Center for Political Participation

Meadville, Pa. – Sept. 18, 2008 – The Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College will host a debate for the candidates for U.S. Congress, Pennsylvania District 3, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in Ford Chapel.

The 70-minute debate between Democratic candidate Kathy Dahlkemper and Republican candidate Phil English will be co-moderated by Allegheny College Professor of Political Science Daniel M. Shea and WSEE TV news anchor Jacqueline Policastro.

“Given the critical importance of young voters, not only in this election but to the democratic ideals that underpin our government, we are particularly pleased to host this debate,” Shea said. “Students deserve to hear from both candidates directly, and few activities are as ideally suited to fostering informed, engaged voters as robust debate.”

Policastro joined WSEE in January of 2007 as Washington bureau chief and correspondent. Prior to joining the Newswatch team, she worked for Associated Press Television in Washington. She also spent time at ABC News in Washington, Fox News in New York City, and the Today Show in Sydney, Australia. Policastro is originally from New Jersey and graduated from Boston University with a major in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science.

Shea is director of Allegheny College’s Center for Political Participation. He has a bachelor of arts in political science and American studies from the State University of New York at Oswego and a master of arts in campaign management/applied politics from the University of West Florida. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from the State University of New York at Albany. Shea has written or edited 12 books on the American electoral process. His most recent project, “Living Democracy” (Prentice Hall, 2007), is a textbook on American government designed to inspire students and help them experience the impact of government in their daily lives. In 2007 Shea also edited, with John C. Green, “The Fountain of Youth: Strategies and Tactics for Mobilizing America’s Young Voters” (Rowman and Littlefield).

In keeping with Allegheny’s commitment to open campaign events as articulated by the Soapbox Alliance—a national coalition of colleges and universities founded by Allegheny in 2007—the debate is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. However, seating is limited and will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

When former president Bill Clinton visited Allegheny College on April 19 for a campaign stop in support of his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, it was more than an important rally before this year’s historic Pennsylvania primary election.

It was also our first real test of the Soapbox Alliance.

Not only did the Soapbox’s core premise that college campuses should be places open to civic discourse, especially during intense political campaigns prove sound, but President Clinton directly endorsed the alliance in his opening remarks.

Two Allegheny students, former CPP student fellow Afua Serwaah Osei and sophomore Sam Rigotti, were first to address the crowd, which was made up of Clinton, Obama and McCain supporters.

In November 2007, Allegheny founded the Soapbox Alliance, a coalition of institutions working together to end the practice of holding closed campaign events in campus facilities. Each member either already has an open-event policy or has pledged to work toward the goal of establishing an open-event policy by September 1, 2008. More information about the College’s open-event policy and the Soapbox Alliance can be found at www.soapboxalliance.org.

Allegheny College has invited all of the candidates in the 2008 presidential election to visit campus.

Remarks:
Afua Osei
Sam Rigotti

Watch more:
YouTube Video

MEADVILLE, Pa. – Oct. 15, 2007 – Celeste Taylor, Pennsylvania state coordinator of African American outreach for People For the American Way, will visit Allegheny College to participate in a showing of the documentary “American Blackout” on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. in Henderson Auditorium in Quigley Hall.

Taylor has worked to advance human and civil rights for more than 25 years. Prior to coordinating the election protection effort for Allegheny County in 2004 and joining the PFAW staff in 2006, Taylor worked with Project Vote, ACORN, Good Schools Pennsylvania, the NAACP National Voter Fund and Amnesty International.

Special recognition for her work includes being named to the Onyx Woman Magazine Amazing 10 list and being honored with the Allegheny County ACORN Community Leadership Award, League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh Good Government Award and the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Racial Justice Award. As a volunteer Taylor is the vice-chair of the Black Political Empowerment Project in Pittsburgh, American Friends Service Committee Mid-Atlantic Region Board and the SweatFree Communities National Board.

