William H. Bowen School of Law. service – learning program of two schools UALR Bowen School of Law...
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Transcript of William H. Bowen School of Law. service – learning program of two schools UALR Bowen School of Law...
ALTHEIMER PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM
William H. BowenSchool of Law
CONCEPTservice – learning program of two schools
UALR Bowen School of Law
University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service
only master’s degree program in public service
concurrent J.D./M.P.S. degree program
partnership of public and private entitiesProjects undertaken by students from both schools
Funded by Ben J. Altheimer Charitable Foundation
Collaborative efforts with non-profit organizations or community agencies
program focuses on public service generally rather than specifically on pro bono legal services
TOPICS1.Creation and Formation
2.Implementation
3.Benefits to the Community and to Students
4.Challenges for the Future
PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAM
recognize the two schools’ common goal of public service
stimulate the commitment to public service among the schools’ students
contribute to the immediate needs of the community and the State
CREATION OF PROGRAM
Memorandum of Understandingwritten “charter” for the program
establishes operating structure for the program
defines program objectives and responsibilities
institutionalizes the program beyond the original “good idea”
OPERATING STRUCTURE FOR THE PROGRAM
Coordinating Committee2 law school students
2 Clinton School students
1 faculty member from each school
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Recommend Annually to Deans of the Two Schools:
1.joint service-learning project(s)
2.plan to implement the project(s)
3.keynote speaker(s)
4.budget
INAUGURAL PROJECT: PARTNERSHIP WITH
SOUTHSIDE MAIN STREET PROJECT
local non-profit working to revitalize economically depressed part of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas
pilot program of Main Street Arkansas; follows the four principles of Main Street Model developed by the National Trust Main Street Center
1.design
2.organization
3.promotion
4.economic restructuring
“in our own backyard”: investment in the neighborhoodsurrounding the two schools
generates interaction between the students and the residents of the community where the schools are located
TWO PROJECTS WITH SOUTHSIDE MAIN
1.survey of area residents and business owners for market analysis
2.case study to help Southside Main develop a long-term strategic plan
MARKET ANALYSISSouthside Main needs targeted business recruitment package to use in
encouraging new businesses to locate in the area
students refined model survey in conjunction with UALR Statistics Department
students canvass the neighborhood
survey collects market data about current shopping and spending habits, new businesses and services desired in the area, income levels, etc.
goal is to obtain enough completed surveys to attain statistical reliability
survey responses will be compiled and analyzed by Statistics Department
survey responses will be used to identify business and real estate development opportunities that Southside Main can include in a business
recruitment package
CASE STUDYThree Topics:
1.Collecting information on existing neighborhood associations and facilitating better working relationships
among those groups
2.Researching zoning regulations and developing user-friendly guide for potential property and business
owners
MacArthur Park Historic District
Capital Zoning District
3.Researching current structure and role of the Business Improvement District that exists in the area
BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY
projects provide some type of tangible service
market analysis
recommending ways that non-profits can work together better
interaction between area residents and local institutions of higher education
public events
keynote speaker who addresses issues related to the project
public program for stakeholders in the project at which students present research results, policy proposals, or recommendations
research into pressing community issues
lasting record of the work
at conclusion of project, Coordinating Committee must draft report chronicling the history and results of the project
reports will be electronically archived in the Clinton School’s Research Center and will be available to the public for later use
BENEFITS TO PARTICIPATING STUDENTS
experiencing and learning the value of service in a real-world setting
leadership opportunities in a service context
students have primary responsibility for selecting service projects
students “co-lead” each project
opportunity to work with and learn from community leaders, leaders of non-profits, and various other professionals engaged in public service
breaks down class barriers that sometimes exist between lawyers and rest of community; puts students in contact with people in a real way at street level
learning to practice in context and think more broadly about a problem, rather than focusing on just the narrow, immediate issue at hand
SPECIFIC BENEFITS OF CROSS-DISCIPLINARY PROJECTS
expanding the range of potential projects
opportunity for law students to work with non-lawyer professional students to see and experience how important law is to social change
expanding focus of law students beyond the technical skills of the craft and helping them see how public service is part of their professional role
learning to collaborate and work in groups with non-lawyer professionals
opportunity for law students to see the variety of ways that transactional lawyers can contribute to pro bono and public service efforts
CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE
student participation
awarding academic credit?
incorporating program into the curriculum?
project selection
finding “common ground”: projects that enrich both the legal education of Bowen students and the public-service education of Clinton School students
long-term project v. new project each year
continued funding
original grant is for 3 years