On a perfect Indian-summer day earlier this month, Bronx Community College (BCC) students took a break from classes to socialize and soak up the sun. But many of them took care of some important business at the same time — they registered to vote.

BCC sponsored a major registration drive on Oct. 7 and, contrary to the notion that young people are apolitical, the voter forms were moving fast. "I can barely keep up," said Lourdes Carrasco, a BCC student who worked on the drive.

Sponsored by the school’s student government, in conjunction with Rock the Vote, a national organization, the event was the culmination of an exhaustive effort to get people registered in time for the general election. Work-study students with BCC’s chapter of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), a good-government organization, led the charge all semester long.

"I’ve been working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the last few days," said Carrasco, who was hoarse from all the pitching on campus and well-trafficked areas like Fordham Road.

While BCC holds voter registration drives annually, students stepped up their efforts this year — and it yielded results. Over 500 students registered over the semester, representing 10 percent of BCC’s total population. 

During the event, hundreds of students milled around the school’s grassy quad for the free food, games, and one actual rock band. "We know there is a miniscule proportion of students who are into Rock and Goth," said Victor Rajcoomar, BCC’s student government president, over the wail of a guitar solo. "But we have also got DJs spinning lots of Latin and hip-hop."

A raffle, including prizes like boom boxes and DVD players, attracted plenty of students to the registration table. "I’ve gotten a lot more positive responses this year," said Grace-Zita O’Toole, 21, who has registered BCC students for the past two years. 

The peaked interest stems partly from the involvement of BCC’s student government. Frustrated that legislation to fund a new BCC building was recently vetoed by Governor Pataki, the organization decided to put extra effort into getting students voting. "We want to send a clear message to Albany," Rajcoomar said.

But much of the heightened awareness among young people undoubtedly comes from this year’s high-stakes election (T-shirts reading "vote or die" have actually become trendy). Many students said they were registering this year to give President Bush the boot. "I’m not happy with his decisions," said Kevaughn, 21, of White Plains Road. "He was too hasty in going to war, and we didn’t even get [Osama] bin Laden or find weapons."

Tania Valera put it more simply. "I want Bush out," said Valera, 26. Kirk Daley, BCC’s director of Student Activities, has noticed a heightened political awareness among students this year. "They have a greater sense of the power of their vote," Daley said. To further capitalize on that trend, BCC will host a speaker series this month on electoral matters, and on voting day, NYPIRG will shuttle students to the polls.

Statistically, young adults do need some extra encouragement to vote. Only 42 percent of young people voted in the 2000 presidential election, compared to 70 percent of those over 25, according to census statistics. "I think [young people] often don’t pay mind to politics when you are hanging out," said Rolfy Espinal, 21, a North Fordham resident. "They don’t think it will have an effect on them."

O’Toole acknowledged that combating apathy is challenging. "I’m not going to lie to you, it’s hard," she said. O’Toole focuses on issues like tuition rates and financial aid to help put voting into perspective for students.

Studies have shown that young people are the best means to inspire their peers to care about voting. So, clad in hoodies, oversized T-shirts and big earrings, BCC’s advocates got to work convincing their classmates to participate in the political system. Espinal alone has convinced 10 of his friends to register. 

Though not involved in the drive, Anesha Bonner of Morris Heights escorted her friend, Rolesha Usher, to the registration table. Bonner, 27, has voted since she turned 18. "My family always votes together," said Bonner.

Usher, 19, quietly filled out the form for the first time. "Hopefully," she said, "this will change something."