Some warn of adverse public reaction to election

The dreary wet night and silent streets beckoned on a quiet Tuesday evening, not so different from any other Tuesday night on campus -- or so it seemed.

Hundreds of students, having woven their ways through campus, met at the Bell Tower Tuesday night at about 11 p.m. in an act that Phillip McCray, a freshmen in political science, called impromptu.

"We're celebrating Obama's victory while, at the same time, enjoying the atmosphere," McCray said, adding that the meeting was "without direction, but not in a negative way."

Alyssa Putt, a freshman in world literature who was walking with McCray, said they heard cheers from inside her room.

"We followed the noise, we followed the people," Putt said.

The crowd overflowed to the other side of Hillsborough Street. Students stood on either side, some dancing in the street, others waving as cars went by.

Everyone cheered.

Some students stood on the sidelines, watching the crowd and watching the police circle the block. They didn't cheer with the rest of the crowd but, on occasion, shouted to the crowd in favor of John McCain.

On the other side of campus, about 50 students stepped into the basement of Tucker Residence Hall on Tuesday night. They crowded around a widescreen television in Tucker basement, watching anchormen and anchorwomen announce Barack Obama the first black president of the country.

The event was part of Central Campus' program, "Voting is Central," a joint effort of seven residence halls on Central Campus.

Their residence directors spearheaded the program, but Matt Lawing, a graduate student in higher education administration and Owen Hall residence director, said it was an effort of every single central campus staff member.

And, it was an effort many appreciated.

“I came here to meet all the intelligent babes who are interested in politics... and for free cookies," Vincent Feucht, a junior in international studies, said.

Other students, like Frye, a junior in biological sciences,
enjoyed the basement's calm atmosphere.

“It’s nice to be together down here," Fry said. "No one is arguing -- voting is over. Everyone did their job."

Julie Steinberg, a sophomore in food science, said watching the election results come in was "like the Super Bowl but… it matters."

This year’s historical election was on the mind of many and brought students to Tucker Hall.

Danielle Kinnaird, a British exchange student majoring in English, brought an international personal viewpoint to the elections.

“My family and I think it’s really interesting to live in the U.S. at this time, because no matter who wins it will be historic,” Kinnaird said.

Some were skeptical of national peace, despite the absence of political bashing at the program, and said they felt the inevitable tension that competition naturally creates.

“I’m just curious to see how the general public will take the results since there are both strong McCain supporters and strong Obama supporters,” Justin Watkins, environmental design in architecture, said.

Feucht patriotically waved miniature flags.

“I know why there are ripples in the flag on the moon -- because the moon has gravity!” Feucht said. “Go America!” he and his friends shouted as they exited into the dark of the night.