By Bailey Elise McBride

The UA chapter of the Young Democrats is active both on campus and off, providing an opportunity for students interested in learning more about the Democratic Party and its ideals to get involved.

“Our activism here on campus is a mixture of representing the issues of the national party and representing local issues and political interests,” said Will Watson, president of the UA Chapter of the YDs.

Photo By Larry Ash

The Young Democrats of America has been the official youth arm of the Democratic Party since 1932. Open to anyone under the age of 36 who affiliates with the Democratic Party, YDA is a nationwide grassroots organization with more than 43,000 members consisting of high school students, college students, young workers, young professionals and young families.The goals of the Young Democrats of America are to elect Democratic candidates, encourage youth involvement in the Democratic Party, support the ideals of the Democratic Party at all?levels of government, instill young people with the values for which the?Democratic Party stands and provide young people with the skills and experiences ?they will need to lead the nation.

Traditionally, Watson said, Young Democrat chapters have trouble maintaining a solid membership in off-years without a large number of big elections.

“This year, we’ve really tried to turn that trend around by having an active chapter and having opportunities with local and state politicians,” Watson said. “We’ve had an activity almost every week so far this semester.”

These events have included speakers such as Sen. David Pryor and Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, and voter drives on campus to try to encourage more students to be politically active.

The UA Young Democrats chapter has around 30 core members, Watson said, but the group averages around 45 people at every meeting.

The group also started a program this year to allow non-student members to become a part of their organization. This has allowed two potential candidates for Lindsley Smith’s Senate seat in 2010 to begin to get to know students and the issues important to on-campus voters.

This fall, the UA chapter of YDs hosted the state fall conference, bringing students from across the state to the UA campus.

Chris Burks, president of the Young Democrats of Arkansas, is a law student at the UA. The treasurer of the state organization, Eric Bell, is also a UA student.

“We’re just trying to provide an opportunity for our students to stay tapped in on all levels,” Watson said. “It’s a different environment with a Democratic president and Congress – it’s a different environment for issues.”

Two big issues facing the party now, according to Watson, are the health care reform going through Congress and environmental issues such as cap-and-trade policies.

“Young Democrats is an organization that represents the values of the Democratic Party on campus,” Watson said. “You know, it tends to attract people that have a good time getting involved, and we haven’t had a single event this semester where we didn’t have a blast.”