Community Engagement News

Former congresswoman reminds students to help elect leaders who will prioritize public safety

David Ovalle, a reporter at the Miami Herald, and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former congresswoman, participated in the Constitution Day event.

Effective gun safety laws and gun violence prevention programs are needed urgently, a former legislator has told a campus audience.

“We need to stop the gun violence we’re seeing on our streets,” declared Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. “We need to support law enforcement … and also invest in mental health as part of a comprehensive approach.”

Mucarsel-Powell, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives, was one of the speakers at a Constitution Day celebration on September 16. The gathering of students, faculty, and staff discussed the Second Amendment and need for gun control policies.

“We need to invest in community violence prevention programs,” added Mucarsel-Powell, a senior adviser at Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords.

The former Democratic lawmaker, whose father died at the hands of a gunman, noted that some 450 gun-safety laws have been passed at the state level. She said “stand-your-ground” laws are dangerous and should therefore be repealed.

David Ovalle, a reporter at the Miami Herald, also participated in the event, which took place in the Landon Student Union on Barry’s main campus. He shared his perspective on gun violence and mentioned the need for appropriate legislation.

Ovalle, who covers courts and crime for the newspaper, criticized Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. He pointed out that the law eliminated a person’s “duty to retreat” rather than resort to the use of deadly force if attacked outside the home.

Mucarsel-Powell called for “commonsense gun safety laws, including universal background checks.” She said gun owners should act responsibly by storing firearms safely—and “that’s not infringing on anybody’s right,” she emphasized.

Reminding students about “the power we have in our voice, in our vote,” she urged them to help elect leaders who will listen to their constituents, prioritize public safety, and protect children’s lives.

Both Mucarsel-Powell, who participated virtually, and Ovalle, who came to campus, fielded questions from students and faculty members. Dr. Sean Foreman, professor of political science and co-chair of the Campus Democracy Project Committee, moderated the Q and A.

Constitution Day is an American federal observance of the adoption of the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment to the Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Dozens of Barry Volunteers Participate in Coastal Cleanup Day at Virginia Key

September 17 was International Coastal Cleanup Day. More than 60 Barry volunteers participated in a large-scale project at the Virginia Key Beach Park, contributing to ocean health.

The volunteers—students, faculty, and staff members—removed bottle caps, cigarette butts, water and beverage bottles, and other litter from the park and the shoreline.

Among the 64 volunteers were Barry Service Corps Fellows Herve Jean-Baptiste, Virginia Rivas, Najaz’ Williams, Joseline Bucumi, Yolissa Graham-Richardson, Jocelyn Flores, and Valentine Thomas, who served as facilitators.

International Coastal Cleanup Day was the first major day of service for this academic year.

Four Forums Scheduled as Part of Barry’s Campus Democracy Project

The first forum will take place during National Voter Education Week, organized as part of the Campus Democracy Project. An Update from the Village of Miami Shores is scheduled for March.

Four forums have been scheduled as part of Barry’s Campus Democracy Project (CDP)—one for this semester and three for the spring of 2023.

The Florida 2022 Ballot Forum will take place during National Voter Education Week, on October 5, in the Events Room of the Landon Student Union, from 3 to 4 p.m.

The first of two Legislative Forums has been scheduled for January 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The topic is “What to Expect in the 2023 Florida Legislative Session.”

The second Legislative Forum is set for March 22, also from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., when the focus will be on an update from the Village of Miami Shores. Mayor Sandra Harris and Village Manager Esmond Scott will be invited to participate.

On April 19, a Democracy Forum will engage participants in a discussion on “Preparing for the Future: Getting Ready for the 2024 Elections.” The two-hour event is scheduled to begin at noon.

CDP leaders are encouraging students, faculty, staff, and alumni to attend those forums as well as a forum in the Deliberative Dialogue Series in February. The topic for the forum on February 9 is “Race Talk in Florida: Bridging the Political Divide.” That 90-minute event is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

The first major CDP-related event for the academic year was a Constitution Day celebration on September 16.

The CDP is a civic learning and democratic engagement project under the aegis of the CCSI. A university-wide committee of students, faculty, and staff members organizes project activities throughout the academic year.

Newly Registered Community Partner Aims to “Build Strong Families”

The CCSI has registered another nonprofit organization as a Barry community partner. Teen Upward Bound aims to “Build Strong Families” while educating youth to reach their highest potential.

Founded, in 1999, Teen Upward Bound serves disadvantaged youth from Opa-Locka and surrounding communities. The nonprofit has provided afterschool/summer activities since 2001.

Teen Upward Bound manages a Youth Enrichment Camp as an afterschool program focused on the improvement of student learning and achievement in reading, science, technology, and mathematics.

Barry volunteers may “tutor and inspire disadvantaged K–5 kids” served by Teen Upward Bound. The details of this opportunity have been posted on GivePulse.

Barry’s Newman Civic Fellow to Attend National Conference in Boston

Undergraduate Amanda Gonzalez Garcia, Barry’s Newman Civic Fellow, will attend a national conference in Boston next month.

Campus Compact will host the conference on October 28, at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the US Senate, and October 29, at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.

A first-generation college student, Gonzalez Garcia founded Hunger to Action, a group dedicated to combatting hunger and food insecurity, and has volunteered for special antihunger projects. 

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a year-long program that recognizes and supports “student public problem solvers” at Campus Compact member institutions. Fellows are nominated by the college/university president or chancellor based on their potential for public leadership and their work with communities.

Throughout the fellowship year, Campus Compact provides students with “opportunities to nurture their assets and help them develop strategies for social change—creating a network of connected and engaged student leaders who can support one another in making positive change.”

For information on Federal Work-Study Community Service, contact Emmanuel Ikpuri, program facilitator, via email at bsc@barry.edu.

SERVICE-LEARNING MODULES: Students have been registering via GivePulse for the orientation component of the service-learning modules.

DELIBERATIVE DIALOGUE: The first forum in this year’s Deliberative Dialogue Series examined the current situation in Haiti and considered opportunities to assist the island nation.