Civic Engagement Portal

What is civic engagement?

Civic engagement is getting involved in your community.  There are many aspects to being civically active, including voting & politics (federal, state, local government), university organizations & governance, volunteerism & community service, community groups, and learning more about the environment in which you live. 

How can I get involved in federal government?

• track federal legislation
• write your Representative or Senator
• find out where your federal legislators get their campaign funds
• see more about money's influence on US elections and policy at OpenSecrets.org
  
• learn more about the legislative process by watching Schoolhouse Rock's "I'm Just a Bill" video
  

How can I get involved in state government?

• track Texas state legislation
• write your state legislators
• find out where your state legislators get their campaign funds at the Texas Ethics Commission
  
• check out the State of Texas Portal for more information about state government
  
• check out more on our Civic Engagement Resources page!
  

 How can I get involved in local government?

• learn about City Council meetings in the City of Denton
• check out the Denton County website
  
• find links to other North Texas communities from the North Central Texas Council of Governments
• check out more on our Civic Engagement Resources page!

How can I stay informed about local, state-wide, national, and global events?

• news formats
• classic formats:  radio, television, print newspaper, news magazines
• newer formats:  online newspapers, news websites (Yahoo News), Twitter news feeds, blogs/RSS aggregator, print "Quick" newspaper
• news sources: be aware of potential bias:
  
• left-leaning (New York Times)
• centrist/slight left (NPR, Washington Post)
• right-leaning (Wall Street Journal editorials, Fox News)
• click here to learn more about staying informed!
  

How can I detect bias?

• biased sources tend to...
  
• present opinion as fact
• use "charged" language or jargon & catchphrases
  
• use an unprofessional manner
• appear argumentative, loud, angry, mocking, humorous, persuasive
• play short "sound bytes" out of context
  
• purpose is not to inform, but to entertain
• how does this differ from a rational debate?
• calm manner, presents both sides with equal time, no clear "winner"
• click here to read more about detecting bias!
  

How can I find factual, non-biased sources?

• use fact-checking resources or news stories (general, politics)
• factcheck.org, Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting, FreePress
  
• use local, state, and federal government sources
  
• THOMAS.gov, American FactFinder, Statistical Abstract
• Texas Vital Statistics, Texas Legislature Online
  
• read election resources
• VoteSmart.org, LWV Voter's Guides, UNT Libraries' elections page
  
• read sources that present both sides of controversial issues
  
• "Opposing Viewpoints" & similar books, Opposing Viewpoints database (online through UNT Libraries)
  

How can I get involved at UNT?

• learn about and participate in UNT's governance
• UNT's Board of Regents
• the UNT system organizational chart (PDF) 
• learn about higher education governance in general
  
• find a UNT student organization and become active
• find out about state legislation that affects UNT, including H.R. 51, a bill proposing funds for emerging research institutions in Texas

How can I get involved in my local community?

• check out our Community Service page for information on volunteer opportunities and more!

How can I learn about the environment in which I live?

• check out our Environment page for information on UNT's Environmental Ethics program, as well as information from the Environmental Protection Agency
  

Got More Questions? Ask Us!