Only a paltry 51% of college and university students plan to show up for 2012’s presidential cage match (metaphorical, sadly) between Democratic incumbent Barack Obama and former Republican Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney, down from 78% four years ago. Considering how the major issues this cycle, particularly regarding a little factor known as the economy, hold a direct impact over their post-degree futures, they should probably start dissolving that apathy away. Greater engagement and education in the voting process illustrating the importance of knowing and understanding the American Political Machine might very well serve as the (again, metaphorical) hydrofluoric acid to make it happen. The following colleges and universities across the nation are doing their part, big or small, to kick college kids’ butts all the way to the polls this year; and, like the title dictates, they’re doing so with a little creativity, flair, innovation, or just plain common sense.
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:
Roll … to the White House caters to more than just University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students. Anyone can hop on its site for detailed analytics about the 2012 election, particularly when it comes to which candidates will likely claim which states.
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University of Dayton:
Political science professors at University of Dayton pieced together a multimedia series titled Battlefield Ohio, representing the state’s historic status as a land of swing voters. Through writings, websites, and videos, they share their research on the latest data, political history, current cultural trends, the big issues, and other topics integral to this year’s election.
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Union County College:
Through its Continuing Education department, this New Jersey-based community college provides no-credit, open-to-anyone courses specifically covering the 2012 presidential election. Enrolling means an in-depth education on pretty much everything students need to know about the whole voting process, the individuals involved, and the issues at hand.
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Ohio State University:
The Buckeye State is almost always an integral hinge in any American election cycle, so students at Ohio State University — in a partnership with Pay It Forward — organized the OSU Votes initiative. The non-partisan organization registers students to vote and encourages them to beef up their civic awareness and participation.
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Princeton University:
Princeton University Press’ official blog doubles as the school’s election 2012 headquarters these days, with everything from recommended reads to reflections to news meant to teach readers about what might lay ahead. Known as Election 101, the main site provides easy, quick access to postings relevant to whichever political, social, historical, and economic factor visitors want to learn about.
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University of Central Florida:
At University of Central Florida, the Turbo Vote Initiative was brought to campus by the Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government and the Student Government Association, with students registering with iPads and taking polls and surveys about the issues important to them. While the tool is used beyond colleges and universities, UCF also harnesses its offerings to remind participants of local and state elections in addition to national ones, and the school pays fees for anyone wanting physical documents.
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University of Texas at Austin:
Like many colleges and universities these days, the one nestled in the heart of the Lone Star State’s capital city is currently awash in political fervor, with student organizations such as UT Votes rushing to get peers registered and keep them informed. But this effort pushes the limit by including deputizing, rallies, parties (including one revolving around watching the election results) and contests, most notably a debate with student stand-ins for the candidates.
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Indiana University South Bend:
The American Democracy Project’s theme for this year unsurprisingly revolves around the presidential elections, and its schedule of events involves plenty of partying opportunities for Indiana University South Bend students. They’re holding them for all the national debates as well as election night itself, plus local politicians will be throwing down at various locations and town hall meetings focusing on specific topics.
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Syracuse University:
Professor Anthony Rotolo is currently teaching a course on social media’s role in determining the election results, particularly when it comes to rallying supporters and spreading information about where candidates stand. Students live tweet their classroom participation and witness firsthand exactly how politics spreads in the digital age.
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University of Southern California:
Project Vote Smart selected University of Southern California for its internship program in early 2012 because it believed the students and surrounding area alike needed a boost in its civic participation. Around 25 Trojans signed up, and their duties include intensive research on the candidate’s platforms and administering tests to see where fellow students and locals sit on the spectrum.
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Northern Virginia Community College:
While not as bombastic as many campuses this year, students at this community college still enjoy access to valuable research materials thanks to the creative folks at its Woodbridge Campus Library. They set up a lovely display table crammed with recommended reads so visitors know where to start when it comes to understanding more about the election process and the history, individuals, parties, and issues involved.
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Bryn Mawr College:
The Bryn Mawr by Night program acts as an open house for high school seniors interested in applying to the college, and this year in particular means some special treats for those wanting to major in political science or history. After their tours and seminars, the school invites them to attend an election night party with current students where they can simultaneously learn even more about the higher ed experience and further nurture their civic acumen.
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University of Minnesota:
On Oct. 16, 2012, University of Minnesota professors from across disciplines are presenting a free presentation series, panel discussion, and Q&A session with the hopes of teaching students more about the voting process. From talks about the neurology of political advertisements to the Supreme Court, chances are anyone curious about learning more about the election in-depth will walk away with a broader knowledge of how everything fits together.
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Vanderbilt University:
Rather than directly engaging students, the teachers remain the core focus of Vanderbilt University’s election 2012 initiatives, run largely through the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Its campus guide to the historical event not only outlines different classroom activities to get college kids a-learnin’, but lists necessary equipment and materials and makes it easy to request a reservation.
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Baruch College:
Many, many institutes of higher learning think hosting debate and election parties a mighty keen way to get its student body interested in politics, and this CUNY campus is taking things one step further. Rather than merely watching and hanging out, the school will also hold a Q&A session and panel discussion with professors analyzing the candidate’s answers once everything wraps up.
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University of California, Berkeley:
It makes sense that a politically-charged campus like Berkeley would have plenty of electoral engagement, but probably the most creative example comes straight from students and sponsoring professors rather than the school. The Politify website and smartphone app, developed by computer science and economics majors and “two of the top economists in the country” allows users to type in their financial information and see which candidate meets their financial needs best.
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Johns Hopkins University:
When promoting greater civic awareness and participation in its student body, this famous Maryland institution prefers encouraging them to seek out their own inquiries. Johns Hopkins University compiled a massive list of its “Election 2012 Experts,” including their credentials, contact information, and specialties and hopes this will lead to more personalized interactions on campus (or, more likely, journalists looking for a few good talking heads).
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Lynn University:
One of the most social media-oriented colleges in the United States proudly embraces Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Foursquare, Google+, Flickr, Instagram, and its own blogs in order to get students pumped about the 2012 election cycle. With #lynndebate, they connect with one another for debates and discussions about politics and economics, post reminders to vote, and generally promote greater civic engagement in the younger set.
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American University:
Enrollees in the Communicating the 2012 Election course blended political and media lessons, even traveling to New Hampshire to film the GOP primaries. Other projects, shared on the class’ official website, cover factors – such as issues and demographics – important to the Obama vs. Romney Fight Of The Century.
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Virginia Wesleyan College:
Offered exclusively to first-year students in living and learning communities, the American politics-themed track at Virginia Wesleyan College certainly gets its students engaged and involved early! This year, participants who choose that particular track will take field trips to political rallies and watch and analyze debates together as they learn more about the country’s complex voting process.
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