North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

Civic Engagement Plan Proposal

Drafted by Delaney Vandergrift with the support of Black University

Civic Engagement Plan Introduction

Assessment of Current Moment:

During the  2018 elections,  North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) has made a great attempt to increase civic engagement and voter turnout throughout campus. We’ve seen a march to the polls during primary elections, voter registration pop-up drive that registered 100 students, and four candidate forums. Additionally, organizations and student leaders participated in the quest to increase civic engagement on campus through innovative and intentional efforts.

However, due to a lack of collective planning, publicity, and support from A&T’s administration and student organizations, only 26 students voted in the primary municipal election.  This assessment should not be interpreted as a failure of our ability to engage our student body, but be interpreted as  the ability for A&T to convert our key learnings and developing relationships to set a collective civic engagement plan. A plan that inspires current and future students to creatively solve societal challenges through civic engagement and  fosters a climate that prepares students for the global society.

Creating A Road Map

The development, implementation, and execution of this plan will reflect the collaborative strength of A&T’s administration, academic departments, alumni, student leaders, and student organizations.

Impact

We seek to foster an environment that provides opportunities to  engage, educate, and turn out thousands of  A&T Students to its local polling sites. Developing students who are both knowledgeable and civically aware.

Civic Engagement Plan Proposal

This plan is the outline of the steps to be taken each year to ensure A&T reaches maximum civic engagement amongst its students. Portions of this plan will be implemented even when there are no electoral races. Implementing the various aspects in this plan will help to ensure maximum voter turnout during election cycles.

1. Voter Registration: We propose every year, during freshman orientation New Student Programs provide an opportunity for voter registration. Voter registration forms will be included in their orientation folders with a designated time for students to complete and turn in. Also, during the summer,  Housing and Residence Life will provide/ allot time for  a training  session  catered towards voter registration for Resident Assistants and Peer Mentors .

2. GOTV Events  Every year through a partnership with SGA, SUAB, and other campus and community organizations (Common Cause, Ignite NC, Black University, Democracy NC), A&T will host an “Aggies Vote” civic engagement week that would include the following types of events:

1. Voter registration parties
2. Political education on how to vote and different types of civic engagement.
3. U-Time Voter Registration Tables.
4. Parties at the Polls
5. And other creative and innovative programs.

* During election cycles hosting candidate forums will also be included.

3. Marches and Rides to The Polls: During election season(s) A&T administration, SGA, SUAB, student orgs, and Alumni will help to increase voter turnout by publicly and financially supporting marches and shuttles to the polls during both early voting and primary elections.  

1. Shuttles-to-the-polls will run the whole week of early voting, 4 hours a day, with printed schedule available around campus and a virtual schedule located on Aggies Vote website. During this time, campus organizations/groups such as Greek Life, Aggie Athletics, SGA, Political Science Department, RHA and SUAB will have the opportunity to host one hour of shuttles to the polls. Other student led organizations will have the opportunity to sign up for hours to host as well.

2. Aggies Vote Day of Action - we propose having one day during the early voting  election cycle to host a School Wide/ Department wide Shutdown and promotion of marching to the polls with a potential extra credit opportunity to incentivise students.