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Media Credit: Michael Smith Freshman psychology major Cortney Cross discusses the role of abortion in politics at Tuesday evening's Pizza and Politics. "I don't even think it should be in politics," she said.

Media Credit: Casey Smith Video : Pizza and Politics

Michael Cook, a junior political science major, took the podium last night at the first Pizza and Politics of this semester. In previous years faculty members took the podium encouraging students to join in the conversation, but this year Cook and others volunteered to engage their peers and run the conversation.

Getting students on the podium has really been the goal all along, Cook said. He said he believes having a student in front is a less intimidating environment, and it seems that students are more willing to get involved.

Darlene Hantzis, professor of communication and women's studies and campus coordinator for the American Democracy Project, said that Pizza and Politics was started to "create a space for students to talk out loud."

Pizza and Politics opened up conversations on politics to help educate students and give them a forum to share their feelings on politics.

Last night, students discussed the candidates' policies on domestic issues including health care, education and social issues. For the most part those were the topics of discussion, although, it did stray a little. Students also discussed taxing policies, the economy and abortion.

Joe Swearingen, a freshman open preference major, helped explain the current events in the economy.

He said that the events in the economy are so major, it's almost impossible not to hear something about it.

The debates also raised questions on what should or shouldn't be in politics. When the conversation strayed into abortion, Cortney Cross, a freshman psychology major, said, "I don't even think it should be in politics."

"Candidates have to say things to get elected," said junior political science major Matt Huckleby.

There are a total of three Pizza and Politics meetings a semester. The next two for this semester will be Oct. 14 to discuss foreign policy and Nov. 4 to discuss the results of the elections.

For more information on Pizza and Politics contact Michael Cook at mcook9@indstate.edu or Darlene Hantzis at dmhantzis@indstate.edu.

( Jessica Squires is a freshman communication major. She can be reached at sascamed@isugw.indstate.edu.)

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