Voting Information—hey, read this, it's important

This year, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Macalester students can vote at Ramsey Junior High, which on Grand Ave., across the street from Wet Paint and Eclipse Records. Go to the door that opens onto the parking lot and the voting room is on the right. The polling place will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are not registered, you may bring your Mac ID or a fee statement with your current address and register on Election Day. For information on who is running and what offices are up for reelection, as well as recent polling information, links to news sources and the state political parties: http://www.politics1.com/mn.htm


Macalester students chosen for civic engagement campaign

Two Macalester students, Sarah Wanless '05 and Amanda Larson '05, have been named Minnesota Campus Compact for a National Student Civic Engagement Campaign. The campaign is a two-year effort to increase student voice and power in campus and community civic engagement efforts and to connect engaged students across the country and the state.

Wanless and Larson are two of the 18 fellows in the state chosen to participate. Activities will include student-led civic dialogues, civic forums, a National Civic Engagement Week (Feb. 17-23, 2003), non-partisan get-out-the-vote efforts. Minnesota is one of ten lead states selected to participate most actively in the campaign. The project is supported by a $2.7 million grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts.


Irish ambassador to speak, receive honorary degree at St. Thomas

Irish Ambassador Richard Ryan, the representative to the UN, will receive an honorary degree and then speak at the University of St. Thomas on Friday, Nov. 8. St. Thomas President Rev. Dennis Dease will confer a doctorate of law degree in recognition of his distinguished career in the Irish diplomatic service. Afterward, Ryan will give an address entitled "Ireland and the World Stage: A View from the Security Council," which will be held 7:30 in O'shaughnessy Education Center auditorium. A question and answer session will follow his speech. Ryan's appearance is co-sponsored by St. Thomas and the Minnesota International Center. The address is free and open to the public.

Ryan was named Irish ambassador to the United Nations in 1998. In 2000, he led Ireland's successful campaign for a two-year term on the 15-member UN Security Council, an election in which Ireland unexpectedly defeated Italy and Norway. This marked the first time Ireland had served on the council since 1981. Ireland held the rotating chair of the council shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Ryan previously served as Irish ambassador to Korea (1989-1994) and to Spain (1994-1998). He also held diplomatic posts in Tokyo, London and Brussels. In the mid-1980s, he played a key role in negotiating the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985, an essential forerunner to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.