Events will educate, engage campus community about voting

As Michigan voters get ready for the upcoming midterm election in November, Grand Valley is providing the campus community with opportunities to prepare and learn.

This fall, the Community Service Learning Center's GVSU Votes! initiative and the Campus Democratic Engagement Coalition will host several activities, including voter registration drives and events, a weekly discussion series and a voting-themed football game.

Melissa Baker-Boosamra, associate director of Civic Engagement and Assessment for Student Life, said the initiative gives students the opportunity to engage as active citizens on campus and beyond.

"We hope that students learn to think critically about what they believe and why, and become curious about the experience and positions of others," she said. "It's a chance for students to learn to respectfully engage with others around challenging issues." 

Events will kick off September 12 with "Democracy 101: A Series of Critical Conversations," a weekly series that discusses public issues and the democratic process. The event topic will focus on American values and will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room. See a list of all events in this series.

National Voter Registration Week will take place September 22-28: 

• September 22 – GVSU Votes! football game (7 p.m., Lubbers Stadium)

• September 24 – Student Senate Open Student Debate Night (6-8 p.m., Mary Idema Pew Library, Multipurpose Room)

• September 25 – National Voter Registration Day (10 a.m.-4 pm., Cook Carillon Tower)

• September 26 – "Democracy 101" event: Should Marijuana be Legal in Michigan? (6-8 p.m., Mary Idema Pew Library, Multipurpose Room)

• September 27 – Who Represents You at GVSU? A Student Senate Panel (6-8 p.m., Mary Idema Pew Library, Multipurpose Room)

The university has been recognized for its efforts to engage students, faculty and staff members in the voting process. For two years in a row, Grand Valley has been designated as a Voter Friendly Campus by the Campus Vote Project. 

A full calendar of events is available at www.gvsu.edu/service/vote.