Word: iops
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Teaming up with MTV’s Rock the Vote. Holding a summit for student leaders. Staging a march on Washington to address student political concerns. All of these proposals were thrown out last week in an Institute of Politics (IOP) brainstorming session. IOP officials have said they would like to start several national projects in order to reach more young adults across the country. Though these intentions are laudable, the IOP should first focus on enriching its Harvard offerings and addressing its existing shortcomings...
...Glickman, have indicated a desire to move beyond Harvard’s Ivy-covered walls. But as Glickman said, such a shift would likely redirect the IOP’s financial resources away from Harvard programs. And though some students brainstormed low-cost ideas, such as replicating certain IOP programs at other colleges, any oversight given to these off-campus programs would drain the IOP’s staff and attention...
...IOP’s move to the national scene seems more inappropriate because it has not yet mastered the essence of politics here at Harvard. Interestingly enough, an IOP survey aiding this national initiative indicates that students around the nation are more interested in public service and improving the lives of others through community service than through political participation. Yet, to serve and improve the lives of others is, or at least should be, the point of political involvement. And it should also be the essence of programs sponsored by the IOP. But, while some IOP programs (like study groups...
...more faithfully serve its mission, the IOP should focus its on-campus programs more on substance and less on the shallow side of politics. Formal events, while they admittedly play a role in today’s schmooze-filled political scene, do little to promote the goal of politics. In their place should come more programs that engage the Harvard community by informing and discussing serious issues in a productive way, with the potential to effect change. Instead of just reacting to issues, those organizing these programs could pro-actively formulate issues to discuss...
...IOP members said they hope that more national outreach can help them fulfill the IOP’s initial purpose...