Undergraduate Student Government, with the support of the Dean of Students Office and the American Association of University Women (AAUW), is pleased to announce that Stony Brook University has been selected for AAUW's Elect Her – Campus Women Win initiative.
AAUW's Elect Her initiative aims to close the long-standing political leadership gender gap by empowering and training women to run for office at all levels. The centerpiece of the initiative is Elect Her — Campus Women Win, in which AAUW, with the nonprofit organization Running Start, trains college women to run for campus elective office.
Stony Brook's training will take place on Friday, March 9, 2012. Up to 100 undergraduate students will be selected for the training.
"It's an honor to be among 13 universities chosen nationwide for this important training," said Dean of Students Jerrold L. Stein. "Giving more young women the valuable experience of running for and serving on student government is a win-win for the university."
Elect Her was launched by AAUW in 2010 to expand the pipeline of women running for elective office. Women hold just 17 percent of the seats in Congress and 24 percent of seats in state legislatures. At Stony Brook, women make up 48 percent of the student body, but only 22.5 percent of seats in Undergraduate Student Government.
"There is a clear connection between service in student government and future political service," said Anna Lubitz, a sophomore at Stony Brook and the student liaison to the program. "It’s our hope that this training has a lasting effect here at the university and beyond."
In addition to garnering the support of the Dean of Students and the AAUW locally, organizers at Stony Brook enlisted the allegiance of nine leading faculty and staff members from across the university, including Chief Deputy to the President, Dr. Tonjanita Johnson; Associate Dean of the School of Journalism, Marcy McGinnis; and Associate Dean of Students for Multicultural Affairs Cheryl Chambers.
The 12 other schools chosen for the 2012 program are: Boise State University, Denison University, George Washington University, Georgia State University, Georgian Count University, Howard University, Louisiana State University, Stanford University, University of Louisville, University of Virginia, Washington & Lee University and Willamette University.
Online applications are due Friday, February 24, 2012. APPLY HERE
About the Dean of Students Office: The Office of the Dean of Students advocates for student needs and provides services, support and coordination for co-curricular programs to help cultivate and develop community, individual growth, wellness, inclusion and leadership. Recognizing that much learning occurs beyond the physical boundaries of the classroom, staff members dedicate themselves to maximizing the fullest potential of both the individual and the campus community.
About AAUW: AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation's leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW has a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institutional partners. www.aauw.org
About Running Start: Running Start is a nonprofit organization that brings young women to politics so that they are knowledgeable about the process, invested in the outcome, and interested in participating as elected leaders. www.runningstartonline.org
For more information, contact Cathrine Duffy in the Dean of Students Office at cathrine.duffy@stonybrook.edu