September 17, 2002 — Fresh from hosting the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the University of Utah is gearing up to host yet another world-class event: Rock the Vote 2002, to be held Oct. 10 through 16, on the University campus. Rock the Vote is a non-profit, national political awareness organization designed to help young people recognize and act upon their ability to change the world.

The Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU) will host campus events designed to register students to vote, help them become familiar with particular candidates as well as educate them on issues relevant to students, such as tuition, financial aid and housing. Appearances by Ralph Nader and Everclear will bookend the Rock the Vote 2002 activities in October.

“The importance of this event is not just to register students to vote, but to connect them to their government in a meaningful way,” said Kelly Ann Booth, ASUU special projects director. “I want Rock the Vote to help create an energy and a momentum of political activism at the University of Utah, which will serve to attract students to our school in the future.”

Nader, the former Green Party presidential candidate, will speak Thursday, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m. at Kingsbury Hall. The event is open to the general public, although attendees must have tickets, which may be obtained free of charge at the Union Services desk, located in the Olpin Union Building.

A concert by alternative band Everclear will conclude the weeklong events on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Huntsman Center at 7 p.m. Speakers at the Everclear concert will include 2nd District congressional candidates John Swallow and Congressman Jim Matheson and national Rock the Vote spokeswoman Jehmu Greene. Tickets for the concert are $15 for students and $20 for the general public. Tickets for both events, discounted for U students, will go on sale Sept. 23 at the Union Information Desk or at Smith’s Tix. For more information on Rock the Vote 2002 activities, call 801-581-2788.