Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 2 March 2000 — Page 33

The Murtcie Times, March 2, 2000, page 33

Study: Today’s students generally apathetic about politics

Today’s college students may have less interest in political matters than their counterparts of the 1960s and 1970s, according to a recent Ball State University study. A survey of Ball State students found that about 9 percent reported being very interested in politics while 14 percent had no interest, said Mike Corbett, political science professor. “More than half the students said they were just a little interested,” Corbett said. “Students are not as interested in politics as they are in other matters, such as starting careers or developing romantic relationships. “The term is privatism because they are interested in their private lives now. They’ll wait a few years until they are older and settled in their lives, before taking an interest in public

matters.” The survey was conducted last semester to provide hands-on experience for students in Corbett’s voter polling techniques class as well as to determine students views on a variety of political and social issues. About 236 students participated. According to the survey: Forty-two percent of respondents said politicians can be trusted to do what they think is best for the country, while 39 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed. About 58 percent said they would be willing to vote for a woman president. Eighty-eight percent agreed it was important to vote and 70 percent said an

individual’s vote could make a difference. Social issues, including abortion, prayer in school and crime, were the most important reasons to vote for 44 percent. Economic issues were second at 34 percent.

Corbett said half of the respondents have voted in an election, but only 17 percent had attended a political rally and 11 percent had previously worked in a campaign of a candidate for political office. “Many students believe it is their duty to vote, but leave the rest of the political action up to others,” he said. “They don’t see that as a part of the role of being a good citizen at this point in their lives.”

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