At a distance, it bears little resemblance to the suburbs of Johannesburg. But once inside the circle of tents and tarp-constructions on the CU Norlin Quad, the "shantytown" has a different purpose than mere shelters.

"You should see the camp at night when there's more people here, it really comes alive and there's lots of music," said Sophomore Adam Tinnell. "It's very social."

The shantytown first appeared at the beginning of the week and is entering it's sixth day in existence.

As of Thursday, there were several dozen tents and more than 40 'residents from on campus and in Boulder, with more expected to join over the next few days. Those involved say they will stay for one week, possibly longer.

Its purpose, says Tinnell, is to emulate the idea of free living and a message of peace.

The camp's residents also want to push for democracy - and it's no coincidence that the camp has sprung up during the USCU election week.

"Did you know that on this campus, less than 10 percent of the student body come out and vote in the elections," said Tinnell. "That shows me a lot of apathy going on - democracy only works if you get out there."

The camp members are, in a sense "apathy busters," said Tinnell.

Tinnell, who lives in a housing co-op in North Boulder, said many members of that co-op had been involved in trying to reduce the cost of living by sharing expenses for items such as groceries. They also started up a project called Food Not Bombs, where they collected and distributed past-market-date groceries.

Food Not Bombs had held several organic feasts in the shantytown, providing meals and a friendly face to several homeless people from Boulder, according to Tinnell.

The reception from other students on campus has been mixed, said Tinnell.

Some students joined in the spirit by pitching their tents, but others had not been so friendly.

"Some people come up and mess with us and some of the stuff they say is hopeless, but if anything it's kept us going," said Tinnell. "There has also been some rumors going around that people are going to cause some trouble with us (Thursday) night."

On Thursday afternoon, one passer-by shouted to the campers to move their tents.

"There was also some trouble (Wednesday) night," said Tinnell, explaining that some other campus students had thrown firecrackers into the camp. No one was hurt and those students were caught and arrested by CU police moments later.

Members of the camp have developed a good relationship with CU police, said Tinnell, and have worked with them to make sure that the camp maintains a low-key peaceful atmosphere.

Another issue the camp hoped to draw attention to was the arrests of three of their fellow students, after the Jan. 29 anti-war protest that turned into a small riot.

Jordan Hill (a.k.a. Jourdan Colline), Jason Albert and Chell Mann were all arrested and charged with an assortment of misdemeanors. Hill was also charged with a felony of inciting a riot and faces a court hearing next week. Albert and Mann will meet with the District Attorney's office in May.

Albert is among those camped out at the shantytown and a huge banner reading "Drop the charges" hangs at the back of the circle of tents.

"We want to see those charges against the three dropped," said Tinnell. "Our focus is for peace right now, especially relating to all aspects of CU."

The group did not know that they needed a permit to be camped in the middle of the Quad, but have now applied for one with the university.

CU police spokesman Lt. Tim McGraw confirmed Thursday that the students had applied to the university for a temporary permit to remain on the Quad.

He also said there was a good rapport between the campers and the campus police.

"We have had officers stop by (at the shantytown) to make sure everything is okay with them," said McGraw.