How many closeted Republicans exist at Brandeis? This week, they will finally have a chance to make their identities known. Conservative Coming Out Week, sponsored by the Brandeis College Republicans, starts today and runs through next Tuesday.Why would the Republicans schedule such a week? The group's leaders, Jordana Luks '04, Adrienne Camire '04 and Sarah Chopnick '04, say their goal for the week is to raise awareness about conservative issues that are often suppressed on campus. The Republican club is not homogeneous, the three said. They never release "club stances" on any issue, except that the club supports President Bush. The social issue of the year, which seems to be gay marriage, elicited a "no comment" response from the Republicans.

"It's an emotional, personal issue, decided on an individual basis," Camire stated.

It's not easy to be a Republican on this campus. All three believe that suppression of the conservative voice has gotten worse during their four years at Brandeis.

"Republicans are embarrassed on this campus," Luks said. "People will make fun of you."

Luks recalled that during her American Government class during her first year at Brandeis, her professor announced that the Supreme Court had come to a decision on the election and that Bush would officially be the next president.

"There was complete silence in the room, and I started to clap," Luks remembered. She said the professor told her later that she was "really brave."

The three are disappointed with the labels that are often attached to those with different views. "Republicans are often related to anti-woman, anti-minority, pro-killing and pro-destroying the environment," Camire stated.

Luks has been called a "fascist" and plainly told that she's "evil." Luks knows of somebody who received death threats because he was in favor of the war in Iraq.

While the Democrats have a bulletin board in Usdan, the Republicans do not. "Our office was taken away without notice during the move from Usdan to Shapiro [in 2002]," Camire stated. When they did have an office, she said, Republican paraphernalia was often destroyed, signs were ripped off and destroyed, and walls had been vandalized.

Hayley Tozeski '04, president of the Brandeis College Democrats responded to the bulletin board issue, saying, "the Brandeis Democrats have had that bulletin board long before I got here, and I don't know the original process."

According to Chopnick, "people who claim to be open-minded are only that way to those who share the same ideas."

Tozeski said this is not always the case. "We are at an extremely liberal school," she said, "(but) those who are knowledgeable are receptive to alternate points of view."

She thinks that the week is "a great idea" that will "really fulfill a needed dialogue" on campus. "The Republicans are pretty inactive, and a lot of people who agree with their viewpoint don't have a venue," Tozeski said. "These events should garner [the Republicans] support."



Institutionalized problem

With a voice so small, it is hard to counter the Democrats' domination of the campus. As Tozeski said, "Any time when you're in the minority, it is difficult to voice your opinion."

But the problem goes beyond individuals in the student body, Republican club leaders said. They believe that anti-Republicanism is an "institutionalized problem" at Brandeis.

"We are trying to get money, trying to attract people, but the Administration only supports certain ideas," Camire said.

Even in classes not related to politics or social issues, Luks has experienced many negative comments about conservative ideas, whether it is "a snide remark, or a tirade by a professor."

Luks believes that over 90 percent of professors in the Politics department are registered Democrats. "This creates a big impact on the character of the school," she said. "Students look up to professors."

Prof. Steven Berg, chair of the Politics department, responded to Luks' claims. "I have no idea about the political preference of my colleagues, nor would I ever ask," he said.

"Some things you have to expect," Tozeski responded. "Anytime you take politics in a liberal state, professors will publish and express their views. That's what they do. If a professor feels that President Bush is wrong, he is entitled to voice his opinion," she said.

Tozeski said she has never heard of professors putting down a student for having a different opinion. "Students have ample opportunity to express their opinions," she said.

Luks, though, said that she has had conferences with professors where she had to assert, "I know you don't agree with my position, but this is a well-written paper."

This scares students from writing their real views when grades are at stake, Chopnick added.

Camire recalled that last year, during the anti-war and pro-war rallies, "a lot of professors cancelled class so students would protest." According to her, some professors then yelled and called pro-war students "freaks" as they walked around carrying an American flag.

