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BOSTON – On the eve of , the five elected UMass student trustees released the following joint statement in support of the UMass Votes campaign, which encourages all UMass students to vote in the upcoming national election.

“As the elected representatives of 70,000-plus լ������ students, we enthusiastically endorse the UMass Votes campaign and urge all eligible students to register and to vote in the November 3 election.

As President Marty Meehan noted in announcing the launch of the UMass Votes campaign, voting “is the best way to be heard and to bring about change.” It is also the most appropriate way to honor the valiant efforts of the men and women who risked their lives fighting for voting rights for all Americans.

Given all that our nation has experienced this year – and all that has happened throughout the world – we believe it is critically important to maximize the participation of younger voters in this election.

We also want voters of all ages to be aware of the options when it comes to registering and voting -- and call your attention to the information and resources available at the UMass Votes web site. You’ll see that there are various ways to vote -- and to stay safe in the process.

As Student Trustees, we are here to assist every student in their educational journey and be their voice as decisions are made about their university. As this new academic year begins, we are asking students to make sure their voices are heard on issues facing the nation and their communities by making sure they are registered (by Oct. 24 in Massachusetts) and vote on November 3.”

Derek J. Dunlea, UMass Amherst
Randolph, MA

Timothy Scalona, UMass Amherst (Trustee-elect)
Amherst, MA

Kush Patel, UMass Boston
Marlborough, MA

Dakeyla N. Devaughn- Johnson, UMass Dartmouth
Stoughton, MA

Ryan P. Callahan, UMass Lowell
Chelmsford, MA

Peter Cruz-Gordillo, UMass Medical School
Worcester, MA

The UMass Votes campaign was launched to inform UMass students about the importance of voting and to provide a central source for election-related information. President Meehan announced in August that UMass had joined the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, a nonpartisan, national initiative recognizing and supporting campuses as they work to increase student engagement in the election process. The Challenge encourages higher education institutions to help students form the habits of active and informed citizenship, and make democratic participation a core value.

“This is about the paramount importance of voting and establishing a commitment to lifelong democratic engagement.” President Meehan said.

The լ������ encourages all students to register and vote in the November 3 election.

For more information on UMass Votes and ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, visit .

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