January 23, 2008

A One-Time Opportunity: Mock Convention 2008

Some OWU opportunities, like annually-offered classes and those amazing cheesy tortillas HamWill sporadically offers, occur more than once. It's easy for students to catch them the second time around.

Other opportunities, though, happen once in a student's OWU lifetime. And, all personal opinion aside, one would be crazy to let them pass by.

The OWU Mock Convention is one such opportunity. An event of Olympic proportions (as it does occur every four years, during the election year), the convention provides insight into one of the most complicated events in US politics: the presidential elections. "It's a learning opportunity for students to better understand the presidential nominating process,” said Professor Joan McLean, associate dean for first year students, who serves as advisor along with Professor Craig Ramsay, of OWU’s politics and government department.

“Part of our challenge is to get students to understand how much there is to learn, starting from scratch,” says McLean.

However, don’t expect a dry lecture from Elections 101. Expect a social event, one which encourages “lively debate and competition from the candidates,” according to the convention Web site. Though it will be a Democratic Party convention (following the tradition that Mock Convention “represents the party not in control of the White House”), all are welcome to give their views and dress up. Or dress big. A scroll through the 2004 convention gallery reveals colorful banners, painted T-shirts, energetic sign waving, hats (sombrero, Panama, and Viking), and a massive gavel. No wonder McLean describes it as “fun.”

Also, expect the Ohio Treasurer of State, Richard Cordray, to be a guest speaker on opening day at 5 pm. He serves as a great example of politics, education, and fun: his many titles include State Representative, professor, and undefeated 5-time Jeopardy champion.

Expect a lot of student involvement, too. Student participants have been working since last semester.

“Last year they attended three hearings on prime issues: health care, the war on Iraq, and environmental concerns, which were open to the public,” McLean says. “Students participate in many ways. They organize state chairs, recruit delegates, and write the Mock Convention platform, to be recited during the convention. This is a great opportunity because it’s one of the few events where students, faculty, and staff all participate on an equal level.” This means you could be verbally sparring with the guy you bumped into at Smith Hall the other night, or Ramsay, the chair of the politics and government department.

You don’t need a strong political background to actively participate. You don’t have to actively participate to take part. You can simply attend and enjoy.

“I’m definitely going,” says Natalia Tariq ’09. “Politics really interests me, and I’ve never been to something like this before. Even as an international student, I feel like I should learn about this.” McLean agrees that international students would benefit by understanding the election process and having their voices heard.

This year, the convention is unique because it tracks a unique election. As McLean notes, “It’s the first election in 80 years without a sitting or former vice president in the party nominations race. As a result, this election is much more competitive. It’s also the first election to feature two frontrunners who are non-traditional candidates.”

All the more reason to attend or join. The convention runs from February 1-2, starting at 3 pm. “Even if you can’t do the whole program, do as much as you can,” McLean encourages.

The Mock Convention is still accepting state delegates, who debate the platform and choose the party’s presidential ticket. You can also join the convention staff and help set up. Contact details are on the Mock Convention Web site. Also, for the first time, Mock Convention has Facebook presence: you can join the group “Mock Convention 2008.” Join the OWU community for what Dr. McLean says is “truly a one-time opportunity.”

– Bea Pantoja `10