NORTHEASTERN OPENS DOORS FOR FREE SEMINARS ON PUBLIC POLICY

For the past three semesters, Northeastern has invited all to participate in free graduate-level seminars on public policy through its innovative Open Classroom Policy Series. Taught by Northeastern faculty and notable guest lecturers, the classes frequently draw more than 130 community members.

This fall, the fourth and latest seminar is “The 21st Century City: Urban Opportunities and Challenges in a Global Context.” Greater Boston is central to many of the issues covered in class, including urban housing, economic development, urban safety and neighborhood security, and urban leadership and public engagement.

John Sarvey, executive director of the School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs at Northeastern, said the University chooses topics to engage “the community as well as the campus.” Roxbury resident Nate Hinchey, a development and communications associate at the Hyde Square Task Force who attends the seminars, spoke of the series’ educational and financial benefits.

“With college tuition totaling more than half of some low-income families’ annual budgets, it is critical that we find a way to make completely free, quality higher education a reality in this country,” he said. “The Open Classroom is a small, but important first step toward that goal.”

Series instructor Barry Bluestone, dean of Northeastern’s School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs, said a prime motivation for developing the program was opening up the University to its neighbors in the Stony Brook communities.

“We hope that Open Classroom reinforces Northeastern’s commitment and openness to community,” he said.

About the Open Classroom Policy Series

This is the School's fourth Open Classroom Policy Series, where one graduate-level seminar is made open to the public each semester. Each week’s class features prominent guest lecturers with real-world expertise and experience.

Previous classes:

Spring 2008
“The 21st Century City: Challenges and Opportunities”
• Co-taught by Paul Grogan, president of the Boston Foundation, and Barry Bluestone, dean of Northeastern’s School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs
• Featured guests included Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, with attendance by policymakers, policy advocates, businesspeople, and residents from throughout the region.

Due to the popularity of this topic, it is being repeated this semester.

Fall 2008
"Policy Advice to the Next President"
• Co-taught by Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts, 1988 Democratic nominee for president, and current Northeastern professor of political science, as well as Bob Culver, CEO of MassDevelopment, the state's lead agency for economic development

Spring 2009
"Economic Growth with Equity”
• Co-taught by Bluestone and Cathy Minehan, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

For more information, please visit www.policyschool.neu.edu or call John Sarvey at (617) 373-4049.