American College and University Presidents Commitment to Civic Engagement

We, the undersigned presidents and chancellors of colleges and universities, are deeply committed to the civic engagement of students on our campuses. We recognize that voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, the means of a representative government.

Today’s college students are part of the largest generation in history, the Millennial Generation – born between 1978 and 1996.  Forty-four million strong, Millennials represent more than one-fifth of the electorate.  The Millennial Generation is uniquely positioned to make vital decisions in an increasingly globalized world. It is essential to ensure that this generation – charged with such colossal responsibility – is engaged in our democracy.

After steady declines in youth electoral participation since 1972, the last two election cycles saw dramatic increases in the young voter turnout rate, signaling a more engaged young adult population. The 2008 elections are shaping up to be monumental for young voters. Young adults have voted in record numbers in the primaries and caucuses of the 2008 cycle.

As leaders in the field of higher education, we recognize the vital role we can play in supporting youth civic engagement. We believe colleges and universities must exercise leadership in order to equip their students for a lifetime of civic participation. Colleges and universities that successfully support voter education, registration and turnout efforts on campus will both better serve their students and play an active role in creating a vibrant civil society and functioning democracy in America and around the world. 

I. Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to support the work of Student Government Associations and Non-Partisan Campus Vote Coalitions. Within two months of signing this document, create institutional structures to guide the development and implementation of the plan.

II. Continue to meet our obligation under the voter registration provision of the Higher Education Act of 1998, to “make a good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form, requested and received from the State, to each student enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution, and to make such forms widely available at the institution.”

III. Increase access for Student Government Associations and Non-Partisan Campus Vote Coalitions working to increase voter participation on campus.

a. Allow access to residence halls.

b. Allow access to high traffic areas on campus.

c. Allow voting-related posters and signs to be hung on campus.

d. Allow information on voting to be distributed through campus mailboxes.

IV. Provide permanent financial resources to support voter engagement efforts by Student Government Associations and Non-Partisan Campus Vote Coalitions.

We commit our institutions to take at least five of the following additional steps: 

_____ Send a letter to all faculty and staff encouraging them to support voter registration and Get-Out-the-Vote efforts.

_____ Provide important voter notifications on the university or college website. 

_____ Send campus-wide letters and/or e-mails with information on the importance of voting, voter registration deadlines, non-partisan voter guides, polling sites, and other vital information to voters.

_____ Register first-year students to vote during orientation. 

_____ Work with local elections officials to secure one or more centralized polling sites on or directly adjacent to campus.

_____ Take actions to make civic engagement a part of the curriculum and other educational experiences for all students

_____ Encourage other college and university presidents to join this effort and become signatories to this commitment.

Signed,

Signatories of the Presidents Commitment to Civic Engagement