Community Engagement News

Posted On : October 29, 2018
Community Engagement News

October 29, 2018

In This Issue:

 

Experts Explain 12 Proposed Constitutional Amendments on Florida’s Ballot

Donations for Hurricane Michael Relief to be Submitted by Wednesday

Romano Receives Award from National College Resources Foundation

Next Deliberative Dialogue Forum Draws Attention to U.S. Hunger Policy

Faculty Urged to Submit Proposals for Community-Based Research Incentives

Faculty Learning Community for Engaged Scholarship Meets Today

Applications for Alternative Spring Break Trips Still Being Accepted

The Fund for American Studies Offering Programs in Washington, DC

Miami-Dade Special Olympics Seeking Volunteers for Basketball Events

 

Experts Explain 12 Proposed Constitutional Amendments on Florida’s Ballot

 

A dozen proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution are on the November 6 ballot. They cover such issues as voting restoration for former felons, offshore oil and gas drilling, and dog racing.

 

The Florida Ballot Forum held on campus recently provided answers to questions regarding what is proposed and what it really means. As part of Barry’s Campus Democracy Project (CDP), the “know-before-you-go” event also shed light on the voting process and emphasized the importance of voter participation.

 

The key takeaway: Your vote matters, so “go vote.”

 

The CDP Committee invited representatives of the League of Women Voters and the Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) to talk with students, faculty, and staff about the November 6 ballot and to answer related questions.

 

Marisol Zentano, president of the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County, outlined the proposed constitutional amendments. Assisted by Ashley Griffith of the same organization, Zentano also explained where the League of Women Voters of Florida stood on each proposed amendment.

 

Zentano and Griffith said the statewide organization opposes Amendments 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 10 and supports Amendments 3, 4, 9, and 13. The organization has not taken a position on Amendments 11 and 12.

 

They also noted that Amendment 8, related to charter schools and term limits for school board members, was removed from the ballot. The Florida Supreme Court struck that proposed amendment.

 

Also on the ballot, Zentano said, are one U.S. Senate seat, all U.S. House of Representatives seats, the Governor and Cabinet seats, seats for the State Senate and House of Representatives, and local (county and/or municipal) seats.

 

Regarded as nonpartisan, the League of Women Voters “encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.”

 

Monica Matteo-Salinas, the Florida director of CEEP, emphasized the importance of voting. She urged everyone to “go vote.”

 

“Your vote is your voice,” she said. “It counts; it matters.”

 

Proposed Amendments to Florida Constitution

Amendment 1 – Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption: Grants an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for homes valued at over $125,000. Owners of homes worth more than $100,000 would also receive an increase in their exemption.

Amendment 2 – Limitations on Property Tax Assessments: Makes permanent what currently is a temporary cap of 10 percent on annual property value increases for vacation homes, apartments, and commercial property, effectively limiting increases on tax bills.

Amendment 3 – Voter Control of Gambling in Florida: Requires approval of any new casino gambling through a citizen-initiative constitutional amendment, effectively barring the legislature from making those gambling decisions by passing laws.

Amendment 4 – Voting Restoration Amendment: Would restore the eligibility to vote to persons with felony convictions who have completed their sentences.

Amendment 5 – Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees: Requires a two-thirds vote of the legislature to approve any new or increased taxes or fees, rather than a simple majority.

Amendment 6 – Rights of Crime Victims; Judges: Vastly expands the scope of victims rights under the state constitution; increases the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75; forces courts and judges to interpret laws and rules for themselves rather than rely on interpretations by government agencies.

Amendment 7 – First Responder and Military Member Survival Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities: Creates a supermajority requirement for universities to impose new or increase existing student fees; enshrines in the constitution guidelines for the state college system; mandates that employers or the state pay a death benefit to first responders and members of the military killed in the line of duty.

Amendment 9 – Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workspaces: Prohibits oil drilling beneath waters controlled by Florida; prohibits the use of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, at indoor workplaces.

Amendment 10 – State and Local Government Structure and Operation: Requires the legislature to hold its session in early January on even-numbered years; creates an Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; mandates the existence of a state Department of Veterans Affairs; forces all counties to elect a sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections and clerk of circuit court.

