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In Scottish Referendum, a Push for Young Voters In Scottish Referendum, a Push for Young Voters
(8 days later)
Angus Millar remembers the day he decided he would vote for Scottish independence. In February 2012, Mr. Millar, an undergraduate student, attended a talk by the English economist Andrew Hughes-Hallett at his campus in St. Andrews, Scotland, on the economic feasibility of independence. Angus Millar remembers the day he decided he would vote for Scottish independence. In February 2012, Mr. Millar, an undergraduate student, attended a talk by the English economist Andrew Hughes-Hallett at his campus in St. Andrews, Scotland, on the economic feasibility of independence.
“I slowly saw the opportunities” that independence could bring, said Mr. Millar, who is now 20.“I slowly saw the opportunities” that independence could bring, said Mr. Millar, who is now 20.
Since then he has become politically active. He joined the Yes Scotland campaign and works out of its office, answering questions and researching the case for independence. Since then he has become politically active. He joined the Yes Scotland campaign and works out of its office, answering questions and researching the case for independence.
Politically and socially engaged postsecondary students have long been a target for political campaigners. In the lead-up to the referendum on Scotland’s independence on Sept. 18, both official campaigns have reached out to students — on their campuses and through social media — explaining what the vote could mean for tuition fees, for example, and how it could affect Scotland’s universities’ ability to attract and retain world-class academics, as well as the more general questions about what kind of country the students will graduate into.Politically and socially engaged postsecondary students have long been a target for political campaigners. In the lead-up to the referendum on Scotland’s independence on Sept. 18, both official campaigns have reached out to students — on their campuses and through social media — explaining what the vote could mean for tuition fees, for example, and how it could affect Scotland’s universities’ ability to attract and retain world-class academics, as well as the more general questions about what kind of country the students will graduate into.
“It is the biggest decision that I’ll ever make,” said Allana Hoggard, a history and politics major entering her second year at the University of Edinburgh.“It is the biggest decision that I’ll ever make,” said Allana Hoggard, a history and politics major entering her second year at the University of Edinburgh.
Campaigning for the no vote, Ms. Hoggard volunteers for the Better Together campaign, visiting campuses, handing out flyers and assisting in student debates. “There’s definitely the emotional argument,” she said, “but it’s the technical things that change people’s mind.”Campaigning for the no vote, Ms. Hoggard volunteers for the Better Together campaign, visiting campuses, handing out flyers and assisting in student debates. “There’s definitely the emotional argument,” she said, “but it’s the technical things that change people’s mind.”
One of the arguments made by opponents of independence is that, under European Union rules, an independent Scotland could not maintain its policy of providing free tuition for Scottish university students while charging students from other parts of Britain 9,000 pounds a year, about $15,000.One of the arguments made by opponents of independence is that, under European Union rules, an independent Scotland could not maintain its policy of providing free tuition for Scottish university students while charging students from other parts of Britain 9,000 pounds a year, about $15,000.
The current system, comparable with the out-of-state tuition that public universities in the United States can charge, is acceptable under E.U. rules only if Scotland is part of a larger state, the no campaign says. As an independent country, it would have to follow a Union directive that stipulates equal treatment for foreign and local students. In that case, tuition would have to be charged equally to all, or abolished completely.The current system, comparable with the out-of-state tuition that public universities in the United States can charge, is acceptable under E.U. rules only if Scotland is part of a larger state, the no campaign says. As an independent country, it would have to follow a Union directive that stipulates equal treatment for foreign and local students. In that case, tuition would have to be charged equally to all, or abolished completely.
Still, according to a spokesperson for the yes campaign, Graeme Sneddon, this scenario is far-fetched. If Scotland does separate, he says, the Scottish government can make a legal case to Brussels to keep its current policies in place. Still, according to a spokesperson for the yes campaign, Graeme Sneddon, this scenario is far-fetched. If Scotland does separate, he says, the Scottish government can make a legal case to Brussels to keep its current policies in place.
Statements by the Better Together campaign that independence would cut research funding for Scottish universities are also contested by the independence camp.Statements by the Better Together campaign that independence would cut research funding for Scottish universities are also contested by the independence camp.
Research Councils UK, which groups the public funding agencies for British research, spends 13 percent of its resources on Scottish universities, although Scots make up about 8 percent of the British population. Research Councils UK, which groups the public funding agencies for British research, spends 13 percent of its resources on Scottish universities, although Scots make up about 8 percent of the British population.
Still, that income stream could be replaced by others, if necessary, Mr. Sneddon said: “Having a government that has full access to its tax base allows the possibility for funding research in new and innovative ways.”Still, that income stream could be replaced by others, if necessary, Mr. Sneddon said: “Having a government that has full access to its tax base allows the possibility for funding research in new and innovative ways.”
In many ways the issue for students is the same as for other groups in society: uncertain risk and opportunity versus business as usual.In many ways the issue for students is the same as for other groups in society: uncertain risk and opportunity versus business as usual.
“As someone who will be graduating and looking for employment in a couple of years, I don’t need more uncertainty on my plate,” said Ms. Hoggard.“As someone who will be graduating and looking for employment in a couple of years, I don’t need more uncertainty on my plate,” said Ms. Hoggard.
To connect with students and young voters, both campaigns are using social media extensively, with slick websites and spots on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Buzzfeed.To connect with students and young voters, both campaigns are using social media extensively, with slick websites and spots on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Buzzfeed.
Research published online in June suggested the pro-independence side at that time might be winning the battle of the clicks. A study by Stephen Quinlan, a researcher at Gesis — Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences in Mannheim, Germany, found, among other indicators, that 216,000 people “like” the official Yes Scotland Facebook page, while 165,000 had clicked the “like” button for Better Together. Research published online in June suggested the pro-independence side at that time might be winning the battle of the clicks. A study by Stephen Quinlan, a researcher at Gesis — Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences in Mannheim, Germany, found, among other indicators, that 216,000 people “like” the official Yes Scotland Facebook page, while 165,000 had clicked the “like” button for Better Together.
“Both sides are trying to do social media, but the yes side has been more successful — a lot of it is very grassroots,” said Aiden Smeaton of Glasgow, a recent computer science graduate.“Both sides are trying to do social media, but the yes side has been more successful — a lot of it is very grassroots,” said Aiden Smeaton of Glasgow, a recent computer science graduate.
Mr. Smeaton — who says he is likely to vote yes — organized a debate at his home recently, inviting friends, family and Facebook acquaintances. Many more formal debates have been held in schools and universities. Mr. Smeaton — who says he is likely to vote yes — organized a debate at his home recently, inviting friends, family and Facebook acquaintances. Many more formal debates have been held in schools and universities.
“People are talking about politics, people who wouldn’t normally be talking about politics,” Mr. Millar said. “I think it’s a very beneficial aspect of this campaign.”“People are talking about politics, people who wouldn’t normally be talking about politics,” Mr. Millar said. “I think it’s a very beneficial aspect of this campaign.”