The new year is bringing new political life to campus.
With the election well behind them, campus political groups are reorganizing and deciding what their main goals will be for the semester.
"Now we have a chance to solidify what we've done as an organization," said College senior Rich Eisenberg, outgoing president of the College Democrats. "The election year brought with it many advantages and resources, and it is time to use those opportunities to advance our cause."
Eisenberg's group is not currently gearing itself toward addressing possible political apathy among students now that the election is over.
"Especially on this campus, we've built up a very strong organization, so I'm not worried about any possible lack of interest," Eisenberg said.
The organization had their first meeting of the semester last week.
"Attendance was what we expected for the first meeting, around 35 to 40 people," Eisenberg said. "From now on it'll only increase."
College Democrats held their yearly elections yesterday evening, with College junior Jessica Smyth replacing Eisenberg as president of the organization.
"This year the organization will be doings things that have never been done before," Smyth said. "There are other elections coming up as soon as April, and the Penn Democrats are going to be just as strong as before."
College senior Stephanie Steward, president of the College Republicans, predicted a shift in direction for her group.
"Our main focus for the upcoming year is to concentrate once more on the campus," Steward said. "During the election, our organization mostly addressed national issues, and now it is time to show students that we are right and in the majority."
Steward also spoke of the group's reaction to the Republican victory in the presidential elections, and how it would affect the organization.
"Oh, we haven't stopped celebrating since," Steward said, "but now it is time to remind everyone of why we won, even if we haven't fully figured out what issues to concentrate on."
The College Republicans are commemorating the inauguration of President George W. Bush by hosting a gathering at Two Goodfellas next Thursday.
Even though campus leaders are enthusiastic, some students have mixed opinions about the upcoming semester.
"Regardless of optimism, I still think political activism will drop sharply," College freshman Bruce Hilman said. "People just won't be as interested as they used to be during election year."
Other students believe that students will remain interested in national and local politics.
"Once the current administration starts moving, people will be politically reenergized," Wharton sophomore Erica Dhawan said. "Obviously, [the] campus won't be as politically charged as last semester, but last year's election built strong political sentiments which will remain within students."
