NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt has joined Harvard University’s National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement. In doing so, Vanderbilt becomes one of a handful of universities across the nation partnering with Harvard’s Institute of Politics in the mission of developing civic-minded and politically engaged students.
Vanderbilt also announces its Office of Volunteer Activities, a branch of the Division of Student Life, will be renamed the Office of Active Citizenship and Service.
Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor David Williams formally announced the name change at a reception on Thursday, Feb. 12, in Vanderbilt’s Kirkland Hall. Jennifer Phillips, director of the Harvard Institute of Politics’ national campaign, was on hand to discuss Vanderbilt’s new collaboration with the program.
"Our name change reflects the commitment of all of our student volunteer groups to collaborate with our community partners not only in addressing immediate needs, but in reflecting together on how we can, as active citizens, change the policies that produce the need for volunteers in the first place," said Mark Dalhouse, director of the Office of Active Citizenship and Service. Dalhouse hopes the office’s refocused initiatives will serve to "empower a new generation of leaders" at Vanderbilt.
Harvard’s Institute of Politics established the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement in 2003 in response to the growing number of college students who have become disengaged from the political process. Partners in the National Campaign, such as Vanderbilt, work to enhance dialogue between youth and the political establishment and help create the incentive for politicians to address the concerns of these new and youngest participants in democracy.
The National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement’s mission is focused in three key areas: students’ relationship with electoral politics, a focus on career development and a foundation in civic education.
Vanderbilt’s Office of Active Citizenship and Service has in place several programs with those goals in mind. VanderVotes, a student group that seeks to increase voter registration and political awareness on campus, has sponsored University-wide viewing parties to watch and discuss the Democratic primary returns each Tuesday evening in February. The group routinely conducts voter registration drives; a three-day drive in December registered 60 new voters on campus.
VanderVotes has also established a mentoring program within several Metro Nashville high schools to teach the importance of voter registration and active citizenship. The office is also working to establish regular internship slots and learning experiences for Vanderbilt students in Washington, D.C., and other centers of government.
In addition, the Office of Active Citizenship and Service will continue to house and facilitate the more than 30 student service groups active on Vanderbilt’s campus.
By joining the Harvard Institute of Politics’ national campaign, Vanderbilt will benefit through increased access to shared information among the other partner schools and interactive learning through training, workshops and the Harvard Institute of Politics’ website.
For more information about volunteer activities at Vanderbilt, visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/volact/. For more news about the University, go to www.vanderbilt.edu/News.
Media contact: Kara Furlong, (615) 322-NEWS
Kara.c.furlong@vanderbilt.edu