There is excitement in the air as AJCU institutions gear up for one of the most important presidential elections in history. The winner in this White House race will inherit major foreign and domestic challenges, most notably a meltdown of the U.S. economy and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These precarious times call for a leader who can develop solutions to the problems we are facing, and at the same time unite the country, increase morale and commit to promoting the common good.

In the last few months, we have been inundated with pundits trying to sway us to vote for particular candidate, but it is up to individual citizens to learn the issues and decide for themselves who the right choice is for the country. Perhaps one of the best places to delve into the issues is at a college or university, where the academic focus sets the stage for substantive dialogue.

Jesuit colleges and universities are playing an important role in the political process by providing a forum for dialogue and voter registration opportunities for the young electorate. On Jesuit campuses, there are several ways students are becoming civically engaged. Some are participating in voting drives and research projects while others are volunteering to work on the campaigns of the presidential candidates. At Le Moyne College, the first year program for freshman will have as its theme, The Media, the Message and the Millennial Student, which will examine the candidates’ communication styles and fundraising strategies, and explore the media’s role in election process. At Seattle University, the president has plans for 100% of eligible students to register for the November 4th vote. We know that all Jesuit institutions have other political outreach plans as well.

Among the voting guides to which students will have access this election season will be Voting for the Common Good: A Practical Guide for Conscientious Catholics. The guide demonstrates the fullness of Catholic social teaching as it applies to a range of social issues important to American Catholics and indeed to all Americans: from poverty, war and torture, to health care, immigration and the environment. As students learn more about the issues within the context of Catholic social teaching, they understand their faith better and can make more educated choices in the voting booth.

Last month, on September 17, Jesuit campuses celebrated Constitution Day, a day set aside to commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution, which guarantees every American the right to vote. It really is a privilege for each of us to have a say in who is going to lead our nation, and Jesuit colleges and universities are helping students realize this. We applaud them for their efforts.

See you at the polls.

With best wishes,

Melissa C. Di Leonardo