Student Political Action Club at NYU

12/03/2015

Huge thanks to everyone that came tonight! S-PAC has been in the business of community building and political development for nearly two years now, and along they way we've learned so much about ourselves and the environment we live in. We couldn't have come all this way without the great support we've received from our student members, and we're so grateful for all the help we've we've gotten from other organizations, both within and outside of NYU. Thanks so much to all of you!! We can't wait to see where the future takes us!

12/01/2015

For our final meeting of the semester, S-PAC will be discussing the Paris Climate Summit and whether governments should or should not take collective actions to address climate change. Should our policy strategy be one of mitigating the effects of climate change, or one of adapting to ant already-changed world? Or should we simply stay the course and allow the free market to determine appropriate energy sources? As usual, all voices are welcome on this controversial topic! We hope to see as many of you as possible this Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30-7:30 PM in Bobst LL2-07!

11/24/2015

No meeting this week - Enjoy your Thanksgiving and we'll see you all next week!

11/18/2015

In a similar vein to last week's topic, this week S-PAC will be dicussing the migrant crisis in Europe, which includes refugees fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and other nations in the region. How should the current influx of refugees into European nations be handled, especially in light of the recent ISIS attacks in Paris? Should governments be closing their borders to all immigrants from ISIS-affected regions, or should the flow of refugees continue along with their resettlement among European nations? All perspectives are welcome! We hope that you all take a bit of time out of your busy week and take a break from your studying to join us in Bobst, room LL2-08 from 7:00-8:00 PM!

11/09/2015

Although the conflict in Syria has been raging for nearly 5 years, recent and sharp increases in refugee migrations from the region into Europe and incursions by regional powers such as Iran, Russia, and Turkey have all increased the complexity of an already-bloody conflict. What should the US role be in dealing with the Syrian crisis? Should it be a strategy of contain-and-react, whereby we support regional powers in their incursions and help our European allies resettle Syrian refugees? Or should we take a more active approach, arming the Kurds in the north of the country or even putting troops on the ground in an effort to sweep radical Islamist groups from the region? All perspectives are welcome! We hope that you all take a bit of time out of your busy week and take a break from your studying to join us in Bobst Room LL2-07 from 7:00-8:00 PM!

Also, anyone and everyone is invited to join the club afterwards for food and drinks at the Half Pint!

11/04/2015

Due to many presidential candidates releasing their plans for lower or free tuition for college students, we thought it fitting to dedicate this week's topic to student financial aid and whether college should be free for all! We'll be tackling whether the government should pay for both community and college tuition, whether the free market should lead the solution, or whether college should, in and of itself, be a right. All perspectives are welcome! Whether you're a returning member or are just interested in checking out the club, we hope to see you all there in Bobst, room LL2-20 at 6:30 PM!

Also, come join us after the discussion for a mock Trump-Sanders in Brooklyn if you're interested in seeing the two most radical candidates duke it out!
http://www.thebellhouseny.com/event/989459-trump-vs-bernie-debate-brooklyn/

Photo Credit: Mindy Tucker An improvised debate show where presidential candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders square off in front of a live crowd. Also there will be stand up comedy and specia

10/14/2015

Just a reminder that S-PAC will be meeting tonight, October 14th, in Bobst Room LL2-10 from 7-8 PM, not the usual 6:30-7:30 PM to discuss gun control with all its merits and costs. We'll be tackling the text of the second amendment, how it has been interpreted in recent years by the Supreme Court, the framing of gun violence by the media, and ultimately, what you all think we can do to decrease the occurrence of these tragic and senseless events. As usual, we welcome all voices on this controversial issue and hope that all of you will take time out of your busy week so we can hear what you think about this topic. Whether you're a returning member or are just interested in checking out the club, we hope to see you all there!

10/12/2015

In the wake of increased gun violence across the nation, come join S-PAC this Wednesday, October 14th, in Bobst Room TBA, to discuss gun control with all its merits and costs. We'll be tackling the text of the second amendment, how it has been interpreted in recent years by the Supreme Court, the framing of gun violence by the media, and ultimately, what you all think we can do to decrease the occurrence of these tragic and senseless events. As usual, we welcome all voices on this controversial issue and hope that all of you will take time out of your busy week so we can hear what you think about this topic. Whether you're a returning member or are just interested in checking out the club, we hope to see you all there!

10/07/2015

Unfortunately, due to midterms this week, S-PAC will not be holding its regular meeting tonight at 6:30 PM. We hope that all of you are holding up well and managing your time efficiently (unlike certain e-board members who are still up at 3:30 AM). Good luck with your exams and papers and remember; you've got this! See you all next week!

09/28/2015

Come join S-PAC in Bobst LL2-08 at 6:30 PM this Wednesday, September 30th, as we discuss the ideas of democracy, the two-party system, and the potential to break the cycle of Republican and Democratic ballot domination with guest speaker Adriana Espinoza from the organization Open Primaries! You might be asking yourself; what the heck are open primaries? Essentially, open primaries are an initiative to allow all voters, regardless of party, to vote for whomever they wish in a first round of voting, after which the two candidates with the highest number of votes go head-to-head in a second and final round of voting for the political position (and yes, they can be from the same or different parties). Open primaries, as opposed to closed primaries, mean that voters do not have to register with a particular party in order to vote for a certain candidate. Proponents of such measures argue that this allows more voices to be heard and a greater selection of candidates; Critics respond that such initiatives allow dangerous fringe parties to gain influence and media attention. As usual, we welcome all voices on this controversial issue and hope that all of you will take time out of your busy week so we can hear what you think about this topic. Whether you're a returning member or are just interested in checking out the club, we hope to see you all there!

09/23/2015

REMINDER: S-PAC will not be having its regular meeting tonight. But we want to wish all our friends and faculty a happy Yom Kippur! Have a great rest of the week and we'll see you all next Wednesday!

09/15/2015

Come join us for our second meeting on the free exercise of religion! Some questions that we'll tackle: What constitutes legitmate exercise of one's religion versus imposing it on others? How do we figure out where that line is? And looking at a particularly recent case study; is Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk refusing to give out marriage licenses to citizens, in the Constitutional right or wrong? As usual, we welcome all voices on this controversial topic and hope that all of you will take time out of your busy week so we can hear what you think about this topic. Whether you're a returning member or are just interested in checking out the club, we hope to see you all there! Meeting starts at 6:30 pm in Bobst LL2-08