Loyola Greyhound

Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Dan Corrigan

While many incoming and returning college students may show more concern with new classes, new friends and new living arrangements this September, a greater challenge looms on the November horizon. In what is arguably the most important and most exciting presidential election in recent history - one prefaced by a record-breaking presidential primary season for youth voter turnout - polling places and voting offices are expecting a huge showing from citizens ages 18 to 24 some two months from now. To ensure a voice for Loyola students, a college-wide voting initiative will be taking place throughout September and October, right up until the election night in November.

Spearheading the initiative are student-body president Alex Hollis, '09, and Kat Kienle, '10, with Fr. Jack Dennis serving in an advisory role. Hollis and Kienle hope to register roughly 1,500 students, in addition to anywhere between 200 and 250 faculty; the overall goal, though, demands that all 1,500 newly-registered students vote as well. Said Kienle, "We can disagree on so many things, but we can't disagree on the privilege of voting."

A push for some sort of voting initiative on Loyola's campus began late last April, when Dennis approached Hollis about implementing a voter drive for the fall semester. The senior-year Student Government Association (or SGA) president was already seriously considering such a drive; said Hollis, "It's the most important election of our lifetimes so far, and to not have a voice in it would be sad." Kienle jumped on board after asking Hollis whether SGA would be sponsoring a voter registration drive in the fall. Following some initial logistical meetings, the team of three sought to make their idea a reality.

"It was very important for me as a citizen and as a Jesuit priest to have voting made easy," Dennis said.

Utilizing their summer stay on Loyola's campus, Hollis and Kienle worked furiously, establishing the necessary foundations for Loyola's voter drive. The duo spoke with the voter registration boards of the top 15 states from which students hail to acquire the essential information regarding registration in each state and submitting absentee ballots. In addition, the team contacted the Admissions Department to find the break-down of Loyola students by state. As word of the voting initiative grew, more groups on campus became involved, including the International Awareness Association and the Center for Community Service and Justice, as well as a slew of administrators and faculty members.

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