Creating a climate of engagement and empowerment

The ongoing US elections provide an important opportunity for students to raise their voices as informed participants in the democratic process. The Center for Community Engagement (CCE), along with its student group, the Committee on Political Engagement (CPE), has partnered with other campus departments to organize programs and resources to support students in the voting process.

In particular, University portal TurboVote helps users register to vote and request absentee ballots, and even allows students to sign up to receive reminders about these deadlines, whether they register at their campus address or at their home address. Voters should pay attention to the deadlines for sending absentee ballots to ensure they are received on time.

Regardless of where they vote, students can learn about the candidates and proposals on the ballot through websites such as newsletterpedia. While the presidential race dominates the headlines, other positions on the ballot will determine control of the House and Senate, not to mention state legislatures and various ballot measures or proposals.

For those registered in New York State, early voting began on Saturday, October 26th and runs through Sunday, November 3rd. For those registered in Rochester (or Monroe County), we are fortunate to have an early voting site located near campus. this year at the Staybridge Suites (1000 Genesee Street).

The Center for Community Engagement will host Walks to the Polls on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 p.m. The walks will begin at the Campus Visitor Center in Wilson Commons and will give students the opportunity to travel to the early voting site in groups.

Students registered on campus can also vote in person on Election Day at Plymouth Gardens, a senior housing complex located next to the bridge connecting the campus to the 19th Ward. Details available from the Monroe County Board of Elections. The center will offer rides to the polls on Election Day at 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm, as well as an election night viewing party from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm in the Rettner Hall atrium.

Since 2012, the university has participated in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), based at Tufts University. This study provides data on our voter registration and participation rates for even-year election cycles. In the last presidential election cycle in 2020—at the start of the pandemic—nearly 83% of the university’s student body registered to vote, and more than two-thirds of students voted. I hope that this year we will exceed these figures.

Research associated with NSLVE has shown that campuses with the best voting records have one thing in common: they have a climate that is conducive not only to voting, but also to open and respectful discussion of important social issues on campus—in the classroom, in the classroom. in the dormitories, in the courtyard, in the dining halls and beyond.

The nature of this climate can take many forms: exploratory conversations, research, debate, civil disobedience, community engagement, and more. He is open to diverse and sometimes conflicting opinions, and deals with this conflict gracefully. Such a climate is inclusive: it is not simply the work of political science majors or active members of student organizations involved in politics, but should involve students of all majors, interests, and backgrounds—especially those who have been historically disenfranchised—and even international students who bring a comparative perspective.

Creating an engaged campus atmosphere counters feelings of apathy with intellectual curiosity; it promotes the understanding that students can and should learn about the critical issues of our time and work together to find solutions.

CCE supports the creation of just such a climate through its programs and services, including Wilson Engagement Day, the Rochester Urban Fellows summer program, the Rochester Youth Year Fellowship, our community-engaged employment programs, and the Certificate of Achievement in Community-Engaged Learning.

We foster a collaborative environment through partnerships with other campus departments as well as community organizations. At the center of an engaged campus climate is an informed and engaged student body.

Learning these arts of civic life is a vital aspect of student life at university. Through civic engagement, students develop lifelong civic leadership skills. They will serve them—and society—well as they will contribute to the public good through leadership positions, whether in the public or private sector, with the responsibility to make important decisions that will make the world an even better place. This future begins today with your voice and your voice.

In society

Glenn Cerosaletti ’91, ’03 (MA)

Assistant Dean and Director of the Center for Community Engagement