2008 Woodie Awards
New student group to speak out against Iraq War
By: Matt Grover
Issue date: 4/13/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
It has been three years since the United States invaded Iraq. During that time, more than 2,300 American soldiers have been killed, according to Antiwar.com. The same Web site reports that anywhere between 33,000 and 38,200 Iraqi civilians have been casualties of war. While death and injury rates continue to rise and with seemingly no end in sight to the War on Terror, a group of Webster students are taking a stand.
The Webster University Campus Anti-War Society was founded in March 2006 as an effort to voice their displeasure against the war and the military's recruiting tactics. Sophomore Ben Cohen, a psychology major, started the group after a helpless feeling overcame him.
"I've had the idea for some time," Cohen said. "I think just seeing everything on the news every day about Iraq and everything, I guess every day it gets a little harder to feel like I'm not doing anything about it."
Cohen approached Gary Gottlieb, an assistant professor of audio production, with the idea. Gottlieb, who has been an anti-war activist since the Vietnam War, offered to become the group's faculty adviser once the university recognizes it as an official group. In order for that to happen, the Anti-War Society needs 25 students to sign a petition in favor of the group and 10 students to acknowledge they are active members of the group.
"I think (the Anti-War Society) has great potential," Gottlieb said. "I think this campus needs more activism in general and I think this is a cause that appeals to a lot of people."
After an initial meeting March 23, the Anti-War Society met again April 5 in the University Center Presentation Room. The main theme of the second meeting was to discuss what actions the group could take to attract more people and gain notoriety on campus.
At the meeting, the Anti-War Society discussed the likelihood of their protests and rallies being met with rebuttals by pro-war activists. Gottlieb reminded the group that it comes with the territory and they shouldn't let feelings interfere with spreading the message.
"You should get used to people hating you for what you're doing," Gottlieb said. "I'm not trying to discourage you. I think it builds character."
However, conflicts with people who are pro-war aren't the only controversy the Anti-War Society will face. Webster, as a whole, has a strong relationship with the military. The school has more than 20 campuses on military bases throughout the country.
However, some in the Anti-War Society don't feel their existence will be a thorn in the campus' side.
"It still feels like you can oppose the war without having to necessarily suddenly distance the university entirely from military campuses," said freshman Patrick Vacek, a computer science major and member of the Anti-War Society.
For now, the biggest obstacle facing the Anti-War Society is laying the foundation to attract more people to join the group. The group discussed several ways to continue their forward progression and brainstormed ideas that could help promote the group. Seven people attended the second meeting, which was an increase over the turnout in the March 23 session, but the group is seeking more members.
"I think (the Anti-War Society) is a really good thing," said freshman Simiya Sudduth, an art education major and member of the Anti-War Society. "It's just kind of surprising that more people don't know about the group or don't want to be as active. I'm surprised we didn't already have this group on campus."
One of the ideas heavily discussed at the meeting was for the Anti-War Society to meet in the Quad in the near future holding anti-war signs and clipboards. This would be done in hopes of spreading their message and encouraging more people to join the group.
The Anti-War Society has also made strides in gaining official acceptance from the campus. According to Cohen, the group has received all 25 of the required signatures and is about halfway towards meeting the goal of 10 people who acknowledge they are members. Cohen said he is also in the process of writing a constitution for the Anti-War Society and preparing to file the necessary paperwork to John Ginsburg, Webster's director of student activities. Cohen hopes the group gains official acceptance from Webster at an SGA meeting before the semester concludes. Gottlieb believes once this happens the Anti-War Society has a high ceiling of spreading their message and making a difference.
"I think it's gonna be a great group once they get it started," Gottlieb said. "It's a great opportunity for education both within the group and beyond."
For more information on Webster's Anti-War Society, visit the group's Web site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wuantiwar/.
The Webster University Campus Anti-War Society was founded in March 2006 as an effort to voice their displeasure against the war and the military's recruiting tactics. Sophomore Ben Cohen, a psychology major, started the group after a helpless feeling overcame him.
"I've had the idea for some time," Cohen said. "I think just seeing everything on the news every day about Iraq and everything, I guess every day it gets a little harder to feel like I'm not doing anything about it."
Cohen approached Gary Gottlieb, an assistant professor of audio production, with the idea. Gottlieb, who has been an anti-war activist since the Vietnam War, offered to become the group's faculty adviser once the university recognizes it as an official group. In order for that to happen, the Anti-War Society needs 25 students to sign a petition in favor of the group and 10 students to acknowledge they are active members of the group.
"I think (the Anti-War Society) has great potential," Gottlieb said. "I think this campus needs more activism in general and I think this is a cause that appeals to a lot of people."
After an initial meeting March 23, the Anti-War Society met again April 5 in the University Center Presentation Room. The main theme of the second meeting was to discuss what actions the group could take to attract more people and gain notoriety on campus.
At the meeting, the Anti-War Society discussed the likelihood of their protests and rallies being met with rebuttals by pro-war activists. Gottlieb reminded the group that it comes with the territory and they shouldn't let feelings interfere with spreading the message.
"You should get used to people hating you for what you're doing," Gottlieb said. "I'm not trying to discourage you. I think it builds character."
However, conflicts with people who are pro-war aren't the only controversy the Anti-War Society will face. Webster, as a whole, has a strong relationship with the military. The school has more than 20 campuses on military bases throughout the country.
However, some in the Anti-War Society don't feel their existence will be a thorn in the campus' side.
"It still feels like you can oppose the war without having to necessarily suddenly distance the university entirely from military campuses," said freshman Patrick Vacek, a computer science major and member of the Anti-War Society.
For now, the biggest obstacle facing the Anti-War Society is laying the foundation to attract more people to join the group. The group discussed several ways to continue their forward progression and brainstormed ideas that could help promote the group. Seven people attended the second meeting, which was an increase over the turnout in the March 23 session, but the group is seeking more members.
"I think (the Anti-War Society) is a really good thing," said freshman Simiya Sudduth, an art education major and member of the Anti-War Society. "It's just kind of surprising that more people don't know about the group or don't want to be as active. I'm surprised we didn't already have this group on campus."
One of the ideas heavily discussed at the meeting was for the Anti-War Society to meet in the Quad in the near future holding anti-war signs and clipboards. This would be done in hopes of spreading their message and encouraging more people to join the group.
The Anti-War Society has also made strides in gaining official acceptance from the campus. According to Cohen, the group has received all 25 of the required signatures and is about halfway towards meeting the goal of 10 people who acknowledge they are members. Cohen said he is also in the process of writing a constitution for the Anti-War Society and preparing to file the necessary paperwork to John Ginsburg, Webster's director of student activities. Cohen hopes the group gains official acceptance from Webster at an SGA meeting before the semester concludes. Gottlieb believes once this happens the Anti-War Society has a high ceiling of spreading their message and making a difference.
"I think it's gonna be a great group once they get it started," Gottlieb said. "It's a great opportunity for education both within the group and beyond."
For more information on Webster's Anti-War Society, visit the group's Web site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wuantiwar/.