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Student Engagement
The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) helps students make intentional decisions about their involvement, both in and out of the classroom, for a more meaningful Smith experience. We encourage students to engage in learning without limits by creating and encouraging opportunities for involvement that will help them connect to Smith and the global community.
Make Your Voice Heard
Smith Social Network
About the Office of Student Engagement
Julia McWilliams Child ’34 Campus Center
Reservable Spaces in the Campus Center
Student Programs
You Belong at Smith
Are you a student looking to get involved at Smith, but you're not sure where to begin? Take the You Belong Quiz and we will be in touch with some recommendations for next steps!
The Office of Student Engagement's “You Belong” program acts to link students to our Blueprint for Belonging through outreach, programming, and support that deepens students' engagement at Smith. The OSE is here to help students find their community through joining a club or organization or finding other involvement opportunities across campus.
You Belong programming happens throughout the year, starting with the OSE welcome table at the Orientation Resource Fair, as well as the Spring and Fall Involvement Fairs, to help you navigate the many opportunities to get involved. Throughout the year, a You Belong event series of smaller gatherings to connect with clubs, organizations, centers, and offices will also take place. Students can also always stop by the office during the week to talk one-on-one with OSE staff about your interests, and can help you find a place where You Belong.
Smith Votes
Smith Votes boosts civic engagement on campus by helping students register to vote, learn about candidates and issues, and become more involved in local, state, and national elections. Smith students have a strong history of voting, with 82% taking part in the 2020 presidential election. U.S. citizens attending and living at a Massachusetts college may become Massachusetts registered voters. Learn more at the links below and follow Smith Votes on Facebook, Instagram, and the Smith Social Network. Smith Votes is a partnership between the Student Government Association, the President’s Office, the Office of Student Engagement, the Wurtele Center for Leadership, and the Jandon Center for Community Engagement.
Key Massachusetts Dates
August 24, 2024: Voter Registration Deadline for State Primaries
August 26, 2024: Vote-by-Mail Application Deadline for State Primaries
September 3, 2024: State Primaries, Polling Hours: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
October 19–November 1, 2024: Early Voting in Massachusetts
October 26, 2024: Voter Registration Deadline
October 29, 2024: Vote-by-Mail Application Deadline
November 5, 2024: Presidential Election, Polling Hours: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
More About Voting
I’ve never voted before. How do I get started?
Quickly map out your specific plan by visiting US.VOTE.
Am I already registered to vote? If not, how can I register?
Check your voter registration status or register to vote at TurboVote or Vote.gov.
Does my state allow same-day voter registration?
In Massachusetts, no, you must register by the deadline. For information on other states or territories, visit Rock the Vote.
I’m excited to vote, but I am not yet 18 years old. What should I do?
If you are younger than 18, you can preregister at TurboVote.
Do I have to vote in person or are there other options?
To learn about voting options in different states, visit Rock the Vote.
I need an absentee ballot. Where should I get it?
To request an absentee ballot, visit the U.S. Vote Foundation.
How do I vote in Northampton?
Visit the City of Northampton’s election website.
When is the next Massachusetts election?
Find everything you need to know about voting in Massachusetts at the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website.
Do I need identification to vote? If so, what kind?
Those who vote for the first time in a federal election are required to verify their identity under federal law. Learn more about the identification requirements for your state at VoteRiders.
Can I vote using my student identification?
Some states allow voting with student identification. Learn more at VoteRiders.
What should I do if my identification does not match my name or gender?
Transgender or nonbinary people whose identification does not match their name and/or gender can find resources at VoteRiders.
Who are the candidates on my ballot? Should I prepare to vote on anything else?
Learn about a Massachusetts ballot at the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website or find information on a ballot anywhere in the United States at Vote Smart.
Are there accommodations for people with disabilities?
Find Massachusetts voter accommodations at the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. To see accommodations provided by other states, visit Rock the Vote. Just click the state where you want to vote, then scroll down and select “Registering for people with disabilities.”
What should I do if I cannot get to the polling place on election day or if I would like to avoid crowds?
Check the state in which you plan to vote for early voting or vote-by-mail options by visiting Rock the Vote.
I’m currently living abroad. How can I vote?
If you are abroad, find out how to vote by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
What if my requested ballot did not arrive in time and I am overseas?
Get help with a missing overseas ballot from the US Vote Foundation.
Can I sign up for reminders?
Yes, several organizations offer election reminders. For more information, visit Rock the Vote or TurboVote.
Is voting information available in languages other than English?
Yes! To see a list of language access resources, visit the United States Election Assistance Commission.
How do I get help or report a voting issue?
To report voting issues and learn about election rights, visit the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s voting resources or call the Election Protection Hotline at: English: 866-OUR-VOTE / 866-687-8683; Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA / 888-839-8682; Arabic: 844-YALLA-US / 844-925-5287; Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 888-API-VOTE/ 888-274-8683
To learn about the origins of Smith Votes, visit Smith Votes: ‘Engaging Students in Democracy.’
To learn about women’s suffrage, visit Reflections on 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage.
To learn about how the U.S. government is set up, visit Vote Smart’s Government 101 or Rock the Vote’s Democracy Explainers.
How can I help others register to vote?
Find election information for new voters from the United States Election Assistance Commission.
How can I sign up to be a poll worker?
Learn more by visiting the National Association of Secretaries of State’s Become a Poll Worker website.
Contact Office of Student Engagement
Julia McWilliams Child ’34 Campus Center 106
Smith College
100 Elm Street
Northampton, MA 01063
Phone: 413-585-2639 Email: ose@smith.edu