Is He Flirting With You or Just Promoting an IOP Event?
By Emily Feigenbaum
Dec. 5, 2018
Dating at UChicago can be difficult. Sometimes it’s not so clear whether that special person is demonstrating an interest in you or if he’s drumming up attention for an event at the Institute of Politics in order to ignite a passion for public service amongst college students. Ugh, don’t you just hate mixed signals?
If you’re having trouble navigating the uncertainty of campus romance, here are some easy ways to determine that he’s flirting with you and not just promoting an upcoming IOP event.
1. You haven’t spoken to him in at least a year, but he messages out of the blue to inform you that former Washington Post columnist and veteran political operative Francesco Myers-Jones will be hosting a 7-week-long seminar series about the importance of campaign finance reform in a post-Trump era at the Institute of Politics.
Well, well, well. All great love stories have great beginnings, and so begins yours! Falling in love is never easy, but neither is a round-table discussion about the implications and legacy of the McCain-Feingold Act. This 2002 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 limited the ability of political parties to use soft-money to fund advertisements, but you know what’s limitless? Love. Will you take his hand and embark on the great odyssey of romance?
2. After forwarding you links to sign up for seminars and office hours, he adds that this Thursday’s seminar will have pizza.
If Domino’s be the food of love, play on! In adherence with the University’s commitment to diversity of thought and free speech, the IOP is hosting this event to allow students to learn about politics and policy from different perspectives. You should go to this pizza-catered event. By reaching across the aisle in sizzling political debate, you’ll soon enough be walking down the aisle to marry the Fellows Ambassador on whom you were brave enough to take a chance. Please remember, however, that this event is off the record.
3. He posts the same message verbatim on the Facebook pages for the Classes of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
All of these posts about the influence of super PACs in recent presidential elections just goes to show how “super” into you he is! And the fact that next week’s seminar is about the controversial nature of Citizens United v. FEC? Uh, it’s obvious he’s trying to unite with YOU! This dashing IOP Casanova is positively spellbound and “lobbying” for your affection. Be sure to RSVP using the Eventbrite link and to arrive approximately 10 minutes early to claim a good seat.
4. You receive the same message again, this time in an email forwarded by an RSO list host from which you meant to unsubscribe.
Many advocates of campaign finance reform are saying no to money in the political system, but will you say yes to love? This lovesick Fellows Ambassador is not just promoting an IOP event through various avenues—he’s clearly flirting with you! Now that you know he’s into you, the ball is in your court. Just always remember that it all began at a nonpartisan institution where you had the opportunity to engage with a diverse cohort of elected political officials, diplomats, policymakers, activists, and journalists who come to campus each academic quarter to engage with students through weekly seminars and office hours.
