Campus Connections: Q&A With The University Of Baltimore
This year, AGF is celebrating ten years of impact with the Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere Program. As we reflect on how the program has grown, the Campus Team at the University of Baltimore reflected on the past eight years and their hopes for the future of civic engagement on the campus in Baltimore, Maryland.
The University of Baltimore has been an Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere campus since 2018! What barriers to voting existed on campus prior to 2018?
On top of a high population of international students to navigate, we also lack of common campus amenities such as dining, housing, and athletics that naturally foster engaging student life. Lack of an on-campus population has also limited our ability to outreach and engage compared to other campuses with residential populations.
From what you know of how things were in 2018, when it comes to voting and civic engagement on campus, what are some of the most noticeable changes?
Electronic voter resources are much more plentiful and powerful. The MyVote.Everywhere platform for UBalt, customized for our students, is a great way to engage and offer resources. Since 2016 we have also seen increased interest in elections, passion about election topics, and interest from around campus on election matters. The great data we have received since joining NSLVE has helped us understand that UBalt is by nature a very engaged campus with a high percentage of registration and participation. Working with partners like Andrew Goodman Foundation, Campus Vote Project, and All-In Challenge, have helped us create a context for voting on campus, and our favorable participation data has helped make a case for even more engagement.
How has the general campus’ perception of voting and civic engagement evolved since 2018?
As stated above, NSLVE data has helped us create a snapshot of UBalt student voting behavior – which, while favorable, can still be increased. The positive attention UBalt has received for its voter engagement has helped us locate additional resources (like Andrew Goodman Foundation) and work with partners on campus to grow and develop programs. Most recently, working with a national organization called Braver Angels, and a faculty member, UBalt Votes has hosted a Dine and Debate series, focused on positive discourse around challenging topics.
How has your Campus Team reflected on the legacy of Andrew Goodman, James Earl Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Freedom Summer 1964 over the years?
At UBalt, we value the right to vote and continue to advocate for our citizens to exercise their rights. Our students come from a myriad of communities, and many have felt disenfranchised or dispirited given the current national discourse. Our campus team reflects the legacy of Andrew Goodman, James Earl Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Freedom Summer by demonstrating that the right to vote must never be taken for granted, and by ensuring all students are aware of their rights to engage in the democratic process, making sure that those rights are never limited or curtailed.
What are some ways that the Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere program has supported your efforts on campus to increase voter and civic engagement?
As a highly engaged campus, we continue to implement passive and active programming on campus throughout the school year. Thanks to the Andew Goodman Foundation’s guidance and financial support, we are able to fund these initiatives and recruit Campus Ambassadors to not only lead them but develop new and updated ideas. Having a campus ambassador funded in partnership with AGF ensures that students are leading these efforts, with our support, and owning the outcomes of those efforts. This aligns with our student-centered vision for our campus.
What are your hopes and dreams for what civic engagement will look like on campus four years from now?
The dream is to have students planning and executing their own discussions, open forums, and voter registrations. The dream is to have election judge training on campus again because our students want to be involved and engaged, and as a campus, we would build in capacity and opportunities for them to do so consistently – for local elections as much as presidential elections.
What are the team’s main goals to increase and support voter engagement and turnout in 2024?
Our goals include pulling back the curtain on the voter process and educating our campus citizens on the variables involved. Through our constant presence, we are interacting with students, staff, and faculty from throughout the campus to expand our reach. Through election judge promotion, we are helping people engage in the polls. Through our debates, we are supporting the voices on campus in civil discourse that will only be officially exercised through their vote.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
We are truly grateful for the Andrew Goodman Foundation’s support, especially the guidance from and discussions with Kaylee Valencia.
Stay tuned as we continue our Campus Connections series, featuring each of our Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere Campus Teams, the impact made on campus, and how they are living the legacy during this pivotal point in our nation’s history.