The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Overview

1. The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Overview Review CSLI History/Mission Opportunities for Student Learning and Civic Awareness Your Help Dan Nataf, Ph.D., Director Center for the Study of Local Issues Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD 21012-1895 http:www2.aacc.edu/csli ddnataf@aacc.edu 410.777.2733

2. CSLI History and Mission Historical Background: CSLI’s three periods 1. Creation and operation as part of Division of Social Sciences: 1978-1999 – a community college ‘research center’ 2. Operation under Vice President for Learning 2000-2006 3.Operation as part of Paul S. Sarbanes Center for Public and Community Service 2006-present • Advisory Board – provides guidance

3. CSLI History and Mission Mission – four elements • Provide students opportunities to better understand applied social science research methods while encouraging civic awareness and engagement • Serve community and local government by offering research services and communicating survey findings • Provide opportunities for faculty professional development • Help AACC understand its environment through relevant data collection and analysis

4. CSLI History and Mission Mission: Provide students opportunities to better understand applied social science research methods while encouraging civic awareness and engagement Participation in community surveys Participation in client based research projects Student internships CSLI student club Activities providing student opportunities

5. Community Surveys • Conducted in March and October • Telephone interviews – 400-900 completions • Press releases • Public presentations • Media outreach • Web site (http://www2.aacc.edu/csli) CSLI’s Signature Product: The Semi-annual Survey

6. Community Surveys Semi-annual survey – how students participate • Service Learning • Five contacts with CSLI • Introductory meeting – CSLI mission, previous findings, review survey methodology • 3 nights of telephone interviews • Final meeting – brainstorm survey process – pros and cons, findings, SPSS/hypotheses testing

7. Community Surveys Semi-annual survey – how students participate • Extra Credit • Instructor determines number/character of contacts with CSLI • Examples: • 1 or 2 nights of telephone interviewing • Introductory meeting, 1 night of telephone interviews, final meeting

8. Community Surveys: Survey Content Semi-annual survey – how students participate • Suggestions for Survey content • Instructor uses themes from course to suggest survey topics, discusses with students • Examples: • Chemistry – global warming, public perceptions, policy options • Business – marketing, public perceptions of small business, business climate • Sociology/political science/human services, English – gender gap, perceptions of race and class, policy and partisanship

9. Semi-annual Surveys: Major Topics Semi-annual survey – topics over the last couple of years • Most important issue facing residents of the county • Economic conditions in the county • Wind turbines • Ambulance fees, slots, drinking age, land use • President Bush’s job approval • Presidential horse race – estimate election results • Lots of demographic info: age, income, occupational status, race, religion, gender, party, ideology

10. Semi-annual Surveys: Sample of Findings Economic conditions in Anne Arundel County

11. Semi-annual Surveys: Sample of Findings “Do you think that the STATE government should make it easier to install wind turbines to generate energy, even in scenic places like across the river from Annapolis where the old radio antennas are located or in state parks in Western Maryland?”

12. Semi-annual Surveys: Sample of Findings State and Local Issues, Fall 2008

13. Semi-annual Surveys: Sample of Findings President Bush’s Job Approval in Anne Arundel County vs. USA

14. Semi-annual Surveys: Sample of Findings Political Horse Race: Estimating Election Results

15. Plans for the Future: Online Surveys • Web panel – email addresses collected each survey • Offers possibilities of occasional topical surveys • More options for faculty and students to participate

16. Mission: Student Participation, Community Outreach Activity: External funded projects • Externally financed projects – 60 such projects 1995-2007 • Revenue generated: $250,000+ • Anne Arundel County Public Schools • Association of Women in Communication • Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks • Maryland Comptroller’s Office • Anne Arundel County Executive – Commission on Women • Anne Arundel Police Department • Maryland Department of Natural Resources • Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis • Capital newspaper • Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce • Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation • Leadership Anne Arundel • WNAV radio station • Annapolis Regional Transportation Project (city, county, state). • Anne Arundel County Public Library System

17. Activity: External funded projects – student roles • Students help organize and carry out project related tasks • Data collection • Data analysis • Statistical analysis • Report editing

18. Other Student-related Activities: Student Internships • Student Internships: students participate in all • aspects of CSLI activities • Manage projects • Attend presentations • Write/edit reports • Independent research • Client contacts

19. Other Student-related Activities: Student Club • Student Club: Organized in 2005 • Attend political events – Obama campaign event in Prince George’s County, local political party dinners, • Lunch with invited guests - journalists, elected officials, government administrators, others • Visit political institutions – MD General Assembly, Congress • Speeches – at think tanks, universities, Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs, Brookings Institute • Candidate forums - help organize and staff

20. How can you help CSLI? Recruit students for CSLI activities Use CSLI findings in your courses Make survey topic suggestions Tell us about any research interests you have – client projects may require your expertise! Join the CSLI board Get on the CSLI mailing list (check Web site)