"We're taking our issues directly to the politicians," Frishberg said.

Young people are much more inclined to be independent voters, he said.

"I've definitely seen a lot of disillusioned young people," Liazos said. "But I think also it's not just that they're not interested but that they don't know how to get involved."

In fact, it would seem that youths have been doing just that in recent years.

As a result of the 1993 "motor voter" legislation and the popularity of the Internet, more youths than ever before are participating in the political system, Youth Vote officials said.

"Young people are interested in politics," Frishberg said. "They overwhelmingly believe that they care about the issues."

Various participants expressed optimism about the conference and the potential influence of young voters in the 1996 elections.

"I'm very excited to be here. It's very important for students to be involved with issues and have their voices heard," said Sadie Kay Rogers, a students at the University of Oregon.

Another conference participant said Youth Vote would help students be more vocal in standing up for what they want.

"We think it's important that young individuals should be here because ultimately we as youth face a lot of disillusionment because a lot of decisions are made for us and it's time we speak up," said Pearl Zertuche of Mary Mount College located in Tarrytown, New York.

Harvard's Laizos and her companions at the IOP have been preparing for the conference since November.

They even registered attendees on an Internet homepage established for Youth Vote and used the Internet to disseminate information about the Youth Vote program. The Under-graduate Council co-sponsored the conference.

The radio station Jammin' 94.5 will also support the conference by staging a live broadcast in the Square with the specific purpose of getting young people registered