Every Friday, the Institute of Freedom and Community (IFC) hosts Politics and Pastries from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., where students and faculty come together to discuss current politics while snacking on delicious treats. The weekly event began as a way to give students a space to share their thoughts and feelings leading up to the 2024 presidential election. 

“Last year, Politics and Pastries was a really good space for me to … express some of the political frustrations I’m having,” Kaya Clemons ’26 said in an interview with the Olaf Messenger. “It gives you a lot of perspective. Yes, maybe this is frustrating, but this is happening… How can we work together?”

After the election, the IFC started bringing in student organizations to lead new topics of discussion. Politics and Pastries has been hosted by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Club, The Olaf Messenger, and even Trek and Tea, the “Star Trek” club. This past Friday, Nov. 7, the event was led by the Sexual Assault Resource Network (SARN). The conversation centered around SARN’s role on campus and how Title IX changes will affect the experience of sexual violence survivors on and off campus. 

Logan Samuelson ’26, who led the event in the past with the Civil Discourse Association,  described Politics and Pastries in an email interview with The Olaf Messenger as a “welcoming and well-attended space to discuss a wide range of political issues with peers and guest organizations.” He continued by stating, “I can always count on being heard and learning something new.”

In the current political climate, many people shy away from political discourse, but Politics and Pastries offers St. Olaf students a place to do the opposite. It gives people an opportunity to vent, to ask questions, to learn from their peers, and to share their voice. Through conversation — and yummy pastries — students and faculty create an environment where political discussion is possible.