Charrise Lane, a senior public relations student minoring in political science at Florida A&M University, is spearheading an effort to revive the College Republicans organization on campus. Motivated by the desire to foster political diversity, Lane believes the organization will offer conservative students a much-needed platform at the historically Black university.
“[I] just want to give people another option on campus, and I believe that diversity is needed,” Lane said.
She hopes that reactivating the College Republicans organization will encourage students with differing viewpoints to engage in meaningful bipartisan discussions.
After facing some initial challenges, Lane has successfully secured a faculty advisor, a crucial requirement for making the College Republicans an official student organization.
Lane told the Famuan, “I am now waiting on other stuff to start the organization.”
FAMU’s Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. William Hudson Jr., explains the process of having an official student organization on campus.
“There is a process for all student organizations on campus; Having a certain number of members, having an executive board and having by-laws and guidelines,” Hudson stated. “This organization has found faculty and staff to volunteer to be advisors, so now they have to increase their membership to minimum of ten members so that they can have the executive leadership.”
Hudson also commented on the issue, highlighting the educational value of civic engagement.
“College is where you have the ability to have civic engagement and discuss different things,” Dr. Hudson stated. “You’re not going to agree on everything, but it is important to have the discussion because you need to research and educate others about different organizations to dispel any misbeliefs.”
While some support Lane’s push for political diversity, the issue is particularly sensitive given Lane’s previous stance and support of Former President Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election. She is known for being an outspoken “Trump supporter” and proudly identifying as a Black conservative. Her political beliefs and ideologies mirror those of Trump’s supporters. They have sparked concerns about how the organization will be received and whether it could lead to conflict on campus.
There are mixed opinions about the organization’s return. Though many wanted to remain anonymous, there were two students who went on record to voice their opinions.
Freshman political science student Rachelle Simmons voiced her concerns, pointing out the potential for bias if this organization becomes official.
“If they are going to place a cease and desist on ‘FAMU Students for Kamala Harris,’ they need to act the same way on this,” Simmons said. “For the safety of the students, I just hope it does not come to a riot because you know the Republican views and the way they are executed is very harsh.”
According to Dr.Hudson, “There are over twenty organizations on campus besides this one that need an advisor, so it isn’t like this organization is singled out or anything.”
On the other hand, students like Makayla Brooks, a junior criminal justice/pre-law major, believe the organization could promote peaceful coexistence and encourage healthy debate on campus.
“Despite what we believe on campus, if there is a Democratic organization on campus, she should be able to have hers,” Brooks said. “We should be able to co-exist peacefully with one another and have peaceful debates. Conversations are needed to be had, so I do not think it would be a bad thing.”
The FAMU College Democrats organization put out a statement showing support for Charrise Lane and reiterating the need for diverse opinions on campus.
“It’s important to remember that Black individuals are not a monolith; we have diverse thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. Each person is entitled to their own views, and we should respect those differences rather than attack them.”
Lane remains determined, hoping her efforts to reactivate the College Republicans will encourage greater dialogue and political diversity on campus.