Fall 2024 Educate & Act Series for university community will focus on voter education
LAWRENCE — The Educate & Act series at the University of Kansas, led by The Commons, the Center for Service Learning and the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity, will host three hybrid events this semester for students, staff and faculty. This series offers opportunities to learn more about individual issues and general engagement in the U.S. political system, through information and resources about civic participation.
The first session, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17, will be led by The Commons and will explore questions related to free speech at the university and participation opportunities in elections. Speakers include Amii Castle, professor of the practice with the schools of Business and Law and Department of Political Science; Chloe Chaffin, master's student in public affairs & administration and staff member at Loud Light; and Jamie Shew, Douglas County clerk.
“With recent changes to legislation and the start of a new school year, it seems pertinent to kick off the series this fall with an overview of specific activities that students and state employees are permitted to engage in, particularly on campus,” said Emily Ryan, director of The Commons.
This event will take place in Alderson Auditorium at the Kansas Union and will be streamed for those who register to attend via Zoom.
The second event will take place Oct. 8 during Voter Education Week and will be led by the Center for Service Learning. This session is intended to help attendees develop greater understanding about the roles of elected officials, particularly at the local level.
“National Voter Education Week takes place the week before the Kansas voter registration deadline on October 15, so it is a perfect time to discuss elected positions on the ballot that might receive less media attention than the races at the top of the ticket,” said Kate Kemper, program manager of the Center for Service Learning.
The Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity will lead the third session, after the general election, on Nov. 19, prompting a broader discussion about voting rights, the choice to participate and the barriers that stand in the way of participation.