At a glance
Today, Alfred State College is one of over 200 campuses in 37 states and the District of Columbia designated as a “Voter Friendly Campus.”
Today, Alfred State College is one of over 200 campuses in 37 states and the District of Columbia designated as a “Voter Friendly Campus.”
This initiative, led by national nonpartisan organizations Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project (CVP) and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, held participating institutions accountable for planning and implementing practices that encourage their students to register and vote in 2020 elections and in the coming years.
The mission of the Voter Friendly Campus designation is to bolster efforts that help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process. Alfred State was evaluated based on a campus plan about how it would register, educate, and turn out student voters in 2020, how it facilitated voter engagement efforts on campus, and a final analysis of its efforts – all in the face of the upheaval caused by a global pandemic. The designation is valid through December 2022.
As part of its effort to be designated a Voter Friendly Campus, Alfred State organized ongoing voter registration drives, shared non-partisan candidate information, provided shuttles to voting locations, and overall assisted students to make the voting accessible to all. Efforts were closely coordinated with key stakeholders including students, faculty/staff members, and Board of Elections staff.
Alfred State has made a strong statement about the civic mission of higher education to prepare students to be engaged participants in democracy and is excited to continue engaging students through 2021, 2022, and beyond.
“NASPA has named Alfred State a lead institution in Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement annually for 10 years,” said Jonathan Hilsher, director of Civic Engagement. “This Voter Friendly Campus designation is yet another affirmation of our ongoing commitment to students equipped to be informed participants in local, state, and national elections.”
The institutions designated Voter Friendly Campuses represent a wide range of two-year, four-year, public, private, rural, and urban campuses. Notably, the list of designated institutions includes many Minority Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The program is ultimately serving millions of students.
An Alfred State degree gets results!
At Alfred State College, hands-on experience leads to career success. An emphasis on real-world learning enables students to reach goals and develop the skills needed to thrive at in-demand jobs. With approximately 80 majors, 100 clubs and civic groups, and 17 NCAA Division III sports, Alfred State prepares students to become leaders, achievers, and Pioneers who are ready to Hit the Ground Running ...
NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Its work provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and eight US territories.
Fair Elections Center is a national, nonpartisan voting rights and legal support organization that works to eliminate barriers to voting and improve election administration across the United States. Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project works with universities, community colleges, faculty, students, and election officials to reduce barriers to student voting and helps campuses institutionalize reforms that empower students with the information they need to register and vote.