Amendment 11 – Property Rights; removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes: Repeals the state’s ability to prohibit non-citizens from buying, owning, and selling property; deletes a provision that forces the state to prosecute criminal suspects under the law they were originally charged under, even if the legislature changes that law; deletes obsolete language having to do with high-speed rail in Florida.

Amendment 12 – Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers: Expands ethics rules for elected officials and government employees, notably by expanding from two to six years the time that many officials would have to wait before they could lobby state government.

Amendment 13 – Dog Racing: Bans wagering on any type of dog racing, notably greyhounds, as of Dec. 31, 2020, while continuing to allow dog tracks to continue offering other types of gambling, including poker rooms.

 

Dr. Jalane Meloun, a professor in Barry’s School of Professional and Career Education (PACE), shared detailed information on the voting process. She drew on her expertise as a field supervisor for the Broward County Supervisor of Elections as she outlined how the process works.

 

Dr. Sean Foreman, professor of political science and a former CDP co-chair, moderated the forum.

 

Here’s a link to the livestreamed Florida Ballot Forum: <http://barrylive.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/693878932a5f4625b870bab839b953831d>.

 

The CDP Committee – which includes student members leading an initiative called Bucs Vote – organized the Florida Ballot Forum, which took place on October 18. The committee met earlier this month in the Center for Community Service Initiatives to finalize arrangements for the forum and to discuss other election-related events.

 

Members of the CDP Committee attending the meeting included Mona Burrows (Campus Election Engagement Project), Dr. Paula Dias (Office of Mission Engagement), Savrae Garnett (Office of Student Life), Mateo Gomez (Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida), Dr. Jalane Meloun (School of Professional and Career Education), Dr. Sheila McMahon (School of Social Work), Jasmine McKee (Up to Us Net Impact), Isaly Ortiz (Barry University College Democrats), Larry Perez (Office of Student Life), Antonio Rodriguez (Florida College Democrats), and Judisha Williams (Housing and Residence Life).

 

The CDP Committee coordinates a nonpartisan initiative, promoting civic learning and democratic engagement through get-out-the-vote activities, including voter registration, education, and mobilization.


 

Donations for Hurricane Michael Relief to be Submitted by Wednesday

 

Donations to the Hurricane Michael Disaster Relief Drive should be submitted by this Wednesday morning (Oct. 31). Students, faculty, and staff are urged to support this effort to assist people affected by the recent hurricane.

 

Donations being sought are personal hygiene items, diapers for adults and babies, cleaning supplies, pop-top canned meals, peanut butter, cereal, and instant soup mixes. Collection boxes are located in the Landon Student Union and Thompson Hall.

 

The donations will be delivered to Miami Shores Village, the organizer of the Hurricane Michael Disaster Relief Drive. Items donated will be turned over to Feeding South Florida, the domestic hunger-relief organization.

 

Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on October 10. One of the most intense hurricanes to hit the United States, Michael brought sustained winds of 155 mph when it crashed ashore near Mexico Beach in Bay County. The Category 4 hurricane caused at least 19 deaths in Florida as it leveled buildings and other structures, flooded streets, and left a trail of destruction.

 

 

Romano Receives Award from National College Resources Foundation

 

Dr. Victor Romano, associate vice provost for student success and undergraduate studies, has received the Community Soldier Award from the National College Resources Foundation.

 

The awarded is presented to individuals described as “a community soldier on the ground providing the next generation the tools and heart necessary to move forward.” Such individuals “help this next group of students capture their goals and see a brighter future.”

 

Dr. Theresa Price, founder of the National College Resources Foundation, presented the award to Romano at the Miami College Expo Leadership Breakfast on October 19.

 

The National College Resources Foundation is an educational enhancement agency whose mission is to curtail the high school dropout rate and increase degree and/or certificate enrollment among underserved and underrepresented students.

 

Barry University hosted the 2nd annual Miami College Expo on October 20.

 

 

Next Deliberative Dialogue Forum Draws Attention to U.S. Hunger Policy

 

Hunger is a social issue affecting about one in seven persons in the United States. Many concerned citizens seek to alleviate hunger through charity and other short-term measures. Some insist it is the duty of the government to identify comprehensive, long-term solutions to hunger and food insecurity.

