The speeches. The pomp. The vote.
The winner of
the 2012 presidential election will be decided Saturday, Oct. 20, as area high
school students converge on the University of Houston to examine the process of
electing a president and, later, vote on the candidates themselves.
It’s the “Election 2012 Conference” sponsored by the UH Hobby Center for Public Policy (HCPP) and the Junior State of America. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Graduate College of Social Work (room 101 and 102) and the Science and Engineering Classroom buildings (rooms 203 and 204).
“Political seasons are filled with information and slick sound bites,” said HCPP associate director Renée Cross. “This conference will encourage students to look beyond the headlines and understand campaigns and elections to become better informed citizens.”
The day-long conference will include an overview of the current presidential election, analysis of candidates’ issues and discussions of policy ramifications of campaign promises. Students also will engage in debates concerning controversial campaign issues, such as immigration, the Keystone Pipeline, Medicaid vouchers, civil unions and gun control. Students also will develop policy resolutions, campaign for and then vote for the candidate of their choice.
“I am ecstatic for the one day conference in Houston,” said Griffin Rubin, governor of the Texas Junior State and a conference planner. “The election races will be headed into the final three weeks, so the debates and discussions will be captivating.
The Junior State of America has provided civics education and leadership programs for more than 80 years and is the largest student-run organization in the U.S.
Established in 1981, the Hobby Center for Public Policy serves the Houston community as an impartial research organization within the UH College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
For more information, visit http://events.jsa.org/events/index.php?com=det
WHAT: “Election 2012 Conference”
WHO: UH Hobby Center for Public Policy and the Junior State of America
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20
WHERE: UH Graduate College of Social Work and Science and Engineering Classroom buildings
For building map, visit http://www.uh.edu/wtsc_apps/uh_maps/