Tuesday, January 26, 1999
Virtual Activism

The promise of increased coordination between student groups both on and off campus is swiftly turning the Wesleyan web server into a rallying point for common causes. 

 Although some homepages are still under construction, many student groups are already online in hopes of organizing, updating and disseminating information about group meetings and events.

 One group, WesUnity, is attempting to better connect Wesleyan student groups with each other and similar organizations outside of the University via the internet. This move for organization comes at a time when activism at Wesleyan sorely needs a boost.

 Slogan conflicts aside, activism has declined during the past several years. Some groups, such as Police Accountability and Prisoner’s Rights, have seemingly vanished. 

 The disappearance of once-active groups, combined with an increasing number of student groups concerned with more specific issues, has resulted in a fragmented state of affairs for Wesleyan activism. 

 For the first time ever, the internet allows for convenient, widespread communication. Now student groups can come together even though focuses may differ. For example, several groups falling under the umbrella of ‘civil rights’ will be able to share information. 
 Increased organization will enable student groups to more effectively project themselves within the Wesleyan community as well as promote their opinions to other communities: in Connecticut, in the United States and even overseas.

 Perhaps reorganization and better communication via the internet is the key that will successfully reinvigorate the passions of student groups.