"Of course," Camire said, "it doesn't apply to everyone; most professors are respectful and very supportive."

Luks agreed. "If you build a personal relationship with a professor, you can explore both viewpoints; I've had amazing conversations with professors," she said.



Trips, speakers, debates

The events of Conservative Coming Out Week are targeted at people with interests in diverse subjects.

"People might hate some events, but at least they are exposing themselves to something new, something they usually don't hear on this campus," Camire said.

To begin the week, about 20 members of the Republican club will take a trip to a local shooting range. They will learn about firearm safety from the Gun Owners' Association League (GOAL). GOAL is a Massachusetts branch of the NRA that works with youth on gun safety and proper techniques.

On Wednesday, a member of GOAL will come to Brandeis to speak about the Second Amendment-the right to bear arms-answering such questions as why someone has the right to own a gun, and why one would want to exercise that right.

Also on Wednesday, the Republican s will set up a table in Usdan with information about Bush's re-election campaign, along with items supporting local Republican candidates for office.

On Thursday at 4 p.m., the Shapiro Atrium will house a debate between the Republicans and the Brandeis Democrats on the issues of national security and foreign policy.

Over in Boston on Thursday, President Bush will make a stop at the Park Plaza Hotel. In support of the president's visit, Bostonians are planning a rally in Boston Commons; some Brandeis Republicans plan to join in.

The events continue after the weekend with a networking night on Monday, Mar. 29.

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healy, Waltham Mayor Jeanette McCarthy, Waltham Republicans Chair Michael Squillante, Massachusetts House Speaker Tom Finneran and others were invited to the event, though their attendance is not yet certain. This social event will allow students to meet Republicans from the area; students will have an opportunity to talk freely about careers and political involvement at the local level.

The week culminates with a Mar. 30 speech by David Horowitz, a prominent conservative writer and best-selling author of Left Illusions: An Intellectual Odyssey.

During the 1960s, Horowitz was a leader of the "New Left," editing Rampart's Magazine, an influential left-wing journal. But he withdrew from politics, dissatisfied with radical American policies, and returned in the '80s as a conservative.

In 1988, Horowitz created the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, which distributes literature on defending a free society and the dangers of the anti-American left. In 1990, former President Ronald Reagan presented Horowitz with the Teach Freedom award.



Future Republicans

While over 100 students currently belong to the Brandeis College Republicans, Luks believes that more "people are out there; the number of Republicans is probably bigger than it shows."

When closeted Republicans are confronted about their views, Camire doesn't want them to say "no comment" in fear of ridicule.

Likewise, Luks said she hopes that closeted Republicans will stand out and say, "this is who I am, and I am proud." She said she wishes for the day when students will be able to "support Bush without shame."

"There is enthusiasm out there and people are excited," Camire said. "We will be a presence on campus for a week."

In the future, the club "will continue to promote Republican issues, support President Bush, bring a presence to this campus and make [itself] heard," Camire said. Brandeis students can look for the "Students for W" campaign to continue through the election in November.

The group will also hold registration drives with the Democrats. "It is important to get out and vote, regardless of party," Camire said.

Luks feels that the demographics are changing at Brandeis. In the past, roughly 10 percent of Jews have voted Republican, but she said she thinks it will be more like 20 to 25 percent this election. With more diversity at Brandeis in the future, Luks hopes that the Brandeis community will reflect the national averages.



Social stances

With many women and Jews, two groups usually associated with voting for the Democratic Party, the Brandeis Republicans are not the average sampling of conservatives. To be a member of the club, "one doesn't need to subscribe to every issue of the Republican Party," Luks said. "We don't go down a GOP list and follow all their policies," she said.

Meetings are usually held every Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Shapiro Atrium, where club members essentially participate in a forum. They discuss conservative news, recent events on campus, comment on interesting books or articles and vent to each other.

"The main goal of the club is for real debate and open communication," Camire said. "Let's hear both sides of various issues.