Maine Students' Public Issue Statement Civic Engagement: A Call to Action

“We, as Maine college students, and citizens of this state and nation, accept the responsibility of taking and inspiring action to increase civic engagement in our communities.


Our Concerns

Many people see political involvement as separate from community service when in fact it is an integral part of serving one’s community. While volunteerism is at an all time high, political involvement is disturbingly low among traditional age college students. We have found that there are several alarming factors contributing to the decline of civic engagement. These factors include:

• A disconnect between volunteer rates and political involvement
• Students often feel powerless and may be unaware of their potential to create meaningful change
• Society and the education system do not involve and empower young people at an early enough age
• Many people are unaware of how to navigate our political system
• Students don’t always take action to bring their issues to the forefront; likewise politicians often don’t address student concerns


Our Vision

To increase the civic engagement of America’s youth is to invest in our future. Through civic engagement people are empowered to create positive change. It is our hope that through education more people may realize that political action is a community service. Once the concept of political action as community service is accepted, political apathy would cease to be a major problem for Americans. Increased political involvement will force politicians to address issues important to students. It is our vision that Americans will realize the importance and power of civic engagement thus improving our campuses, communities and the world at large.


Our Opportunities

The time is upon us to revolutionize society’s perception of students and young Americans. We cannot afford to allow the opportunities before us to escape. Our communities need action now; we must:

• Build public awareness of political and social issues
• Connect citizens to the political process
• Awaken citizens’ potential to affect the process through alternative methods of involvement
• Demonstrate opportunities for involvement that utilize an individual’s passions
• Utilize established indicators of civic involvement, such as early political education and community service
• Call for a social movement to eliminate inequity or prejudice in the political system
• Support civic responsibility by providing leadership and role models
• Encourage change through voter registration and voting
• Force higher education institutions to offer an environment more conducive to civic education
• Encourage political inclusion at all levels
• Persuade students to develop their citizenship skills and values
• Build relationships with community leaders through volunteerism
• Make the most of service-learning and enhance its capacity to promote civic engagement



In conclusion, as a representative body of Maine college students and citizens, we recognize and accept our responsibility to be active members of society. By bridging the gap between community service, which is at an all time high, and political involvement, which has declined, we will strengthen our democracy. By engaging younger generations we will make civic engagement the norm, increase political involvement, and in turn resolve our concerns. As we expect our educational institutions, political leaders, and fellow citizens to join us in working towards stronger communities, we declare our commitment to creating positive change.”


Created By:
Greta Atchinson - University of Maine at Farmington
Alexander Cornell du Houx - Bowdoin College
Casey Harris - University of Maine at Augusta
Stephen Theriault - York County Community College