BC to Host Civic Engagement Events to Educate, Engage and Enrich Student, Community Understanding of Key Florida Issues

Civic engagement events to coincide with 2014 Florida Gubernatorial Debate held at Broward College

 
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (September 3, 2014) – Broward College will host a series of civic engagement events from Wednesday, September 3 to Tuesday, October 28, titled “Educate, Engage, Enrich Florida,” at the College’s various campuses. The events coincide with the Florida gubernatorial debate, which will take place on Wednesday, October 15 at Broward College’s Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie.       

“Educate, Engage, Enrich”  aims to enhance the involvement of students and community members in the political process; facilitate and encourage voter registration; increase students and community understanding of important issues related to the election and South Florida; and foster an appreciation of the electoral process. The events, which are free and open to the public, will focus on various topics, including education, healthcare, environmental politics, energy policy, equity and women’s rights issues.         

Some of the highlighted civic engagement events include:

2014 Florida Gubernatorial Debate Lecture Series at North Campus

Education in Politics
Wednesday, September 3, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Broward College North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46, Room 152

Join Mary Jean Woika, Broward College professor of education, and Michele Cabrera, director of the Broward College Laboratory School, for a discussion highlighting the place of education in today’s politics. For more information, contact Amy Cruz at 954-201-2385 or acruz2@broward.edu, or Michelle Jackson at mjackso3@broward.edu.

Healthcare
Monday, September 8, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46, Room 152

Robert Levy of Robert M. Levy and Associates will discuss how major health care political issues will affect Floridians. For more information, contact Amy Cruz at 954-201-2385 or acruz2@broward.edu, or Michelle Jackson at mjackso3@broward.edu.

Florida’s Environmental Politics
Thursday, September 18, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46, Room 152
Irela M. Bagué, president of the Bagué Group, will review the environmental records of both candidates, and discuss the pros and cons of the Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative, Amendment 1. For more information, contact Amy Cruz at 954-201-2385 or acruz2@broward.edu, or Michelle Jackson at mjackso3@broward.edu.

Equity: A Discussion About Marriage
Thursday, October 2, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46, Room 152
This presentation will challenge attendees to critically think about the term “equity” within the context of marriage.  Specifically, marriage equality will be discussed through a legal prism with a comprehensive analysis omitting the subconscious influence of organized religion.  For more information, contact Amy Cruz at 954-201-2385 or acruz2@broward.edu, or Michelle Jackson at mjackso3@broward.edu.

Women’s Rights

Tuesday, October 28, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46, Room 152

It has been 94 years since the 19^th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote. This lecture will explore just how much changed in the 94 years since women were granted equal rights. For more information, contact Amy Cruz at 954-201-2385 or acruz2@broward.edu, or Michelle Jackson at mjackso3@broward.edu.

Environment and Energy Policy

Thursday, October 16, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46, Room 152

Tony De Lia, professor of natural science at Broward College, will facilitate a spirited discussion and demonstration on the environment and Florida’s energy policy. For more information, contact Amy Cruz at 954-201-2385 or acruz2@broward.edu, or Michelle Jackson at mjackso3@broward.edu.

2014 Florida Gubernatorial Debate Lecture Series at Central Campus

Citizenship, Globalization and Political Literacy

Thursday, September 4, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

1. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 S.W. Davie Road, Davie, Building 17, Room 425
   Kevin Walsh, history and political science professor at Broward College, will lead a discussion on citizenship, globalization, the public good and theories of political literacy. For more information, contact Rowena Hernandez Muzquiz at 954-201-6630 or hernan7@broward.edu.

The Constitution and the Importance of Voting

Thursday, September 11, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

1. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie, Building 17, Room 425

Brenda C. Snipes, Broward County Supervisor of Elections, will speak about the Constitution and the importance of voting. For more information, contact Rowena Hernandez Muzquiz at 954-201-6630 or hernan7@broward.edu.

Healthcare and Politics        

Thursday, September 18, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

1. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie, Building 17, Room 425

Douglas Harrison, South Broward Hospital District Board, will discuss healthcare policy and its role in politics. For more information, contact Rowena Hernandez Muzquiz at 954-201-6630 or hernan7@broward.edu.

