College Republicans and Pro-lifers Organize at B.C.

This article was originally published in the March 1, 1984 issue of The Observer. Volume 3, Number 2.

CREDIT: University Archives, John J. Burns Library, Boston College

Student apathy has been a problem in almost all colleges and universities across the country. Yet, recently, this phenomenon seems to be reversing itself here at Boston College.

This reversal manifests itself int he fact that BC has one of the highest number of registered clubs in the greater Boston area.

Yet the most astounding fact is that there is an increase of interest in conservatively oriented clubs. Recently, the College Republicans and a Pro-Life organization have begun to make their mark at BC. The response has been amazing. Each club already boasts the membership of over forty members and both expect these numbers to increase. Both organizations appear to be highly organized, each have ambitious goals and practical plans.

“The enthusiasm is definitely there,” states Linda Bouley, one of the co-founders of the Pro-Life organization. Not only is the support generating from the students, explains Bouley, “but the faculty has been very helpful also.”

When Bouley first came to BC, she was quite surprised that a Catholic school of this size did not have any organized pro-life movement. So Miss Bouley decided to do something about it, and she has been at it ever since. Yet Bouley emphasizes that this is not a Catholic issue. “The movement is open to anyone of any religion, as long as the person is concerned about protecting the unborn.”

The main objective of the club is to provide information concerning the horrors of abortion. They are attempting to accomplish this by providing information tables, films, and speakers.

As John Maloney, one of the five founders of the College Republicans, attempted to register the club, he was met with skepticism. Not because of the fact that Republicans are not the most numerous people around, but rather he was facing the popular perception that the group would vanish after the upcoming elections. Maloney strongly counters this notion by stating, “We will go far beyond the elections.”

Cynthia Baily, another founder, states “We will not lose interest after the elections because we have long term goals.”

Maloney feels that BC Republicans will serve as an umbrella organization. “YAF (Young Americans for Freedom) is limited only to conservatives, while not all Republicans are conservative,” states Maloney. Maloney further explains that the club will not solely be centered on the re-election of Republican candidates but rather on other issues that are of national interest.

Whatever the issue, both Maloney and Baily feel that this club is going to have impact. “We are not here to antagonize anyone,” states Baily “but we are not going to compromise our values to appease anyone either.”

Baouley is just as adament about the Pro-Life movement. If both these clubs maintain their dedication, as all evidence indicates, one certainly can expect these groups to last far beyond these upcoming elections.

CREDIT: University Archives, John J. Burns Library, Boston College

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