Spring Break
The American Democracy Project Comes to WNMU
Avelino Maestas
Issue date: 8/26/04 Section: Politics
Currently there are some 144 campuses involved with the Project throughout the United States. Western is the first institution in New Mexico to become involved, and was recently featured as such in the July 30, 2004 edition of The New York Times.
As a partner of the Project, The Times provides a unique support system based on increasing newspaper readership among college students. Working with universities and colleges, The Times offers students and faculty subscriptions as a discounted rate. In addition, they provide advice and assistance to universities and faculty members who wish to incorporate newspapers into classroom curricula.
A working group for the project has been established, with members attempting to identify programs, organizations, and individuals around campus and in the community that compliment ADP or could help with the Project's growth. Several students and faculty are already planning events for the upcoming semester.
In addition, the American Democracy Project is nationwide, and other organizations around the country have partnered with AASCU to promote civic engagement. Several of these organizations are working in concert with WNMU to promote engagement and activity.
For example, a representative of the New Voters Project recently met with Student Government President Jasmine Fallstich and Treasurer Victor Carbajal. The New Voters Project is a nation-wide, non-partisan program that aims to register 200,000 young voters in six states (including New Mexico) before the November election, with the goal of mobilizing the youth vote come Election Day.
In addition, Youth '04 and Democracy Matters, two other organizations trying to involve young people in the political process are planning on starting chapters at WNMU. Youth '04 is working to provide young students with a more prominent voice in the political process, while Democracy Matters is a grassroots effort focused on campaign finance reform.
However, the American Democracy Project is not focused solely on activism in the political process. Service learning, community outreach programs, and volunteerism are stressed as equally important as political participation.
Manny Bustamante, associate professor from the School of Education, is planning several events that highlight 'Art as Engagement.' "We want to bring in people from the community, and we want to involve students who otherwise might not be involved."
Other programs around campus are becoming involved as well. Serena Murillo, a Peer Leader with the Title V/Con Confianza program, has been assigned to the American Democracy Project. She will be coordinating events with other Peer Leaders and other groups on campus.
For more information on the American Democracy Project see our website: www.TheMustang.com.
[Editor's note: The Mustang will continue to highlight ADP and those organizations who choose to participate.]
As a partner of the Project, The Times provides a unique support system based on increasing newspaper readership among college students. Working with universities and colleges, The Times offers students and faculty subscriptions as a discounted rate. In addition, they provide advice and assistance to universities and faculty members who wish to incorporate newspapers into classroom curricula.
A working group for the project has been established, with members attempting to identify programs, organizations, and individuals around campus and in the community that compliment ADP or could help with the Project's growth. Several students and faculty are already planning events for the upcoming semester.
In addition, the American Democracy Project is nationwide, and other organizations around the country have partnered with AASCU to promote civic engagement. Several of these organizations are working in concert with WNMU to promote engagement and activity.
For example, a representative of the New Voters Project recently met with Student Government President Jasmine Fallstich and Treasurer Victor Carbajal. The New Voters Project is a nation-wide, non-partisan program that aims to register 200,000 young voters in six states (including New Mexico) before the November election, with the goal of mobilizing the youth vote come Election Day.
In addition, Youth '04 and Democracy Matters, two other organizations trying to involve young people in the political process are planning on starting chapters at WNMU. Youth '04 is working to provide young students with a more prominent voice in the political process, while Democracy Matters is a grassroots effort focused on campaign finance reform.
However, the American Democracy Project is not focused solely on activism in the political process. Service learning, community outreach programs, and volunteerism are stressed as equally important as political participation.
Manny Bustamante, associate professor from the School of Education, is planning several events that highlight 'Art as Engagement.' "We want to bring in people from the community, and we want to involve students who otherwise might not be involved."
Other programs around campus are becoming involved as well. Serena Murillo, a Peer Leader with the Title V/Con Confianza program, has been assigned to the American Democracy Project. She will be coordinating events with other Peer Leaders and other groups on campus.
For more information on the American Democracy Project see our website: www.TheMustang.com.
[Editor's note: The Mustang will continue to highlight ADP and those organizations who choose to participate.]
