02
March
2020
|
13:20 PM
America/Chicago

President's One Main Message: Election Day

Tomorrow is Election Day. If you have not already cast your ballot during early voting, I encourage you to take time to do so before the polls close.

As a reminder, UHD faculty and staff members are eligible for Voting Leave. Please consult managers and supervisors for additional details. Registered voters should also remember that ballots can be cast at more than 350 polling locations throughout the county. One of the closest polling stations to campus is at 1019 Congress Avenue (the destination of last week’s Walk2Vote).

During election season, the level of civic engagement on campus is quite impressive. A number of faculty, staff and students are routinely involved in events that promote participation in the electoral process.

This edition of the One Main Message will spotlight last week’s Walk2Vote and Candidate Meet & Greet events. Both are twice-a-year traditions at UHD that have served as models for civic engagement on other college campuses.

I am proud that UHD continues to inspire Houstonians to exercise their right to vote. Likewise, it is gratifying to witness the number of external supporters and candidates who visit our campus to discuss issues affecting our community and nation.

Candidate Meet & Greet
UHD’s Center for Public Deliberation facilitated an excellent exchange of ideas and information during last week’s Candidate Meet & Greet. The event brought dozens of candidates vying for local, state and U.S. offices to our campus for civil dialogue on important topics. I was pleased to see a solid turnout for this event and was particularly impressed by the number of candidates who participated. The Meet & Greet connected these candidates with both constituents and peers. According to Dr. Windy Lawrence, director of the Center for Public Deliberation, one candidate explained how the event provided opportunities for elected officials (and those running for public office) to align their goals and create prospective partnerships aimed at strengthening our communities.

Walk2Vote
Once again, UHD’s Student Government Association organized a procession to the polls during Walk2Vote (scheduled immediately following the Meet & Greet event). Local leaders, including Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, were on hand to lend their support to this event. I commend our student leaders for their enthusiasm and for continuing this tradition of encouraging their fellow Gators (and local community members) to vote.

 

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.