Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

Page 26 text:

Bush visits the Tech campus during campaign Heated debates For the most part in Campaign ' 84, the Tech campus was exube- rent with cheers. But some students and faculty slipped off with their tails between their legs as President Reagan won the most passionate election in the past few years. The American nation seemed to come alive with involvement in the 1984 election. Voters, as well as avid campaigners, made their voices heard in a high turnout. The obvious concern of the American people about this election brought the candidates to their toes. The active participation of Amer- ican citizens was not limited to the older generation. American college students came forth with a zeal not seen since the ' 60s. Brian Hennessy, an active mem- ber of the Young Democrats at Tech, said students came forward because of the tremendous stake they had in the outcome. This one shapes America for years to come , ' ' he said. The biggest effect of this election, Hennessy said, will be on the Sup- reme Court. The man elected to serve this term in the White House has the possibility of appointing several justices in the next four years. The involvement in the campaign by college students seems to be a tide, said Albert H. Ardis, a volun- teer at the Lubbock Republican headquarters. Ardis said he was amazed at the students ' level of dedication. Their involvement was a complete turn- around since the early ' 70s, he said. Several students from Tech traveled to Dallas in July for the Re- publican National Convention. Spencer Hayes, a junior who attended the convention, said some of the students in Dallas painted signs, blew up balloons and helped out at rallies. They expected yell- ing, he said. Hayes said he thought most of the students went to the convention because they believe in what ' s | going on in Reagan ' s administration. There ' s a positive change on the en- tire attitude of the country. He said he thought most of the student involvement in national campaigns was a result of the bandwagon effect which in this election was to the advantage of the Republicans. Ardis said many Tech students, whether Republican or Democratic, were active even in the local and state elections. Many of them, he said, had registered to vote in Lub- bock rather than in their home- towns. This tells me they are really | interested in their local and state leaders, he said. The sudden flux of student inter- est in politics absolutely! affected the outcome of the elec- tion, Ardis said. The students not only counted for their own votes, he said, but they influenced a certain amount of the votes of their friends and relatives. Throughout the campaign sea- son, the presentation of the candi- dates by the media kept students buzzing about the election. Time af- ter time debate was stirred as the media poured out ever-changing accounts of the candidates ' actions and policies. Following the tenden- cy of some candidates to sling mud, the voters themselves became hos- tile toward one another in many in- stances. The University Daily was full of letters to the editor addres- sing the political issues that gave the election its breath. After two televised debates be- I tween Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale , debates over who won en- s 22 — Elections

Page 25 text:

Rec Center has run on dav of torch arrival presented with the Hag, Montagna said. Following the ceremony at the courthouse, there was a reception in the Chamber of Commerce confer- ence room to honor the runners. The same day the torch passed through Lubbock, Montagna said, the Tech Student Recreation Center sponsored an Olympics Torch Relay Fun Run. Tech students involvement in the 1984 Olympics didn ' t end with parades and receptions and fun runs. Several students trekked to Los Angeles to view the games in person. Julia Koncak, a Tech basketball player, traveled to LA to see her brother play on the U.S. basketball team. Koncak, who hopes to play in the ' 88 Games, said she was im- pressed by the widespread pro- USA atmosphere. People from the other countries even noticed it, she said. The best thing about the trip, Koncak said, was to see what gold looks like up close! — Jane Qitinn During the Summer Olympics, the United States won 83 gold medals. 61 silver and 30 bronze. Carl Lewis won four gold medals in the lOO-meterdash, the 200-meter dash, the 4x100 meter relay, and the longjump. Many communist countries boycotted the Olym- pics. Mary Lou Retton won the all-around gold medal and led the gymnastics team to a silver medal. She also won bronze medals for the floor exercise and the uneven parallel bars and took a silver medal for the vault. Area residents take turns carrying the torch through Lubbock on its way to Los Angeles for t he opening ceremony. The national theme of the torch was Legacy for the Fu- ture. Olympics — 21

Page 27 text:

Students more conservative during presidential election year sued across campus. I was amused (by the debates), said senior Cecile Kittock, saying there was no debate on the issues. The whole thing was a personality expose. Sophomore Cindy Davis agreed that the debates had a humorous vein running through them. Nonetheless, the political fervor continued. Debates between U.S. Vice President George Bush shakes hands with local residents and Tech students after speaking on campus during his election cam- paign. Bush and other Republicans discussed some of the issues of the platform. House candidates Larry Combest and Don Richards evoked similar reactions from students. Throughout the campaign, to the apparent surprise of many and perhaps to the chagrin of some, the Tech campus emerged as being largely conservative. Said Davis, I feel like such a hippie because everyone else is so conservative. Everyone was Re- publican in this election except me and Sid and Eric! Ardis agreed that Tech students were conservative and said they are becoming more and more so. A lot of things they heard as they were growing up didn ' t make sense, and now they ' re changing their outlooks and ways of think- ing, he said. Even after the election was over, there were signs that the debate over the issues would continue. Conservative or liberal, the trend toward involvement may extend into the next election. — Jane Quinn President Reagan won re-election with the biggest electoral vote in the nation ' s history. He won 49 states with 49 percent of the total vote. President and Mrs. Reagan celebrate the victory on election night, November 6, 1984. Electiona — 23