Photo by Frank Q Brown, courtesy of University of California, Department of Special Collections

The Struggle for Voting Rights at Colleges

A historical and interdisciplinary examination of the 26^th Amendment and its role in the fight for student voting rights.

This Network Collaborative Course uses the 26^th Amendment as a prism through which to examine the history of disenfranchisement and the fight for voting rights in the United States, as well as the role of college communities in that process. The four institutions involved in developing the course offer unique insights into the role of colleges in the fight for voting rights, particularly the fight against discrimination based on race and age.

The Struggle for Voting Rights at Colleges was co-designed by faculty from Bard College, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M University, and Tuskegee University, where each institution has been the site of voting rights struggles. By the end of the course, students will have developed an understanding of the history of the struggle for student voting rights and the challenges to those rights that are being faced today.

This course is an Open Educational Resource and includes short video lectures on many of the issues addressed in the course, from experiences at Bard, Tuskegee, Prairie View A&M and North Carolina A&T, to discussions about the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. All the materials are free to use for non-commercial purposes.

The Struggle for Voting Rights at Colleges video lectures

Flipped Classroom Series

Gomillion vs. Lightfoot

This lecture tells the history of the landmark decision of The U.S. Supreme Court, that ruled in 1960 that gerrymandering of municipal boundaries of the city of Tuskegee was in violation of the 15th amendment. In this video, you will get an insight into the life of the main plaintiff - Charles Gomillion, his work in voting rights advocacy and boycott of white owned businesses, known as “Trade with Your Friends”, as well as what made his case unprecedented.
The Tuskegee Airmen

This lecture tells a fascinating history of the first African American pilots that appeared on the backdrop of the racial segregation in the U.S. army. You will learn about the historical injustices committed against African Americans, evidenced by the historical document of the Army War College ‘The Use of Negro Manpower’. In this lecture you will also learn about the other examples of African-American excellence, which were historically obscured, such as Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington, Maggie Lena Walker, as well as fascinating histories of the nation’s first female pilots.
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment: What, When, & How

Legal expert Yael Bromberg talks about the legislative history of the 26th amendment that defines the constitutional class of voters. You will also learn about the historical milestones in the evolution of the federal right to vote, such as second and third reconstructions.
Youth Voting Rights: Youth Voters as a Protected Class, & Youth Voter
Infringements Today

This lecture examines the role of the 26th amendment in the context of youth voter infringement today, specifically in imposing special burdens on young voters. You will learn what ‘protected classifications’ mean, as well as the specificities of the age as such classification in voting.
Second Curriculum at HBCUs and Connection to Student Activism

Professor Dr. Jelani Favors talks about the distinctive pedagogical approach developed in the HBCUs and the role these institutions played in the struggle for black liberation and empowerment. You will learn about the specifics of black scholarship and the power of these havens in social and communal organization.
Legacy of HBCUs/Origins

In this lecture you will learn about the historical backdrop against which the HBCUs developed and the pernicious role of the western academy in the creation of race as a social construct. The second half of this lecture covers the impact that HBCUs had in galvanizing black leadership, their contribution to social justice and national industry, and the unique culture associated with these institutions.
The Story of America: Youth Leaders as Democracy Practitioners, & the Bridge between the 26th and the Civil Rights Movement

This lecture talks about the role of young people as democratic practitioners and leaders. You will learn what makes the youth important actors in U.S. politics and a promising voting group. This lecture also asks whether these dynamic changes suggest that we are experiencing a third reconstruction today? Find out more about the tendencies of democratic development in the U.S. as well as the requests young people are making toward progressive politics.
Oral History

Dr. Lisa Bratton discusses the origins of oral history in African griots tradition, its use, collection, and relevance in historical research. You will also learn the difference between the primary and secondary sources, and find out more about shaping different, more personal narratives around historical events. This lecture also contains examples of oral history projects conducted by Professor Bratton.
Symm v. United States

Professor Melanye Price from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) discusses a significant Supreme Court case from 1979 that centered on PVAMU students and their voting rights, which were challenged due to their residency. This question of whether students could be considered residents of the jurisdiction where they attended college gained immense importance after the passage of the 26th Amendment, as it extended the right to vote to eighteen-year-olds. Explore the historical role of the PVAMU campus and its students in the legal battle to exercise the right to vote.
Ongoing Efforts to Support Student Voting Rights at PVAMU

In this lecture you will learn about the ongoing legal battle between the Waller County and the Prairie View A&M University that strives to protect the students' right to vote. This lecture provides the historical context in which this fight takes place, as well as how political conflicts fuel civic participation. You will also learn about other important cases, such as Smith v. Allwright and Shelby v. Holder, in which PVAMU participated, as well as the recent developments in access to voting in the Allen v. Waller County case.
History of Gerrymandering at North Carolina A&T

This lecture talks about the threats that the HBCUs face for their robust political engagement. Gerrymandering was one of the common practices designed to marginalize black voters in the south. Learn more about the racial politics in North Carolina and the case of gerrymandering that took place in the biggest HBCU in the Nation - North Carolina A&T.
From Voter Registration to Voter Engagement

Erin Cannan, the Vice President for Civic Engagement at Bard College, talks about the vital steps to support and encourage student voting. From getting students registered to promoting voter education, Erin discusses the challenges appearing along the way, such as inequity in voters' backgrounds, ineffective mobilization, etc. You will learn about what motivates young people to vote.
The Fight for Vote and Polling Place at Bard College

Jonathan Becker, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bard College and the Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, talks about Bard's four phases in the fight for upholding student voting rights. Learn why Bard's case is important and how organizing, advocacy, and litigation have played an essential role in achieving student voting rights in New York State.
The Anatomy of The Fight to Promote Student Voting

Jonathan Becker, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bard College and the Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, discusses efficient strategies to achieve voting rights victories. You will learn about the so-called 'information warfare', social media campaigns, and the use of tools of government that Bard leveraged to advocate for a polling site on its campus. You will also learn about the challenges that Bard encountered in the process and the enforcement mechanisms that it devised in response.