UA Fort Smith American Democracy Project

Rock the Vote!

Dennis G Van Arsdale — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:17:47 +0000

Student Government Association and the American Democracy Project are co-hosting ROCK THE VOTE at UAFS on Thursday, February 23rd from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Campus Center Reynolds Room!

If YOU have a BAND that would like to play, please email the band name, contact person, phone number, and a link to 2-3 songs from your band to sga@uafs.edu by Monday, February 6th.

Selected Bands will be notified by February 9th. For more information or questions, please email sga@uafs.edu or call 788-7697.

Filed under: Events Tagged: bands, music, Rock the vote

MLK Day 2012 – Jan. 18 special event!

Dennis G Van Arsdale — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:36:48 +0000

Filed under: Events Tagged: 2012, Janis Kearney, MLK

Constitution Week Sept. 12-16, 2011

Dennis G Van Arsdale — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:50:12 +0000

Monday, September 12

10 a.m. — OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Eddie Armstrong at Breedlove Auditorium

Tuesday/Wednesday, September 13-14

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. : Exhibition matches on Constitutional knowledge by the Campus Center fireplace

Thursday, September 15

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. : voter registration in the Campus Center breezeway

Friday, September 16

10 a.m. — OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Panel discussion and opportunity for questions on Social Networking and Freedom of Speech, with special guests in the Reynolds Room in Campus Center.

Filed under: Events Tagged: 2011, Armstrong, Constitution Week, Eddie, freedom, Panel, Social networking, speech

First-Time Award at Student Research Symposium

Dennis G Van Arsdale — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:28:44 +0000

As the University of Arkansas- Fort Smith celebrated its fourth Annual Student Research Symposium on 15 April, 2011, the American Democracy Project celebrated its first year to award students whose work reflected potential community impact.

A poster presentation, Building Community Non-Profit Organizations, received the ADP Award, based on the presentation’s focus on community and non-profit organization shared needs and identities. Presenters of this poster are: Adrianna Carter, Michael D’Whitney Pless, Cecilia Hurtado, Daniel Cerda and Dena Dena Bushnaq. The team members are all Graphic Design students and shared a desire to improve the brand recognition and presence of three local non-profits. Court- Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Hamilton House and the Children’s Emergency Shelter were each provided a “brand make-over” in the process of the team’s efforts.

In taking in this challenge, this group of students has provided these Human Services agencies with new logos, brochures, websites, presentation boards, newspaper and magazine ads, web ads and stationery.

By upgrading the “brands’ of these non-profit agencies, the potential to elevate recognition and impact of the services these organizations provide is presented.

Judges for the American Democracy Project Award include: Dr. Kerrie Taber, Dr. Gabriel Matney and Mandy Keyes, all members of the UA – Fort Smith American Democracy Project.

Congratulations to our ADP Award winners! Your work and vision make a difference!

Filed under: Events

Lion’s Den Living/Learning Community

Dennis G Van Arsdale — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:08:02 +0000

Fall 2011 — The American Democracy Project teams with the Lion’s Den to create a Living / Learning Community to engage students with their future in our democracy.

This is combined with Dr. Eric Baker’s American National Government 2753 course enrollment.

Along with the course, the monthly program will offer a guided discussion on a selected topic concerning government and democracy (pizza included), a service project, and American Democracy Project events on campus.

Students interested can get on the list to be considered for this opportunity by emailing housing@uafortsmith.edu and asking to enroll at your freshman orientation session.

Participation limited to 24 students! Act NOW!

Filed under: Lion's Den Tagged: community, Lion's Den

Armstrong speaker for MLK 2011

Dennis G Van Arsdale — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:59:59 +0000

Eddie L. Armstrong speaking

Eddie L. Armstrong was the featured speaker on January 20 for Martin Luther King Day 2011. His topic was “The Spirit of Community”.

Filed under: Events Tagged: 2011, Armstrong, Day, Eddie L. Armstrong, King, Luther, Martin, MLK, speaker

Conversations for Change in UAFS classes

Dennis G Van Arsdale — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:44:22 +0000

In my public policy class we discussed the role of social capital in policy making. We began with the research by the political scientist, Robert Putnam. His research shows that when social capital is strong, where there are social networks are strong and varied, government is more accountable. We concluded that people in such an environment are more likely to vote and participate in things such as public meetings because they have more trust that government will respond. Politicians are forced to listen and respond.
But his research shows that voting and the like is down since the 1970s, and distrust in government is at a high. This could be because of the tumultuous social upheavals of that time, combined with a 24/7 news cycle that plays up scandal and problems. This is especially true of the professional punditry that, seeking ratings, encourages cynicism and conflict.
We also talked about how urban sprawl discourages face to face networking; it is just more difficult for people to meet.
Eric Baker
Department of History, Geography, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religious Studies
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

The first Conversation for Change was hosted by the College of Applied Science and Technology in the Baldor building. The group that participated was a good mix of younger traditional students and older non-traditional students. With CAST being the host, the focus of the discussion was on employment issues. The group discussed the impact of companies refusing to consider people who are not currently employed on both the workforce and the economy. There was also discussions on discrimination in the work environment, the change in methods for searching for a job, whether knowledge or experience is more important in a new hire, and other similar topics that came up. The mixture of students allowed for interesting exchange of ideas and insight into employment.

Kerrie Taber, D.M., Assistant Professor
College of Applied Science & Technology

Filed under: Events Tagged: 2011, Baker, Conversation for Change, Taber