Vermont
Overview
Vermont Campus Compact is starting a program to engage students in local politics and help students participate in a statewide policy discussion. Many students are registered to vote in Vermont and deeply invested in Vermont communities through their volunteer and community work. Through mini-grants for local legislative events and a legislative toolkit, this program will provide students with an opportunity to connect their work, whether it is student government, service, or activism to local, state, and national politics.
Month of Action Goals
• Break down barriers between students and our legislative and political process.
• Help students and legislators engage in dialogue about issues important to students and how politics affect students' work.
• Involve students in Vermont politics and issues.
• Lay groundwork for statewide policy initiative that supports student civic engagement.
Upcoming Activities
Mini-Grants for Regional Events - VCC is offering up to 6 mini-grants for up to $300 in order to organize a regional event with students and legislators during the Month of Action (Feb. 20-March 26). Prior to the dinner, students will host conversations and collect voices to generate a student policy statement.
Toolkits for Planning Legislative event - Meeting and working with Vermont legislators is a new experience for many students and VCC is committed to helping students with this process. This toolkit will provide an overview of state government as well as tips on creating policy statements, organizing the event, and meeting with legislators.
Statewide Student Policy Statement - VCC will aggregate the student policy statements created from local legislative events to create a statewide policy statement to continue conversations while engaging new students in discussions.
Legislative Workshops at Future VCC Events - Vermont Campus Compact would like to continue involving students in the political process through hosting workshops at future student events and providing additional resources to help students connect with legislators.
We are happy to discuss ways that we can engage Vermont students and legislators. Please contact Rachel Wells with questions or ideas at rwells@middlebury.edu or 802-443-2511. We look forward to connecting students' work on campus and in the community to legislators' work at the statehouse.
Organization/School Events:
Bennington College
Student and Legislator Dinner
March 21
Students and legislators will meet together for dinner, conversations and a discussion on projects happening at Bennington and upcoming policy initiatives. Bennington students will have a series of meetings leading up to the event to learn more about Vermont politics, discuss important issues to students at Bennington College, and create a policy statement.
Burlington College
Legislative Forum
Date TBA
Burlington will host a panel forum consisting of journalists and state and federal legislators. Prior to this forum, Burlington College will send letters to students and hold a student forum to prepare questions for legislators. Students will also record the forums along with this process to create a documentary. This documentary will be used for future discussions and forums.
Champlain College
Keynote Speaker & State Leadership
Monday March 14th
To kick off legislative activities, Champlain College has invited state legislator David Zuckerman to converse with the student body about the effect young adults had on the 2004 Presidential election and what steps students can take to increase participation in traditional politics.
Champlain College
Federal Leadership
March 21st
This day would be focused on talking with federal legislators and lobbyists. The representatives and senators would be in a single 45-60 minute forum. The lobby groups would be invited to have a table and make short presentations in separate sessions. After the representatives finish with the forum, representatives would be invited to dine in the school cafeteria to informally speak with students.
Woodbury College
Speaker
Friday, March 18
Woodbury College will host Gaye Symington, Vermont's Speaker of the House in order to provide an avenue for students to explore the possibilities of a career in politics. Gaye will speak briefly about her political career and her experience of being the second woman in Vermont's history to hold the Speaker position. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about her experience as a participant in the political process.
Statewide Events:
VCC Gala Celebration of Service and Service-Learning
Montpelier, April 5
Featuring students from all VCC member campuses
Campus presidents, legislators, chief academic officers, students, faculty, staff, and community partners will gather to celebrate the work of campus and community stakeholders and demonstrate collective impact across the state. A Best Practice Showcase and Reception, multi-media presentation, and awards ceremony will highlight the work of students and the impact on campus and community.
|
