By Gabrielle Fitzgerald
A recent addition to the Billington Library attempts to spark student interest in politics and the government.
A few four-sided whiteboards are scattered through the library with political questions at the top; dry-erase markers are attached to the side and students are welcome to write their answer on the board.
“We really want people to be able to express how they really feel and to think about what they really believe,” said Judy Korn, manager, Library Access Services, “so every week or so we try to change the question, so they have something else to think about.”
“Not only is it important for a student to take classes for their major,” said Jason Kovac, executive director, Academic Initiatives, “but it’s also important for that student to be exposed to ideas and participate actively and think critically in conversations about what it means to live in a democracy.”
The whiteboards are part of a bigger project called the Democracy Commitment, an initiative specific to two-year schools.
“The goal of the Democracy Commitment is try to get students to understand that you’re not in a bubble,” Korn said. “That whatever happens out there impacts you and whatever you do, impacts those around you. In order to be a productive part of your community, you need to be involved.”
As part of the Democracy Commitment program, the college will be participating in a number of different events.
“We’ve tried to promote things that the college was already doing, kind of in keeping with the spirit of the Democracy Commitment, including the Supreme Court of Kansas visiting the college last semester,” Kovac said. “This year we’re going to have a naturalization ceremony on campus.”
The whiteboards, just a small part of a bigger picture, are designed to prepare students for their future.
“Young people are going to be in charge,” Korn said. “They really need to be able to think critically, to make good decisions, and to look at things from all different sides. It’s something they’re supposed to be learning in college.”
Contact Gabrielle Fitzgerald, features editor, at gfitzge1@jccc.edu.