ASU CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC POLICY
ALABAMA PEOPLE AND NUMBERS FROM THE VOL 5, ISSUE 1
CENTER WINTER/SPRING 2014
BRIDGE BUILDERS BREAKFAST by Tina Joly Montgomery’s RSA Activity Center was filled to capacity as the community gathered to hear State Sen. Quinton T. Ross Jr. during the ASU Center for Leadership and Public Policy’s popular Bridge Builders Breakfast. Ross, a three-time ASU graduate, earned the B.S. degree in political science, M.Ed. degree in education and Ed.D. in educational leadership, policy and law. He delivered an impassioned speech on behalf of his alma mater, telling the crowd that ASU has had to overcome obstacles since the day it was established by nine former slaves in Marion, Ala. “Look at the history and the struggle that it took for this University to climb and begin to soar. So, when we talk about struggle and turmoil, this University has outlived many struggles … and it will continue to live,” Ross said. “We will not fall victim to those things that have been portrayed in the media because we have a mission to continue.” Ross was referring to a preliminary report from a forensic audit commissioned by Alabama Gov. Robert J. Bentley. The confidential results were released to the news media before University officials had a chance to respond to the audit’s findings.
“As we look at what has unfolded … I am asking for simple fairness and simple respect. For a governor … to say, ‘Listen, we just want what’s best for the University; we’re doing this audit, and we’re going to present it to the University and they will have a chance to respond,’ … but then all of a sudden, the press has a copy of a confidential report … is that really about the University, or is that politics?” Ross said. Ross encouraged students and alumni to focus steadfastly on what is right and never to forget their love for ASU. “Even if you dislike individuals, even if you dislike what’s being said, that has nothing to do with your love for the University. You shouldn’t badmouth the University. I was a student at ASU, and sometimes I didn’t like the food, but I love my ASU. Sometimes I had to stand in long lines waiting to register, but I love my ASU,” Ross said. Ross also told the crowd that in examining the 1975 Alabama Code Title 16, which deals with education, he was astonished to find that only two universities have clauses addressing conflicts of interest -- ASU and Alabama A&M University, the only two state-supported historically black colleges and universities. (continued to page 7)
CENTER INTERNS ATTEND CONFERENCE
Pictured, from left to right: Jordana Chatmon, Shahra McAfee, Senator Vivan Davis Figures, Renea Jones and Chinyere Wilson
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The Center for Leadership and Public Policy interns, Jordana Chatmon, Shahra McAfee, Renea Jones and Chinyere Wilson attended the Higher Education Partnership’s STARS Leadership and University Advocates Conference held in Destin, Fla., August 4-6. They were joined by students from other Alabama public universities to learn the best methods of communicating higher education issues. They heard from statewide leaders on their experience and knowledge of higher education and advocacy in the state of Alabama. There were specialty breakout sessions, a joint task force meeting and a meeting of the University Student Government President’s Council (USGPC). The Higher Education Partnership Board of Directors meeting also was held during the conference. The STARS Leadership and University Advocates Conference offered a learning experience and a time to network with peers. Conference participants enjoyed an opportunity to acquire or enhance their skills of advocacy.
CLPP INTERNS GRADUATE DEC 13th Graduating Interns pictured, from left to right: Top Row: Kerra Daniel, Caroline Kimani Bottom Row: Renea Jones, Courtney Foster and Shahra McAfee
IN THIS ISSUE Bridge Builders Breakfast
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Interns Attend Conference
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CLPP Interns Graduate Dec 13th
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New Study Published by the Center
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Congress Comes to Campus
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Korea Study Abroad Program
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Series of Short Papers
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Guides to AL Elected Officials Online
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Map Catalog Online
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Center Interns Support Circuit Clerk
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Hornets Unify to Beautify
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Executive Director’s Report
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NEW STUDY PUBLISHED BY THE CENTER The latest study to be published by the Center was The Burden Of Chronic Disease In Alabama: Epidemiology, Economics And Policy by James A. Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.A., M.S., Distinguished Research Fellow with Holly Peterson, M.P.A., James E. Dotherow, IV, M.P.A. and James Allen Johnson, III, M.P.H.
