Life Goes On: College Students React to Convention

ST. PAUL -- "My only gripe was the protesters outside of my apartment. I really just wanted to sleep."

This statement from Cathy Sackmann, a junior at the University of Minnesota, sums up many students' apathetic attitude towards the Republican Convention that has taken over the Twin Cities.

Though political big-wigs are partying next door, the convention has yet to affect the everyday lives of many college students in Minneapolis as they begin the new school year.

"There is a little more traffic on my commute to campus, but that's really about it," said Andy Goettl, a super senior at U of M.

But inside the classroom, teachers are seeing the value of this high-profile event in town and are using it as a vehicle to get students involved in the upcoming election.

"[For the first week of classes], all the professors changed whether you had to be there on time. Normally you’d get kicked out if you’re late, but they wanted people to be involved in it. So they really were a lot more lenient on the schedules," said Greta Kowlakowski, a junior at St. Thomas.

The convention was also a topic of conversation in U of M junior, Alyssa Bennett's journalism classes.

"We talked about how the media has to have different types of credentials and how the protesters are affecting convention coverage," Bennett said.

Educational opportunities aside, there are still many students who are focusing on school work, even with a whirlwind of activity nearby.

"I don't go over to St. Paul very often, and I'm not getting involved in protests because I'm not very politically involved," said Sam Woodbeck, a senior at University of Minnesota.

But whether they are politically active or not, democrats or republicans, many students are still enthusiastic about seeing their fair city in the national limelight.

"I think it’s exciting. I’m not even a republican, but I think it’s great for the attention and I think it’s still fun to hear about," Kowlakowski said.

Elizabeth Cohen and Mallory Jones