The Daily Beacon

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Issue 27, Volume 121

Friday, September 28, 2012

Students encouraged to cast votes Samantha Smoak Contributer

Emily DeLanzo Managing Editor Students aren’t always known for their best decisions. Most decisions revolve around bar-hopping, football game bets and whether or not to go to class. This year students have the potential to decide the future of America by voting in the national election. Most students understand the importance of civic responsibility. “I believe that it is my responsibility to vote and put my voice out there and show that I care about what happens to this country,” said Katherine Cahill, junior in English. “We’re learning how to be adults right now and (voting) is an adult responsibility.” Being on a college campus accelerates the growingup process. Voting is a key role to displaying maturity and obligations to America. “It’s a big step in showing that we don’t just care about us but about what happens to the world around us,” Cahill said. Many students share Cahill’s views but are still frustrated with the voting system. “Generally speaking, (it’s) really important. But I have grown to resent politics at the national scale,” said Nathan Johnston, senior in journalism and electronic media. Johnston is also the former president of

the Tennessee Speech and Debate Society and the current coach and tournament director. According to the U.S. Census, approximately 23 million citizens under the age of 30 voted in the 2008 presidential election, which is a considerably higher amount than elections past. Young people have an opportunity to make a difference at the country, state and local levels. Kasey Piarrot, a judge for the Tennessee Speech and Debate Society, stresses the importance of the student vote. “We, as a group, need to take initiative to take care of ourselves,” said Piarrot. “We need to start helping the decision making in our country instead of talking about what shoes to buy.” Young people have an obligation to act in the best interest of their country. “The change needs to happen sooner (rather) than later or they’ll most likely never learn and never change,” said Piarrot. In order to fulfill their civic duties, students must register to vote. Many students who want to vote are too far away from home to vote on Election Day or participate in early voting. “I’ve never done absentee voting, and I never really considered it,” Kristen Sales, undecided sophomore, said. Sales is not alone. Many students who have considered absentee voting have no idea how the process

Around Rocky Top

Fair provides opportunities RJ Vogt News Editor Over thirty study abroad programs offered students information and free giveaways at Wednesday’s Study Abroad Fair. Cody Young, junior in American studies, was impressed with the event. “It’s fairly intriguing, I really enjoyed the variety that they had here,” he said, adding, “I do enjoy some quality swag.” Although not every student walked away with a free stress ball or rain jacket, many of the participants had the opportunity to examine all the opportunities UT has to offer. Lauren Kelley, manning the booth for Global LEAD, explained the benefits of her program. “We focus on leadership, service and adventure. It’s very much outside the classroom, outside the box,” she said. With programs in Ecuador, Greece and South Africa, Global LEAD gives students a chance to gain six hours of upper division electives by working in a community. “One of our lessons is application is everything. When you get back to your school and your community we want you to be able to give back,” Kelley said. Global LEAD’s focus on adventure is also a big selling point for some students. Emma Lafoy, junior in kinesiology, went to Greece last year with the program. She explained the diverse learning style. “For me, the best part of Global LEAD was that it was the perfect combination of service, learning and adventure,” Lafoy said. “You weren’t just going and sitting in a classroom and learning, or you weren’t just going and serving others. You were serving at the

works or where to start. Several websites are available to aid students in registering for absentee voting. Clubs and groups on campus are also hosting voter registration drives to help students prepare for November 6. Lisa Dicker, junior in political science and Asian studies and a student intern for the Baker Center and a Baker Ambassador, encourages students to utilize available resources for registering to vote. “(The Baker Center) will be having many locations on campus this year assisting students with registration,” said Dicker. “For instance, a table will be set up in Hodges Library between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day between now and Oct. 5th.” Registration drives help make “the process quick and simple,” continued Dicker, saying that the Baker Center will send in completed forms. Registering to vote is one of the most important freedoms Americans possess. In order to participate in the democratic process, make sure to register to vote. Whether it’s through absentee voting, early voting or going home to participate in Election Day, make your vote count. Students can also register at their local DMV, armed forces recruitment center or post office. Websites available for registration include http://www.fvap.gov and https://turbovote.org/register. The deadline for Tennessee voter registration is Monday, Oct. 8.

same time you were taking classes at the same time you were bungee jumping.” The program lasts for five weeks and costs between $4,500-6,000, but there are plenty of scholarship opportunities available. They were offering a random $1,000 scholarship to be chosen from the students who wrote down their email addresses. Semester at Sea was another studyabroad program represented at the fair. The program provides students class credits while cruising around the globe. James Fealey, the assistant director of admission for the non-profit organization, described the voyage. “Basically we don’t go to one country, we go to notable countries,” he said, in a Scottish accent that reinforced the authenticity of his foreign experiences. With transferrable credits from the University of Virginia, which sponsors the program, Semester at Sea represents the higher end of the pricing spectrum. For $23,000-30,000 in the spring and fall, or $13,000-16,000 in the summer, students can sail around to Europe, Asia or South America. Like Global LEAD, Semester at Sea offers financial aid, giving away $4 million in scholarships. They also accept scholarships from outside organizations. Young felt that studying abroad, though perhaps not vital to an undergraduate student, is an experience worth pursuing. “I wouldn’t say that it’s necessary, but I think it’s a very good cultural experience that…everyone should take in once in their lives,” he said. “And what better time than in college?” For more information on studying abroad, please visit http://studyabroad.utk.edu.

Brandon Crawford • The Daily Beacon

Members of the Vols Swim Club practice at the Student Aquatic Center.

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