'Rock the Vote' shakes up SMU

By Nichole Zangara

Program Council's Rock the Vote 2000 National Tour will take a pit stop today at the Main Quad from 3 to 7 p.m.

"The fact that we are bringing this to campus is just phenomenal," said Julia Neely, Program Council special events chair.

Rock the Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1990 by members of the recording industry.

"Rock the Vote is dedicated to educate young people and really inform young people they're integral in creating a strong democracy," said Margo Stern, field coordinator for Rock the Vote.

Stern said she hopes to register 500 new voters, to get 500 people on list-serve and for everyone to have a good time.

Stern said that young people need to make their voices heard and that they can do that by voting.

"[Young people] have the potential to make a huge, huge difference in this election," Stern said.

Students can register to vote today at tables set up at Rock the Vote.

Kidd, 22, a nighttime on-air personality for Hot 100, said that young people have more control than they think.

He doesn't agree with the-"I'm only one person, what does it matter."-philosophy.

"You can change things," Bill e the Kidd said. "If you don't like something, get involved and make a change."

Neely said politics don't always have to be serious and that today's events will testify to that.

Performances from Nine Days; Bare Jr., a Nashville based alternative group; Joe Bonamassa, a blues singer/song writer who has worked with BB King; and Ill Harmonics, a hip hop Christian band, will all be free of charge this afternoon. There will also be an open Mic forum for 10 minutes.

"In the free speech corner anyone can speak their mind for 30 seconds," Stern said.

The SMU campus also gets an extra special bonus today. "Loud Lounge," a panel discussion comparable to "Politically Incorrect" will be broadcast live on the Internet.

Panelists include Student Association President Bernard Jones, Kidd, an unidentified WWF wrestler and Rock the Vote representative Liz Vivian. Students can view the live Web cast at www.doritos.com.

"I'm going to give my opinion and see how bad they laugh at me," Kidd said, "I'm interested in other's opinions and if you want to be educated you have to make yourself open to all views."

Stern said that she wants people on and off campus to come out and support Rock the Vote.

Area community groups and organizations will be at SMU handing out information about their specific mission and goals.

Dallas Amnesty International and the Green Party are two of the groups attending.

Other on-campus organizations participating in Rock the Vote include Student Senate, Residence Life, College Republicans, SMU Democrats and the Political Science Symposium.

"I hope that 50 percent of the student body will come out," Neely said. "I hope that light is shined on politics and the candidates.

Rock the Vote is sponsored by Frito- Lay, eCampus.com and Hot 100.