NEWS Groups discusses Libertarians' broad appeal by Sarah Hainbach | Oct 16 2014 | 10/16/14 1:36am

When he was a University graduate student, Engineering faculty member James Lark founded Students for Individual Liberty in 1987 to promote classical liberal and libertarian ideals on Grounds. Now, as the group nears it 30th anniversary, its current student leaders are working hard to increase its visibility.

Third-year College student Ken McDaniels said SILs goals are to stay active and grow base membership. McDaniels said he thinks most students would agree with the organization's espoused values of social and economic freedom.

Second-year College student Grace Charlton agreed.

Basically everyone agrees with us on at least one issue, she said.

But many people, fourth-year College student Sam Teixeira said, have the wrong idea about libertarianism.

Lots of people lump it under conservatism, he said. But it is its own distinct political philosophy. [It prioritizes] the rights and freedoms of individuals. [That] doesnt mean that we dont care about things like equality or welfare. We do, but the focus is on personal liberty.

As part of SIL's recruitment efforts, McDaniels said the group is planning a series of creative events to grab the student body's attention.

The recent Pot-tition, was one such initiative wherein SIL members sold brownies out of flowerpots to shock people and draw them in, Charlton said.

On Constitution Day, which fell this year on Sept. 17, SIL hosted a free speech wall on which students could write whatever they wanted. Charlton said the wall was intended to teach students about libertarian values.

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Students for Individual Liberty conducts outreach