't give up and walk away. That cedes the field to the other team. I want people to follow the law. I want people to be nonviolent, but your work doesn't stop on November 5,” he said. Sophomore Jordan Ortins said, “I am absolutely terrified for our democracy regardless of who wins this election. … I don’t think our democracy will ever be the same as it once was.” A national protection of access to abortion Of the students surveyed, 69.8% rated national protection for abortion access at a 5, a high priority, 2% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 2% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority for them (see graphic A on Page 6). According to Psychology Professor Anna Flanagan, “It is a particularly salient issue for college-age individuals, especially women. … I think the protection of your own body and reproductive rights is critically important as people are considering their childbearing years and sexual activity.” Flanagan said this is a polarizing issue and Republicans are attempting to make it less pressing in the minds of voters. Psychology Professor Jen Lin said, “Not only have [Republicans] restricted this access, but I think we know what's next: IVF, birth control, and even sexual education in the public school system. “I’m very concerned about the slope of the question - where is it going to stop?” Flanagan said Republicans have made the argument that abortion should be a state issue. “I have a hard time with that perspective. I don't believe that where you live in this country should determine whether or not you have certain protections,” Flanagan said. Lin agreed. “It has a ripple effect for women of minority identities, more so than privileged women - exacerbating the lack of equity we already have in this country.” Flanagan said, “It's requiring people to transport themselves across state lines.” It puts an unnecessary burden on underprivileged and marginalized communities as they may not have the same income level or mobility, Flanagan said. As people leave certain states because of stricter laws, the political environment of those states becomes more conservative, Flanagan said. Lin agreed. “Then we get a self-selection bias and even more polarization in this country.” Senior Faith Gouveia said, “Trump has made it clear that he wants to take the rights of a woman's body such as abortion. It has the potential to save a person's life if pregnancy is a risk. “I feel Kamala is the better candidate as she supports women's rights and believes everyone should have control over their own body,” Gouveia added. Sophomore Althea Norcross said, “Abortion is a medical necessity and shouldn’t be a thing that is debated in government. “What other people do with their bodies is no one’s business but theirs and their doctor’s,” she added. Junior Rileigh Kelley said, “Taking abortion away from women is a deliberate attempt at stripping them of their autonomy. Girls and women everywhere are in danger without abortion care.” Junior Erin Gem said, “I’m very grateful to be in a state that isn't immediately threatening my rights. However, I think people need to understand that there are still laws that will impact everyone. I believe that people should have their right to do whatever they want with their bodies, but there are a lot of people who don’t share that opinion and are against it.” A commitment to racial justice Of the students surveyed, 73.7% rated the need for the United States’ to make a commitment to racial justice at a 5, a high priority, 2% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 1.3% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority to them (see graphic B on Page 6). Nowak said she understands why a commitment to racial justice is so important to student respondents in The Gatepost’s survey. “I think this is important right now because of all the issues which have presented themselves over the last 5-10 years to bring light to racial injustice and hate to the forefront of our discussions and personal decision-making,” she said. “I am proud to be a leader on a campus that publicly states that it is an ‘antiracist’ campus and promotes racial justice. It is part of our core values and our work. We educate through programming and educating on related topics. We encourage discussions in and outside of the classroom and review/update policies from an antiracist lens,” she said. Jerome Burke, director for the Center of Inclusive Excellence, said the diverse population of Framingham State reflects the population of the city of Framingham. He was not surprised that students at Framingham State are committed to racial justice. Burke said he was happy to see how many students are considering racial justice in this election. “When you look at policy reform, people are having the conversation about whether they will have the same number of rights as those in previous generations. ‘Will my ethnicity determine whether or not I can buy a house in a particular community?’” Burke asked. He also said it is important to remember there was a period of time when Black people could not vote. Now they and other marginalized groups are exercising the right and focusing on issues that directly affect them. “The Black community knows very well that if they are not very active in elections … candidates will try to do things that limit them more - such as voter suppression,” Burke said. “Race is showing up in politics, so much so that both the Republican and Democratic candidates are creating policies that affect minority communities,” Burke said. He said a major issue is going to be how police engage with underprivileged communities. “Are we going to find a way, if someone commits a crime … to get them back on track? “Also, if we're going to do that, are we going to move away from over-policing, which has disproportionately affected Black and brown communities, and find more ways to community police?" he asked. Junior Cristian Acuna, president of the Brother 2 Brother student organization, said, “As a country, we’re kind of just plateauing right now. We're just used to what's been going on for the last couple of years, ever since COVID-19 and the whole George Floyd [tragedy]. “Based on what's going on in the country and the climate of the justice system when it comes to people of color, I just feel like there's room for growth, and there's always needed to be growth.” Acuna added, “This [election] is pretty different, because it's important to take into consideration the fact that Kamala Harris could be the first woman, not even just a woman of color, to be president. We're up against a former president as well - everybody has their opinions on that man. There's a lot of bad that that man has caused in this world.” Junior Nicholas Carre said, “Racial justice is important to me because … regardless of gender, sexual orientation or race, everyone deserves an equal opportunity.” Junior Esther Casseus said, “Overall, I see the shift it's had on people voting. … I feel like it's the big issue of this election and it's where you see whose voice is or is not heard. That's why it's important we are active and vote on these issues.” Protecting LGBTQ+ rights Of the students surveyed, 64.7% rated the protection of LGBTQ+ rights at a 5, a high priority, 5.7% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 3% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority to them (see graphic C on Page 6). Burke said he came to America for many reasons - one of which was his sexual orientation. “In Jamaica, it’s an absolute no-no, and to see how much LGBTQ+ issues have been politicized [in the United States] is very concerning,” Burke said. “To me, it was refreshing to see that students were also considering this, and it is driving them to go vote because those rights need to be protected,” he said. Burke said during the recent history of the United States, there has been so much done for the LGBTQ+ community in terms of providing anti-discrimination and anti-hate laws. However, these safeguards are currently under siege. “When you look at some of the books that have been banned and removed from shelves, a lot of those books are dealing with issues in the LGBTQ+ community. “Because now, the conversations are different, and we need to allow people to understand that some families might be different. Sometimes, it means two dads, two moms, or two non-binary people,” he said. “These people are a part of our real life, whether family, friends, or neighbors. Yet when it shows up in the classroom, it's suddenly a problem,” Burke said. Senior Hex Strange said, “Trump is in favor of referring to LGBTQ+ students by the name and pronouns on their birth certificate unless given written permission by the parents. The policy may isolate LGBTQ+ students, especially those who are not comfortable coming out yet.” Junior Aili Schiavoni said, “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I would like to see my peers be in a position where they don’t have to worry about those rights being infringed upon and that they’re able to express themselves to their truest form without fear.” Freshman Kimberly Dearo said, “LGBTQ+ rights are the most important [to me] because I am a woman married to another woman. It saddens and troubles me to see that my choice bothers people. People are still losing their lives just for being part of this community, and the threat of having our rights revoked or marginalized truly scares me.” Stricter gun control measures Of the students surveyed, 59.3% rated the need for stricter gun control measures at a 5, a high priority, 3.3% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 4% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority to them (see graphic J on Page 6). Framingham State Deputy Police Chief Martin Laughlin noted the daily inundation of news coverage on active shooters and these reports' influence on students. “Back when I was kid, we didn't have any such thing like that, but I think in regards to the news media and … all the active shooters in mostly schools, I think it does raise their awareness in regards to gun control itself,” he said. Police Chief Joseph Cecchi said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey recently passed a gun control bill that aims to crack down on ghost guns, which are homemade firearms, and strengthen violence prevention. Regarding Healey’s bill, Cecchi and Laughlin said students are fortunate to live in a state with stricter gun laws. To further educate themselves, Cecchi and Laughlin urge students to take advantage of the active shooter training the department offers and read Healey’s bill and other state and national gun legislation. In the meantime, they said the department will continue to do the utmost to protect students and faculty. They noted that if students or faculty have concerns about their safety, they can report them to the police department at any time. “We want to make sure that the campus is safe and that you can get your higher education degree here without worrying about safety,” Cecchi said. Senior Adriana Baldelli said despite her plan to vote for Harris, she sees value in protecting the right to bear arms so women have an opportunity to defend themselves as long as they are legally cleared to carry a firearm and have the proper licensure. “I think that being able to have a right to bear arms and to be able to [defend yourself] is important, especially as a woman,” she said. Freshman Cat Schiappa said, “When I was in middle school, I experienced a school shooting threat. I don’t want that to happen to anybody else. Nobody in the world deserves to live under that fear. It’s so horrible to see on the news every day that another school shooting has happened, and we need to vote for someone who will take action and make this stop.” Senior Adrianna Puccio said it is imperative that civilians are banned from buying assault rifles and there is legislation passed for more thorough background checks because “people who aren’t supposed to have guns, fail a background check, or plan to do harm will always find a way to get [guns].” Providing student debt relief Of the students surveyed, 55% rated concerns about student debt relief at a 5, a high priority, 2.3% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 3% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority to them (see graphic D on Page 6). Benjamin Alberti, professor of anthropology, said students should not have to worry about student debt relief because higher education should be subsidized. “I come from a context in the U.K. where when I went to university, it was free,” Alberti said. He said students didn't have to pay anything. If they could not cover the cost of food, it would be subsidized. “Even in the situation that my parents were relatively well