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Professor, students weigh in on future of the GOP
▶ TANNER HASSELL
@thassell17
Associated Press
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in Springfield, Ohio.
With an unusual election year coming to a close and a high stack of scandals piled up against the Republican presidential nominee, some people are uncertain about what the future holds for the Republi can party.
Political science professor Patrick Miller said he thinks the GOP will continue moving in a more extreme direction, but the University's College Republicans Chair Adam Steinhilber and Vice Chair Sara Prendergast said they hope that a more moderate party will emerge.
Nominee Donald Trump was viewed unfavorably by 62 percent of adults nationwide as of Oct. 26, according to a Gallup poll.Among Republicans, Trump has a 28 percent unfavorable rating.
Miller said this election has exposed the changing face of the Republican Party, and could be a look into the future.
"I think this election
has highlighted how both parties are changing demographically and politically," he said. "Democrats are becoming more liberal; Republicans are becoming more conservative. Democrats are becoming the party of higher education; Republicans are becoming the party of the white working class."
Miller said the popularity of outsider candidates like Bernie Sanders and Trump surprised many voters.
"Both parties are diverging demographically and ideologically. People were surprised by the rise of Bernie and Trump, but really shouldn't be when you think about how the parties are changing," he said. "The Democrat Party of Bill Clinton is dead; the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan is gone. That was a generation ago."
Miller said Trump's popularity among Republicans
in this cycle, compared to support for former nominees Mitt Romney or John McCain, is an indicator of the party's direction.
"Trump was nominated with much more consensus among Republicans than Romney or McCain were," he said. "I think Trump has shown that there is an appeal to the way he talks and the kind of policy he promotes."
Steinhilber and Prendergast, students at the
University, have different images of the GOP in the future, but they said it will depend on the result of this election.
"If Trump wins, he will basically be the party leader. If he loses, I see Republicans revamping [their] image," Steinhilber said. "If Trump loses I think we'll see the voices of younger Republicans shining through."
Steinhilber said he would like to see the GOP become more moderate and be more inclusive.
"I think the party needs to look to the future, and what they need to do to be successful," he said.
Prendergast said a Trump victory could send the GOP down a more conservative route, but she hopes to see a more moderate party.
"Obviously, I can't speak for all young Republicans, but I think we need to have more consensus in general," she said. "The parties are really moving away from the middle right now and that causes a lot of the disagreements, as we see. There are plenty of Republicans who would disagree with me, but I feel the younger generation wants to move to the center."
Although both parties face uncertainty and questions, most eyes are on the Republicans, Miller said.
The Democrat Party of Bill Clinton is dead, the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan is gone. That was a generation ago."
Patrick Miller Professor of political science
"They certainly have some challenges," he said. "I think a lot of what's happened raises the question: What is the Republican Party going to stand for? I think they face questions about what the next four years will be like."
- Edited by Chandler Boese
University sees increase in students taking online courses
▶ TANNER HASSELL
@thassell17
For many students, the on-campus experience is a major part of going to college. For others, the on-campus experience isn't an option, and that's where online coursework comes into play.
Online courses at the University allow traditional and nontraditional students to take classes on their own time, and the option is growing more popular every year.
Assistant Director of Academic Outreach and Online Programs Samantha Montague said the number of students taking online-only courses through the College of Liberal Arts and Science has increased by over 100 students since 2015, when the courses were first offered.
"The number of students in online-only programs has definitely increased," she said. "We went from 64 in fall of 2015 to 162 for fall 2016. As students need access to a hybridized curriculum, the number taking online courses has increased."
There's a lot of value to the on-campus experience, but for people that need the credential and have time restrictions, it's a very good option."
Dee Steinle Administrative Director of Masters Programs
Montague said the growing popularity of online courses is likely associated with the number of students who have to work and take classes. Online classes, she said, give those students a chance to graduate on time.
Montague said courses that fulfill the University's core curriculum requirements are some of the more popular options offered by
the college.
"Typically, KU Core curriculum has been popular in the online format," she said. "We have hybridized versions of language curriculum and a fully online Haitian course."
In the School of Business, the online MBA program has also grown in popularity, said Administrative Director of Masters Programs Dee Steinle. The school has 278 students in the program one year after its creation, which she said has exceeded expectations.
"The reception has been really surprising," Steinle said. "It's nice to know our brand carries so much weight, not just locally but around the country."
Steinle said the MBA program is done in an entirely online setting, which allows students to earn an MBA on their own time and in a more personable format.
"It's really a self-standing degree," she said. "The students in the program look a lot like the students utilizing our part-time program at the Edwards Campus. They're generally working, professional people who are looking to add to a four-year degree."
While Steinle said the traditional experience is the best all-around option for students, she said the online MBA is designed to cover the critical elements of business.
"There's a lot of value to the on-campus experience, but for people that need the credential and have time restrictions, it's a very good option," she said. "Students on the ground may find that mixing in online courses is a good option."
That makes the program a more valuable option for those who have time restrictions, but it can still be advantageous for traditional students on campus as well.
we handle the online courses with the same amount of resources and oversight," she said. "The online courses mirror on-campus courses in quality."
Montague said online courses are just as good as on-campus courses, in terms of the quality of the degree.
"Here at the University,
With online courses growing more popular, Montague said the college is looking to expand online-only degree options.
"We hope to offer a few more majors online, as well as more certificates and minors," she said. "We absolutely want to expand. One of our main missions is to provide access to those who don't have the time for a traditional experience."
Steinle said the School of Business will certainly expand its online program in time.
Photo Illustration by Missy Minear
Proven Leadership
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
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James B. Carothers, Professor Emeritus and many other Supporters of Barbara Ballard
Barbara Ballard State Representative Forty-Fourth
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Paid for by Barbara Ballard for State Representative Treasurer: Chuck Fisher
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