This Summer, Students From Hundreds of Colleges Will Heed One Urgent Call
Preview:
American democracy is portrayed as facing a renewed period of strain, with voting rights and election integrity cast as urgent concerns that demand a broad civic response. Higher education is positioned as having a special role to play, and the call is for schools, students, and allied organizations to build civic knowledge, engage across differences, and take part in a nationwide effort called Democracy Summer to help protect and strengthen democratic participation ahead of the 2026 elections.
Originally published: March 4, 2026
Author: Michael S. Roth
Position: President
Institution: Wesleyan University
Published by: The New York Times