Differences were set aside last night as a group of about 50 students, faculty and community members discussed how to end the political division in the country.

"We wanted to see what people wanted to do about this," Brian Jara, the event's organizer, said. "I assumed personal opinions would be brought up ... but we focused on tangible actions, and I am happy to see a wide mix of people and ideologies here."

College Republicans, College Democrats and other attendees attempted to leave out their ideologies to respectfully discuss viable attempts to increase unity across the nation.

"We need to keep the Penn State community educated about the issues and be more active -- start marches and rallies about issues important to everyone," Megan Green, president of the College Democrats, said.

Charles Gable, College Republicans adviser, said he and the members attending recognized the need for education and unification, and he cited it as the reason for their attendance.

"There are a handful of open-minded Republicans here to help bridge the gap. ... We all know we need constructive dialogue," he said.

College Republicans member Todd Taylor said he thought changes could come from within the parties.

"Democrats need to reach out to Republicans and not condescend them by saying they are ignorant hicks," he said.

Greg Rybka, member of the College Democrats, said groups could get along better if they avoided being too pushy and explained the issues more.

Many attendees emphasized the need for activism by people on both ends of the political spectrum.

"We need a middle ground for everyone to be able to do something constructive," Susan McHale, human development and family studies professor, said. "People in this country are more the same than different. ... We need to build on these connections."

Suggestions were then offered as to how activism could be achieved all the time -- not just on election years.

Aimee Kumer (senior-English and women's studies) mentioned that Penn State's annual budget review includes discussions with state representatives about university programs.

"We need to mobilize people to push representatives to implement educational changes, like changes in first-year seminar to incorporate sexual assault education," she said.

Jara, also a women's studies lecturer, added some statistics to Kumer's statement.

"At Penn State, rape and sexual assault incidents are estimated conservatively at 10 percent, and hate crimes have increased by a factor of at least three this year," he said. "And they are universal issues we can focus on."

Many members of the audience then brought up Martin Luther King Jr. Day and how to work together to make the national holiday a Penn State holiday as well.

"This could definitely be one of many common goals for all of us to work on together," Gable said.