Administration

Communications

Constitution Day kicks off C-SC pre-election events
Wednesday, September 17, 2008

CANTON, Mo. – Culver-Stockton College opened the pre-election season September 17 with the first of several politically focused activities being planned by the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Student Government Association (SGA) began registering students to vote, and Missouri State Representative Brian Munzlinger, first district, delivered the “Constitution Day” program on how a bill becomes a law.

Several other programs and activities are scheduled before the November 4 Election Day, according to David Fistein, C-SC assistant professor of political science and sociology. “We believe it is important for students to participate in the political process, to hear first-hand from politicians, to scrutinize the issues, and to vote,” said Fistein. “We want to help students become fully informed and fully engaged in the elections locally, regionally in their home states, and nationally.”

Keri Cottrell, candidate for first district, Missouri State Representative, will speak at 11:30 a.m. on September 26 in Merillat on how to run an election campaign. Also planned, but not yet scheduled according to Fistein, are appearances by Missouri congressional candidate Judy Baker and her opponent, Blaine Luetkemeyer. Other candidates also have been invited.

In addition, Fistein and other faculty members will present programs on the major issues and their impact on this year’s elections. John Tripp, senior lecturer in business, will discuss economic issues on October 2; Robert Sadler, professor of physical sciences, will discuss energy issues on October 7; and Fistein will focus on international affairs on October 16. All presentations are at 11:30 a.m. in Meaders Lounge and are free and open to the public.

C-SC students also will analyze the vice-presidential and presidential debates after watching them as a group on October 2, 7 and 15. Members of the First-Year Experience course “Media Politics ’08” are planning panel discussions and conversations with guest experts to follow each 90-minute televised debate, broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. The class, taught by Steve Wiegenstein, professor of communication, also has invited Doug Wilson, senior political writer for the Quincy Herald-Whig, to visit class on September 24. Wilson will speak about his experiences, how candidates use the media to set the campaign agenda, and how the media works to shape public perception of key issues, Wiegenstein said.

In addition to voter registration, other activities provided by the SGA include providing students with information about absentee voting, conducting a mock election on November 3, and working with the AAUW to provide rides to polling places on Election Day.

CUTLINE: Missouri State Rep.Brian Munzlinger discusses how legislation is developed and passed during "Constitution Day" events at Culver-Stockton College, the first in a series of pre-election activities.