Leaders at Jacksonville University hope their students and professors soon will shape the way government works, pushing the Arlington campus’ influence far outside its physical boundaries.
The university announced last fall the start of its Public Policy Institute, billed as the first of its kind in Florida. At the helm is Rick Mullaney, a former city general counsel who worked in three City Hall administrations.
Faculty still must sign off, but Mullaney is working now to include coursework in economics, political science and statistics for master’s students to take in fall 2013. He and others say the university is part of a growing trend of focusing on policy versus politics at the collegiate level.
JU’s institute is non-partisan, said Mullaney, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year. He said it will offer more than what’s usually offered in political talk — heard most often during election years such as 2012.
“Campaigns tend to put a premium on sound bites and 30-second ads and bumper stickers. There’s not really a place for depth,” Mullaney said. “What this does is provide a forum for the in-depth consideration of public policy issues. I’m excited about what it can do in preparing students but also what it can do for the city of Jacksonville.”
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