By Matthew Fowler, Managing Editor
What do a booth in the library, a game of bingo and a debate watch party have in common? They are all part of a plan to get Newman’s community members more politically involved.
Valerie Hennings, the director of institutional research and assessment, and Kristi Edwards, associate professor of criminal justice, are spearheading a planned series of events with support from Academic Affairs, the Campus Activities Board, and the Student Government Association that aim to promote civic engagement.
The three-stage plan began with Hennings and Edwards running a booth last week that provided information and assistance with voter registration. The plan will also include a vice-presidential debate bingo game from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday in the Alumni Center and a watch party on Nov. 5 – the night of the presidential election.
The first stage of the plan – the voter registration booth – was put together to help members of Newman’s community participate in one of the most fundamental responsibilities of a citizen, Edwards said: Voting.
“There's some power in the possibility of voting even if you don't actually go on election day,” Edwards said. “Even if you are disillusioned with politics or you think, ‘It doesn't affect me,’ if you're registered, you have the choice … I think every person has a civic duty to register to vote.”
Fifteen new voters registered at the booth, Edwards said. It also helped many check and update their registration status and location.
Next in the plan is the debate bingo. Prizes, sponsored by Academic Affairs, include a chance to win earpods. SGA and CAB will provide pizza from Picasso’s Pizzeria and drinks for participants to enjoy.
SGA vice president Gabriel Treviño, junior, initially brought up the idea for the event to SGA. He said that he sees it as a way to share a part of his journey to political involvement while also learning from others.
“My backstory with this is that I want to be a little bit more knowledgeable when it comes to the political side of things, when it comes to the parties and what they believe in,” he said. “I want to give everyone that opportunity, as well.”
Edwards said that the event is open to anyone, regardless of political knowledge or involvement, and that she hoped that it would be as entertaining as it was enlightening.
“Come to debate bingo,” Edwards said. “I think we're going to have a good time. Valerie (Hennings) is the mastermind, and it's interactive, and it's hilarious, and it's contemporary, and you don't have to be an expert on politics to win. You just have to be awake and paying attention.”
PHOTO: Dannicka McGrath, Photographer
