The Hinckley Institute of Politics will soon have new programs to offer to U students.
Last fall, a committee was organized to decide what new goals the institute should pursue.
“We’d like to create international internships, more non-governmental internships and create a program in applied politics,” said Ron Hrebenar, chairman of the political science department and the interim director of the institute.
Hrebenar visited schools including the Kennedy School at Harvard, New York University, Florida and Akron to research the programs available in the “applied politics” department.
“The practical politics skills program will probably start summer 2004 or fall 2004,” Hrebenar said.
This program would prepare students to work for lobbyists, special interest groups or political campaigns.
“They could do political polling, manage campaigns, help individuals in their campaigns by getting voters registered and getting them to vote,” said Dan Jones, interim associate director of the Hinckley Institute.
Jones, of Dan Jones and Associates, has been doing political polling for 40 years and expressed his sentiment of the “great need” for the kinds of skills taught in the program.
“This program will allow them to go out and really make a difference,” Jones said.
Some of the classes for the program are already available. Jones teaches a political polling class.
“Some of it’s just a matter of getting the resources we already have organized,” said Steve Ott, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science.
Other classes will need to be added such as a campaign media class and campaign management classes.
A new master’s degree program in public policy analysis is also in the works.
New courses aren’t the only change at the institute. Ted Wilson, who has been the institute director for the last 18 years, will retire Sept. 1.
Tim Chambless, Wilson’s long- time friend and co-worker, expressed his feelings about Wilson’s retirement, saying he has brought to the institute “enthusiasm, cordiality, youthful energy, civility, vision and a welcoming spirit. He will be missed.”
The new director will need to have practical skills and knowledge of politics, as well as a strong academic background.
“An understanding of Utah and Utah politics would be nice as well,” Hrebenar said.
According to Ott, the search should take one to two years.
Students who wish to participate in political internships can choose from a variety of state and federal government positions available as well as non-governmental political internships through the institute.
For more information, call 581-8501.