Some MSU students have very ambitious extracurricular activities this semester.
From Michigan's House of Representatives to the MSU Board of Trustees, students and local young politicians are campaigning for public office to make needed changes, they say.
But convincing voters to judge them by their viewpoints and not their age is sometimes a challenge.
Some political analysts say age doesn't discount their campaigns, but it certainly doesn't mean victory either.
"Younger people are at a disadvantage, but every so often they are in the right place at the right time and they win," said Mark Grebner of Practical Political Consulting in East Lansing.
"You have to be lucky and things have to go the right way for you if you're younger."
Social relations sophomore Lauren Spencer, 19, is running for one of two open seats on the MSU Board of Trustees and said she is not intimidated by the older members on the board.
Spencer said her age hasn't become a factor in her campaign.
"I can gain good experience from this campaign," said Spencer, a Green Party candidate. "As a student, I can bring a unique perspective, and age doesn't necessarily bring experience."
Spencer, who was raised in Grand Rapids by same-sex parents, said equality issues are high on her agenda.
"I am multiracial and that is why I am opposed against Proposal 2 — because it limits diversity," Spencer said. "Equality and diversity on campus are important to me, and one of the biggest issues I am pushing for is the tuition rates and lowering them."
With 14 credits this semester, Spencer said it has been difficult to campaign.
"I have to go to class and campaigning has to be secondary," Spencer said.
"Time is definitely an issue, and I don't have the finances some of the other candidates have."
Eric Gregory, a 20-year-old MSU political theory and constitutional democracy senior, is the Democratic candidate running for a state House seat representing Troy and Clawson.
Gregory is running against Republican Marty Knollenberg, 43, a businessman from the district.
Higher education funding to help boost Michigan's economy, a replacement revenue for the Single Business Tax and promoting alternative fuels are some of the issues Gregory is focusing on as he campaigns.
Although he still needs a few credits to graduate in the spring semester, Gregory plans to take night classes and finish his education if elected.
The minimum age requirement to serve as a representative is 21, but Gregory said his birthday is before January when legislators take office.
Gregory said he's talked with some voters in his district who initially think his campaign is a prank. But other voters like his almost-moderate approach to issues and the lack of "baggage" and allegiances to special-interest groups that more experienced politicians seem to have, he said.
"A lot of people come up with the presupposition that a 20-year-old should not know these things and should be out partying or something," he said. "They try to put you in this mold, and it's hard to get out of it. These things are not impossible to overcome."
Gregory has raised about $6,500 for his campaign, with donations mostly coming from family and individuals in the district.
Alan Fox, a partner at the East Lansing Practical Political Consulting firm, said young politicians sometimes face inherent disadvantages when running for office.
"An older candidate can play to a longer résumé and more contacts in the community," Fox said. "A younger candidate has nothing like that to show and needs to put energy in campaigning."
Fox also said despite the difficulties younger candidates have in some races, each race is different. More likely than not, voters will disregard age and follow their political bias, he said.
John Knowles, a 26-year-old Republican candidate for Michigan's 69th District seat in the state House — which includes East Lansing and Okemos — ran his primary campaign while attending the MSU College of Law and said time management was crucial.
"Every Sunday night, I would draw up a little plan on how the week would go," Knowles said. "I would make it specific as possible and try to stick to what goals I needed to accomplish for the week."
Knowles added that "cutting all the nonsense out of your life," such as watching television and games, helped him in his weekly plans.
"This has been the most rewarding experience of my life," Knowles said.
"Regardless of the outcome, I have learned a lot. I have met many people during this campaign and wouldn't change anything if I had a chance."
Running a campaign that focuses on age doesn't win elections, said MSU political theory and constitutional democracy senior John Fournier.
Fournier formerly campaigned as an East Lansing City Council candidate in fall 2005 and applied to fill a vacancy on the city council this fall.
"Any person running for office has to show the voters that they're committed to their best interest," the 22-year-old said.
"Oftentimes, I got the impression they were interested in having a fresh face, but I associate that with people wanting a change in city hall, not someone younger."
