Tulane University’s Civic Engagement Committee has spent this past semester working to increase voter efficacy and voter awareness. The committee is led by director Olivia Mullaney, a junior at Tulane. 

In their first year of being a fully fleshed-out committee, they set a goal of making voting easier for students. “We registered over 400 voters, we got shuttles to early voting, we’ve been providing free stamps, we have an in-depth ballot guide, we have really just been doing everything we can to streamline the voter process and make it as easy as possible for students,” Mullaney said. “Voting can seem like an added burden when we really just want to make students aware that voting is an easy thing to do and is your civic duty.”

The Civic Engagement Committee has tabled almost every week this semester on McAlister Place. In doing so they have registered over 400 new voters. Additionally, the committee has worked with Tulane University’s transportation in order to shuttle students voting in Louisiana to early voting sites. The committee’s biggest hit, however, is the free stamps which students are using for their absentee/mail-in ballots.

Not only has the Civic Engagement Committee been dedicated towards serving the Tulane community, but they have also made it a goal to connect with the Greater New Orleans Community. 

“Next semester, we want to tackle rebuilding the relationship with Tulane and the city because sometimes they are really at odds,” said Mullaney. “It is our responsibility to help the city and uphold it.”

The Civic Engagement Committee wants to engage the Tulane community by encouraging them to use their impact through voting and volunteering to better the New Orleans community. 

“We are a resource for students in terms of all civic engagements, from voting to engaging with the New Orleans community, and we are here to promote activities and opportunities and assist students with engaging in their community,” Mullaney said. 

For questions or to become involved with the Civic Engagement Committee, email Mullaney at [email protected].