CONGRESS COMES TO CAMPUS by Timothy C. Ervin Former U.S. Representatives Joan Kelly Horn (D-Mo.) and Gil Gutknecht (R-Minn.) spent time on ASU’s campus as part of a national program that raises awareness among college students about public service and the legislative process. Congress to Campus is an initiative of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) and the Stennis Center for Public Service. The program sends a bipartisan pair of former U.S. representatives to college campuses for two-day visits. ASU’s Center for Leadership and Public Policy (CLPP) and the Office of the Provost cosponsored the program’s visit to ASU. “ASU is honored to be selected as one of the colleges that the former members of Congress visit,” said Dr. Thomas Vocino, CLPP executive director. “Our students are hearing from people who have experience dealing with some of the toughest issues that have to be dealt with in our country.” During the visit, Horn and Gutknecht addressed selected classrooms, spoke during an open forum and discussed their personal experiences, providing an authentic and candid look at the inner workings of American government and politics. In addition to discussions about public service and the government in general, the former Congress members fielded a few questions about the recent government shutdown. Horn, who served in Congress from 19911993, said she enjoys speaking to students about their interests in current events. “This is always energizing for us to meet with
the young people, because they are just fresh, new and interested, and its fun for us, too,” Horn said. “I have been out of Congress for a number of years, but I think that what’s been happening over the last few years has really made a lot of people very upset and then they don’t want to vote. The fewer that vote … means the fewer representatives that we really want or maybe deserve in office. So, I’m going to always encourage voters to participate, to care, to try to fix it instead of dropping out.” Dr. Dorothy Autrey, chair of ASU’s Department of History and Political Science, said it was a privilege for the University to welcome the former representatives to campus. “The commitment to the lofty ideals of civic literacy and public service is evident by their (Horn and Gutknecht) participation in the Congress to Cammitment tment is pus initiative,” Autrey said. “This commitment particularly noteworthy during a period when pubpubli serlic interest often outweighs devotion to public vice.” m provides vides The Congress to Campus program a distinctive, powerful and personal means to Am educate the next generation about American government, politics and public affairs. The former tss into the members provide students with insights realities of American democracy through their reallife experiences as candidates and officeholders. The former members also deliver an important message about bipartisan cooperation. Since 1996, the Stennis Center has helped plan more than 170 visits to campuses throughout the United States.
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From left to right: Dr. Dorothy A. Autrey, chair/ professor, Department of History and Political Science; Ms. Alecia Hoffman, instructor of political science; former Congresswoman Joan Kelly Horn of Missouri; Dr. D'Linell Finley, adjunct professor of political science; former Congressman Gil Gutknecht of Minnesota; Dr. Thomas Vocino, executive director, Center for Leadership and Public Policy; and Dr. Sharron Herron-Williams, interim associate provost.
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KOREA STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM by Kim F. Smith Alabama State University was provided an opportunity to participate in a study abroad program hosted by the University of Ulsan (UOU) International Program (UIP) located in Ulsan, South Korea. After a highly competitive selection process, three exceptional ASU students, Shannon Green, Amanda Price and recent graduate Maya McKenzie, were chosen to study abroad during the month of July. During the program, these students represented the University well by exemplifying Hornet pride and winning several awards. This experience has given them a professional, competitive edge over many college students who have never been immersed in another culture. Approximately 44 students, including Korean student helpers, attended the UOU International Program, with the largest student population coming from various provinces in China. Other countries represented in the program were Japan, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama and Poland. In addition to ASU, there were U.S. students from Auburn University Montgomery, Felician College, Portland State University and the University of Akron. In an effort to create an environment of inclusion and acceptance, UOU pre-selected each student’s roommate. This arrangement exposed students to Korean culture and provided them an opportunity to learn about their roommate’s culture. As a result, friendships developed quickly between the exchange students, the Korean students and staff helpers. Within days of arrival, student groups coordinated excursions and explored Ulsan. Like the students, I wanted to experience all the program had to offer. This included attending class along with the students. Our ASU students asked questions during the lectures, engaged their global classmates and made comments that impressed the Korean professors. In class, we learned about the Hangeul (Korean language), Korean society, corporate culture, globalization and politics. The activities, field trips and home stay reinforced the lessons we learned in the classroom. They also helped students develop a global mindset and challenged their personal boundaries. As part of the program, we were encouraged to visit several historical and tourist sites in and around the Ulsan area, both with UIP and on our
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own. On our first field trip we visited the Ulsan Museum, the Oegosan Onggi Village and Onggi Museum where we witnessed pottery craftsmen practicing their skills on onggi, the traditional Korean ethnic earthenware. We even made our own pottery item to take home as a souvenir. Our second excursion, to the Gijang Culture Decorum Youth Center, was the most interactive and favorite activity. We learned traditional Korean etiquette, wore hanbok (traditional Korean costume), made hanji crafts using traditional Korean paper, and made music using samul nori--four traditional percussion instruments known as the kkwaengwari, jing, anggu, and buk. Subsequent field trips included the whale watching tour and Whale Museum; “Minsokchon”, the traditional Korean folk village; Seoul, the capital city; and the tour to Pohang City (Posco, Saemaeul Memorial). During our tour of Pohang City, known as the Steelers’ City, we learned about the “new community development movement”. This political initiative transformed South Korea’s economy and prompted a collectivist mind-set among its people based on self-dependence, self-reliance, and cooperation. Park Jung Hee, the 1970’s Korean president, who created this ideology, was the father of the recently appointed and first South Korean female president, Park Geun-he. Mrs. Kim F. Smith is the management instructor in the College of Business Administration.
