In recent years, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has seen a noticeable surge in political engagement. From rallies and petition drives to roundtable discussions with legislative candidates, students are shaping not only the campus climate but also the dynamic between undergraduates, faculty, and administrators.
“Students are realizing they can influence policy and culture here,” said Shauna Froelich, a professor in the Communication Department. “They’re finding their political voice, and they’re learning how to use it respectfully, even when they disagree.”
A Politically Active Student Body
Among the most active groups on campus are the College Democrats, led in part by two university students, Bear Wilde and Sierra. They described a growing desire among students to understand political issues and to take action, often in ways that extend far beyond club meetings.
“We’re really focused on helping students form their own opinions without feeling ashamed or scared to ask questions,” Sierra explained. “Politics is complicated, and people don’t always know the terms or the history behind what’s happening. We try to break things down in a way that actually makes sense.”
The group recently hosted state Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, who represents the 76th Assembly District, at a roundtable event where students asked open-ended, candid questions about her policies. They also helped organize a No Kings Day Protest, an event that drew significant student turnout, and collaborated with community groups to hold sign-making sessions beforehand.
Both Sierra and Wilde said they’ve participated in additional activism outside the club, including anti-war demonstrations and outreach related to the conflict in Gaza. “We always invite students of any background to join, whether they agree with us or not,” Wilde added. “We want to create a space where people can learn, listen, and ask questions without being judged.”
Historic 2016 Visits: Trump, Sanders, and the Campus Divide
Political activism at UW-Green Bay is not new. One defining moment came in 2016, when the campus hosted both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders during the presidential primary season, events that Professor Froelich can remember vividly.
Froelich noted that UWGB’s involvement in national politics became unusually visible that year. “In 2016, UW–Green Bay opened up its doors to have Donald Trump come for our primary. We also had Bernie Sanders come for a primary,” she said. “We were a testing ground to see what money and messaging could do in a contested state like Wisconsin.”
The MSNBC Trump Town Hall at Fort Howard Hall
Trump’s visit was not a typical arena-style rally. Instead, MSNBC hosted a nationally televised town hall inside Fort Howard Hall at the Weidner Center, moderated by Chris Matthews. Froelich attended the event out of professional curiosity.
“I went not necessarily as a supporter of Donald Trump, but out of curiosity, to observe the communication and to sit in a room with Chris Matthews from MSNBC,” she said.
But what struck her most was the student turnout, or rather, the lack of it.
“There were maybe 20 or 30 students there, at most,” Froelich recalled. “Most people did not want to go listen to him. And that in itself was interesting, because for a university committed to free speech, you would hope students would want to hear opposing views, even if they disagree.”
Outside the venue, a small designated protest zone filled with students holding signs signaled the unease felt by many.
According to Froelich, even faculty and staff debated whether hosting the event aligned with the university’s values.
“Many people had a hard time even supporting the fact that we were allowing him on campus,” she said. “It revealed something uncomfortable: that people struggle to hear viewpoints they oppose, which is a challenge for civic discourse.
The Bernie Sanders Rally: A Night and Day Difference
Just days later, UWGB hosted a Bernie Sanders rally inside the Kress Events Center, and the contrast in student participation was dramatic.
“The Kress was filled with hundreds, if not a thousand, UWGB students,” Froelich recalled, “and unlike the Trump event, there were no protests.”
The energy, she explained, reflected broader political dynamics on college campuses.
“It really showed that at the university level there’s a leaning toward progressive, Democratic ideals,” she said. “Students who do get involved tend to lean more liberal. Conservative-leaning students exist, but many are quieter. They keep their values closer and aren’t as vocal.”
The back-to-back events served as a real-time example of the political polarization already taking shape nationwide. On one hand, a nationally televised Trump event with low student turnout and visible protest; on the other, a Sanders rally with overwhelming attendance and enthusiastic support.
“That week was a snapshot of the political identities forming on campus,” Froelich added. “Two major candidates, two major events, and two completely different student responses.
Classroom Tensions Reflect National Divides
Inside classrooms, political conversations occur not just in your typical political science courses, but in any kind of class where political curiosity sparks up; there can occasionally be conflict/ “I’ve had students slam a desk and walk out when certain topics come up,” Froelich said. “A lot of students are scared of saying something the wrong way—‘What if I offend someone? What if people don’t like me?’ They grew up online, in echo chambers, where they mostly interact with people who agree with them. Real-life disagreement can feel threatening.”
This fear, she explained, often silences students who might otherwise participate more, especially those with conservative views. “I know there’s equal representation on paper, but I rarely hear from College Republicans in my classes,” Froelich said. “They exist, but many feel a chilling effect. Universities lean more liberal, and conservative students worry they’ll be judged.”
Attempts to contact the College Republicans for this story were unsuccessful. According to Sierra and Wilde, silence is typical.
“They don’t really do outreach. They tend to meet when something big happens, like a rally or an election, but they don’t hold regular events the way we do,” Wilde said. “They’re not super active as a traditional club.”
Where Students and Administration Collide
While student organizations lean left, interviewees argue that the administration is moving in a very different direction—one they describe as business-first, student-second.
“We’re a liberal arts college, but the administration is cutting so many arts programs, losing professors, and shifting focus to business, athletics, and donors,” Sierra said. “It feels like we’re becoming a private school even though we’re public.”
Students pointed to several controversial decisions that occurred in 2023:
● Cutting or reducing majors, especially in the arts and humanities.
● Losing professors in environmental policy.
● Renovating facilities to prioritize VIP spaces over student areas, such as displacing the pep band at games to make room for donor seating. (Student observations)
● A proposed restructuring of faculty leadership roles. However, according to Wisconsin Public Radio, these cuts were the result of low enrollment and tight budget constraints.
“It’s frustrating to watch traditions disappear,” Wilde said. “Green Bay has a strong history. My parents went here. And now so much of what made UWGB unique is being pushed aside for money.”
A Campus That’s Politically Loud—and Politically Learning
As UW-Green Bay continues to serve as a place where students can freely express and share their ideas, students notice that many Campus flyers, poster boards, and student government campaigns add to the visual energy. Petition tables appear regularly in the Union. Groups like Students for a Democratic Society rally around accessibility concerns and other structural issues. Meanwhile, student government elections bring out passionate speeches, debates, and campaigns centered on everything from tuition costs to diversity initiatives.
As UWGB students navigate political identity, institutional frustration, and a rapidly shifting national climate, one thing remains clear: they care deeply about shaping their community.
College Democrats leaders hope others will join in, regardless of their views. “You don’t have to agree with us. Just get involved,” Sierra said. “Sign up for newsletters, come to a meeting, ask questions. Every student deserves to understand the world they’re stepping into.”
Froelich believes this moment is a pivotal one. “We shouldn’t be afraid of robust speech on campus,” she said. “Students today are learning not just what to think, but how to speak up, how to listen, and how to engage with the world in meaningful ways.”
And as activism continues to rise at UW–Green Bay, those voices, passionate, conflicted, determined, are helping shape what the university will become next.
If students want to take the next step and get involved on campus, they don’t have to look far. Whether it’s attending roundtables with local legislators, joining a student organization, or participating in one of the many advocacy or interest-based groups on campus, there are countless ways to engage. Students are encouraged to explore the options that match their passions and values. For more information about student organizations at UW–Green Bay, visit the university’s Student Organizations page.
For more on what the College Democrats student organization is doing, get in touch with org leaders at socollegedems@uwgb.edu or visit their Instagram page.