About the Union:
The Union seeks to foster political discourse on campus in a congenial and respectful atmosphere. We are interested in the free exchange of ideas, getting down to the most basic principles that drive our opinions, and examining them publicly. In doing so through intellectual competition, we hope to bring together those of differing political ideologies, affirming that one can disagree without being disagreeable, and inspiring a new respect for the freedom of speech.
By doing so, we hope to create a forum where students undecided about a particular issue, or even apolitical entirely, may assemble and hear the arguments of their peers, believing that a broad spectrum of viewpoints and competition in the free market of thought will lead to the strongest debates and most informed perspectives.
We further seek to support and bolster political organizations on campus, particularly by drawing attention to those least represented. We believe that the political process is not something that happens once each election cycle, but rather something that requires continued engagement. The Union hopes it may be of assistance to the campus political parties by providing structure in off-election years, by helping to recruit members into their organizations through the ideological groups herein represented, and by offering a stage where they may sharpen their wits and arguments for use in the political realm.
Finally, The Union seeks, as a long-term goal, to provide a nexus of student interaction with notable politically oriented speakers who visit Dartmouth. We hope that these speakers will join us in our debates allowing students hear, question, and debate against them, fostering interaction more valuable than simple lectures, and absent in most corners of academia.
Debate Procedure and Topics
The DPU brings together five parties to debate some of the most important issues of the day. Each debate is opened and moderated by the Speaker of the Union, who then turns the floor over to representatives of the parties to debate, in turn, their side of the given resolution.
All resolutions to be debated are inherently dichotomous - that is to say, they require parties to argue either in the affirmative or the in negative. Each party chooses to argue in favor of the resolution or against it, with the ideal resolution bringing together three parties to argue in the affirmative and two parties to argue in the negative.
To each party is granted twelve minutes & thirty seconds of total debate time, always divided in accordance with the Constitution of the Union: four (4) minutes for opening constructives, seven (7) minutes for floor speeches, and ninety (90) seconds for final crystalization and summation. Each party must, at some point during floor speeches, yield to no less than one (1) question from the audience or their fellow debators. Party speakers may yield time to members of other parties. Unaffiliated members of the audience are encouraged to pose questions, and may even ask to be recognized by a party leader, permitting him/her to hold the floor during the seven-minute rebuttal period. For further explanation of debate procedure, read our Constitution.
At the end of each debate, all persons present are entitled to vote, either to affirm or to negate the resolution of the day. Votes are counted by the Union Teller and recorded.
History
The Dartmouth Political Union was founded as a formal and infrequent debating society between and among the various political ideologies represented on campus. The charter direcorate was as follows:
| Nathan L Bruschi | Speaker of the Union |
| Erich A. Hartfelder | Teller of the Union |
| Katrin Kabral | Secretary of the Union |
| Igor Terzic | Leader, Socialist Party |
| Taylor A. Stevenson | Leader, Liberal Party |
| Christopher Chavis | Leader, Centrist Party |
| Scot T. Parsley | Leader, Libertarian Party |
| Michael G. Marcusa | Leader, Conservative Party |
The DPU uses Google Calendar to keep members and the public up-to-date on the term's schedule and important events. Click here.
The DPU currently recognizes five Union parties:
The Socialists
The Liberal Party
The Centrists
The Libertarian Party
The Conservative Party
The May 5 resolution reads:
"The state should provide healthcare for its citizens."
We also keep records of previous resolutions. Click here.
The current Speaker of the Union is Brice Acree, a member of the class of 2009. For more information on the Speaker or the current directorate, click here.
The Union welcomes visitors to meetings, be they curious Dartmouth students, alumni, prospective students, guests or members of the local community. If you need directions to our meetings, please click here.