The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a “liberal” campus that needs to offer “an alternative” to students, College Republican officers said at their Sept. 21 kick-off meeting.

“There’s more conservative students on campus than people think there are,” said College Republicans President Tom Keeley. “Our top priority is letting other conservative students know that they’re not a super minority here and that they should feel free to speak up.”

The kick-off also focused on national and state Republican campaigns. Possible trips to Washington, D.C., Florida and Pennsylvania to help with U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum’s 2006 bid for reelection were also discussed.

The College Republicans are looknig to increase the group’s visibility on campus. The College Democrats have an e-mail listserv of 735 with 40 fairly active members, with 10 being described as very active. The College Republicans have a listserv of just over 600, with 60 active members and a normal attendance of about 30 at meetings.

“Students are bombarded with a liberal slant,” Vice President Lorenzo Vicini said. “We’re looking to offer an alternative.”

That alternative comes in the form of the organization itself and may soon be in the form of a new campus publication.

The planned publication would focus on campus events and national and international issues and would contain a business section.

“It would show how these events tie in with college students,” Vicini said.

Cooperatives with other student organizations are also a goal of the conservative group. One such cooperative is an environmental group like Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow, which bills itself as an alternative to WISPIRG. College Republican groups at other Wisconsin schools were also mentioned.

While differences remain between democrats and republicans, officers from the UWM College Republicans and College Democrats are working together on Politics Aside, a bipartisan effort to help aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The relationship between UWM’s two major political parties isn’t as bitter as one might think.

“We hope the College Democrats are successful,” Keeley said, “because if they increase their presence, more people will wonder about an alternative.”

Like other political groups at UWM, the College Republicans have had trouble mobilizing members.

“We got off to a good start last year,” Vicini said, “but we sort of crashed towards the end.”

Fund-raising was also a concern.

“We would like to rely on (Student Activities Committee) funds as little as possible,” Keeley said.

The group plans to seek out donations from area businesses and private citizens.

The tone of the meeting was relaxed and informal, as there were mostly new faces looking to help their political cause. During what Keeley called “a rebuilding year,” there will be opportunities for new officers within the group. Internships and jobs on upcoming republican campaigns are also available.

Still, the central theme throughout the event was connecting with those who might be interested in conservative politics but are afraid to speak up at a “liberal” institution like UWM, the College Republican officers said.

“We want people to know that there is an organization for the republican students that are already here and don’t want to admit it,” Keeley said. “They’re not alone.”

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