CAT+FD: Cal | FooD | Base

Encouraging Campus Engagement Ahead of the Midterm Elections

For the last century, substantially fewer than half of eligible Americans vote in midterm elections. In 2014 only 36% turned out to vote, and early projections indicate an even lower turnout is likely this November. We might see fewer than a third of the eligible population participating.

The outlook for the youth vote is particularly grim. According to one poll, only 28% of eligible youth say they'll vote for sure in this midterm election.

Given the high level of concern in the Xavier community for the state and fate of our nation, how should we respond to these statistics? Given the historic and ongoing struggle of African-Americans to secure full voting rights, what is our responsibility as an historically Black institution? What can we do to foster civic engagement campus-wide? What's the best way to talk to our students about issues of democratic participation?

In this interactive session, CAT+FD media artist and longtime community activist Bart Everson will outline the challenges we face, while making the case that positive engagement can make a difference.

Jeremy Tuman, English faculty member and CAT+FD faculty-in-residence for service learning, will present sample learning outcomes across several disciplines and discuss how they might be achieved through local and national political engagement.

Complacency or resignation is simply not an option! Your ideas are needed.

• Led by: Bart Everson (CAT+FD), Jeremy Tuman (ENGL/CAT+FD)
• Date: Thursday, October 4, 2018
• Time: 12:15 - 1:05 PM
• Location: Mellon Seminar Room - LRC 532B
• Sponsor: CAT+FD

Note: Lunch will be provided, so please register for this event.

Tags: service learning, sl, politics
Format: seminar
Event ID: 01741