MUNCIE, Ind. – Expect the Republican Party to use its upcoming convention to start a grassroots movement to boost its presidential candidate, says a Ball State University educator.

Republican Party members should be more united than in previous attempts for the Oval Office, said Sally Jo Vasicko, a political science professor who will take a group of Ball State students to Philadelphia July 30-Aug. 3 on an educational field trip to the Republican National Convention.

"I think the party will use the convention to become more unified -- more unified than it has been in years," Vasicko said. "There will be several days of speeches, balloons and hoopla to get everyone revved up.

"The emphasis will be on getting the membership to take back that excitement back to their communities and start a grassroots movement to elect George W. Bush to the White House in the fall," she said.

It will be the second national convention for Vasicko, who attended the 1988 event in New Orleans as an alternate delegate. This convention should be a solid educational experience for college students, she said.

"According to several studies, the average college student doesn't think that government impacts their lives," Vasicko said. "However, this group of students is not typical. They are interested in the political process. They have a deep interest in the political party."

"I hope they'll come away from the convention as participatory and voting citizens," she said. "My group wants to learn how to get involved in the political process."

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Vasicko at svasicko@wp.bsu.eduor (765) 285-5875.)