Bears Vote Coalition

Civic Engagement at UNC

Dean of Students

The University of Northern 黑料社区 Bears Vote Coalition actively champions voter and civic engagement initiatives for the UNC campus community. The Coalition is responsible for ensuring that voter engagement efforts are non-partisan, coordinated and promoted throughout the institution, legally compliant, and in strategic alignment with student learning outcomes and Rowing, Not Drifting 2030.

Making Voting Easy for Bears

We鈥檙e proud to support a campus culture where voting is accessible and encouraged.

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Bears Vote Highlights:

  • Mail-in ballots have been standard in 黑料社区 since 2013
  • is hosted right here on campus
  • available for added convenience
  • UNC has proudly participated in the since 2016—and we’ve been nationally recognized for our high voter turnout.

The Bears Vote team poses for a photo.

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Be Prepared to Vote

  1. to vote. Make a public commitment and encourage your friends to vote, too! 
  2. To register to vote in 黑料社区, you must: 
    • Be 18 years of age or older by Election Day, 
    • Be a United States citizen, 
    • Have resided in 黑料社区 22 days immediately before the election at which you intend to vote, and 
    • Not currently be serving a sentence of confinement or detention for a felony conviction.  
    • Note: You can only vote once per election cycle, in one location. 
  1.  
  2. . Students attending UNC have the right to register and vote in 黑料社区 if they reside here and meet the eligibility requirements. For more information about voting as a college student in 黑料社区, . 
  3. Make a plan to vote. Research issues and candidates, schedule time to fill out your ballot, and arrange transportation, if you need it. Having a voting plan helps ensure you can cast your ballot and address any potential barriers early. 
  4. or ! Know your . Fun fact: your UNC Bear ID is a valid form of . 

Can I Vote if I...

Have a disability?

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Yes. Every voter has the right to cast a private and independent ballot. The ADA requires public entities to ensure that people with disabilities can .  

Am currently unhoused?

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Yes. Every eligible voter has the right to vote in 黑料社区. Voters without a fixed permanent address .  

Am active military or living overseas?

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Yes. 黑料社区 citizens living outside the US and all active military personnel absent from 黑料社区 . 

Bears Vote Goals, Involvement and Other Helpful Information

黑料社区 Primary Election – June 30

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  1. Increase registered voters in the UNC community and voter turnout 
  2. Increase non-partisan civic education, voter education, and political discourse programming and initiatives 
  3. Regularly engage key campus partners in the procedural and logistical parts of voting on campus to make sure that students, faculty, and staff know how to vote, where to vote, and local election laws 
  4. Strengthen partnership between the University and local elections officials and community organizations 
  5. Maintain designation as a  

 

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Coalition Members

  • Co-Chairs: 
    • Dr. Colleen Sonnentag, Dean of Student Development  
    • Blaine Nickeson, Assistant Vice President of Administration 
  • Logistics Team:  
    • Jay Dinges, Executive Director of Campus Services (Co-Lead) 
    • Stephanie Jones, Assistant Dean of Student Development (Co-Lead) 
    • Dr. Chris Marston, Associate Dean & Professor of Economics 
    • Carly Koppes, Weld County Clerk and Recorder 
    • Patrick Gallagher, Commander, UNC Police Department 
  • Engagement Team: 
    • Dr. Chris Cobb, Executive Director of Student Engagement (Lead) 

Coalition Partners

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If you have questions about voting or want to be involved in the Bears Vote Coalition, please email the Department of Student Affairs (dsa@unco.edu). 

Election Stress

Election stress is real. Take care of yourself and fellow bears by using some of these resources and strategies.

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Resources

    • Call 970-351-2496   
    • Drop in at Cassidy Hall, Second Floor 
    • Emergency/Drop-in services at the UNC Counseling Center do not require an appointment and can be accessed between 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm (with the last opening at 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, when the university is open). 
  •  
    • Call 844-493-TALK (8255) 
    • Text TALK to 38255 
    • Walk-in: 928 12th Street, Greeley, CO 

Strategies

  • Take a Break
    • Limit consumption of news and social media.
    • Set boundaries and time limits on media consumption to stay informed without checking every update throughout the day.
    • When you unplug, do something enjoyable like spend time with loved ones, go outside, or exercise.
  • Recharge
    • Rest, eat, and stay hydrated.
    • Practice mindfulness and grounding.
  • Connect
    • Engage with friends and allies to talk about current issues, if needed.
    • Call a friend, write a note, or share gratitude. Connecting with others can decrease anxiety and loneliness, foster solidarity, and build strong communities.
  • Take Action
    • Channel your stress into action.
    • Participate in community service.
    • Advocate for change.
    • Learn about how to navigate difficult conversations through participation in the Constructive Dialogue Institute’s鈥疨erspectives鈥痯rogram. Email鈥痙sa@unco.edu鈥痠f you would like to participate in this free initiative.

Our Stats

Our Bears are active voters!

In the 2020 Presidential Election, approximately 80% of UNC students voted. Learn more details about UNC Bears鈥� student registration and voting rates, through the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement. UNC is one of more than 1200 campuses that participates in the NSLVE.

NSLVE Reports

Review our reports.