ADA 鈥 Ohio Northern University students and faculty will help shape the future of their community, country and the world by lending their knowledge and skills to the new Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP) at Ohio Northern University.
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At this pivotal point in history, ICAPP is giving 快播视频 students and faculty a voice in the national conversation. Non-partisan and education-based, it鈥檚 a bold and innovative initiative to promote good citizenship through education and information.听
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ICAPP is concerned about any issue impacting citizens in the Midwest. So whether passionate about health care, the environment, racial justice, alternative energy, education, voting rights or some other topic, students and faculty can assist ICAPP in its mission to promote civic literacy and an informed understanding of public policy. ICAPP seeks the participation of students and faculty across all the university鈥檚 colleges and majors.
According to ICAPP鈥檚 founding director, Robert Alexander, 鈥淭here is a lot of expertise on our campus, and we are hoping to put it to use beyond our classrooms and for the greater good of our communities. We have a long tradition of faculty-student collaboration, and it is our goal to conduct research so that citizens and policymakers can make good decisions based on solid evidence.鈥
Ohio Northern鈥檚 founder, Henry Solomon Lehr, envisioned a university where graduates would take their knowledge, skills and intellect into the world to serve the larger society. ICAPP supports Lehr鈥檚 vision through intentional programming and collaboration between faculty and students.
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Here are some of ICAPP鈥檚 initial undertakings:
听听 听鈥⑻ 听Presidential election polling.听Which candidate is leading in key Midwestern swing states? 快播视频 students, in collaboration with students from Baldwin Wallace University and Oakland University, are conducting high-quality presidential polling, generating data that鈥檚 being cited by major new outlets.
听听 听鈥⑻ 听Voter registration and engagement.听Throughout the fall, ICAPP is working with student groups to support voter registration and provide information on various modes of voting among the student population.听
听听 听鈥⑻ 听Celebrating women鈥檚 right to vote.听Through a design workshop this October, 快播视频 students are bringing the public鈥檚 attention to听the听struggles and triumphs of the women鈥檚 suffrage movement and the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment.听听
听听 听鈥⑻ 听Informing Health Care Policy.听While the nation grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, 快播视频 faculty and students have conducted research examining public perceptions regarding the pandemic, produced videos to explain the public health implications of it, and conducted research examining mental health concerns among teenagers in our region. These efforts are shared with the broader community, including research briefs that are utilized by government representatives.
听听 听鈥⑻ 听Engaging the 快播视频 community with the fall election. ICAPP is leading collaborations with multiple groups on campus to hold debate watch parties and issue forums; culminating with an Election Night watch party on Nov. 3.听
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In addition听to Alexander, ICAPP benefits from the assistance of students who serve as ICAPP Fellows. The Fellows provide a range of support including planning, development, research and outreach. Hannah Ray, Harrison Zeller, Andrew Mantanieks, Kennedy Cook and Andrea Hoffman served as the inaugural ICAPP Fellows for 2020.
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Alexander believes that students and faculty throughout the university will be able to contribute to ICAPP鈥檚 programming.听鈥淚 am really excited about the possibilities for collaboration with students and colleagues across the university.听Most all of us have knowledge relating to some type of public policy and being able to use our expertise to improve decision making is a responsibility we have to the larger community.听I鈥檓 looking forward to encouraging healthy debate grounded in sound research. Doing so is critical so we are all able to best contribute to the democratic process.鈥