Alma's Public Affairs Institute is guided by the college's mission to "prepare graduates who think critically, serve generously, lead purposefully and live responsibly as stewards of the world they bequeath to future generations."
Public Affairs students have organized forums on global warming, industrial-agriculture, community sustainability, election outcomes and continue to examine timely and relevant topics.
From the local distribution of nonpartisan voter guides during election years, to firsthand experience in Mexican health clinics, public affairs students learn in the real world while making a difference in the lives of others.
The Pine River Environmental Project
Over the past decade Alma College Public Affairs students and faculty have been involved in the many steps of environmental clean-up and protection in the Alma Community.
Alma's sister city of St Louis once contained a major DDT production facility on the Pine River and the resulting pollution is still in the process of cleanup. Students interested in Public Health, Law, Environmental Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Communication and other disciplines have contributed to the social and legal movement to clean up Alma.
They also have provided research support for the local community advisory group for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Learn More about Public Affairs students and faculty in the local community...
The Common Table Project
Alma College has recently received a grant from the Kellogg Foundation for the implementation of the proposed "Common Table Project"-named for the global agricultural common table from which we all eat.
The goal of the initiative is the creation of global dialogue between rural farmers universally impacted by international agricultural forces. The project will begin with farmers in rural Michigan and Chihuahua, Mexico.
On both sides of the border farmers face the strain of globalized competition, and this project seeks to address concerns stemming from agricultural problems such as:
1. Population dislocation,
2. Land tenure rationalization
3. Industrialization of agriculture,
4. Bio-technology innovation,
5. General environmental degradation,
6. Cultural modification, and
7. Weakening governance structures and processes
Seniors in Public Affairs Seminar II have recently contributed to the Common Table project through the completion of papers and senior theses examining Michigan agricultural practices in light of global agriculture. Many of the Public Affairs students participating in the Mexico Spring term have met and helped recruit the various Mexican Common Table participants during their studies. Students will continue to assist with the development of this initiative as the longer-term goals become realized.
Learn more about Alma College's international Common Table Project...
Sustainable Agriculture Project
Recently, Public Affairs students at Alma have been involved in a local examination of sustainable agricultural processes. Due to some local opposition to an incoming Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), Alma college students have had the opportunity to study the science and the discourse surrounding large scale industrial farming methods.
The department assisted with a community forum, and hosted several speakers from across the nation to speak on the scientific, environmental and ethical considerations involved. Communication, Political Science and Environmental Studies students have had an invaluable experience studying-and being involved in-both sides of the agricultural debate.
