De Anza Spearheads the Democracy Commitment

While 250 De Anza College students are about to visit Sacramento on Monday to advocate for education in response to the state budget crisis,  the college shows its support of a new national initiative for civic engagement among community college students.

De Anza College president Brian Murphy announced this week that the college is committed to spearheading the Democracy Commitment It's a national initiative for the development and expansion of programs and projects aiming at engaging community college students in civic learning and democratic practice.

The Democracy Commitment Declaration, signed by Murphy and five other community college presidents, quotes Thomas Jefferson, "An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic."

For the United States to have more enlightened citizens, the Democracy Commitment targets giving every American community college student an education in democracy.

The Democracy Commitment will be initiated at a national signatory event in New York this spring, followed by an initial national meeting in Orlando, FL, in June. More than 100 community college presidents and chancellors are expected to sign the commitment.

The Democracy Commitment is modeled after a national coalition of public state colleges and universities committed to civic and democratic work.

According to Murphy, The New York Times will sponsor a major event announcing the initiative this fall.

Murphy says there is a growing sense across the country that community colleges must do a more thoughtful and intentional job of teaching democracy across the curriculum. He also says De Anza students are better prepared than most to play a public role in the democratic process.

For instance, Murphy says more than 25 students participated in conversations with visitors on campus for the national steering committee of the Community Learning Partnership, and one of the visitors told him, "There is something happening here we have never seen on another campus. How can we replicate it elsewhere?"

Murphy also applauds the 250 De Anza students who on Monday will join Foothill students and other community college students to advocate in Sacramento for education. He says De Anza students have provided vital support for statewide actions over the years.

"It is appropriate that De Anza takes a national leadership role in this work," says Murphy. "It reflects our college mission, institutional core competencies and strategic goals."

For more information about the Democracy Commitment, visit its website hosted by De Anza College, deanza.edu/communityengagement/democracycommitment.