Registered student organization Campus Conservatives returns to CMU

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The Campus Conservatives of Central Michigan University has returned as a registered student organization on campus, despite past issues.

The political group struggled in 2010 with leadership and eventually decided to pull the plug. It had its RSO status revoked in 2009 after failing to pay a $220 bill for security at an event featuring conservative speaker David Horowitz.

“The group fizzled out but has been reinstated recently,” said Tom Idema, assistant director of Student Life. “RSOs can come and go all the time. It’s common.”

Campus Conservatives was established in 1961, designed to give the conservative students at CMU a voice.

Former group president Rebecca Hodson said she was surprised by the news of the Campus Conservatives’ reinstatement.

“I was unaware that the group was rebuilding,” Hodson said. “The Campus Conservatives that I was part of has a great history and had a great run. I hope whoever is rebuilding the group can continue that.”

The shoes Hodson left behind will be filled by Mount Pleasant senior Taylor Jackson.

“The process of creating a new RSO is inviting to students that are looking for something that is not currently available to them at CMU,” Jackson said. “It’s not a political party. Our goal is to engage in a critical conversation and serve as the conservative voice on campus.”

Jackson, a marketing, professional sales and logistics management major, recently traveled to Iowa to campaign for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president.

“It was an honor to be a part of such a historic election,” Jackson said. “I fully support Governor Romney for president because, fundamentally, he is the best-positioned conservative to defeat President Obama.”

Jackson said he has no connection to the recent struggles involving Campus Conservatives and said this group is a new and refreshed group looking to be involved and engaged on campus.

He said he didn’t believe the past issues were relevant to the current operations.

“We are proud of both past and current accomplishments, including this Saturday’s Republican Senatorial debate,” he said. “The campus community can expect a fully engaged and involved Campus Conservatives.”

The RSO will host a Republican U.S. Senate debate Saturday at the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.

The five candidates debating include physics and astronomy instructor Scotty Boman, former Vice President of Hillsdale College Clark Durant, President of American Family Association Gary Glenn, Former Prosecutor and Juvenile Court Judge Randy Hekman and founder of National Building Inspections Chuck Marino.

“The vast majority of students at CMU are politically conservative,” Jackson said. “They may not be partisan, but instinctively they are conservative. It’s important that these students have a voice on campus, and that’s what Campus Conservatives is about.”