Students take sides at GRC’s first Agree to Disagree event

The Government Relations Council hosted the first-ever Agree to Disagree event at Utah State University this past Monday, April 1 in the TSC Big Blue Room.

Inspired by Jubilee Magazine’s popular spectrum videos on YouTube, students were invited to come to share their opinions on controversial topics. The floor was taped with lines representing categories — disagree and agree on opposite ends and neutral in the middle, just like they are in the spectrum videos.

There were about 50 students in attendance at the event.

“Those videos are so entertaining because they talk about things that everybody is too afraid to ask in real life,” Ronan Spencer, GRC member and co-host of the event, wrote in a text message to The Utah Statesman. “[W]e wanted to do that with USU.”

A statement would be read aloud by the event’s hosts and also displayed on a screen, and then students would physically move to stand upon the line they thought best represented their opinion on the matter. Chairs also lined around the event for those who wanted to spectate.

Spencer, alongside co-host and fellow GRC member Beau Jenson, would then bring mics to students who were willing to share their thoughts.

“The GRC wanted to have an event that invoked political discussion and respectful debate,” Jenson wrote in a text message to the Statesman.

The evening contained four rounds. Each round would have three statements, each falling into one of three categories: pop culture, Utah State and politics.

Students would move after each statement was read. After a participant spoke, a rebuttal would be offered from the other side. A debate would bounce back and forth for a few minutes before moving on to the next topic.

When not debating, students could enjoy treats and socialize with others about their opinions.

Pop culture topics included Taylor Swift, Marvel movies and whether “Oppenheimer” deserved to win Best Picture at the most recent Oscars.

“I thought it was really interesting to see how a majority of our generation now thinks that Marvel is overrated,” said Maggie Eguko, GRC member. “That was really depressing.”

USU-based topics included whether or not the Merrill-Cazier Library should have a west entrance, if Big Blue is the best Utah mascot and if the TSC should be torn down and completely rebuilt.

Current student advocate vice president Tyson Packer had a strong opinion on the TSC topic.

“I would love to have a building that’s for the students — like it’s not an office for all these other people, it’s our building. I just don’t feel like the TSC is our building,” Packer said.

The political topics of the evening included the banning of TikTok, climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion. Two DEI-related bills passed during the most recent Utah legislative season and directly impacted USU.

“I feel like some of our political questions were really controversial. We had one about DEI that got some really disgusted expressions from certain people,” Eguko said. “I also think it’s really interesting to see how unanimous some of the student body really does feel about political issues.”

Participants, including Eguko, were almost all completely standing on the agree side when discussing if there needs to be more action by the U.S. government to combat climate change.

In between rounds, there were drawings for prizes. All students received a prize ticket upon entry, and if a student shared an opinion, they got another ticket. Prizes included a mini fridge, a TV and a Polaroid camera.

Sydney Lyman, GRC member and 2024-25 student advocate vice president-elect, also participated in organizing the event.

“It’s a way to facilitate a conversation between people who disagree in a respectful way,” Lyman said.