The Coalition of Student Advocates : promoting civil engagement & effecting change : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

In response to apathy towards political and social issues on Ball State University's campus, three students, Jenny Shea, Betsy Mills, and I, formed the Coalition of Student Advocates (CSA) through the Office of Student Life. The first goal of the organization was to encourage civic involvement among the students at Ball State University through events focusing on current political and social issues. The second goal was to organize discussions, focus groups, and events focusing on issues concerning Ball State students. Third, CSA was created to provide an arena for networking and resource sharing (i.e. articles, websites, etc.) among Ball State students. Finally, CSA wanted to advance student awareness and involvement in current political and social issues. The inaugural event of the Coalition of Student Advocates, the BSU Letter Writing Campaign, brought more than 50 attendees together to discuss current issues and participate in collective civic engagement. To further examine the concept of activism among individuals eighteen- to twenty-four-years-old, I analyze reasons for a lack of involvement among young Americans, ways to combat apathy, and I provide an account of our exercise in civic engagement.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?.