Top 10 Activist Campuses

Not all activism is created equal. MoJo takes an opinionated look at the country’s campuses.

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1. University of Oregon:
Lots of environmental activity. Before the 1992 elections, the Eugene campus registered 7,000 of its 15,000 students to vote, enough to replace a weak-on-higher-education incumbent and possibly to influence the defeat of the antigay Measure 9.
2. Brown:
Good mix of environmental, women’s, and diversity groups. The Center for Public Service sponsors student-staffed projects on topics such as AIDS awareness, literacy, and health.
3. University of Wisconsin:
Newly resurrected student government has battled for student rights. Environmental organizations produced a mock ancient forest that was gradually cut down and held an All Species Day on Halloween during which children dressed as endangered species.
4. University of North Carolina:
Birthplace of two national student organizations, the Student Environmental Action Coalition and the Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education.
5. Rutgers:
Recently held forums on gay and lesbian rights and the death penalty. Very active women’s groups and an affordable education committee.
6. University of Michigan:
Birthplace of the Peace Corps maintains a mix of community service and traditional activism. As many as 40 percent of students are involved. Much activity during elections.
7. University of Colorado:
Activists pushed for curriculum reform, tenure for minority faculty, and housing rights for gay and lesbian couples.
8. CUNY and SUNY:
Massive student strikes protested tuition hikes that price some students out of an education. Diversity issues and curriculum reform have occasioned building takeovers, too.
9. Howard:
Media focus on the Nation of Islam’s presence has overshadowed activism such as community outreach and voter registration. Most frats and sororities require community service.
10. Marquette:
Nil on in-your-face activism and protest, but strong community service. Hosted the 1991 National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness Conference and sponsors an alternative spring break.

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In "It's Not a Crisis. This Is the New Normal," we explain, as matter-of-factly as we can, what exactly our finances look like, how brutal it is to sustain quality journalism right now, what makes Mother Jones different than most of the news out there, and why support from readers is the only thing that keeps us going. Despite the challenges, we're optimistic we can increase the share of online readers who decide to donate—starting with hitting an ambitious $300,000 goal in just three weeks to make sure we can finish our fiscal year break-even in the coming months.

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