It was a relatively brief statement that came toward the end of a campuswide e-mail: "After thorough discussion, our concern for student safety and privacy in residence halls has led us to decide to maintain the current policy."

But, Chancellor Moeser, that statement - which basically ends the prospect of door-to-door voter registration in campus residence halls - speaks volumes.

Apparently, UNC officials aren't willing to rise above the mediocrity that has infected university administrations nationwide in terms of getting students to register and vote. Including registration forms in welcome packets, making them available in numerous on-campus locations and allowing groups to set up registration tables combine to represent a "good-faith effort."

They make up a nice, passive approach, but dorm-storming has proven to be an effective means of getting through to students. With all due respect, you are wrong to deprive activist students of this method.

Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is a way in which every U.S. citizen of age, excepting some convicted felons, can have a say in how his or her town, city, state and nation are run.