Civic Discourse and Democratic Engagement Series

The political challenges before us today -- issues of polarization, race, economic inequality, health, belonging, justice, and more -- need the critical and creative ideas and participation our bright and diverse student body can bring. 

The Politics Department seeks Giving Day funds for a new “Civic Discourse and Democratic Engagement” series of public and campus-wide discussions and workshops during the 21-22 Academic Year. The project emphasizes helping students build and practice skills of productive political discourse and engagement, centered on the civic ideal of equal citizenship in a political community.

Students take the knowledge, skills, and experiences they gain at UCSC with them, and can use them to help build a more inclusive, vibrant, and just democracy. This series aims to contribute to the democratic capacities of our students and our campus community, as well as to the circles of community beyond our campus.

Drawing on Giving Day funds, we will organize one or more public, campus-wide discussions and workshops during the 2021-22 academic year.  The format we imagine would involve a combination of discussions of some of the debates and differing perspectives surrounding important current events, together with some skill-building work and interactive dialogues.  

Some of the topics we are interested in exploring include:  

  • Civic Discourse and Productive Discussion across Difference Workshop: Developing Civic Voice and Dialogue
  • Debating Democracy in America: Past, Present, Possible Futures and the Roles We Play
  • Models of Democratic Activism and Engagement:  Local, National, Transnational

To incorporate a range of valuable speakers and contributors, and to reach out to broad audiences, we will be seeking collaboration with colleagues in other departments and programs (such as UCSC’s Institute for Social Transformation, and Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, and the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement) and with members and leaders of the local Santa Cruz community as well as our extended UCSC alumni community.

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Leaderboard
Afternoon Surprise
*Surprise!* Rush in before others find out. The top two teams with the highest number of donors between 3pm and 4pm will receive challenge funds awarded to their projects. Funds were generously sponsored by Molly Sims, Executive Director of Individual Giving. First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Projects Donors
1 $1,000 Rocket Team 49
2 $500 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 44
3 Okinawa Memories Initiative 31
4 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 17
5 Slugbotics 15
Ended
Leaderboard
Final Frenzy
The top three teams with the highest number of donors will receive additional funds awarded to their projects. Generously sponsored by the UC Santa Cruz Foundation. First place is $7,500. Second place is $2,500. Third place is $1,000.
Rank Prize Projects Donors
1 $7,500 Physical & Biological Sciences 1,153
2 $2,500 All Giving Day Projects 1,062
3 $1,000 Athletics & Recreation 514
4 Humanities Division 444
5 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 382
Ended
Leaderboard
Late Night Rush
This is the finish line! Close out this Giving Day strong and help position your favorite team to win the last challenge of the day. The top two teams with the highest number of new gifts between the hours of 10pm and 11:59pm (PST) will receive additional funds awarded to their project. Generously sponsored by Byron and Etsuko Walker First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Projects Donors
1 $1,000 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 79
2 $500 Okinawa Memories Initiative 66
3 Formula Slug 20
4 Pilipino Cultural Celebration 17
5 Women in Physics and Astronomy (WiPA) 14
Ended
Leaderboard
Mid-Day Motivator
The top three teams with the highest number of gifts between the hours of 12pm and 2 pm (PST) will have challenge funds awarded to their projects. Generously sponsored by UCSC Foundation Trustee, Linda Peterson. First place is $2,500. Second place is $1,500. Third place is $1,000.
Rank Prize Project Donors
1 $2,500 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 74
2 $1,500 Adventure Rec Student Leadership and Development 62
3 $1,000 City on a Hill Press 55
4 Okinawa Memories Initiative 50
5 Tech4Good 38
Ended
Leaderboard
Early Riser
The top two teams with the most new gifts made during the hours of 7am and 9am (PST) will be rewarded with additional challenge funds to their project. Generously sponsored by Professor John MacMillan, Interim Vice Chancellor of Research. First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Project Donors
1 $1,000 Okinawa Memories Initiative 40
2 $500 Tech4Good 33
3 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 17
4 Friends of the Dickens Project 10
5 NCAA Cross Country Track & Field 9
Ended
Leaderboard
Kick Off
Start Giving Day off on the right foot. The top two teams with the highest number of gifts between 12am and 1am (PST) will receive additional challenge dollars awarded to their project. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor and Meg Corman. First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Project Donors
1 $1,000 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 30
2 $500 Grupo Folklorico Los Mejicas de UCSC 17
3 Okinawa Memories Initiative 15
4 Triathlon Team - Triathletes on Bikes! 11
5 Tech4Good 10
Ended
Leaderboard
Mad Dash
*Surprise again!* Hurry to make your gifts and secure extra funds before others find out. The top two teams with the highest number of donors made between the hours of 6pm and 8pm will receive additional funds awarded to their project. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor and Herbie Lee, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. First place: $1,000. Second place: $500.
Rank Prize Projects Donors
1 $1,000 Okinawa Memories Initiative 100
2 $500 STEM Diversity: Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 74
3 City on a Hill Press 40
4 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 29
5 Matchbox Magazine 28
Ended
Rank State Gifts
1 CA 4
2 AA 0
2 AE 0
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