Students leave civic legacy through activism
Found at the forefront of many political movements in U.S. history are the contributions of college students. Colonial colleges that preexisted the nation’s founding were the institutions that shaped the people and ideas that went on to form the republic. From abolition and women’s suffrage to ecological issues and civil and social equality, students are often at the front end of affecting change. CMU Mavericks are no exception. They put forth the energy behind many advocacy efforts making them a part of this national legacy.
“Students have an opportunity to have a voice in and a responsibility to advocate for local, state and federal issues that affect them,” said CMU Student Trustee Jacqueline Cordova. “My role as a student trustee is one way to support creation of policies that advance the interest of students and I’m proud to represent their interests.”
Higher education is long known to be a primary vehicle for social mobility. This is one reason CMU students continually advocate for policies that make going to college easier and more accessible. In 2020, CMU students advocated at the Colorado General Assembly for more resources to better enact Colorado education policies and encourage first-time college attendance.
CMU also has a large number of student veterans pursuing education through the GI bill. Beyond serving the nation, CMU student veterans continue serving other veterans by working with congressional leaders to ensure distribution of education resources adequately reflects the contributions made to the country by veterans.
Perhaps the most active student civic endeavor of 2020 was led by the campus’ Cultural Inclusion Council where students, faculty, staff and community members created the Turning the Corner on Racism initiative. The group met monthly and initiated efforts to change curriculum, raise money for minority scholarships and rectify past transgressions against students of color on campus and in the community.
Many of CMU’s clubs and organizations are focused on policy change including the Sustainability Council, faith-based clubs, LGBTQ advocacy organizational efforts and the Associated Student Government. CMU started years ago what is now a fixture in Colorado politics — the annual Capital Conference in Washington, D.C.
This event began with CMU and now includes numerous Colorado universities. Hosted by Colorado’s Senate delegation, students join business leaders from around the state to meet with national political and policy leaders in the heart of the nation’s capital. Students observe the republic’s policy making body, and learn about how America is governed from the inside out.
The university also created the CMU Civic Forum in 2018. This initiative was created to advance civics on campus.
All it takes is a single glance to see that CMU students are among the most civically engaged in the state.