off, they just had to pay something toward my maintenance, which was maybe $3,000 a year,” Alberti said. “To me, it demonstrates how normalized debt is here. It has become that if you go to college, you will come out with some debt,” he said. Alberti said students anticipate going into debt because “that's just what happens.” If people are offered the option to go to college with no debt, they would approach their educational experience differently. Junior Nasir Francilon said, "I personally hate student debt and believe in student debt relief. … I believe in education as a human right, so it should be free.” Senior Jeslie Daveiga said, “Student debt is ridiculous and then having students pay that all back is stupid. We already have to pay so much and making us pay after school is crazy.” Sophomore Paige Rainville said, “I will be accruing a good amount of debt after being here in school, and I'm sure I'm not alone. I feel that if debt relief becomes an option in our futures, then not only would that provide a great foundation for our life ahead, but also our life when we are raising children of our own. “I have a friend who is a mom of three, and she's still paying her college loans,” she added. Sophomore Alexandria Rose said, “I had to take out loans to be able to attend school this year. Tuition cost is already so expensive before residence fees, and some people don’t come from the best backgrounds. Scholarships don’t cover even a quarter of tuition costs or the amenities and cost of living. “Not many people are taking the discussion of debt seriously. If you or someone you care about aren’t directly impacted, people don’t care, but it’s a huge problem everywhere,” she added. Health care affordability
Of the students surveyed, 69% rated concern about health care affordability at a 5, a high priority, only 0.7% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 0.7% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was of low priority to them (see graphic G on Page 6). Ellen Rearick, chair of the nursing department, said rising health care costs significantly impact college students, specifically those who are nearing graduation and entering the job market. Rising health care costs impact the ability of students to afford essentials such as housing and food, she added. “Understanding health care affordability is crucial because it directly affects your financial stability and access to necessary medical services. … Being informed about health care policies can help you make better decisions about your health and finances,” she said. Rearick said students should evaluate the health care policies proposed by both state and national candidates. According to Rearick, students are responsible for researching candidates’ platforms, comparing their policies, and considering the long-term effects of those policies to effectively educate themselves. She added students should refer to reliable sources such as Politifact to get non-partisan, fact-checked information about each candidate’s health care policies. Easing the rate of inflation Of the students surveyed, 57% rated the importance of easing the inflation rate at a 5, a high priority, 2% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 1.3% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority to them (see graphic H on Page 6). Robert Totino, vice president of finance, technology, and chief financial officer, said inflation is “not easy to overcome if you're working one, two, or more part-time jobs and paying for your college education, trying to be affordable paying for things like rent or food.” Totino noted that wages do not increase at the annual rate of inflation, making comfortable living tough for students. However, Totino said the inflation rate has decreased in the last few years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of inflation was 8.3% in August 2022 compared to the current rate of inflation, which is currently hovering around 2.4% as of August 2024. Totino said the lower rate of inflation is “not great, but manageable,” as it will allow employers to provide wage increases that can match the inflation rate. “You always would like to see an employer provide raises which are higher than the rate of inflation, so that college students … can not only pay for the costs of goods and services that are going up in their world, but they can also put some money away, too,” Totino said. A student who wished to remain anonymous praised former President Donald Trump for his work on the United States economy when he was in office. “The economy was a lot better when he was the president. He might have said some stupid stuff because he really doesn't know how to publicly talk. I don't really agree with everything he says, but you can't deny the numbers. Unemployment was at an all-time low. The economy was at an all-time high. People were getting paid more than in the past 20 years,” the student said. More action on curbing climate change Of the students surveyed, 61.3% rated taking action to curb climate change at a 5, a high priority, 3% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 2.7% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority to them (see graphic E on Page 6). McKenna said, “There is cognitive dissonance that seems to be affecting how we are [talking about] climate change. Cognitive dissonance is how people maintain that climate change is not happening, even though I'm wearing shorts on October 24. “They know it's happening, but they can't believe it. It's too much of a threat, so you get this cognitive dissonance where you're holding two different things as true at the same time, even though they're mutually exclusive,” he added. McKenna said the idea of combating climate change may feel overwhelming to students but suggested ways in which they can advocate for curbing it. McKenna said, “The really difficult thing about climate change, and the reason I think that so many people feel that they don't have agency with climate change, is because it [that] takes collective action. “That sort of collective action, where you generate, where you nucleate change in others, is what climate change requires, because it requires a political decision, an ethical decision, and that ethical decision has to be magnified by the participation of others. It's a big thing for an 18-year-old to think, ‘Oh my gosh, how am I going to do this?’ Well, you vote. You write emails. You become educated. You talk to others,” he added. “The most persuasive thing you can do to convince others about the necessity of acting in terms of reducing the long-term effects of climate change on the planet is to talk to people in your family, in your friend group, who don't think it's a problem and share personal information and ideas with them,” he said. Junior Veronica Nunez said, “I feel as if climate change is apparent. Before, it already would be cold out but it’s like 70 degrees at the end of October. Even in Alaska, there's greenery growing out there, when Alaska is known to be cold.” A student who wished to remain anonymous said, “Fracking is one of my biggest concerns at the moment. More third-world countries are being exploited for their oil. I'm not voting for someone, but rather I'm voting against certain ideals. It is dire that we make a decision that won’t make us move backwards in our climate journey. The clock is ticking down on the amount of time we have to save the planet.” Providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants Of the students surveyed, 48.3% rated providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants at a 5, a high priority, 3% indicated they have no knowledge of the subject, and 6.3% rated the issue as 1 - indicating it was a low priority to them (see graphic I on Page 6). Coelho said the low number may have resulted from negative misinformation put out by the political right. “I think the Republican Party has been very effective in controlling the narrative about undocumented immigrants - for instance, saying that they're taking people's jobs, they're committing violent crimes, they're eating people's pets - none of the data suggests that any of these things are happening, and yet, people are inundated with the negative messaging,” Coelho said. He said students should read more newspapers and trusted sources to combat this kind of negative messaging rather than getting their news from social media. He also encouraged students to get involved in conversations that expose them to other opinions. “When you engage in social media, you're entering a tribe of people who think like you … and you're not exposed to alternative opinions or perspectives. … That makes it really impossible to have an open, civil discourse,” Coelho added. Junior Taimoor Khansaid said, “I would like to see more addressed about immigration. I wish it was a more streamlined process. I feel like it's unfair to the people who have been in this country for a really long time.” Students participating in The Gatepost survey were given an opportunity to indicate other political issues that are important to them as voters. Several students noted their deep concern about the Israel-Hamas war. One anonymous survey respondent wrote, “I would like for the country not to be supporting Israel anymore.” Another anonymous respondent agreed with this sentiment, writing, “Free Palestine,” and saying the “genocide” in Gaza is a high-priority issue to them. One anonymous survey respondent wrote that the United States should end its involvement in all current wars and international conflicts. Other issues on students' minds include housing, reforming the Supreme Court, the Russia-Ukraine war, the war in Sudan, protecting union rights, the genocide of Muslims in China, and the national drug epidemic. One anonymous survey respondent wrote, “Let’s worry about housing U.S. citizens, including legal immigrants and homeless veterans. Stop giving money, housing, or any aid to illegal aliens.” Another anonymous survey respondent wrote, “I'm voting for Kamala despite the Biden administration's handling of the genocide in Gaza. Unfortunately, we have a two-party system, which makes having third-party political candidates very unlikely, even though third-party candidates better represent my desires for this country. … It's so confusing and overwhelming, but I hope one day, we can rid the country of the Electoral College and two-party system and enact rank choice voting like other more democratic nations.” Freshman Kimberly Dearo said, “I am very concerned because the Republican Party, based on the proposals they've presented, does not give any impression of supporting democracy. When you question whether a person should love only a certain gender, that is not democratic. When they threaten to close borders and deport people, that is not democratic. When they want to decide if a woman should carry a pregnancy to term or not, that is not democratic at all.” Sophomore Cadence Lucia said she hopes “America can have peace again” after this election. Lucia admitted she is scared. “It's kind of chaos right now, and I think everyone is stressed out about everything. I just hope that once the person is [elected], that everyone can go back at ease again. … My worst fear is taking two steps backward because I think, especially after COVID, we all need to step forward. … I have never voted before. This is the first election that I've ever been a part of,” she said. Senior Sasha Charmant expressed her faith in the American people to turn the country around. “I have a lot of faith in our country and the voters. … I think we are smart enough to choose the lesser of two evils. … It matters. We have to make change - please protest, put something on your story, stop hiding because it affects you. It affects everyone,” she said. For many students, this is the first election in which they can vote. Sophomore Jordan Ortins said, “At least weekly, I sit with myself and wonder how, in my first-ever election, I’m fighting for my rights not to get stripped away. I never thought I would be watching this country move backward.” Senior Liv Florestal urges students to vote. “I’m driving an hour and 45 minutes back home to go vote, so y’all better go vote! Get with the program and make a change,” she said. Student Trustee Jeremy McDonald said The Gatepost’s survey results are a clear indication that there is a broad array of issues that are of high priority to students. “It’s important for the candidates to appeal to the concerns of all to earn their votes. … Historically, college students have long played a role in advocating for their views. As we all become more politically aware … students across the political spectrum should advocate to their elected representatives for their thoughtful policy preferences.”