Campus Spotlight: California University of Pennsylvania

By Jaron Castranio, Senior Political Science major, California University of Pennsylvania

Alan Abramowitz, one of the country’s leading elections forecasters, recently returned to California University of Pennsylvania to discuss “Will the Democrats Catch a Wave? The Outlook for the 2018 Midterm Elections.” His presentation focused on whether Democrats would be able to regain control of the House.

Abramowitz pointed to election surges and declines, reminding everyone that it is not unusual for the president’s party to lose seats in midterm elections. His predictions for the upcoming election were based on the premise that there are more seats for Republicans to lose than there are for Democrats; however, he mentioned that the number of turnovers also depends on the president’s approval rating. Trump’s low numbers may cause a greater than usual shift in power. According to Abramowitz, there is better than a 50 percent chance that Democrats will win back the House.

Learn more about the event here: https://www.calu.edu/news/2018/abramowitz%20to%20discuss%20midterm%20elections.aspx 

Partner Spotlight: IDHE and the NSLVE Study – Updates

The Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE) at Tufts University was featured in an article in the front section of the Sunday New York Times, “How College Campuses Are Trying to Tap Students’ Voting Power.” The article highlights their groundbreaking research and work on campuses, along with the work of many of their partner organizations, campuses, and educators. It reflects a growing realization in higher education that for too long, political learning and engagement has been episodic and relegated to a small subset of programs and students. NSLVE is a wake-up call. We hope that campuses will share this article, use their reports, assess their campus climates for political learning and engagement, treat elections as teachable moments, and work to cultivate a positive climate for political learning, discourse, equity, and participation – Politics 365!

Much of what IDHE does relies on their continued partnerships with institutions. Please note that NSLVE authorization forms expire in August 2018.  By renewing now, campuses can ensure participation through 2023.  The reauthorization form can be accessed HERE, and you can search for your campus here to see if you’ve already reauthorized.

Don’t miss IDHE at our upcoming CLDE Meeting from June 6-9 in Anaheim, California.

 

AASCU ANNOUNCES 2018 AMERICAN DEMOCRACY PROJECT DIGITAL POLARIZATION INITIATIVE

For Immediate Release • February 9, 2018
Contact: Jennifer Walpole • (202) 478-4665

AASCU ANNOUNCES 2018 AMERICAN DEMOCRACY PROJECT
DIGITAL POLARIZATION INITIATIVE

 

AASCU and 10 of its member institutions partner to equip college students with the ability to navigate the online news environment

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Today, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ American Democracy Project (ADP) announced its new initiative, Digital Polarization: Promoting Online Civic Literacy. Preparing students with the skills to combat digital polarization and fake news is a complex problem. The initiative aims to equip college students with the skills they need for online civic reasoning, and to encourage them to make positive interventions in the online information environments they inhabit.

“What we’ve found is giving students a few simple techniques to verify and investigate the information that comes to them in their daily feeds can make a massive difference,” said Mike Caulfield, ADP’s civic fellow and director of Blended and Networked Learning at Washington State University Vancouver, who will lead the initiative. “The trick is giving students the right skills—skills for 2018, not 1998.” Caulfield has been recognized for his thinking on these issues, both at national conferences and through Hapgood, his long-running blog on educational technology.

Ten AASCU member institutions have been chosen to develop, pilot and assess an online civic literacy curricula on their campuses: Black Hills State University (S.D.); The City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY College of Staten Island (N.Y.); Georgia College (Ga.); Indiana University Kokomo; Metropolitan State University of Denver (Colo.); Millersville University of Pennsylvania; San Jose State University (Calif.); Texas A&M University-Central Texas; University of North Carolina at Charlotte; and Washington State University Vancouver.

In this initiative, students will track, catalog and analyze fake news, while learning deeper truths about polarization, the economics of the web and the psychology of conspiracy theory. The 2016 national election and the current political climate bring into sharp focus questions about facts, news and information. Online platforms such as Facebook, Google and Twitter have a profound influence on our national discourse, national politics and election processes. Social media is challenging traditional news outlets, calling into question the credibility of traditional reporting and formerly trusted sources of information. Citizens need to find and make sense of the best information available if they are to make the best decisions possible.

Participating campuses will develop, adopt and assess an online civic literacy curricula focused specifically on vetting the information students encounter online. The initiative will incorporate digital polarization and/or civic online information literacy into new and/or existing courses across a variety of disciplines and in co-curricular activities. Such events and offerings might take the form of library orientation events, invited speakers, community panels, professional development trainings, and/or common readings.

