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COLLEGE STUDENTS WEIGH IN WITH OPINIONS ON SENATE ELECTION by Patrick La Croix edited by Vanessa Santos Although widespread research shows that the college-age demographic does not seem to take part in the political process, they, like their elders, do have opinions on it. This year’s Senate race in New York State has drawn more publicity and opinion than any of its kind in recent memory. The election pits First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on the Democratic side against New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on the Republican side. Mrs. Clinton, who only recently became a resident of New York State, appears to have shed her label as an "outsider" and is gaining momentum in her campaign. As the election nears, the issues have become more important than the stereotypes, according to Jonathan Burns, a Senior Political Science major at Marist College. "Sure she is an outsider, but I think a good part of New York is made up of outsiders," said Burns. "New York is such a melting pot of culture and diversity and it would be fitting for a woman such as Hillary to represent the state’s residents." In recent weeks polls have showed the race to be a very close one. Last week the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion published a poll in which Mayor Giuliani was winning with 46 percent to Mrs. Clinton’s 43 percent with a 4 point margin of error, a virtual dead heat. Also last week, the New York Post published a poll in which Mrs. Clinton was winning with 45 percent to Mayor Giuliani’s 42 percent. Mayor Giuliani, who was once viewed as the front runner, has seen his popularity slide in recent weeks. A main reason for this has been his handling of current events involving the New York City Police Department and minorities. The New York City Police Department has been responsible for at least 4 shootings in the past year in which a minority has been killed. Mayor Giuliani has supported the NYPD. In past weeks he has drawn much criticism from minority groups, such as the NAACP, for disclosing the criminal and juvenile records of Patrick Dorismond. Dorismond was an African American Security Guard who was unarmed when he was shot and killed by a New York City police officer. Critics have wondered why Giuliani has taken such actions rather than promoting and calling for improvement within the Police Department. Furthermore, Giuliani should have expressed sympathy and compassion for the family of Dorismond, according to William Stahl, a native of New York. "I do not see what the Mayor’s motivation is in making dirty laundry public," said Stahl. "You would think he would try to stay away from the controversy at a time like this." As the race grows tighter, some believe that the college demographic will get out to the polls in November. "I don’t think that a majority of college students will vote in this election, but I do think that a lot more than usual will," said Burns, a political science major at Marist College. "For one, the fact that there is a Presidential election helps to draw interest and, for another, I think that this Senate race is really interesting and has a Hollywood-type feel."