(MIAMI, FL) — Barry University was named a Voter Friendly Campus -- one of 258 campuses in 38 states and the District of Columbia, by Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education -- this week. The initiative recognizes institutions that have planned and implemented practices that encourage their students to register and vote in the 2022 elections and in coming years.
Barry has received this designation twice since the program began. The Voter Friendly Campus initiative aims to support colleges and universities in their efforts to help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process, every year and not just during years featuring federal elections. Barry was evaluated based on a written plan for how the university planned to register, educate and turnout student voters in the 2022 elections; how it facilitated voter engagement efforts on campus; and a final analysis of its efforts.
"We are honored to be recognized as a Voter Friendly Campus. Barry’s commitment to civic engagement goes beyond major election years, and we are proud of our continuous efforts to empower students with the information and tools they need to participate in the political process,” Barry University President Mike Allen said.
Barry's ongoing efforts to increase turnout among young voters and foster lifelong civic engagement for students have been very effective, even during non-presidential election years. As part of the university's effort to be designated a Voter Friendly Campus, Barry organized voter registration drives, educational events and workshops to promote civic engagement among its students.
"Civic engagement is essential for a thriving democracy, and it is crucial that our students have the opportunity to participate in the political process every year,” Barry Political Science Professor Sean Foreman said. “We are excited to continue engaging our students through future election cycles, ensuring that they are well-prepared to be active participants in our democracy."
The institutions designated as Voter Friendly Campuses represent a diverse range of colleges and universities serving over 3.5 million students.
About Barry University: As South Florida’s largest private Catholic institution of higher learning and as one of the leading universities in the nation for promoting social mobility, Barry University is preparing students for the future workforce by offering them more than 100 degree programs in a variety of disciplines and giving them the tools and real-world experience that transform concepts into impact. Barry's programs center on experiential and service learning, responding to market conditions and addressing critical societal needs. Barry graduates are socially conscious leaders in many industries and in their communities. Learn more at barry.edu
Media contact:
Kenny Ma
Barry University
Communications Director
pr@barry.edu | 305-775-8629