Matthew Cayer is a fourth-year transfer student at the University of Rhode Island who came across BridgeURI when searching for campus political organizations to join.
BridgeURI is a chapter of the larger organization, BridgeUSA. BridgeUSA is a national organization that strives to build communities and foster understanding across the ideological spectrum, according to its website .
“Getting everyone in the same room to have a respectful conversation, reduce the echo chambers, like that’s exactly what I wanted to contribute to,” Cayer said.
Cayer found out that BridgeURI had been derecognized by the student senate and worked over his first fall semester to revitalize the club, he said. The club was recognized under the student senate on April 24 .
BridgeURI is an organization that works to remedy the hyper-polarization in current political
discourse, according to its vice president, Riley Lane.
“We’re not a debate club,” Lane said. “Our mission is to facilitate constructive dialogue about politics. we’re not here to argue with each other, we’re here to understand each other.”
BridgeURI meeting attendees discuss political issues such as foreign policy, immigration and the recent presidential election, according to its Instagram @bridgeuri. Participants raise their hands and share their personal opinions on the topic to start discussions.
“We’ve had some misunderstandings when it comes to ideology because obviously it’s a natural part of the club to people out of their echo chamber,” Cayer said.
Lane described the political demographics of the club as almost evenly split politically, with a few more left-leaning students. Lane believes this is due to the club being held at a university campus and Rhode Island being a more progressive state, however there are plenty of center-right and right-wing students who join the discussion.
“Especially today, it’s important to understand that people who disagree with us are still good people,” Lane said.
Cayer is very encouraged by students from both ends of the political spectrum showing up to meetings. He believes that people can have fun and get along despite their political differences.
“I saw a lot of people when Trump won saying, ‘if you follow Trump, don’t follow me,’ and that’s why I like this room,” Cayer said. “Because regardless of our opinions, we can get along. We have our chemistry together and our political opinions, which are separate.”
Cayer and the other members of the club’s executive board meet with a representative of the BridgeUSA national team every week. The representatives aid the club with providing questions for discussion, information on how to facilitate meetings and training in de-escalation in the case a participant violates club guidelines.
“My biggest goal for this year is to make sure that there is a club after I’m gone,” Cayer said. “[I hope to] make sure it’s established and someone takes over, so when I come back in a few years, there will still be a BridgeURI.”
To find more information on BridgeUSA’s programs and other chapters across the country, visit the BridgeUSA website .