SUU Awarded Voter Friendly Campus Designation

Published: April 24, 2017 | Author: Cami Mathews | Read Time: 2 minutes

Southern Utah University has been designated a Voter Friendly Campus. The school is part of a select group of campuses from around the country that participated in the inaugural class.

The Voter Friendly Campus initiative was led by national nonpartisan organizations Campus Vote Project and NASPA - Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education. The organizations worked with campuses to set goals, form a committee, draft and execute an action plan, evaluate efforts, and set goals for the future.

The preparatory work and execution needed to earn SUU this designation was completed by the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service (Leavitt Center). The Leavitt Center showcased the work it has been doing yearly, such as voter registration drives, weekly political discussions, and a constant push for civic engagement. Through meetings, planning, and a final report of the work done during the Fall 2016 semester, SUU was given the title.

“This designation indicates that SUU, through the efforts of the Leavitt Center’s Executive Council, has created and executed a plan to prepare students to engage in elections,” said Donna Law, Executive Director of the Leavitt Center. “Just this past fall we helped 416 students register to vote in time for the presidential election.”

SUU was given the designation due to its efforts to break down barriers and empower students with the information and tools needed to participate in the political process. Plans were created to help students take the idea of the civic mission of higher education to prepare to participate in democracy and turn it into action.

“From here, our intent is to continue to elevate the activities and events we host in an effort to inform and engage all students on campus, regardless of their interests,” said Law. “Our students, after all, are tomorrow’s leaders. The more they are involved in the process now, the better prepared they will be for the leadership opportunities to come.”

Students at SUU are encouraged to become more politically involved. The Leavitt Center aims to incorporate a diverse group of students who work to better civic engagement on the campus and in the community. To find more information, visit the Leavitt Center or email at leavittcenter@gmail.com.

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