Multiple departments sponsor various election season events to make students more aware
By Jonathan Hiser
American socio-political activist Paul Loeb's speech this evening kick-started UP's efforts to supercharge student interest in the 2008 presidential election. UP departments and student clubs alike are collaborating to offer conferences and panel discussions catering to student empowerment and civil responsibility.
With the presidential election less than six weeks away, political science professor Gary Malecha said young students will hopefully take advantage of these events to become better informed and increase their awareness of key issues.
The overarching goal of next month's events is to educate students about voting, public policies and registering for ?Nov. 4.
The six events span some eight departments including Campus Ministry, the Department of Education and the Moreau Center for Service and Leadership. Campus groups, including the College Democrats are also planning separate activities in conjunction, such as registering students to vote.
During each event, the Moreau Center and The Bus Project will offer additional registration opportunities. The Bus Project is an Oregon-based non-profit organization that promotes student involvement in progressive politics and issues.
For voter registration, students who've registered with an outdated address will need to register again, even if they moved from one residence hall to another. Students living off-campus will need to vote in the town they currently live in.
Student panel discussions like the Four Ways to Change the World on Sept. 30 will also bring political icons such as Frankie Reed from the U.S. State Department and faith-based organizers like Erik Berg from Conduit of Hope to engage students to think beyond the aura of campus life.
Taking a more spiritual approach, the Faithful Citizenship discussion on Oct 1 will engage student, faculty and staff to consider Catholic values and perspectives when voting by using the Bishops' document "Faithful Citizenship" as a catalyst.