Hanbok Traditional Dress Left to right: Amanda Price, Kim Smith, Maya McKenzie and Shannon Green
SERIES OF SHORT PAPERS TO BE PUBLISHED The Center, in conjunction with the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM), is sponsoring a series of short papers to be published three to four times a year in order to provide information that is of the greatest interest and utility to local officials. Risk Management: a Tool to Protect Local Governments and The Adapted City in Alabama, both by Douglas J. Watson, Ph.D., are the next two papers in this series and are scheduled to be published in the Alabama
Municipal Journal which is published by ALM. Watson was a city manager for 30 years prior to retiring from the City of Auburn. He subsequently was a full professor in public affairs at the University of Texas at Dallas for eight years before returning to Alabama. He currently serves as a CLPP Distinguished Research Fellow. He has authored or edited nine books and has had more than 60 scholarly or professional journal articles on local government issues published.
GUIDES TO ALABAMA’S ELECTED OFFICIALS ONLINE The following directories of Alabama’s elected officials are now available online in Excel format: • • • •
Guide to Alabama’s State Officials Guide to Alabama’s County Officials Guide to Alabama’s District Judges Guide to Alabama’s Circuit Judges
For more information, see our Guides to Alabama’s Elected Officials at www. alasu.edu/clpp or contact Myles Mayberry at 334-229-6024 or
[email protected].
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DEMOGRAPHIC AND POLITICAL MAP CATALOG ONLINE
Demographic and political maps are now available for purchase from our Demographic Resource Services office. A listing of maps at the state, county and city/town levels are posted on our website along with an order form that can be downloaded and mailed in with a check made out to ASU. Prices are as follows: a small map (24” X 36”) is $8, a medium map (36” X 48”) is $12 and a large map (42” X 54”) is $18. Shipping and handling is $13 per order. For more information, see our catalog at www.alasu.edu/clpp or contact Scott Stabler at 334229-6014 or
[email protected].
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INTERNS SUPPORT MONTGOMERY CIRCUIT CLERK The Center for Leadership and Public Policy sponsored four interns to support Montgomery County Circuit Clerk Tiffany McCord during 2013 summer session. Pictured, from left to right: Teresa Allen, Alexandria Cannon, Jocelyn Hanley, Callie Wallace, Jazmine Tell and Tiffany McCord
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HORNETS UNIFY TO BEAUTIFY
On October 11th the Center for Leadership and Public Policy, the Montgomery Clean City Commission and the Office of Student Affairs held its “Unify to Beautify” cleanup initiative.
