NORTHEASTERN OPENS DOORS FOR SIXTH FREE SEMINAR ON PUBLIC POLICY

For the past five 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 sixth and latest seminar will be "Policy Advice to the Governor: Opportunities and Challenges Facing Massachusetts."

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 sixth 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. The topic for next spring will be demographics.

Previous classes:

Spring 2010
"Globalization: International Economy, Security, and Culture"

• Co-taught by William Dickens, University Professor of Economics and Social Policy, and Barry Bluestone, dean of Northeastern's School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs

Fall 2009
"The 21st Century City: Urban Opportunities and Challenges in a Global Context"

• Co-taught by Paul Grogan, president of the Boston Foundation, and Barry Bluestone, dean of Northeastern's School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs

Spring 2009
"Economic Growth with Equity"

• Co-taught by Bluestone and Cathy Minehan, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

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 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.