1. 1 Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues March 30, 2006 Presented by Dan Nataf, Ph.D Director, Center for the Study of Local Issues Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD 21012 (410) 777-2733 (410) 777-4733 fax ddnataf@aacc.edu www2.aacc.edu/csli

2. 2 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Origins, Staffing, Mission Established by social science faculty in 1978 Current staff: Director (6 credits release time), ½ time program specialist Mission: –Help students better understand applied social science research methods and civic engagement by participating in CSLI activities –Serve community and local government by offering research services and communicating survey findings –Provide opportunities for faculty professional development –Help AACC understand its environment through relevant data collection and analysis

3. 3 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Student Learning Mission – Student Learning –Help students better understand applied social science research methods by participating in CSLI activities –Improve students’ civic awareness/engagement Semi-annual surveys Externally funded projects Service Learning CSLI Student Club

4. 4 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Student Learning Mission: Student Learning - Surveys –Semi-annual surveys Answer the questions: 1. How do social scientists gather data to measure variables and test hypotheses? 2. What are important issues facing the community and government? Students have the opportunity to participate as telephone interviewers for one evening –Receive training in interviewing methods –Review survey questionnaire in detail –Increases both methodological and civic awareness

5. 5 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Student Learning Mission: Student Learning –Semi-annual surveys – Objectives achieved Students are surveyed about the quality of their experiences –Spring 2006: 55% rated their learning experience as “excellent,” 39% as “good” –94% were “very satisfied” with overall quality of training received –84% would consider participating in another similar CSLI survey in the future From 1995 to 2006 – 1260 students have participated Spring 2006 – 18 faculty participated

6. 6 O verview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Student Learning Mission: Student Learning – Externally funded projects –Typically using telephone interviewer skills acquired during semi- annual survey –Data entry –Director discusses nature of projects with students, rationale for research design, how client will use findings, etc. –About 210 students have been employed by CSLI in a paid capacity since 1995.

7. 7 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues O verview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission – Student Learning Mission: Student Learning – Service Learning –Service Learning »Recent initiative »Find projects which involve students more fully in survey research »Participate in questionnaire design, discussions about administrative methodologies, analysis of findings »Report back to their classes –Spring 2006 – 5 students participating in a survey project aimed at learning more about student course and future work expectations

8. 8 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission – Student Learning Mission: Student Learning – CSLI Student Club –CSLI Student Club Recent initiative Provide a structure for students to collaborate Field trips – Congress, campaign organizations Invite guest speakers – candidates Communicate internship opportunities See http://www2.aacc.edu/csli/club/ csliclub.html

9. 9 O verview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Serve Community and Government This goal is achieved by: –Semi-annual surveys – community outreach –Externally paid research projects Semi-annual surveys – take pulse of community on important issues –Surveys themes include: Growth/Development Transportation Economic conditions Education Tax and spending preferences Policy preferences Typical sample size: 300-525 respondents from Anne Arundel County only – Spring, 2006 – 401 respondents Unique contribution: Only community college regularly polling local area

10. 10 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Serve Community and Government Semi-annual surveys – community outreach after taking the survey CSLI’s Web site for previous surveys (http://www2.aacc.edu/csli)http://www2.aacc.edu/csli –Repository of survey findings All press releases since 1995 posted Interactive search by topic and question for all questions asked since 1995 Provides other information about CSLI – structure, mission, staff, contact info CSLI – public speaking –CSLI Director on speakers’ bureau – average of one presentation per month during school year –Examples from 2005-2006: Greater Severna Park Council Annapolis Rotary Club Baywoods Retirement Center Community Services Board of Anne Arundel County Eastport Republican Club Almost 7:30 Democratic Club Green Party (Annapolis) Institute for Criminal Justice meeting on Terrorism Annapolis Kiwanis

11. 11 Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Serve Community and Government Semi-annual surveys – community outreach after taking the survey –Community outreach – Radio/TV Radio interviews – WNAV 1430AM after every survey since 2001 Election color commentary on WNAV: 2002, 2004 (3 students used as interns), 2005 TV appearance (Annapolis elections, 2005) –Community outreach – Newspapers Over 100 citations between 2002-2004 (Capital, Baltimore Sun) CSLI mentioned by Governing magazine in 2002 –Community outreach – Candidate forums 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006 – County executive, council races, others. –Community outreach – Advisory Board Composed of elected officials, Anne Arundel County department representatives (public works, health, police, fire, school board) and community leaders

12. 12 Surveys – Provide Pulse of County County’s Direction: Right or Wrong? Right

13. 13 Economic optimism – “ Thinking about our county's economy, how would you rate economic conditions in Anne Arundel County today -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?” Surveys – Provide Pulse of County Focus on the Economy: Local Economy Looks Good National County

14. 14 Surveys – Provide Pulse of County Perception of Issues in 2010 Negative expectations for all major issues except economy

15. 15 Surveys – Provide Pulse of County Economic Anxiety: Concerns about the cost of living Cost Very serious Somewhat serious Not very serious No answer The cost of housing6523110 The cost of utilities such as electricity or natural gas 632980 The cost of gasoline623080 The cost of health care5828112 Not having enough money for retirement 5724163 The cost of education5129165 The cost of property taxes4937122

16. 16 Surveys – Provide Pulse of County Most Important Issues Facing AA County Residents – 1995-2006 - Trends for Major Issues

17. 17 Surveys – Provide Pulse of County How Prepared are Local Authorities in Event of Terrorist Strike - Trend Katrina

18. 18 Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Serve Community and Government Externally financed projects – 56 such projects 1995-2006 Revenue generated: $240,000 –Wide variety of sponsors (projects described on CSLI Web site) Anne Arundel County Public Schools Association of Women in Communication Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks Maryland Comptroller’s Office Anne Arundel County Executive – Commission on Women Anne Arundel Police Department Maryland Department of Natural Resources Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis Capital newspaper Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation Leadership Anne Arundel WNAV radio station Annapolis Regional Transportation Project (city, county, state). Anne Arundel County Public Library System

19. 19 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: Faculty Professional Development Faculty professional development through externally financed projects –Participating faculty have included: Jerina Wainwright Mara Kent-Skruch Hal Counihan Rayner Wharton Lester Brooks Steve Steele Ken Chatelaine

20. 20 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: College – Environment Scanning College-oriented questions asked on surveys –Examples include: –When you think about AACC's image, which of the following phrases appear important to you? (Fall 1999) Important % Not important % Affordable973 Wide selection of courses928 Easy access9010 Good selection of class times9010 Community oriented8515 Technologically on the cutting edge 7921 Helpful for advancing in my career7822 Helps foster good citizenship7624

21. 21 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues Mission: College – Environment Scanning College-oriented questions asked on surveys –Spring 2004 Knowing that about 60 percent of the community college budget is based on state and county contributions and the rest in tuition, do you think taxes should be increased, tuition should be increased again, or programs cut to best deal with budget cuts? % Increase taxes33 Increase tuition again25 Cut programs23 Don’t know19 From what you know about the community college, would you rate it as being excellent, good, fair or poor? Excellent49 Good42 Fair6 Poor0 Don’t know6

22. 22 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues Overview of the Center for the Study of Local Issues The CSLI Model Contacts with other colleges seeking info about CSLI –Cumberland Community College (NJ) –Brookdale Community College (NJ) –Jefferson Community College (NY) –Presentations about CSLI have been made at meetings of the Consortium for Community College Development The Future