Over the past week, the campus has been abuzz with conversation as students gather in dormitories, dining halls and classrooms to discuss the outcome of the recent presidential election.
The results, which have sparked a range of emotions nationwide, were met with similar intensity among USI’s diverse student body, with students sharing reactions that reflect a broad spectrum of concerns, hopes and beliefs.
Rachel Thomas, sophomore political science major, and Madden Beck, junior business major, are hopeful for the next four years.
“I’m relieved,” Thomas said. “It feels like a step forward in the direction I believe in, and I’m hopeful this administration will address the issues that matter to me, like fixing the economy.”
She said she believes Gen Z voted based on their hope for the future, and that the economic outlook was “in their hands.”
According to a poll led by NBC News, the economy was the key issue for Gen Z when deciding which candidate to vote for.
Beck is also hopeful that the party switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party will aid in boosting the economy.
“I think, historically, Republicans have done a better job with the economy,” Beck said. “ If you look at President Trump’s first term, I mean, compared to now, we were thriving.”
However, not all students share the same sentiment.
Isabella Betancourt, freshman sociology major, and Maggie Elder, junior education major, were disappointed with the results.
“I am surprised at the ignorance of our country and the way they voted based [on] hate instead of love,” Betancourt said. “The way people are reacting to Trump winning the election is all I need to know about how America will be the next four years.”
Elder said she thinks Trump’s presidency will affect her education.
“As an education major, I am fearful of another Trump presidency,” she said. “He told us straight up that he would eliminate the Department of Education. I’m a commuter because I can’t afford to live on campus — I can’t imagine if I were to lose my federal grants.”