LESS THAN A WEEK LEFT TO ELECTION DAY

The Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) has been hard at work with colleges and universities all across Montana and in South Dakota. Events generating the youth vote are in full swing.

In western  Montana, the University of Montana, in collaboration with MontPIRG and the Forward Montana Foundation, is hosting a full week of events on campus like “It’s All About that Vote!” and “Trick-or-Vote” parties. More information on these events can be found on the Forward Montana’s Facebook page

In addition to the University of Montana, Bitterroot College UM is integrating Get Out the Vote (GOTV) events throughout their school and community. The Salish Kootenai College will be hosting a “Voting Blitz” event on Election Day that offers free food, drinks, and rides to polling locations for campus and community members. Fort Peck Community College is hosting the same sort of event at their campus. Both schools hope to get newspaper and local news station coverage so be watching for those!

On the other side of the state, the Montana State University has collaborated with the Forward
Montana Foundation’s Bozeman chapter to host a wide range of GOTV events using the slogan, “Cat County Votes!” And finally, Augustana College of Sioux Falls, SD has taken the ideas, resources, and funding provided through CEEP and ran far with it. The Augie Government Club has planned tons of events leading up to and on Election Day. Ice cream socials have begun in all Residence Halls on campus, quick speeches in classrooms to raise awareness about the importance of voting, and a highly successful pledge drive/ absentee ballot event has already happened.

Remember-your vote counts! Have your voice heard this year! Early voting is already underway and
Election Day is November 4. Access voter information at www.sos.mt.gov and don’t forget to access the fantastic nonpartisan senate candidate guides and voter guides provided by CEEP.(www.campuselect.org) Happy Voting!

MSU-NORTHERN HONORS VOLUNTEER OF THE GAME

MSU-Northern chancellor Greg Kegel awarded student Joseph Vernon with the Volunteer of the Game Award at a Lights home game on October 18. Nice work, Joseph!

Joseph is MSU-Northern’s Sustainability Coordinator and has been instrumental in re-vitalizing Northern’s recycling efforts. Under his direction, the Sustainability Team has more than doubled the number of recycling bins available on campus and has brought a renewed awareness of the need to recycle.

Joseph coordinates the Sustainability Team’s efforts with the communities Recycle Hi-Line efforts and can be found volunteering at the community drop-off site every month. Joseph took initiative to obtain seed money for a 1 year pilot program for recycling #5 plastics, expanding the recycling effort at Northern as well as the surrounding communities. Joseph also volunteers for community clean-up days.

In April 2014, Recycle Hi-Line recognized Joseph by presenting him with their Environmental Hero Award for his leadership and dedication to the community’s recycling efforts.

MTCC HOSTS DISASTER INSTITUTE AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE

MTCC's network office staff is getting excited to spend a couple days at Rocky Mountain College in Billings for the Disaster Institute, October 16-18. the Institute will convene partners from fourteen Compact affiliates from across the region, and will help build capacity of colleges and universities to support communities when disasters happen. 

Big thanks to the Corporation for National and Community Service for the funding support for this important work, to Montana DES, American Red Cross of Montana and Rocky. See you in Billings!