“American Blackout” chronicles recurring patterns of voter disenfranchisement from Florida 2000 to Ohio 2004 while following the story of Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The film features Congressional members John Conyers, John Lewis, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and Bernie Sanders, as well as journalists Greg Palast and Bob Fitrakis.

Taylor will begin the evening by providing a brief introduction to the film and, following its showing, will facilitate an open discussion of the events and issues presented in the film.

“Ms. Taylor brings a fresh angle and a regional perspective to the national issues that are raised in ‘American Blackout,’” says Cherjanét D. Lenzy, director of diversity affairs at Allegheny College. Lenzy anticipates that Taylor’s firsthand knowledge of the issues will help viewers recognize the immediate and local nature of the challenges at hand.

This event is sponsored by the Office of Diversity Affairs, which is committed to the understanding, appreciation and celebration of diversity, and by the Association for the Advancement of Black Culture, College Democrats and the Center for Political Participation. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Office of Diversity Affairs at (814) 332-3332.

By Jordan Pallitto ‘06

At a debate held October 27 at Allegheny College and co-hosted by Allegheny’s Center for Political Participation (CPP) and Grove City College, incumbent Congressman Phil English (R) and his challenger Dr. Steven Porter (D) battled for votes in Pennsylvania’s 3rd District within the U.S. House.

With less than a week left before the election, English and Porter disagreed on almost every issue. “The debate was incredibly engaging; it [was the] nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire political circus,” said Allegheny sophomore AJ Quahliero.

The ninety-minute debate, originally set for early October, was rescheduled after disputes between the candidates were smoothed by assurances that “things would not be allowed to get out of hand” from Daniel Shea, Director of the CPP and a moderator for the event.

In front of a packed house of over 350 in Allegheny’s Carr Hall Auditorium, the candidates voiced contrasting views on the region’s economic situation, water and air quality, veterans’ affairs, the No Child Left Behind Act, how to help the steel industry, and health care, among other things. The mood was not friendly, as the noticeably divided audience rallied behind their candidates with applause and cheers. At one point, Shea interrupted the debate to ask for audience cooperation.

Most Allegheny students who attended the debate felt it was important and worthwhile. “Overall, the event served as a welcome exchange of ideas in an area where political debates are few and far between,” said Allegheny senior Adam Fogel.

“Despite the few occasions in which the audience was noisy, this was a great event,” commented Shea that night. “Tonight Meadville wins, Allegheny wins, and the constituents of the 3rd District win because they got a closer look at the candidates – no matter who ends up in office,” commented Shea.

For more information about Allegheny College’s Center for Political Participation, please call (814) 332-6201.

Meadville, Pa. – April 6, 2005 – The Allegheny College Center for Political Participation hosted a dialogue on the pros and cons of the proposed changes to Social Security on Monday April 11, 2005 in Allegheny’s Quigley Hall, Henderson Auditorium.

Don Goldstein, professor of economics at Allegheny College, presented information opposing the President’s reform plans, while Tracy Miller, professor of economics at Grove City College, offered arguments in support of the proposed Social Security changes.

“Social Security has worked well to help America’s senior citizens retire with dignity. It can be strengthened for the future without the radical changes proposed in the President’s privatization plan,” remarked Goldstein. In contrast, Miller contends that the system needs an overhaul: “Social Security must be reformed in order to meet commitments made to the current generation of workers.”

Allegheny students and others in the community sought more information about the issue that could change the future. “Changes to the Social Security system are going to affect our generation a great deal,” said one Allegheny student. “We’ve got to learn all we can about what [President] Bush wants to do and whether it’s good or bad.”

The event lasted about an hour and was sponsored by the Allegheny College Center for Political Participation. The forum was free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Center at 814.332.6201 or visit cpp.allegheny.edu on the web.

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The Center for Political Participation is dedicated to fostering increased civic and political engagement through student-centered programs, community outreach projects and scholarly activities.

