PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Students across the country are taking part in Raise Your Voice - A Month of Action, an event that last year engaged more than 100,000 college and university students on 250 campuses in political and service activities. This year, the events will be launched on February 23rd, near Presidents' Day, with an interactive national teleconference hosted by North Carolina students that will involve more than 60 campuses and 3,000 college students around the country.

During the following weeks, students will participate in such activities as dialogues on public issues, days with legislators, and alternative spring breaks in more than 30 states. These students are sustaining the energy of voter education and mobilization activities that were organized on campuses leading up to the 2004 election. They will have a chance to connect with opinion leaders on issues that are critical to their campuses, their communities, and the country at large.

The Month of Action is part of Campus Compact's Raise Your Voice campaign, a national non-partisan effort that has already connected more than 300,000 students to support student civic engagement and address public issues crucial to our democracy.

"It has been widely reported that students are disengaged from public life, that they lack the skills and knowledge to participate fully," said Elizabeth Hollander, executive director of Campus Compact. "This Month of Action is about students finding their own ways into the political world through service and civic action, and making their voices heard."

In nine states, students will attend a "Day at the Statehouse" to meet with elected officials and learn about the political system and how to be effective policy advocates. Students in Oklahoma are coordinating local community dialogues with elected officials, and in New Hampshire students are taking an alternative spring break to Washington, DC, where they will serve with local community organizations and meet with national policymakers.

"At a time when our nation is facing unprecedented challenges, the need to encourage an ethic of public service in our youth has never been greater," says Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH). "President Bush has issued a call for all Americans to devote themselves to serving others, and I applaud those efforts, like Campus Compact's Raise Your Voice campaign, that are answering the call."

A full list of events in each state, as well as further information on Campus Compact and the Raise Your Voice campaign, can be found at www.actionforchange.org.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 950 college and university presidents - representing some 5 million students - who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. To support this mission, Campus Compact promotes service initiatives that develop students' citizenship skills, helps campuses forge effective community partnerships, and provides resources and practical guidance for faculty seeking to integrate civic engagement into their teaching and research. Raise Your Voice is an initiative of Campus Compact funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts. For more information on Campus Compact visit www.compact.org

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