 

The next forum in this academic year’s Deliberative Dialogue Series will focus on U.S. hunger policy.

 

Titled “Hunger Policy in America and the Politics of Nutrition Assistance,” the 90-minute forum will be held next Tuesday (Oct. 30) in the Andreas 112 conference room, beginning at 4 p.m.

 

The CCSI organizes the Deliberative Dialogue Series as an approach to civic learning and engagement. The series brings together campus and community stakeholders to weigh perspectives on current social issues of shared concern and to work toward practical solutions.

 

For further information on the upcoming forum, contact the CCSI at service@barry.edu or 305-899-3696.

 

 

Faculty Urged to Submit Proposals for Community-Based Research Incentives

 

The Center for Community Service Initiatives is urging faculty members to submit proposals for community-based research incentives.

 

The CCSI awards CBR incentives through a competitive process to full-time faculty members who teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses. Up to three CBR awards are available each year. Applicants may request $500–$1,000.

 

CBR proposals may be submitted to the CCSI at any time this semester.

 

A document with a detailed description of the Community-Based Research Incentive Program, the application form, and the rubric used by the Review Committee for assessing applications are available in CEMS – the Community Engagement Management System.

 

 

Faculty Learning Community for Engaged Scholarship Meets Today

 

The Faculty Learning Community for Engaged Scholarship will hold a meeting today (Monday, Oct. 29) from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. The CCSI will host the meeting in Adrian Hall, Room 208.

 

All FLC members and prospective members are urged to attend the meeting.

 

 

Applications for Alternative Spring Break Trips Still Being Accepted

 

The Alternative Breaks executive board is still accepting student applications for participation in Alternative Spring Break 2019.

 

Trips are being planned for Port-de-Paix, Haiti; McAllen, Texas; Tallahassee, Florida – Montgomery, Alabama; and Immokalee, Florida, during the university’s spring break, March 2–9.

 

Alternative Breaks provides students with community-based immersion experiences designed to build awareness of social, political, and environmental issues through learning, reflection, and service that benefits diverse populations.

 

Applications should be submitted by this Friday, November 2. For further information, contact the Center for Community Service Initiatives at service@barry.edu or 305-899-3696.

 

 

The Fund for American Studies Offering Programs in Washington, DC

 

Applications for spring and summer 2019 academic internship programs hosted by The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) in Washington, DC, are being accepted.

 

All programs include guaranteed internships placements, academic credit from George Mason University, and furnished housing in downtown Washington, as well as opportunities for networking and professional development. These opportunities are good for students who are interested in becoming nonprofit and community leaders and who are passionate about making a positive and lasting impact on their communities.

 

TFAS offers programs focused on international affairs, public policy and economics, journalism and communications, and leadership and the American presidency.

 

Through its new Leadership Scholars Program, TFAS will provide at least 40 full scholarships for top students to participate in the summer program. For more information on this program, visit www.DCinternships.org/LSP.

 

Additional information on all TFAS programs may be found at www.DCinternships.org. Kayla Anderson, program manager of The Fund for American Studies, will answer questions. She may be reached at kanderson@tfas.org or 202-986-0384.

 

 

Miami-Dade Special Olympics Seeking Volunteers for Basketball Events

 

Special Olympics Florida–Miami-Dade County is looking for volunteers for basketball events in November and December.

 

County basketball games are scheduled for Nov. 20, 22, and 26 and Dec. 4 and 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at various high schools. Volunteers are needed to help with setup, registration, escorting athletes to their station, scoring, and other activities.

 

In addition, Special Olympics Florida–Miami-Dade is seeking volunteers for a basketball skill-building event at Marion Center School on Nov. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will assist mainly with escorting athletes, scoring, and awards coordination.

 

To volunteer for any of these events, visit the Special Olympics Florida – Miami-Dade volunteer calendar page <https://specialolympicsflorida.org/miami-dade/volunteer/volunteer-calendar/>. For further information, contact Nicole Koretsky at nicolekoretsky@sofl.org.