By Dominic Randazzo ’05

On Tuesday, November 2, over 1,000 students and members of the local community gathered to close the most heated election season in recent history with a celebration of politics.

The Election Night Extravaganza, an event coordinated by the Center for Political Participation and sponsored by Allegheny Student Government, the Dean of Students Office, and the Student Activities Office, was organized to bring together a politically divided campus for a night of community discussion and fun. After ten hours of television coverage, the consumption of 9,000 wings, and countless expressions of political activism, it was described by junior Paul Gorse as “the most entertaining and exciting political event I have ever experienced.”

Within the newly renovated Henderson Campus Center, three large screen TV’s and a disc jockey provided entertainment while Student Fellows of the CPP led speakers from campus political parties in lively speeches; conducted interactive polls; and directed games like “Color the Electoral Map” and “Guess the Swing State.” Nearly $500 in political movies, music and other items were awarded to game and door prize winners.

“It was wonderful that so many Alleghenians came to not only watch the news coverage, but also to vocally support their candidates. Without a doubt, this event was a demonstration of just how socially concerned and politically active our generation really is,” remarked Dominic Randazzo, a Student Fellow at the CPP.

As the third major gathering of college political parties on campus this year (Allegheny hosted a town-hall meeting with Vice-President Dick Cheney three weeks earlier; and the CPP hosted a congressional debate the week before), the Election Night Extravaganza started at 5 p.m. and came to a close around 3:30 a.m. with members of both campus political parties (Young Dems and College Republicans) shaking hands and departing as friends. Several students stayed glued to the television screens for some time afterward in anticipation of who would be president.

“It was a great way to depressurize,” said Jackie Morgenstern, a junior. “Coming together as a community and putting aside the political differences that had polarized us for so long was definitely needed.”

Allegheny Student Government covered the cost of the event. “We rationalized that student funding for the Election Night Extravaganza was an investment in the political awareness and commitment of students,” stated Adam Fogel, financial Controller of Allegheny Student Government. “The importance of voting cannot be overstated, especially when twenty years from now we will be the ones responsible for running government.”

For more information about Allegheny College’s Center for Political Participation, please call (814) 332-6201.

October 18 – 20, 2004

By Jordan Pallitto ‘06

In a bi-partisan manner that is all too uncommon these days, former Congressmen William Clinger (R-PA) and Jim Lloyd (D-CA) together spent three days visiting Allegheny College in October as part of the Congress to Campus Program. The former congressmen came to Allegheny to encourage students to consider careers in public service, and give them a real-world look at the workings of American government.

Monday evening, Clinger and Lloyd met with College Republicans and Young Democrats to discuss the upcoming election. Throughout the day Tuesday, the former congressmen visited American Government and Elections classes; chatted with members of Allegheny’s student government; and later that evening, presented a public lecture in Quigley Hall auditorium after having dinner with CPP student fellows.

Many students appreciated the chance to meet the congressmen in person. “I can’t believe how sincere and down to earth they both were. They were comfortable and we were comfortable,” remarked Craig Korpiel, an Allegheny sophomore.

“They certainly made a lasting impression,” said Allegheny junior Adam Fogel. “It was great to hear their real life experiences—both successes and frustrations—as candidates and politicians.”

Wednesday morning, they spoke to students at Saegertown High School about politics and how Congress works. And by mid-afternoon, they were on their way back to Washington to start the cycle over again.

“Clinger and Lloyd displayed true respect and camaraderie for one another and a clear love for the public service they advocated,” said another Allegheny student. “It would be great if all politicians demonstrated such bi-partisan cooperation.”

The Congress to Campus visit at Allegheny was made possible by the Allegheny College Center for Political Participation (CPP).

Organized by the Stennis Center for Public Service, the center for Democracy and Citizenship, and the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, Congress to Campus sends bipartisan pairs of former Members of Congress–one Democrat and one Republican– to visit college campuses across the country. They conduct classes, hold community forums, meet informally with students and faculty, visit high schools and civic organizations, and do interviews and talk show appearances with local press and media. The program provides a distinctive and powerful means to educate the next generation about American government, politics and public affairs.

