COVER STORY

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DEMOCRACY ON CAMPUS

Teaching, learning, and experiencing our nation’s core principles

During the 2024 election year, CSU System campuses are asking, “How should democracy be taught, learned, and experienced so that academics meet the challenges of our times?” The System’s flagship in Fort Collins is going further, by leading a thematic year of Democracy and Civic Engagement to encourage the entire campus community to examine and uphold the nation’s core principles.

FEATURES

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Tough talk

As publicly funded institutions, public colleges and universities are beholden to the First Amendment – and that presents modern complexities for campuses nationwide. These days, free expression is among the most fraught issues in higher education because campuses are challenged to uphold a pillar of U.S. democracy, while also improving the learning environment for historically marginalized students.

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Activism amps up

During the tumultuous 1960s, activism and political protests increased at Colorado State University: Students at the typically quiet and conservative campus joined others across the country in exercising their First Amendment rights during the decade defined by the Vietnam War, countercultural movements, and the civil rights era. Here’s a look at activities that made headlines.

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An immigrant student’s view

Democracy is viewed through a different lens by student leader Laxman Adhikari at CSU Global. He grew up during a civil war in Nepal and had a first-hand view of the country’s move from monarchy to fragile democracy. Now, his home country is bedeviled by corruption and economic uncertainty, leading Adhikari to observe: “The promise of democracy is not always true.”

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Illustration of upraised fists in front of speech bubbles in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Echo chambers

You can hardly mention “democracy” without raising the issue of social media. Online platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and X, have become a leading way Americans experience democracy – and have dramatically influenced what people think about our form of governance.

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We need to talk

The Center for Public Deliberation is a key asset at Colorado State University in supporting local democracy and teaching students about democratic principles. Over nearly 20 years, the center has trained about 500 students in the workings of local government, so they are ready to function as foot soldiers for local democracy.

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PERSPECTIVES

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Democracy: top of mind on campus

At the start of a presential election year, and in a time of political polarization, the magazine examines how democracy is addressed on our campuses, explains CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank.

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Court order

The First Amendment prohibits public universities from interfering with expression, explains Jannine Mohr, who leads the CSU legal team.

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A senator’s start

Former U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner describes how candidacy for CSU student government helped prepare him for the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

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ESSAYS

Student leaders on “What democracy means to me”
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Active engagement

Aaron Johannes, a CSU Global student in construction management, discusses democratic involvement during and after military service.

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Representation

Shaylan Wilson, a CSU Pueblo student in psychology and media, details the ripple effects of representation.

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Opportunity

Pheonix Espinoza, a CSU student in biomedical sciences, writes about the impact of opportunity.

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Sacrifice

Matt Copley, an ROTC leader in business at CSU, illuminates the value of sacrifice through military service.

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