Elon University is working closely with a national effort called the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement, led by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, to encourage participation in politics by America’s college students.
Elon will also host three debate forums during the presidential and vice presidential debates on Sept. 30, Oct. 5 and Oct. 13. Members of the public can join faculty, staff and students to watch the debates in groups of approximately 30 people and then discuss the results. Participants will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire, and results from Elon and similar groups across the country will be tabulated and released to national media outlets by the University of Kansas.
Elon representatives attended an instructional conference at Harvard Sept. 17-18, focusing on ways to increase voter registration and turnout on college campuses. Participants from the 20 colleges and universities taking part in the program learned how to mobilize their student voting bloc, work with the media and maintain interest in politics after the fall elections.
“We have been involved since the inception of this program,” says George Taylor, director of Elon’s Institute for Politics and Public Affairs. “This is the third workshop we have attended and each one has demonstrated how our students are eager and energized to work on this campaign. It is encouraging to see Elon students embrace the responsibilities of citizenship this election season.”
The National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement was formed to increase student involvement in electoral politics, civic education and public service careers, says Phil Sharp, director of Harvard’s Institute of Politics.
“Engaging young people in politics is essential for the future of our democracy and an important role for every educational institution in the nation,” says Sharp. “Our national campaign is working to energize and encourage civic participation by young people, who can and should play a critically important role in the fall elections.”
Elon’s Institute for Politics and Public Affairs, formed in 2000, provides learning opportunities for students, serves as a resource for government agencies and non-profit organizations and conducts the Elon Poll.
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