For more information about Allegheny College’s Center for Political Participation, please call (814) 332-6201.

Seeking to offer students more ways in which to make their voices heard, the CPP held its second biennial Political Fair in the campus center in October. College political organizations and issue groups were invited to set up display tables in the lobby to get the word out about their cause. The fair was designed to educate young voters about local and national candidates and election issues all at one central location.

“It’s a great chance for students to learn about politics and for political groups to recruit members,” says Dan Myers, CPP Student Fellow, ‘05.

A dozen or more campus and community groups participated including the College Republicans, ACLU, Allegheny Rifle Association, Amnesty International, People for Life, Students for Environmental Action, Allegheny College Peace Coalition,
Pride Alliance, FACE, SARO (Students Advocating for Reproductive Options), Dr. Steven Porter (Democratic candidate for the 3rd Congressional District), a representative from Phil English for U.S. Congress campaign, Keith Abbot (Democratic candidate for the 6th PA house district) and, of course, the CPP.

“We work hard to include a broad range of groups from both ends of the political spectrum,” said Myers. “It’s been really hard to find a balance, but it’s something we are really concerned about.”

For more information about Allegheny College’s Center for Political Participation, please call (814) 332-6201.

Report Highlights Innovative Practices of Political Party Committees

MEADVILLE, Pa. – October 6, 2004 – This week more than 2,000 political party organizations and political scientists from across the country will receive a 42-page booklet of practical ideas culled from some of the nation’s most innovative programs designed to engage young voters.

For example, in Ventura County, Calif., Democrats set up voting registration booths, run in part by young people, at movie theatres during showings of Fahrenheit 9/11. Republicans in Cleveland County, Okla., hosted social events, such as a “Straw Poll–Pizza and Politics” activity, and gave away T-shirts during “Howdy Week,” at the beginning of the school year.

The Fountain of Youth: Political Parties & the Mobilization of Young Americans, available online at cpp.allegheny.edu, is the second piece of a national telephone survey of 805 party chairs representing counties containing 87 percent of the nation’s population.

The study was conducted by Professor Daniel M. Shea, Director of the College Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College and John C. Green of the the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron. It was commissioned by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at the University of Maryland.

The first report of the study–Throwing a Better Party: Local Mobilizing Institutions and the Youth Vote, April 2004–suggested that a vast majority of local political party chairs are not paying attention to young people, even though an overwhelming majority agree that the political disengagement of young people is a serious problem and that parties can make a big difference involving this group. In fact, while roughly nine in ten (88 percent) party leaders say lack of political engagement among youth is a serious problem, and a similar portion (93 percent) feel local parties can make a big difference in getting young people involved in politics, only 41 percent are doing anything specifically to attract young voters.

“There was both disturbing and optimistic news in the survey,” said. Shea, “Party organizations have the potential to play a major role in rejuvenating participation in America, but many find youth mobilization difficult, so they are ignoring this group. However, while traditional party activities aren’t working for young people, those party organizations that are trying novel programs, such as unique social activities, interactive web sites, and peer-to-peer outreach, are having success.”

The second step of the project—reported here—was to re-interview selected party leaders and to carefully document the programs that seem to be working. The Fountain of Youth illustrates examples of successful programs used to mobilize the youth vote at the national, state and county organizational levels. In all, ten county committees, seven state committees, and both the national party organizations are profiled. The report concludes with a “lessons learned” section of recommendations

“In many respects, today’s report, which presents detailed case studies of some of the most creative organizations we encountered, is more useful than the statistical results of the survey. Obviously some groups have already written off the young vote, but we believe that’s a big mistake. If party organizers will roll up their sleeves and mix these ideas with a little ingenuity of their own, they can develop strategies and programs that will make a big difference,” said Shea. “ It’s not too late.”

