Two students from Gonzaga University are trying to create a forum for political expression for college-age students with their new book of compiled essays called "What We Think."

Rob Grabow, 23, a finance major, and Dean Robbins, 22, a mechanical engineering major, have started College Tree Publishing in Spokane, Wash. The publishing company was created to allow young adults a medium to express their beliefs.

"Eighteen to 24-year-olds don't get a chance to voice their opinion," Grabow said.

The book will accept entries from any college-age student, but the focus is on students aged 18 to 24. Its aim is to field completely uncensored essays from every political ideology.

Grabow and Robbins contacted over 200 universities regarding potential applicants.

College of Arts & Sciences junior Zachary Corey's essay, which focuses on his ground-level internship working on Sen. Russ Feingold's (D-Wis.) campaign, was the first to be received by College Tree Publishing, Grabow said.

However, Corey's essay did not make the final cut for the book.

Grabow, a Democrat, and Robbins, a Republican, decided to manage the $10,000 start-up fee themselves to keep the financing of the company out of the hands of external contributors with partisan agendas, who could potentially skew the contents of the book, Grabow said.

While the presidential election is dominating current political debate, Grabow and Robbins said the book will focus on a wider political spectrum.

"Only about a third of the book will focus on (Democratic nominee for president, Sen. John) Kerry (D-Mass.) and (President) Bush," Grabow said.

Other topics include terrorism, globalization, gay rights and prisoner rights, according to College Tree Publishing's Web site.

Lawrence LeBlanc, political science professor, said it is important the current generation stays involved in politics.

"It is important for (college-age students) to acquaint themselves with what's going on," LeBlanc said.

Throughout his 20 years of experience as a political science professor, LeBlanc said he has not seen a difference in the political interest of college-age students.

While he couldn't estimate whether the book will change interest levels, LeBlanc said anything that induces on-campus political activism is a step in the right direction.

"What We Think" is slated for a tentative Oct. 24 release.