Spring Break
One less class, one more vote for America
Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Ed-Op
With the 2008 presidential election rapidly approaching, student groups on campus have been doing a fantastic job registering first time voters - but what if these students do not have the opportunity to go out and vote?
A total of 1,950 new voters were registered last year at Drexel, and events this year have registered 1,600 more students, as reported by The Triangle in the April 4 and Oct. 3 issues.
More and more students are becoming engaged in the political process, and the University should continue to support the hard work of Drexel Votes 2008, the Drexel Democrats and the Drexel Republicans.
The University has made tremendous efforts to become recognized as a very politically-active school with initiatives from hosting the Democratic presidential debate last October to registering the fifth-most students last year in the state of Pennsylvania, as reported by The Triangle in the April 4 issue.
Drexel should continue to support the strides they have made during this election season by canceling classes on Election Day.
We are not asking this simply to be frivolous or as an excuse to have the day off. Many students may be forced to choose between going to the polls or going to class, so the University should take preemptive measures to ensure that these students vote. They have registered so many people, and these students now need the opportunity to make it to their polling places.
We understand that Drexel's short academic terms make it difficult to cancel classes; however, we believe that by dedicating the day to participating in this election, students will not only take their voting duty more seriously, but will also have an added incentive to vote.
While classes were in session during the April 22 Pennsylvania Democratic primary, the voter turnout among Drexel students was estimated at 35 to 50 percent, as reported by The Triangle in the April 24 issue. This time around, we should make sure this number is raised significantly.
This would also be a chance for the organizations around campus that have led voter registration efforts to now focus on getting students to the polls.
Furthermore, according to the Office of Campus Activities' web site, commuter students comprise around 79 percent of the undergraduate student body. This in itself is a reason for the University to cancel classes. These students already have a more difficult time getting to campus for class because of the added obstacle of transportation. They may have particular difficulty on Election Day if they need to commute back home to reach their polling places in time to vote.
Both major candidates have emphasized change in this election - now is the time to boost voter turnout among young people.
This is the perfect opportunity for Drexel to both support its students' hard work and passion for this election, and to show the City that Drexel can be a true leader in the community.
A total of 1,950 new voters were registered last year at Drexel, and events this year have registered 1,600 more students, as reported by The Triangle in the April 4 and Oct. 3 issues.
More and more students are becoming engaged in the political process, and the University should continue to support the hard work of Drexel Votes 2008, the Drexel Democrats and the Drexel Republicans.
The University has made tremendous efforts to become recognized as a very politically-active school with initiatives from hosting the Democratic presidential debate last October to registering the fifth-most students last year in the state of Pennsylvania, as reported by The Triangle in the April 4 issue.
Drexel should continue to support the strides they have made during this election season by canceling classes on Election Day.
We are not asking this simply to be frivolous or as an excuse to have the day off. Many students may be forced to choose between going to the polls or going to class, so the University should take preemptive measures to ensure that these students vote. They have registered so many people, and these students now need the opportunity to make it to their polling places.
We understand that Drexel's short academic terms make it difficult to cancel classes; however, we believe that by dedicating the day to participating in this election, students will not only take their voting duty more seriously, but will also have an added incentive to vote.
While classes were in session during the April 22 Pennsylvania Democratic primary, the voter turnout among Drexel students was estimated at 35 to 50 percent, as reported by The Triangle in the April 24 issue. This time around, we should make sure this number is raised significantly.
This would also be a chance for the organizations around campus that have led voter registration efforts to now focus on getting students to the polls.
Furthermore, according to the Office of Campus Activities' web site, commuter students comprise around 79 percent of the undergraduate student body. This in itself is a reason for the University to cancel classes. These students already have a more difficult time getting to campus for class because of the added obstacle of transportation. They may have particular difficulty on Election Day if they need to commute back home to reach their polling places in time to vote.
Both major candidates have emphasized change in this election - now is the time to boost voter turnout among young people.
This is the perfect opportunity for Drexel to both support its students' hard work and passion for this election, and to show the City that Drexel can be a true leader in the community.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Steve
posted 10/07/08 @ 8:21 PM EST
People could very well do absentee voting. I think absentee voting would make more sense than to cancel classes.
Dan
posted 10/08/08 @ 8:11 PM EST
If you're not able to get to the polling place on that Tuesday, then you're just not trying. Personally Tuesdays are my heaviest day of the week in terms of classes (7 hours) and I will have to travel 2 hours to get home to vote, and I will find a way to do so. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 10/17/08 @ 10:44 AM EST
I think students can afford to skip one class. No one is going to act high and mighty and pretend they go to EVERY single class without fail and are fully prepared. (Continued…)
Post a Comment