Professor Tim
Magrath, a Political Science teacher here at Frostburg State University, held the
first Town hall meeting of the semester at the Atkinson Room located in the
Lane Center. During these town hall meetings Magrath encouraged students to
discuss current events, bring up topics, and receive feedback from their peers.
The meetings are sponsored by the Office of Civic Engagement and the Institute
for Public Affairs.
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| The town hall meeting began 6pm Tuesday in the Atkinson Room |
The
Town Hall meetings are for Frostburg State University students to participate
in an open conversation about politics, about media, about issues that affect
the students here at FSU. Dr. Twing stated that the meetings can address
student specific issues, however, “It’s more about what are the most important
domestic issues facing the country as we head into the presidential election.”
This meeting’s main focus was upcoming presidential election; still, the
discussion branched out into many hot topics in today’s politics.
FSU
student John Lancaster introduced the first topic brought up for discussion. Prepared
with notes on note cards he started a speech that advocated for the
privatization of the police department. Lancaster’s well-supported argument
took comments, questions, and suggestions from all sides of the room. This
debate is the intended result of the meetings. Many young people, college
students specifically, find themselves limited to only their opinion or view on
a matter without knowledge of other sides. This causes unintentional ignorance
no matter what the view. The joining of the students tonight brought in a variety
of opinions from different locations such as Calvert County, Maryland and
Pennsylvania.
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| John Lancaster after the town hall meeting |
Lancaster’s
topic dominated much of the meeting but many more topics were covered. Donald
Trump's tax evasion, media’s manipulative tendencies,
whether or not churches should be taxed, free college and the possibility of
added GEP courses surrounding entrepreneurship, fracking, pollution,
solar/nuclear energy, and police brutality were all addressed during the
meeting.
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| (Left to Right) J Hunter Wright, Trevor Jones, and Tyler Bauer |
The topics
expanded in direction some deviating from their point but all topics showed how
important it was to have this dialogue. As the meeting went on, participation
increased and voices shared viewpoints that would not have been heard other
wise. During the fracking discussion while many students expressed that they
disapproved one student countered. She shared that while fracking has its negative
effects, her hometown’s economy has improved drastically, some of the benefits
being jobs and paved roads.
Another
topic that was discussed in detail was police brutality. The room had split
reactions each recognizing that a problem existed, but divided regarding
solutions and the root of the problem. Three students had claimed to have
family members in law enforcement and each of them had something different to
say about the topic. Trevor Jones suggested to “conduct dialogue sessions” as
well “deliberation sessions” in the community in attempts to bridge the gap
between the community and law enforcement.
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| Political science professor Tim Magrath. |
Tim Magrath had
started these town hall meetings over a year and half ago. This semesters
meetings started off centralizing on domestic issues. The following meetings
will cover international issues and the final one will cover the presidential
debate discussing what each candidate stands for. Including the meetings,
Magrath also has a program called a Weekend Retreat. Magrath stated, “This
program is basically path ways to public service. We try to get students to
follow careers in public service and public affairs.” Through immersion Magrath
hopes to get more students interested and more students involved.
“When they hear
they’re colleagues talk about these issues they can understand better.” – Tim
Magrath
