De Anza College has joined the Democracy Commitment, a national initiative that will provide a platform for community colleges to engage students in civic learning and democratic practice.

Community colleges that sign on are making a public commitment to centralize the role of civic education, support  both academic and extra-curricular programs that  build civic skills among students, and form partnerships with local civic, non-profit and governmental agencies, according to the Democracy Commitment Declaration. 

They are also required to participate in a domestic clearinghouse of information within the signatories of the initiative, attend an annual meeting that brings together colleges, and help develop joint regional and national programs with higher education facilities, according to the declaration. 

“This is a national initiative that has been inspired by our own work at De Anza College,” De Anza President Brian Murphy said. “We have watched students become involved in their education and learn their role in the democratic system.”

Community colleges have a responsibility to support students in developing their democratic system by learning how to engage, participate and organize within their communities, Murphy said. Students also need to attain knowledge about the democratic process, and the rights and responsibilities they have as citizens.

“I think De Anza student leadership should be really proud that they are inspiring the nation with their actions,” he said.