Ten Lessons Learned

Based on their review of best practices by political parties with regard to mobilizing young voters, Shea and co-author Green, developed a set of general lessons for reaching young voters.

1. Leadership is extremely important
2. Target youth on their turf
3. Get young people involved at every opportunity
4. Give young volunteers meaningful work
5. Make it fun whenever possible
6. Make use of different outreach technologies
7. Peer-to-peer programs are effective
8. Reward achievement
9. Merge with like-minded youth groups
10. Look to combine service with partisanship

The state and county committees included in the study

• The Delaware Democratic Party
• The Indiana Republican Party
• The Maryland Republican Party
• The Michigan Democratic Party
• The Mississippi Republican Party
• The Wisconsin Democratic Party
• The Tennessee Republican Party
• Miami-Dade County Democrats, Florida
• Cameron County Republicans, Texas
• Ventura County Democrats, California
• Cleveland County, Republicans, Oklahoma
• Story County Democrats, Iowa
• Garland County Republicans, Arkansas
• Orange County Democrats, North Carolina
• Hillsborough County Republicans, Florida
• Otero County Republicans, New Mexico
• Benton County Democrats, Washington

-AC-

MEADVILLE, Pa. – July 27, 2004 – The Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College is participating in a new national effort at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics to encourage participation and engagement in politics by America’s college students, a traditionally under-represented group in the national political discourse and on Election Day.

The group of 17 institutions of higher education, which is called the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement, draws from its collective knowledge and experience to exchange information and ideas about how to spur greater interest and involvement in politics by young people. Institutions will also identify obstacles and promote solutions to political engagement by young people.

“Engaging young people in politics is essential for the future of our democracy and an important role for every educational institution in the nation,” said Institute of Politics Director Dan Glickman. “Our national campaign will facilitate an open exchange of ideas and information as we all join together to seek effective ways to encourage young people to participate in the political process.”

“It is wonderful to welcome Allegheny as a new partner in our National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement,” said Glickman. “Allegheny has demonstrated innovation and enthusiasm in engaging young people in politics, which every college and university should emulate.”

“We are obviously honored by the invitation to join this group of elite institutions, which is committed, as Allegheny College is, to finding ways to engage young people in the electoral process,” said Allegheny College Center for Political Participation Director Dr. Daniel M. Shea. “I am especially excited about the increased opportunities for urgently needed communication and collaboration that this program will facilitate.”

In addition to taking action to spur student political involvement on their respective campuses, the group is working together to:

~Issue specific recommendations for government, media, campaigns, and educational institutions to promote political and civic engagement;

~Produce a “playbook” that offers political campaigns advice on effective engagement of young voters;

~Compile “best practices” for promoting political and civic engagement;

~Collect and make available key research; and

~Create new training opportunities for organizations and individuals seeking to promote youth engagement and participation.

Other institutions participating in this national effort are: Birmingham Southern College’s Hess Center for Leadership and Service; Clark Atlanta University’s Joseph Lowery Institute (Atlanta, Ga.); Elon University’s Institute for Politics and Public Affairs (Elon, N.C.); Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa); University of Kansas’s Dole Institute (Lawrence, Kan.); Louisiana State University’s Reilly Media Center (Baton Rouge, La.); Ohio State University’s John Glenn Institute (Columbus, Ohio); University of Rochester (Rochester, N.Y.); Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute for Politics (New Brunswick, N.J.); Saint Anselm College’s New Hampshire Institute of Politics (Manchester, NH); Tufts University’s College of Citizenship and Public Service (Medford, Mass.); University of Southern California’s Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics (Los Angeles, Calif.); University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics (Salt Lake City, Utah); University of Virginia’s Center for Politics (Charlottesville, Va.); and Vanderbilt University’s Office of Active Citizenship and Service (Nashville, Tenn.).