Students establish rightist book club

By: CAROLYN CRIST

Posted: 8/28/08

For those who think the University campus is too liberal-leaning, a new student organization can help expand knowledge of ideology.

UP FROM LIBERALISM

What: Conservative book club
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: SLC by Jittery Joe's

Several students have started a conservative book club called "Up from Liberalism," named after the first book being read.

The book, written by William F. Buckley, is sparking the groups' discussion of conservatism.

"We get together and read books and articles about conservatism, talk about current issues, how conservatism is progressing and was formed, what we can do now and how it can improve," said Ian Gunn, a sophomore from New Orleans.

The group met once last spring and now will meet once a month on Sundays in the Student Learning Center.

Buckley, founder of the political magazine National Review, "in a way started the conservative movement," Gunn said. "When he graduated from Yale and wrote 'God and Man at Yale,' talking about the liberal side of Yale, it launched his career because it was so controversial and got publicity."

Gunn said the group is starting with the same idea to "cover the underrepresented conservative side on campus."

Although several members of the group are active College Republicans, he said many members of the group "heard different students across campus express the desire to see more avenues to get involved and learn about conservativism. Some aren't politically active but are interested in learning about different ideologies and discussions."

Kristin Bernhard, vice chair of the group, said it gives her a way to examine the writing of the conservative movement.

"For me it's really important that what I believe is backed up by as much reading and research as possible. It gives a 'why' to explain when I say I'm conservative."

The group initially worked with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute to get started on campus and is also supported by the Leadership Institute of Alexandria, Va., which trains representatives across the country to start conservative student groups and newspapers.