What Do Top Ramen and Politics Have in Common?

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - We all know Top Ramen is a staple for college students. But what does it have to do with voting? As part of Washington's first official College Civics Week, the Office of the Secretary of State is delivering hundreds of packages of Top Ramen to Central Washington University students next week with a note attached to each reminding students to get out and vote. Secretary of State Sam Reed hosts a forum on Central's Ellensburg campus with state Reps. Cary Condotta (12th district) and Bill Hinkle (13th District) Tuesday, April 25, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the new Student Union and Recreation Center room 140. They will reinforce the "get out and vote" message and discuss the power of the young voter.

College Civics Week promotes voting education and participation in democracy among young people. It's made possible through funding provided in the Help America Vote Act. Central became involved with College Civics Week in response to a proclamation signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire last month. "This is a continuation of what we already do here at Central," explains Dr. Elizabeth Street, Executive Assistant to the President. "It fits with CWU's strong programs in civic engagement and academic service learning. Central's student government officers are very active in the civic and political arenas."

Along with discussing youth participation in civic affairs, empowering students to register to vote and handing out free Top Ramen, other events taking place throughout the week include a discussion on Wednesday, April 26, with elected city and county officials about local issues and initiatives important to students. Then on Thursday, April 27, select faculty from the Sociology and Political Science departments will discuss political and civic issues specifically concerned with student involvement. A voter registration booth will be set up all week in the new Student Union Pit for students to sign up to vote. CWU student leaders Scott Leadingham, Megan O'Malley, Steve DuPont and Joey Bryant, and Dr. Jan Bowers, Lorinda Anderson, Lola Gallagher and staff from the president's office, along with help from Kittitas County Auditor Jerry Pettit, have been the force behind College Civics Week events at Central.

Contact: Teri Olin (509-963-1416/fax: 509-963-2301/e-mail: olint@cwu.edu)

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