Many of the following issues are on the forefront of college students’ minds. While the candidates address some of these issues on their websites and in their platforms, only some of them were adressed in front of the nation during the debate. This list is comprised of issues discussed in articles featured in The Atlantic.
Sexual assault on campus
On Friday, The Washington Post leaked audio of a 2005 conversation in which Trump discussed sexual advances he made on women. The audio included Trump using language such as “grab her by the pussy” and “when you’re a star, they let you do it.”
A poster detailing what consent is and how to get help if you have been sexually assaulted can be found on almost every bathroom stall door at IU. On the forefront of many college students minds is the prevalence of this type of violence on campus. Clinton specifically details on her website her plan to end assault, which includes offering support to survivors, creating a fair process to report and prosecute these crimes and increasing prevention efforts. Trump does not talk about campus assault on his site.
Neither candidate specifically mentioned sexual assault on college campuses during the debate. Trump denied that what he said in a 2005 video qualified as sexual assault, claiming his “locker-room talk” is just “one of those things” and is unimportant in the grand scheme of the election. He then redirected his response to ISIS, an issue he said was much more topical. He also brought up Bill Clinton's history of sexual assault allegations, saying no one in U.S. political history was as abusive toward women. Before the debate, he appeared with three women who accused Bill Clinton of inappropriate sexual behavior and one woman whose alleged abuser was acquitted with Hillary as his lawyer.
For her part, Clinton referenced many points where Trump demeaned or objectified women in an attempt to counter the way he dismisses sexual assault. “Yes, this is who Donald Trump is,” Clinton said.
College affordability
When many students look at their Bursar bill, the sight of all the zeros following the price of tuition can be cringe worthy. This sentiment is echoed across the county as many millennials are struggling to grapple with the thousands of dollars of debt they will have as they graduate college. During Senator Bernie Sanders’ primary run, he made a big case for free tuition and a debt free college experience, but the current candidates stand a little differently. According to her website, Clinton’s plans include debt free college for students of certain incomes and free community college. According to his website, Trump proposes making trade school and two-year or four-year colleges “easier to access, pay for and finish.”
Clinton mentioned keeping college affordable after the first Town Hall question about setting a good example for America’s children. She did not discuss the point further, and Trump never mentioned the issue.
LGBT Issues
Around campus, there is a wide range of groups and services, including sororities and fraternities, offered specifically for LGBT students and allies who want to get involved with LGBT issues. Especially in the wake of the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting, LGBT activism has become more prominent. Clinton hits a number of issues in her website, including passing legislation for full equality of LGBT people and ensuring transgender rights. Trump does not explicitly address LGBT issues on his online platform.
LGBT issues were not mentioned during the debate.
Environment
On his website, Trump said he plans to “conserve our natural habitats, reserves and resources” and “unleash America’s $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil and natural gas reserves, plus hundreds of years in clean coal reserves.” Clinton, on the other hand, said on her website that in 10 years within the time she takes office, she plans to install half a billion solar panels by the end of her first term, cut American energy waste by a third and reduce oil consumption by a third.
During the debate, Clinton said she wants to bring the coal industry back, but her campaign will also focus on protecting the environment. “I support moving toward more clean, renewable energy as quickly as we can, because I think we can be the 21st century clean energy superpower and create millions of new jobs and businesses,” Clinton said.
Trump said he appreciates alternative forms of energy, but wants to use natural gas and coal to focus on putting the energy industry before the environment. “We are killing, absolutely killing, the energy business in this country,” Trump said.
Marijuana legalization
Marijuana, while illegal in Indiana and most other states, has a prominent place in college communities. Especially for millennials, the push for legalization has been amplified in recent years by states that have already legalized recreational use of the substance, like Oregon and Colorado. Neither candidates specifically addresses this issue on their website platforms.
Marijuana legalization was not mentioned during the debate.
