Public policy organization looks to expand

Since January, the non-profit Center for Public Policy & Political Studies at ACC has been communicating with students and faculty to address community issues through participation in education and policy research, and to develop student leadership skills through internships and collaborative efforts.

"We are trying to get students in the ACC community more involved in the political process in a non-partisan way," said CPPPS Executive Director W.R. "Peck" Young, whose directorship follows more than 30 years in public affairs and experience in state and national political campaigns.

One of the projects Young said the center is looking at are alternative solutions to current problems facing the local community, such as environmental and sustainability indicators, housing costs, health care, and education issues.

The goal of the center is "to be a resource to the community," he said. "Our position is to present alternatives, not to tell you which are the best ones."

"This is a professional organization," he said. "Pick some major indicators and then layout some alternatives."

Examples of the programs the center offers vary from workshops for specific issues, classes, lectures with guest speakers, seminars, and commemoration of historic events.

Experiential learning opportunities include internships with government agencies and collaborative efforts between students across schools. The program also works with Campus Compact, a national coalition of college and university presidents with the goal of enhancing community service.

Unlike traditional foundations funded within the school, CPPPS is a 501(c)(3) organization outside of ACC but operated under the Office of Government and Community Relations, which reports directly to ACC President Kinslow. The center must rely completely on outside donations to fund estimated first-year operations and start-up costs of $183,000, according to CPPPS's Web site. The center's budget is developed along ACC's budget guidelines.

"It gives us more ability to do things without having to do things through the ACC faculty structure," Young said.

John Bridges, an adjunct professor of government at ACC said regarding the source of funding, "If they took money from the school then [the college] may feel a greater sense of autonomy … the school would be in a greater position to direct the content."

"Although, it is a good entry for minority students or those of a diverse background to get their feet wet in public policy," he said. "Schools are chronically in need of funding, and are always looking for opportunities to show that it has ties to the public interest in a practical and meaningful way."

A board of directors oversees the center, maintained by ACC board of trustees member Allen Kaplan, who serves as treasurer; Secretary Cathy Bonner, a former business consultant; and President of the board and former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd.

Although Young says that the center will not be fully operational until the fall, it is actively searching for partner student organizations.

"We intend to work with the student government and a number of student organizations," Young said. "I've talked to the president of SGA … we are recruiting students directly through the departments, and we're going to get students involved."

CPPPS is located in the Government and Community Relations office at the Highland Business Center.