ABOUT US: ASU’s Center for Leadership and Public Policy works to improve the overall socioeconomic status of the citizens of Alabama and its neighbors by promoting greater cooperation and enhancing communication between academia and the community. The Center aggressively seeks opportunities to assist government agencies and the private sector in improving the lives of Alabama citizens. The Center also conducts public opinion research in its 14-bay, computer-aided telephone interview lab. Located near ASU’s campus in Montgomery’s Small Business Resource Center, the Center provides ample free parking for visitors, quick access to two major interstates and convenience to the Alabama Capitol Complex. CONTACT US: Center for Leadership and Public Policy, 600 S. Court St., Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: 334-229-6019 • Email:
[email protected] Web site: www.alasu.edu/CLPP Facebook: Search on Alabama State University Center for Leadership and Public Policy OUR NEWSLETTER is published semi-annually. Photography by David Campbell, Kim Smith and Anida Wishnietsky. Layout and design by Anida Wishnietsky.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT by Tom Vocino If the good readers of this newsletter will indulge me, I would like to reflect on the three years that I have had the privilege to serve as executive director of the Center for Leadership and Public Policy. First and foremost, the CLPP staff is a group of dedicated professionals who are committed to providing the highest quality of service to our clients. In the past three years, we have provided long- and short-term services to more than 100 governmental agencies, non-profits, and private sector companies. While I am certain that there must be a few clients who have had a problem with some aspect of the services that they have received, I have received nothing but positive feedback in writing and in person about the work performed. Relatedly, serving as CLPP executive director has allowed me to interact with large numbers of public officials. Among their ranks have been state legislators, mayors, city council members, county commissioners and numerous merit system employees. Despite all the negative comments that I have read and heard about public officials and the institutions they serve, I must say that I could not be more impressed with their dedication to serving the citizens in their jurisdictions. Even though there are currently a large number of people who are critical of government and express a strong desire to reduce it significantly, we are fortunate, in my opinion, to have so many public servants who are committed to implementing public policy in a fair and responsible manner. Thus, my bottom line is that the image of public officials being less than dedicated
professionals is far from an accurate depiction of reality. During the past semester, CLPP co-sponsored, along with the Office of the Provost, the Congress to Campus Program of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress. This program supports visits of two past members of the Congress to a university where they engage students and faculty in small groups, large forums and classrooms and present their views and respond to questions and comments. Alabama State University had the good fortune of having Gil Gutknecht of Minnesota and Joan Kelly Horn of Missouri visit the campus. The absolutely wonderful aspect of the two days of their visit was the fact that everyone who attended the sessions heard insights about the national political process that only former congresspersons could provide. Also, it was a lesson in how people with strongly held beliefs could disagree agreeably which is not an image always portrayed by the media. Finally, I want to thank Kerra Daniel, Renea Jones, Shahra McAfee, Courtney Foster and Caroline Kimani for the service as CLPP interns the past three years. Their intelligence, winning personalities, and hard work made a major positive difference in meeting deadlines on a number of projects. We are in their debt for a job well done. If you have any questions or suggestions about CLPP activities, please contact me at 334-229-6015 or
[email protected].
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BRIDGE BUILDERS BREAKFAST by Tina Joly (continued from page 1) “So, for the president of the University of Alabama to hire her brother is okay, but at ASU that could be a problem,” Ross said, as he continued to point out other disparities in the rules governing the state’s institutions of higher education. “Any other university can have someone who serves on their board from anywhere in the nation, but ASU board members have to live in Alabama. Any other university can have a legislator serve on their board of trustees, but ASU cannot,” Ross said. “My point is fundamental fairness. If a forensic audit is good for one university, then it’s good for all universities. I went in to see the governor, and I said, ‘Let my people go; let ASU go because it’s being held hostage with this kind of thinking.’”
ASU is known for standing and fighting for justice and must continue to do so, Ross said. Despite the University’s historic struggles for equal treatment and funding, he said ASU has defied the odds and now is a world-class university. As for those questioning him about ASU, Ross said his answer lies in a line from the University Hymn. “When they call and ask me about ASU, I will say, ‘We proudly hail thy name.’ When they call me and ask me, ‘What do you think about the problems going on at ASU?’ I will say, ‘We proudly hail thy name,’” Ross said. “I hope all of you will touch your neighbor and tell a friend that when you are asked a question about ASU, you just simply say, ‘We proudly hail thy name.’”
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Non-Profit Org POSTAGE PAID Montgomery, AL Permit No. 149
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY Center for Leadership and Public Policy 915 South Jackson Street Montgomery, AL 36104 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
YOUR NEEDS AND OUR RESOURCES • Helping counties, cities and school districts plan and redraw their district plans using our census data and reapportionment software. • Helping government agencies and businesses conduct public opinion research at our computer-aided polling center. • Helping groups and organizations quickly and easily notify members of upcoming events using our phone tree services. • Providing state-of-the-art video conferencing facilities for meetings and training. • Making demographic and political maps available at the state, county and city/town levels. • Publishing guides to Alabama’s elected officials annually and making them available for immediate download. Call us at 334-229-6019 or email us at
[email protected] to set up a meeting to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION 14-001
