Under-30s Rock the Vote

Interesting election statistics reported in Gen Trends...

"Did Millenials truly affect the outcome of the national election? Here are the stats about voters under 30 from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. You be the judge!

Millenials accounted for 18% of the vote (total of 23 million).
Turnout rate rose to at least 52%.
There were 3.4 million more young voters than in 2004.
Youth accounted for at least 60% of the overall increase in voters.
This group favored the winner of this election by more than 2-1."

--Gen Trends, November, 2008

Green Map

This interactive map shows "green" features on the campus of the University of Idaho and in the surrounding city of Moscow. What a great idea!

Should Affirmative Action Be Banned?

My home state voted to outlaw affirmative action through a ballot initiative started by Ward Connerly. It bans the consideration of race, among other things, in college admissions decisions.

Although I think Mr. Connerly makes some good points about the problems associated with judging people by their race, this decision worries me. I wonder how it will affect our ability to recruit talented people--students of course, but also faculty and staff--who are underrepresented in our programs.

Inspired by Coworkers

My favorite new tradition on campus is the Annual Staff Art Show. I enjoyed the opening reception last Monday evening, and I stop in the Rotunda Gallery whenever I'm in the vicinity for a quick dose of inspiration. Fifteen university employees are exhibiting their work in the 3rd annual art show, November 3-14.

Office Frights

Our director and project assistant spooked up the office for Halloween!