Several University of Wisconsin students are taking time off from the beginning of semester classes to travel to Washington, D.C. to protest the inauguration of President George W. Bush.

UW senior Beth Fallon and recent UW graduate Kat Nichols took a bus to Washington, D.C. together to join in the protest of today’s inauguration events.

Fallon and Nichols said they were very disappointed after Bush’s reelection, and they hope their trip will show their anger and bring about change in the future.

Liz Sanger, chair of College Democrats, said she has heard of other students planning to attend the inauguration. She said the UW campus was very politically active and it was great students were letting their opinions be known.

“I think we are really lucky that students here at UW are willing to educate themselves on the issues and take action,” Sanger said.

Jeremi Suri, UW assistant professor of history, said there is nothing uncommon about the student protests because UW students have always been very politically active in the past.

However, Suri said the level of student engagement in politics has lowered over the past several years.

“We need more student activism on both sides … or our public discourse suffers,” Suri said.

Suri said he encourages students to become more active in politics, specifically the inauguration. He added the inauguration is typically when the new president sets the agenda for the next four years, and it is a crucial moment for people to be aware of what will come in the future.

The inauguration is an opportunity for everyone to either support or protest the president’s agenda and hopefully influence decisions to meet their desires, according to Suri.

“Inaugurations set the tone for the next couple years, so it is important for people to think about that,” Suri said. “It is a very appropriate time to voice opinions.”

Dolores Grengg, co-chair of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, who is organizing a ball in resistance to the inauguration, said she supports the students who are traveling to Washington, D.C. to protest and she hopes it will bring about change.

“I think anyone can make a difference by going and protesting,” Grengg said.

UW professor Joe Elder, who witnessed students’ political activism during the Vietnam War, said it is vital for students to express their opinions and work to bring about change. He said protesting is an important part of the educational process, and he encourages people to continue their efforts.

“Intelligent people should take certain stands,” Elder said. “I’m all in favor of people expressing their opinions.”

Grengg said she heard the protesters would be turning their backs to President Bush during the inauguration. She also said she heard watchers would not be able to bring signs to the inauguration, which she said was unconstitutional.

“This is an important moment,” Suri said.

— Rachel Patzer contributed to this article