Projects

East Providence Project

In May, 2007, the Roger Williams University Institute for Public Policy was asked to look at ways for the City of East Providence to reduce expenditures, with a focus on exploring the possibility of consolidating municipal functions with similar non-instructional functions currently conducted by the East Providence School Department. That report was successfully submitted by a team of faculty including Professors Michael Hall, Lee Arnold, Bob Palumbo and graduate students in March, 2008. For more information or to request a copy of the report, please contact Anne Wolff Lawson at (401) 276-4844.

Bristol Citizens Survey

A true “town-gown” collaboration, students enrolled in RWU Professor June Speakman’s “State and Local Government” class this spring were a part of a research and experiential learning opportunity which allowed them to collaborate with the town of Bristol and devise a survey instrument to gauge public opinion on town services. Students then analyzed the survey results and presented them to the town so that they could be incorporated in the town’s Comprehensive Plan.

Warren Citizens Survey

Based on its efforts with the town of Bristol, the IPP, lead by Professor June Speakman, will again allow students to experience the local democratic process by contributing towards the Warren Comprehensive Plan with a public opinion survey of town services. Work on this project will begin in August, 2008.
East Bay Leadership Summit

The Institute for Public Policy convened an energized group of East Bay municipal officials in June 2007, January 2008, and it is expected to meet once again during Summer 2008. To be unveiled at this meeting, is the East Bay/RWU Information Collaborative (EBINFO), which was designed as an online repository for municipalities to encourage municipal collaboration by way of sharing best practices, sharing group purchasing agreements, RFP’s, contracts to bid, etc.

What can the Institute for Public Policy do for you?

Organizational Change

The Institute is sponsoring a study of the need for selected departments of city government to undergo changes in their service-delivery mandates, organizational structures, management-employee relations, and training programs. Special attention will be given to municipal fire and protective services that have been experiencing demand-side changes in the delivery of their services. Such organizations may need to alter their approaches to service delivery and citizen and community expectations.

Municipal government departments need to ensure the quality of their services in a rapidly changing environment, and they need to learn how to recruit and retain employees sensitive to organizational changes.

Research Interests

It is anticipated that the Institute will provide a forum in which the research interests, activities and expertise of University members and others working in public policy-related areas may be promoted and periodically publicized.

With its coordinating focus, the Institute will provide information about research and funding opportunities [For example, periodic internal and external publications of public policy issues, research findings, and information of interest to Roger Williams University and to public sector and non-profit organizations].

The Institute will assist in identifying public policy and research needs in public-sector and non-profit organizations throughout the region and within the intergovernmental network. Situated in the City of Providence, which is the University's birthplace, is the largest municipality in the state, and has the state's largest municipal workforce, IPP Collaborations will be explored with a variety of public-sector and non-profit organizations.

Public-policy research interests will be communicated to faculty and students, especially MPA students and faculty, along with individuals or groups who may eventually form a Roger Williams Think Tank.

The Institute expects to assist with the recruitment of prospective students for its various credit and non-credit degree and certificate programs. This would include current and future offerings of the School of Continuing Studies, as well as education and professional development suggestions and needs identified by municipalities or non-profit organizations.

Programs

Public Administration Academy

One of the Institute’s first projects was a collaborative effort with the Public Administration Academy at Shea High School in Pawtucket, R.I. Since 2006, a group of selected Shea students in their junior and senior year attend a course at the high school, a component of which is collaboration between university professors and Shea High School teachers. The goal is to introduce high-school students to the broad area of public administration, place them in internships at the state and local level as well as in nonprofits, and subsequently the career opportunities in the field as well as related career-cluster fields. It is anticipated that this collaboration will continue to provide instruction, guidance, and assistance to public school students and staff regarding public service careers and educational opportunities. In November 2007, Professor Michael Hall, Director of the RWU MPA program, was asked to join Shea students in a mock election voter initiative Under the leadership of retired Shea High School Social Studies teacher, Mr. Michael Connolly, the PA Academy has received national recognition for being the only model of its kind in the United States. Plans will move forward in Summer 2008 to institutionalize the partnership between Shea High School and Roger Williams University.

Housing

Institute staff and affiliated faculty are formulating a program that may examine issues relating to affordable housing in Providence and Rhode Island. Possible activities include a workshop, consultations with municipalities, and sponsorship of lower-cost housing construction.

Masters of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration program (MPA) is a 36-credit program designed for individuals employed or interested in service in Federal, state, or local government as well as non-profit and non-governmental organizations.

Courses within the curriculum are grouped into three areas: eight (8) required core courses, four (4) electives, and/or certificates. The eight-course core sequence provides students with the breadth needed in theoretical foundation and skills to become public administrators. Students may then pursue a greater depth of study by then choosing four elective courses which may lead to a certificate as well as elective credit for the MPA degree. The MPA program is based upon standards outlined by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

Admission Criteria

For full admittance to the Master of Public Administration degree program, applicants are expected to have the following:

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university with a GPA of 2.75 or better,
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended,
• Two-page personal goal statement of why you want to pursue an MPA,
• Two letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's potential to complete graduate work, and professional competence if professional employed,
• A completed application form accompanied by the application fee.

Students with less than a 3.00 GPA require a personal interview with a member of the Admission Committee.

Recommended: Applicants without relevant work experience are encouraged to provide official