Passion, Excitement and Tears at UCSD on Election Night
Christine Clark | November 10, 2008
UC San Diego junior Tamar Resnick reacts after the announcement that Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States.
UC San Diego students posted their support of the 2008 presidential candidates on their Facebook pages in the lead up to the election. Tuesday night, more than 400 of them stepped away from their computers to celebrate the historic Nov. 4 vote with fellow students at Great Hall on the Eleanor Roosevelt College campus.
“Election Night 2008: A Political Party,” was an emotional high for those who, like the majority of the nation’s voters, were Obama supporters. “I’m so happy I could cry,” sophomore Lauren Manalo said after Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s win was announced.
Students lined up to get into the International House’s Great Hall before the official 7:15 p.m. start of the party to watch the results come in on two big-screen TVs and listen to panel discussions on the election and how to become more engaged in campus politics.
“I came tonight because I wanted to watch the news with a big crowd,” said Oliver Petzold, a graduate student in the School of International Relations Pacific Studies. “I’ve voted in presidential elections before, but I’m more optimistic about this one. It’s moving to see all the excitement here tonight.”
Several students sported Barack Obama T-shirts Tuesday night.
The San Diego County Registrar’s Office estimated that more than 5,000 UC San Diego students cast ballots at seven polling places on campus Tuesday. In the weeks prior, some 4,000 students registered to vote in a non-partisan student voter registration effort.
“I’ve noticed so much more excitement and support among students during this election,” Cynthia Davalos, special assistant to Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Penny Rue, said while watching the results come in. “I’ve seen a lot of students get involved and express themselves politically, especially on Facebook.”
Political science professor Thad Kousser, the faculty coordinator of the party, organized this year’s event and similar events for the California recall election in 2005 and 2006 congressional races; however, this year’s party was, by far, the most well attended with a hugely passionate crowd. “Obama’s age and message of change attracted a lot of young voters. I’ve never seen this level of excitement around a presidential election,” Kousser said.
Three UCSD political scientists took part in a panel Tuesday night. From left: Thad Kousser, Sebastian Saiegh and James Fowler.
Vladimir Kogan, a doctoral student in the department of political science, participated in the 2005 election party and was a member of the student panel for this year’s event. “The level of excitement was crazy,” he said. “There weren’t nearly as many people here in 2005.”
Before the presidential race was called, Kousser and political science professors James Fowler and Sebastian Saiegh talked about the election’s impact. Fowler discussed the “Colbert Bump” while Saiegh talked about international politics and Kousser spoke about California politics. “So many young people get their news from comedians like Colbert, and I think tonight we are seeing that’s having an impact on the youth vote,” Fowler said. Kousser’s remarks were met with cheers when he announced that “it’s clear the results are showing that San Diego County is turning a deeper color blue.”
Students cheer during Barack Obama’s speech in Chicago’s Grant Park Tuesday night.
Although Obama’s victory was projected early by the television networks there was no shortage of drama throughout the night. The students erupted in enthusiasm when news broke that John McCain had conceded the presidency to Obama.
“I am going to remember this night forever,” junior Aurelia Mark said. “I’m so happy I came. The energy in this room is overwhelming.”
Students chanted, “Yes we can” along with the crowd at Grant Park in Chicago on TV screens when Obama walked to the podium to give his acceptance speech. All eyes were fixed on the TV screens during Obama’s remarks; some students cried.. “This is history in the making,” junior Naleva Dilyana said.
Although the mood in the room was positive, many students expressed concerns about the years to come. “I really would like to see the wars end,” junior Crystal Alaveraz said. “I’m worried about the economy, but I just hope for the best.”
A panel of undergraduate and graduate students also took questions. From left: Vladimir Kogan, a doctoral student in political sciences, Erin Brodwin, the associated vice president of Local Affairs for Associated Students and Associated Students President Donna Bean.
Students such as Associated Students President Donna Bean, Erin Brodwin, the Associated Vice President of Local Affairs, and Kogan spoke about getting involved in campus politics and the power of Facebook in this presidential election. Kogan asked students how many supported Obama on Facebook, and most raised their hands.
As the party wound down Ji-San Lee, a UC San Diego alum, ’08, who works at International House as an events coordinator, said he was relieved. “This was the liveliest event I’ve ever worked,” he said. “We were definitely at capacity. This was my first experience voting for president.
I was stressed out this morning, but the vibe tonight was just perfect. I’m speechless —
I feel like Obama’s presidency will be something new, something different, and it feels great to be a part of this.”
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