As the fall semester opens, academic supervisors and faculty should be aware of a number of student civic engagement opportunities offered by the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions over the next three months. In keeping with its mission of creating academic enrichment, the Institute gives priority in all of its programs, whether public or internal, to providing real-world experiences for students. Some instructors incentivize students by making attendance a class assignment, an extra-credit option, or to fulfill a service requirement.
The first such event is a public forum on August 31 focused on food labeling. Titled What’s On Your Plate? Food Labeling, from Seed to Fork, the forum will be from 6-8 p.m. in the Digitorium of the Seminole Campus. Dr. Amanda Gilleland, Academic Department Chair of Natural Science at Seminole, will moderate as panel members explore the veracity of food labeling practices. Advance registration is required at http://solutions.spcollege.edu.
Three of the Institute’s upcoming events are related to the upcoming elections. The first is a debate by candidates for Congressional District 13, which covers most of south and central Pinellas County. The debate, co-sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times and WTSP 10 News, will be from 7-8 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Palladium Theater, 235 Fifth Ave. N. It will feature former Gov. Charlies Crist, Democrat, and the winner of the Republican primary election on Aug. 30, David Jolly, the incumbent, or challenger Mark Bircher.
Demand for tickets is expected to be high, as District 13 is considered one of 15 swing districts considered key to control of the House in the new Congress. Tickets will be available at the Palladium on first-come, first-served basis beginning at noon on August 31st. To receive credit for attendance, please direct students to sign in at the Institute’s registration table on the day of the event so their professors can be notified.
The second election-related event is a Candidate Debate for local offices – Pinellas County Commission, State Senate and State House. It will be from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Digitorium on the Seminole campus. A panel, including two local news media reporters and Prof. Kim Jackson, Department Chair of Social and Behavioral Science at Midtown, will question the candidates on issues pertinent to their district and office. More information on this event and how your students can get involved will be available in September.
The third event focused on politics and elections has two parts: a dinner on Oct. 26 for the general public and a student-only forum interactively linking five campuses on Oct. 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.. Both will feature Alexander Heffner, a millennial journalist, writer and civic educator who hosts the weekly talk show The Open Mind on PBS.
The student forum, is especially designed for evening classes. It will originate from the Digitorium at Seminole and will be live-streamed to Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg Gibbs, and the Downtown and Midtown Centers. Faculty members will facilitate discussions at each campus. Faculty wishing to join the discussion on their campuses should contact Dr. Douglas Rivero, Academic Chair of Social and Behavioral Science at Seminole, at 394-6948.
Another student-only program this fall is the 2016 Great Debate Competition, which offers students a chance to hone research, writing, speaking and critical-thinking skills as well as a chance to win awards worth up to $1,000. The preliminary debate competition will be held the week of Oct. 13 at Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg Gibbs, Seminole and Downtown/Midtown, and the finals will be Nov. 15 at Seminole. Interested faculty may contact the Institute at 394-6942.
The Institute also is seeking applications for its 2016-2017 Student Fellows Program. Institute Fellows have the opportunity to work with the Institute team on special projects, assist with program implementation, promote Institute activities, meet distinguished speakers and facilitate community conversations. Fellows receive a stipend for participation. Questions about the program may be directed to Jacqulyn Schuett at 727-394-6251.
David Klement
Executive Director
Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions
St. Petersburg College