Called Winthrop Decision 2016, the initiative is a campus-wide movement to register,
educate and encourage students to vote leading up to the Nov. 8 election. At stake
are local, state and national races, including who will be our next president. The goal is to get Winthrop students to the polls in November and to earn Voter Friendly
Campus designation based on the university's efforts. The campus is encouraged to
use the hashtag: #WUDecide to share voting and political experiences.
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Winthrop University will spend much of the fall focused
on the upcoming November elections and teaching students about their civic responsibilities.
Called Winthrop Decision 2016, the initiative is a campus-wide movement to register, educate and encourage students
to vote leading up to the Nov. 8 election. At stake are local, state and national
races, including who will be our next president.
The goal is to get Winthrop students to the polls in November and to earn Voter Friendly
Campus designation based on the university's efforts. The campus is encouraged to
use the hashtag: #WUDecide to share voting and political experiences.
The Winthrop effort is led by Frank Ardaiolo, vice president for student life, and Karen Kedrowski, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Voting is a habit — one that Winthrop
University wants its students to acquire," said Kedrowski, a political science professor.
"The university is doing its best to encourage students to register, become educated
on the issues of the day, and turn out to vote on election day. This is just one part
of the university's commitment to ensuring our students become engaged citizens for
life."
One of the most visible programs is the voting ambassadors program. The ambassadors are Winthrop students who act as a resource to fellow classmates
on how to register to vote. More than 25 students have been trained about S.C. election
laws, voter registration requirements and how to request absentee ballots.
There are numerous events throughout the fall, all of which are free and open to the
public. Some highlighted events include:
Constitution Day: Federalism and the Constitution Through a Historical Global Lens
Sept. 15, 11 a.m.
Richardson Ballroom, DiGiorgio Campus Center
Martha Kropf, professor of political science at University of North Carolina, Charlotte,
will speak on federal and state election laws. The event is sponsored by the John
C. West Forum on Politics and Policy.
A Voteless People is a Hopeless People
Sept. 20, 7-8:30 p.m.
Dina's Place, DiGiorgio Campus Center
Xi Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. will host "A Voteless People is
a Hopeless People" to educate young people about the 2016 Presidential candidates,
voting process and voting deadlines. John Holder of the Department of Political Science
and a representative from College Democrats will be representing the Democratic Party.
Library Dean Mark Herring and a representative from College Republicans will represent
the Republicans.
Women and Presidential Election Politics
Sept. 20, 11 a.m.
Dina's Place, DiGiorgio Campus Center
Karen Kedrowski, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will discuss gender dynamics
in the Presidential election. It is sponsored by the John C. West Forum, Department
of Political Science and the Women's and Gender Studies program.
Presidential Debate Watch Party
Sept. 26, 8:30 p.m.
Dina's Place, DiGiorgio Campus Center
The nonpartisan, nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates will host the First
Presidential Debate of the 2016 Election on Monday, Sept. 26, at Hofstra University,
Long Island, New York at 9 p.m. Political science professors will attend the watch
party to help provide context, answer questions, and facilitate discussion before,
during commercial breaks, and after the debate.
National Student Voter Registration Day Meal
Sept. 27, Thomson Cafe
Come eat the favorite foods of our presidential candidates. The meal is organized
by the Office of Student Activities and ARAMARK.
8th Annual Banned Book Reading
Sept. 27, 7 p.m.
215 Sims Building
English students and others will lead the 8th annual Banned Book Reading with the
guidance of Casey Cothran of the Department of English. They will read passages from:
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime," by Mark Haddon
"Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out," by Susan Kuklin
"Nasreen's Secret School," by Jeanette Winter
"Habibi," by Craig Thompson
"Two Boys Kissing," by David Leviathan
Stay Woke and Vote Tour
Sept. 28, 6-8 p.m.
McBryde Hall
The NAACP Youth and College Division's "Stay Woke and Vote Tour" will converge on
college campuses to energize and engage millennials; promote voter education, encourage
voter registration, voter demonstrations and increase overall voter participation.
A panel from the Youth and College division of the NAACP will discuss the importance
of being informed voters.
A Brief History of Presidential Debates
Oct. 4, 11 a.m.
Dina's Place, DiGiorgio Campus Center
Karen Kedrowski will give a brief history of Presidential Debates in the United States
on the day of the Vice Presidential Candidate debate. Sponsored by the John C. West
Forum.
Social Dominance and Authoritarian Attitudes Among Clinton and Trump Supporters: Winthrop
Poll Findings
Oct. 11, 11 a.m.
Dina's Place, DiGiorgio Campus Center
Political Science Professor Scott Huffmon will discuss the latest results of the Winthrop
Poll. Will include voter registration/absentee ballot info table. Sponsored by the
John C. West Forum.
KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER: College, Racism, and YOU
Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
Byrnes Auditorium
Lawrence Ross recently released his latest book "BLACKBALLED: The Black and White
Politics of Race at America's Campuses." It is a blunt look at the history and current
state of race relations for African-American students at predominately white institutions.
His lecture, "KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER: College, Racism, and YOU" centers on informing
students about the history of campus racism, how to prevent it and what to do about
it. The event is hosted by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and the Office
of Diversity and Student Engagement.
Election Night Watch Party
Nov. 8, 7 p.m.
Richardson Ballroom, DiGiorgio Campus Center
Hear the election results and learn how the electoral college process works to elect
our nation's president.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or e-mail her at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
