Carter Durst, a newly appointed ASUI Senator, is an avid proponent that everyone should get involved in their university and strive to improve their economic, political and media literacy. Durst is a freshman majoring in political science and minoring in economics.
On top of his involvement with ASUI, he’s also a member of UI’s Economics Club. In a recent interview, Durst dived into his involvement with the Economics Club and ASUI, shedding light on various important topics. To begin, Durst discussed the Economics Club’s recent trip to Washington, D.C., which spanned from Oct. 7 to Oct. 10.
Students had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cato Institute, Department of Labor, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and various Vandal alumni.
Durst’s key takeaway from the trip was that “the federal government does a lot more than you’d think.”
Relatedly, his favorite part of the trip was getting to know the federal government and the complex ways in which it functions.
“You really don’t know the sheer size of the federal government until you’re really in the mouth of it. Out here, we really don’t see it,” said Durst. “The people there, especially the civil servants, care so much about their jobs. I feel like a lot of times today people are trying to disparage federal workers when, really, they’re the live stream that gives us what we are.”
The trip also helped prepare Durst for his professional future by making him more aware of the hiring process, the growing presence of political appointees and how AI is being implemented in the federal government.
The Economic’s Club is planning another trip to Portland within the coming months. Durst noted that clubs offer opportunities to travel for students who’ve never done that before; get involved, and opportunities arise.
Durst also noted that every individual should get involved with economics, whether that’s joining the club or taking an entry-level class. Economics Club also discusses serious topics such as immigration and the effects immigrants have on the economy.
“If you don’t have a basic understanding… you’re not gonna be as educated when you make economic decisions,” said Durst. “Economics Club definitely adds a secondary perspective that I feel would be helpful for every student on campus.”
From there, the conversation became more focused on ASUI and the current political landscape through Durst’s eyes. According to Durst, the main goal of ASUI is to speak for the common student and bring positive change to UI.
Celebrating diversity–in everything from race, political ideology, and basic opinions–is especially important to ASUI, and Durst in specific.
“I like college because I feel like here you’re pushed with conflicting opinions, and I feel like University of Idaho is in a very unique position where I feel like we get a very interesting core of students,” said Durst. “I think having conflicting views and being able to have conversations is very important.”
However, Durst did note that he believes politics are shifting from getting things done to attacking people with differing opinions.
He’s noticed this in Congress and feels that it’s bleeding down into ASUI “because a lot of people here are very passionate, which means they, a lot of the time, think emotionally, not necessarily logically.”
On top of that, he believes the country is falling away from merit and instead prioritizing loyalty and money. “[We’re] two wings of the same bird, right? I feel like the biggest thing that I wish people would realize… [is that] a house cannot fall together, but it can only fall from within,” said Durst.
One reason he proposes is the divisive nature of the media, which is contributing to a lack of media literacy and an us-versus-them mentality. It’s not uncommon for people of opposing political parties to immediately distrust views from anyone outside their party, potentially leading to a refusal to even engage with the other person.
“I see that in my own family,” said Durst. “Political divides have gotten that sharp, and I feel like that’s almost their intention, because if they do get that sharp, people vote just off a letter instead of policies.”
Durst encourages everyone to expand their media diet and make educated voting decisions. When it comes to student government, Durst has several ideas he’s trying to implement at the university. This includes repealing the ban on tasers, making parking tickets cheaper for students and improving quality at the Eatery.
“I’m gonna try my best to bring change this year through ASUI. That’s my biggest goal,” said Durst. For more information on UI’s organizations and events, visit the Engage UIdaho website.
Melanie Knapp can be reached at [email protected].