Understanding Politics at the Local Level

Thursday, September 25, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

1. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie, Building 17, Room 425

Tom Green, vice mayor of Wilton Manors, discusses how politics work at the local level. For more information, contact Rowena Hernandez Muzquiz at, hernan7@broward.edu or 954-201-6630.

Important Tools for Citizens to Participate in a Society’s Government
Thursday, October 2, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie, Building 17, Room 425
Victoria Brower, a Broward College professor of local, state and national government, will speak about the important tools needed for citizens to participate in a society’s government. For more information, contact Rowena Hernandez Muzquiz at 954-201-6630 or hernan7@broward.edu.

A Post-Debate Discussion with Stephanie Rivera
Thursday October 16, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie, Building 17, Room 425
Stephanie Rivera, U.S. Senate intern and Broward College alumna, will host a post-debate discussion. For more information, contact Rowena Hernandez Muzquiz at 954-201-6630 or hernan7@broward.edu.

Constitution Day Events
Constitution Day
Wednesday, September 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie, Building 19
Central Campus Student Government will be showcasing a table with information on the constitution, handing out free constitutions, and hearing from students as they write their comments and ideas about the Central Campus "Bill of Rights." For more information, contact Student Government at 954-201-6846 or csg@broward.edu.

Constitution Day
Wednesday, September 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Willis Holcombe Downtown Center, 111 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Building 33, Room 221.
The Florida Constitution will be displayed at Broward College’s Willis Holcombe Center. Attendees can participate in a gubernatorial candidate trivia contest for a chance to win prizes using FactCheck.org as authority. For more information, contact Sue Hawk at 954-201-7377 or shawk@broward.edu.

Constitution Day
Wednesday, September 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Judson A. Samuels South Campus, 7200 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, Building 68, Room 191
Student life will host Benjamin Franklin in the Student Activity Center and play “Constitution Trivia” with students. Students can win Student Life apparel and take a photo to commemorate the event. Free pocket constitutions will be provided to all students who visit. For more information, contact Jared White at 954-201-8997 or jwhite@broward.edu.

Constitution Day
Wednesday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46
Student Government will facilitate a question and answer quiz event related to the constitution and political candidates. The constitution will be available to look at by any students interested, and limited copies will be available for students to take home as prizes. For more information, contact Joseph Pickering at jpickeri@broward.edu, or Leo DeAraujo at 954-201-2325 or ldearauj@broward.edu.

Mock Debate
Shadow Debate
Tuesday, October 14, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie
Students from Broward College’s speech and debate team will participate in a live mock debate at the Broward College Television Studios at Central Campus, which will also be streamed online. The debate will be in a team format, with two groups representing the candidates. Manny Munoz, co-host and executive producer for South Florida's First News with Jimmy Cefalo on News Radio 610 WIOD, will moderate the debate and questions will come from a studio as well as online audience. For more information, contact Greg Barnes at 954-201-6672 or gbarnes@broward.edu.

Other Events
Candy Crowley, CNN, Lecture
Friday, October 10, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus, 3501 Davie Road, Davie, Bailey Hall, Building 4
CNN’s Chief Political Correspondent and Anchor of “State of the Nation” Candy Crowley will address students and invited guests on the importance of debates in American politics. For more information, contact Eric Kerchner at 954-201-6306 ekerchne@broward.edu.

The Art of Debate
Wednesday, October 8, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46, Room 152
Join Student Life and the Communication Department as they discuss and demonstrate the art of debating and its history. For more information, contact Amy Cruz at 954-201-2385 or acruz2@broward.edu, or Michelle Jackson at mjackso3@broward.edu.

Getting Politically Creative: An Academic Showcase
Tuesday, October 21 through Thursday, October 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Building 46, Room 152
Broward College’s North Campus will showcase student produced artwork, theatrical movements and other creative media, focusing on today’s political issues. For more information, contact Amy Cruz at 954-201-2385 or acruz2@broward.edu or Michelle Jackson at mjackso3@broward.edu.

For a complete list of “Educate, Engage, Enrich Florida” events, voter registration drives and debate watch parties, visit www.nextflgov.com.