Sonoma State Academic Senate
Resolution in Support of Sonoma State
University Associated Students, Inc.
Voter Registration, Education and Mobilization Drive
Whereas Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) is the official recognized voice of students at Sonoma State University; and
Whereas ASI is committed to the institutionalization of voter registration within
the university community, educating student voters in a non-partisan manner
and turning out the student vote; and
Whereas the 1998 Higher Education Act requires that higher education institutions
"make a good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form,
requested, and received from the State, to each student enrolled in a degree
or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution, and
to make such forms widely available to students at the institution;" and
Whereas the mission of the California State University is “To prepare
significant numbers of educated, responsible people to contribute to California's
schools, economy, culture, and future; To prepare students for an international,
multi-cultural society; and
To provide public services that enrich the university and its communities;”
and
Whereas the Sonoma State University Academic Affairs Mission “inspires
ethical exploration, civic engagement, social responsibility and global awareness,”
which begins with exercising one’s right to vote; and
Whereas less than half of eligible citizens between the ages of 18-24 voted
in the 2000 presidential election, compared with 70% of older citizens; and
Whereas an engaged citizenry is essential to the success of the democratic process
in the city of Rohnert Park, the County of Sonoma, the State of California,
and the United States of America; and
Whereas collaboration between Students, Administration, and Faculty is necessary
for a significant voter registration drive and to encourage participation of
students at Sonoma State University in the electoral process;
Therefore be it resolved that the Academic Senate of Sonoma
State University in conjunction with ASI encourage all faculty to promote civic
engagement by allowing non-partisan voter registration of students in their
classrooms, encouraging and promoting attendance at voter awareness events and
make a good faith attempt to spend a few moments of class time to relate the
importance of voting to the subject matter in each class.
Approved by the Senate 9/2/04