Last fall’s local and national elections transformed UTA into a center of activism as early voting, debates and MTV’s Rock the Vote ignited interest in the political process.

For the first time, registered voters in Tarrant County cast their ballots at UTA during early voting in October. Student Congress spearheaded the effort to create a polling place at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Members of the College Republicans and University Democrats squared off in the “Great Debate” in October. In addition to discussing the presidential candidates, the groups tackled the war in Iraq, the USA Patriot Act, the environment, the economy and education.

Held in conjunction with a voter registration drive, Rock the Vote drew students to the west lawn of the Activities Building in late September for live music mixed with political rhetoric. Sign-toting supporters of George W. Bush and John Kerry were on hand, as were groups, including the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, representing both sides of a proposed tax increase to fund a stadium for the Cowboys in Arlington.