Happy October from the Provost’s Teaching Fellows!
This month’s Teaching Tips revolve around the upcoming election and supporting civic engagement within your classroom during this unique season. Many of our students will be voting for the first time and may benefit from information and reminders of how to participate. With this in mind, we have curated the following tips for supporting your students during this time:
- Remind your students that early voting exists and starts on October 21! Encourage your students to think about their schedule and to consider voting early. Many first-time voters forget that early voting is an option and are dismayed by long lines on election day. Consistent and repeated reminders about early voting availability are a great way to support your students.
- Inform your students that only voters registered in Travis County can vote on campus. First-time voters are often surprised to find they cannot vote on campus because they are registered in a different county. US based students can use this link to check their status and approved polling location. Remind students who are not registered locally to consider their options for vote by mail (if available).
- Offer this website as a way for local students to locate polling locations. The on-campus polling locations have changed due to construction in the FAC. The Texas Union and LBJ School will house on-campus polling this election cycle.
- Remember that not all students can vote. During contentious election seasons, students who are unable to vote encounter various emotions. Offer the TX Votes student organization as a (non-partisan) opportunity to get involved with civics on campus.
- Provide a safe space. Voting and elections can impact student well-being. Provide a safe space for your students to express their concerns about their futures and acknowledge their emotions. Encourage your students to be thoughtful, to assume positive intent from their peers, and to engage with each other compassionately.
Additionally, the Center for Teaching and Learning is creating an additional resource, Strategies for Promoting Student and Instructor Wellness During Election Seasons, that you can use for this purpose. The guide will be a featured resource on the CTL website in the coming weeks.
We hope these tips are helpful as you consider how to support civic engagement for our students!
Hook ‘em!
