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Student Success Excellence and Expertise Oxford and Beyond

Dozens of Voters Turn Out for HCWE Co-Sponsored Save Democracy Event

King Library was abuzz with excitement on May 4th as dozens of faculty, staff, students, and other members of the Oxford community assembled to learn more about recent legislation which affects voting rights and higher education in the state of Ohio.

Student Success Excellence and Expertise Oxford and Beyond

Dozens of Voters Turn Out for HCWE Co-Sponsored Save Democracy Event

King Library was abuzz with excitement on May 4th as dozens of faculty, staff, students, and other members of the Oxford community assembled to learn more about recent legislation which affects voting rights and higher education in the state of Ohio.

In collaboration with the Oxford League of Women Voters and the Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service, the Howe Center for Writing Excellence hosted the non-partisan event, Act Now to Save Democracy, in King Library. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., all members of the Miami and larger Oxford community were invited to make their voices heard through a series of interactive, democracy-inspired “action stations.” Attendees learned about Ohio legislation impacting voting rights and higher education, wrote letters of testimony or op-ed proposals, made phone calls to their lawmakers, and designed wearables like buttons and stickers at a station in King Library’s MakerSpace. At least 13 undergraduate students, including several writing consultants from the Howe Writing Center, helped plan and facilitate the event.

Upon check-in, attendees were given a “passport” which guided them through the evening’s activities. Volunteers from the campus and community worked at action stations to inform and guide attendees through the learning, writing, and making process. Attendees who participated in at least one of each kind of action–Learn, Write, and Make–won a prize and were entered into a drawing to win a free iPad.

“We intentionally asked attendees to learn before they act,” Elizabeth Wardle, director of the Howe Center for Writing Excellence, explained. “That way, they can make more compelling and convincing arguments to their representatives to make change happen.”

Over 60 attendees participated in the event, with many taking the opportunity to make calls and write to their elected officials regarding their views on Ohio legislation and voting rights. Howe writing consultants brought their expertise to bear by assisting attendees with their writing.

“Ever since Liz made me aware of the Act Now to Save Democracy event… I wanted to take part in it,” explained Sophie K., a writing consultant with the Howe Writing Center. “I think it is of the utmost importance for writing centers to be active participants on campus as well as agents of change. I wanted to be a part of that change within the Howe Writing Center by helping others share their voices through writing on current bills like SB83 and HB458 [which impacts voting rights for college students in Ohio].”

Meredith Perkins, a writing consultant with the Howe Writing Center and reporter for The Miami Student, also helped facilitate the event. “Act Now made me really realize how strong of a community we have in Oxford. Being able to have these important conversations and create space for [action] was really incredible,” she wrote. “I got to bond with classmates, friends, and local community members over issues we were passionate about and I left the event feeling quite hopeful for our generation. There's a lot of students on campus who are doing really incredible things to make change in our community.”

Perkins elaborated on her optimism for the future of writing and for helping students and others recognize the value of making their voices heard: “I am inspired to create similar events in the future where the Howe and its community partners can help writers translate their ideas into [writing].” 

Perkins also shared that by working at the event, she had the opportunity to work directly with members of the community to help them express themselves and advocate for change in their community. “At my Act Now station, I was able to help a [community member] outline, write, and revise an entire op-ed piece,” she said. “It was really exciting to see my workshop translated into immediate results, and I would love to run similar workshops in the future to encourage students and Oxford residents to use their voices.”

The Howe Center’s goal is to support writers of all kinds, and that includes writing for and in a democracy. Whatever your political views are, the center can help you craft a message and make your voice heard.