(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University’s Sociology 301 Community Organization class of spring 2012 is pleased to announce a student-led voter registration drive. The effort is organized under the leadership of assistant professor of sociology Thomas Kersen in the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology and Kimberly Hilliard, director of JSU’s Center for University-Based Development. The class has also partnered with a community organization with a long history in West Jackson, the Sollie B. Norwood Masonic Lodge, located near campus on John R. Lynch Street.
JSU has approximately 2,000 students registered to vote at Precinct No. 49 on campus. The goals of the drive are to increase the number of student registered voters by at least 10 percent and to increase awareness regarding the importance of voting. These efforts will provide students with a deeper appreciation of the various facets of community organizing.
The project, “Unity within the Community,” consists of two main events: a weekly voter registration drive conducted Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Student Center through March 29, and a Voter Registration Rally and Forum at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Sollie B. Norwood Masonic Lodge. The rally will include a panel of student and young civic leaders, entertainment, and food.
Each student participating in the drive must earn at least 20 service-learning hours to report to JSU’s Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning.
For more information, call Thomas Kersen at 601-979-3040 or Kimberly Hilliard at 601-979-1058.