The club is also dedicated to helping its members decide where their affinities lie.

Members are working to coordinate a forum with Vice President Al Gore '69's education advisor and former senator Bill Bradley's senior health policy advisor, which the club will host in early February.

While the club gives no formal endorsement to any presidential candidate, its members say they plan to fully support the victor in his run for the office.

And despite what seems to be a lag in student political participation across the country, the club has had little difficulty in getting students to join in.

Luke P. McLoughlin '00, who heads Students for Bradley, an offshoot organization of the larger club, says student participation has been outstanding this year.

"We tabled in September and just had a ton of people sign up," he says. "We've had more than a hundred students go up to New Hampshire."

Stad, too, lauded students' efforts.

"It's great when 25 or 30 students are willing to go in the rain and snow [canvassing] or spend a Saturday making phone calls," he says.

McLoughlin sees the 2000 presidential campaign as a motivating force for students who might be interested in politics but not very active.

Though he is a member of the Harvard Democrats, McLoughlin says this level of activity is new to him.

"I've never been motivated to work for a candidate before Bradley," he says.

Beyond Campus Politics

The club's current focus may be the impending election, but it also urges students to look above and beyond what's currently happening on campus.

The College Democrats offer regular opportunities for community service in support of Democratic causes.

"Given that community service is an essential part of being an effective and committed Democrat, the College Democrats have traditionally incorporated community service projects into our agenda," says Richman.

While most of this year's community service activities will focus on the presidential campaign, the club has had a long history of active community involvement, participating in Habitat for Humanity projects, paying visits to senior citizens living in a nearby nursing home, holding winter clothing drives, and volunteering for overnight shifts at the University Lutheran Church Homeless Shelter.