“The need for digital fluency has never been more urgent, as our reliance on social media and the internet for news and information only continues to grow. We are confident that this work will help advance student online civic literacy and elevate best practices for teaching digital fluency, while improving our information environments,” said Amanda Antico, executive director of ADP. “The Digital Polarization initiative is a timely solution to a problem that is affecting America’s democratic and civic engagement.”

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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of more than 400 public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions Delivering America’s Promise of Opportunities for All.

ADP’s New Initiative on Political Learning & Engagement with the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education

For Immediate Release • February 8, 2018
Contact: Jennifer Walpole • (202) 478-4665

AASCU ANNOUNCES NEW AMERICAN DEMOCRACY PROJECT INITIATIVE ON POLITICAL LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT

 

AASCU and 12 of its member institutions will partner with the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE) at Tufts University’s Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life to improve student political learning and participation in democracy.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Today, the American Democracy Project (ADP), a program of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), announced a new two-year initiative, Assessing and Improving Political Learning and Engagement on Campus. Building on the long-standing programmatic commitment of ADP to preparing informed and politically engaged citizens for our democracy, this initiative aims to improve nonpartisan student political learning and participation.

ADP will partner with the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE) at Tufts University’s Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life on this research-to-practice initiative. Over the course of two years, 12 AASCU campuses will test tools with which to assess campus climates for political learning and engagement. Together, campus teams working with researchers from IDHE will pilot processes for engaging campus communities in measuring, understanding and improving campus climates in order to ensure that all students are prepared to be informed, engaged citizens.

Amanda Antico, executive director of AASCU’s American Democracy Project, notes, “Too few young Americans participate in even the most fundamental forms of civic engagement, such as voting. Unequal participation results in unequal representation. These conditions obstruct our ability as a nation to address and resolve complex social and political problems, which is why this initiative is important and necessary. ADP hopes to educate, inspire and prepare college students for a life of active civic engagement in order to cultivate a more vibrant democracy.”

Twelve AASCU member institutions have been chosen to participate in this initiative: Central State University (Ohio); Fayetteville State University (N.C.); Ferris State University (Mich.); Illinois State University (Ill.); Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Ind.); James Madison University (Va.); Keene State College (N.H.); Sam Houston State University (Texas); San Francisco State University (Calif.); Stockton University (N.J.); University of Nebraska Omaha (Neb.); and Weber State University (Utah).

According to IDHE Director Nancy Thomas, “Colleges and universities play a critical role in ensuring the health and future of our democracy, and AASCU campuses are on the front line of that work. The Institute for Democracy & Higher Education at Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life is proud to be working with AASCU’s American Democracy Project. This critical partnership has implications not just for the participating campuses, but for all colleges and universities.”

Together, ADP, IDHE and the 12 participating campuses will develop a reliable and replicable approach to assessing and changing campus climates for political learning and engagement, as well as a set of interventions for other campuses to use. The campuses will serve as a set of model institutions from which others can learn about how to cultivate campus climates that best prepare students with the necessary knowledge, skills and commitment to political learning and participation.

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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of more than 400 public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered, a historic commitment to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions Delivering America’s Promise of Opportunities for All.

The Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE), part of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, serves as a leading venue for research, resources, and advocacy on college student political learning and engagement in democracy. Through research, resource development, and convenings, the Institute strives to inform and shift college and university priorities, practices, and culture to strengthen democracy and advance social and political equity. The only university-wide college of its kind, the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life offers transformational student learning and service opportunities, conducts groundbreaking research on young people’s civic and political participation, and forges innovative community partnerships.

 

#CLDEsotu 2018 State of the Union Tweet-Up

On Monday, AASCU’s American Democracy Project, The Democracy Commitment and the NASPA LEAD Initiative collaborated to host a live, national and online conversation for faculty and students at our member campuses about the State of Our Union and President Trump’s first State of the Union Address. This Tweet-Up conversation occured using the #CLDEsotu hashtag.

As President Trump prepares to deliver his first State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 we are excited to announce that  will  continue our tradition of engaging our students in a non-partisan discussion regarding the state of our democracy.

Campuses including East Carolina University (N.C.), Indiana State University, Indiana University South Bend, and Weber State University (Utah) hosted on-campus watch events and joined us in the important conversation. Learn more about IUSB’s ADP Watch Party here: http://www.abc57.com/news/iusb-hosts-state-of-the-union-watch-party-for-students

Illinois State University’s Social Media Analytics Command Center (SMACC) also co-hosted this event and captured the following data to share:

#CLDEsotu Retweet and Mention Map

#CLDEsotu Top Handles

You can view the conversation here. Thank you to everyone who participated!