Democratic Engagement

Your Voice Matters

At Bridgewater State University, we focus on innovative ways to engage and educate students and the community on the importance of democratic engagement and social responsibility at the local, state and national levels of democracy. We prioritize education, awareness and action regarding the issues of systemic racism and bias that impact civic and democratic pathways and opportunities; we strive to develop strategies to identify and remove barriers.

Democratic engagement is the engagement of citizens in public life and in government through political institutions, organizations and activities.

BSU Votes

A collection of resources to help voters, new and seasoned, navigate local and federal elections. Find out more about how to register in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as how to vote by mail, how to research candidates and issues, and how to manage anxiety related to the election.

National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement

The National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) offers colleges and universities an opportunity to learn their student registration and voting rates and, for interested campuses, a closer examination of their campus climate for political learning and engagement and correlations between specific student learning experiences and voting.

You may access BSU's NSLVE Reports at AllInChallenge.org »

A person in a BSU sweatshirt holding a letter board that says VOTE

BSU Civic Action Plan 2022

BSU has developed a Civic Action Plan to guide our work with goals of civic learning, political engagement and college student voter participation. The action plan is reviewed and updated every two years.

Download Civic Action Plan pdf »

Academic Initiatives

Political Science

The Department of Political Science at Bridgewater State University's goal is to introduce students to the discipline of political science and prepare them for the profession of governance and leadership roles while building a strong liberal arts and technology based education.

Democratic Governance & Leadership Program

Established within the BSU Department of Political Science in 1997, the Democratic Governance and Leadership Program promotes research, teaching and policy application while engaging with the economic, cultural, civic and political life of our Southeastern Massachusetts community.

Student Involvement

MRISJ Fellows

A cohort of Justice Fellows, employed through the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, focus on civic engagement and voter education. Justice Fellows organize campus initiatives and campaigns to promote awareness and mobilize their peers to become more civically engaged.

Advocacy Student Organizations

Through the Center for Student Engagement, students have the opportunity to join student organizations that focus on advocacy efforts on a wide range of topics.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is a student body dedicated to serving the collective interests of the BSU community, preparing the community for effective living in a democratic society, advocating for the students' rights and needs, and encouraging self-reliance in the Association's search for truth and justice.

Residence Hall Association

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) at BSU is a student-run organization dedicated to enhancing the residential experience. This is achieved through community development and governance within the residence halls in partnership with the Office of Residence Life and Housing. The RHA is devoted to providing resources, opportunities for engagement, and leadership development for all resident students, while fostering a platform for networking, advocacy and involvement.

Community & University Relationships

Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights

Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights is a community-based organization dedicated to defending the rights of all persons, while fostering open communication, providing opportunities to examine issues of social justice, and advocating for the elimination of bias and racism.

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

BSU is a participating campus in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is a national awards program that empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. By recognizing colleges and universities for their commitment to increasing student voting rates, the ALL IN Challenge encourages higher education institutions to help students form the habits of active and informed citizenship, make democratic participation a core value on their campus, and cultivate generations of engaged citizens who are essential to a healthy democracy.

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