A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin County Community College District. Published monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.599.3142. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: Oct. 10 All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Please submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Sydney Portilla-Diggs, campus correspondent; Stephanie Hall, student correspondent; Tatiana Shehadeh, special contributor; Nick Young, photography and layout
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Students become part of democratic process
By Sydney Portilla-Diggs
Campus Correspondent
Before the upcoming governor’s election, Collin County has appointed some student deputy registrars to help register constituents. Collin’s Alpha Mu Tau Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society will work primarily to register students to vote.
According to Phi Theta Kappa’s Recording Officer and Project Leader Audrey Koehler, the “Voice Your Vote” project was held at the Spring Creek and Preston Ridge campuses in September. Phi Theta Kappa volunteers will be on site to personally register Collin County residents.
“I volunteered to coordinate the Voice Your Vote Project because I see it as an opportunity to grow and fine tune my skills as a student leader,” Koehler said.
Koehler worked closely with Phi Theta Kappa’s Vice President of Service Rachael Carranza in coordinating the event. Phi Theta Kappans strive to find projects to reflect their scholarly ideals that reflect the Society's Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. “The Voice Your Vote” project will strive to fulfill the leadership hallmark for the chapter.
“Leadership is a part of everyday life. Even in the most ordinary tasks, we must demonstrate leadership. Personally, I feel that voting is one such opportunity to show leadership,” suggests Koehler. In 2004, voter participation among college-aged individuals had declined by 13 percent—much faster than those in the general public.
Collin’s Regina Hughes, the director of the Center for Scholarly & Civic Engagement (CSCE) and the CSCE organized Debate Watch 2004 as an educational venue in which students could be educated about presidential candidates. The CSCE’s intent was prominently displayed on posters: “Listen, Learn: Raise Your Voice. Vote Smart.”
Nearly 1,000 showed up to the debate, which encouraged students to become involved in the political process and exercise their rights to vote. With the governor’s election in Collin County around the corner, some student leaders are feeling the civic responsibility to educate their classmates.
“It is not just a voter registration drive it is a voter knowledge drive. We are trying to inform [fellow] college students about the candidates and why [we] should vote,” remarks Phi Theta Kappa President Frank Pallone.
Collin student leaders like Phi Theta Kappa Vice-President of Leadership Jim Guin believe, “Voting is a duty as a citizen. Phi Theta Kappans are enabling students to appreciate that duty and freedom to vote.” Professor of Speech Communications and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor Angela Putman felt that the chapter officers and members involvement was important for several reasons.
“I feel it is vital for students to be aware of those running for office on a local and state level as these are the politicians who most directly affect student needs. Additionally, we are able to encourage students to have a voice through their vote while also promoting Phi Theta Kappa at the same time.”
Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for two-year colleges.
For more information, call the Phi Theta Kappa advisor Angela Putman at 972.881-5963.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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