Civic engagement extends beyond 2012 and beyond

GSU recently hosted a community forum titled "Issues of the 2012 Elections."

The forum was moderated by Political Science Professor Larry Levinson and he was joined by an esteemed panel of GSU faculty that included Health Administration Associate Professor Rupert Evans, Political Science Associate Professor Donald Culverson, and Assistant Professor of History David Golland.

The event aimed to assist students in understanding the issues and arm them with the knowledge necessary to make good informed decisions. Students were educated on some of the main issues facing our government and the panelist shed some light on the beliefs, policies, and values of both 2012 presidential candidates.

A wide variety of topics were discussed including labor and workers compensation, inequality, heath care, the economy, and foreign policy. "America is at a crossroads, Levinson said." The issues discussed on the campaign trail, like health care, immigration, and the economy will have an impact far into the future.

As the 2012 election cycle draws to a close, the panel urged students to pay close attention and remain civilly engaged even during non-election years.

"We want students to get engaged not just by voting on Election Day but by knowing the issues," said Levinson. Affirming its role as an intellectually stimulating public square, GSU encouraged to get out and vote on Nov. 6. For this election, the university registered over 300 new voters.