 "Photo: Courtesy Photo")
Whether you’re a student who likes politics, planning activities or just wants to meet new people, the Political Science League offers discussions, study tours, debates, forums and numerous volunteer opportunities.
PSL is a non-partisan organization that meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Farber House to talk about current political issues and plans forums and debates, outgoing PSL President junior Carly Dearborn said.
“It’s a very casual organization,” Dearborn said. “After we take care of business, we just sit around and talk.”
Every year PSL plans and chooses topics for two forums and one debate to discuss current issues.
“One example is the forum we had on the ballot questions that appeared on the South Dakota ballot last fall,” she said. “We try to bring a lot of issues back to the table that didn’t get a lot of attention.”
Vice President sophomore Laura Hofer said the organization helped her form relationships with other students and professors.
“You become really close with everyone,” she said. “Not only do you get to know about your teacher before going in, you get to learn about current issues.”
One of the highlights of the organization are the foreign study tours, Dearborn said.
Some of the past destinations of PSL trips have been Russia, Hong Kong and Ireland, she said.
Six members of PSL will travel to France in May to learn about the French political and criminal justice systems, she said.
Treasurer freshman Jonathan Kaeppeler came to USD not knowing anyone and decided to join PSL to meet people with similar interests, he said.
“It’s provided me a greater opportunity than anything on campus,” Kaeppeler said.
“Everyone is friendly and I made quite a few friends.”
He said PSL provides a venue where you can challenge your beliefs.
“I was very liberal before I came here but now I’m slightly more conservative,” he said.
Dearborn said PSL is open to anyone from any major.
“We have members who have gone on to dental school,” she said. “PSL offers something for everyone, regardless of what major he or she has.”
Reach reporter Angela McClurg at Angela.McClurg@usd.edu.
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