State universities, colleges pledge to promote civic values

Topeka ? Sixteen Kansas colleges, including Kansas University, on Wednesday signed onto a nationwide compact of higher education institutions that promise to emphasize civic values among students.

“I’m a very strong believer that democracy is not a spectator sport. We need to have engaged citizens,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said at the Capitol ceremony.

Sebelius said Kansas had a tradition of strong politics and civic involvement.

“We Kansans recognize that community and community values are our strength. Public service is a commodity that is regarded in great honor in this state,” she said.

The Campus Compact was founded in 1985 by the presidents of Brown, Georgetown and Stanford universities, and the president of the Education Commission of the States. It has been signed by more than 900 college leaders.

The group vows to enhance citizenship and make community service activities a crucial element of the college experience.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway said, “Civic literacy is one of the challenges that I think Kansas University really needs to step up to.

“What I would like to see, is if you are known as a KU graduate, you are known as someone who is an active participant in the democratic process.”

¢Campus Compact

He said a lot of the functions of the Dole Institute of Politics on west campus would deal with the issue of civic involvement.

Elizabeth Hollander, executive director of Campus Compact, said, “We need to instill the habits of citizenship in every new generation. We have to vote, we have to make decisions and students need to learn that.”

Kansas members of the compact are KU, Allen County Community College, Baker University, Cloud County Community College, Fort Hays State University, Fort Scott Community College, Garden City Community College, Highland Community College, Hutchinson Community College, Independence Community College, Johnson County Community College, Kansas State University, Labette Community College, Seward County Community College, Southwestern College, and University of Saint Mary.