Overview | Environment and Energy | Immigration
Foreign Policy | Human Rights | Healthcare
The Policy Branch of the Hunter College Roosevelt Institution chapter seeks to explore pre-existing procedures for maintaining a functional nation, unearth their shortcomings, and create new strategies based on this. As novel ideas are generated, this branch will also build strong bonds between Hunter College and persons of leadership. We hold dear the importance of growth. Constant evolution and adaptation are facets of the general world with which the policy branch runs in tandem. Respective Policy Centers are united under the pursuit of national betterment. In 1936, Franklin Roosevelt said those of that era had a rendezvous with destiny. John F. Kennedy reiterated this to his fellow countrymen in 1960. We restate it still, in the 21st Century.
Currently, we are collecting more papers for the “25 Ideas” publication. Roosevelt member Catherine Zinnel is currently in the process of producing a paper in response to the challenge to improve community development. Policy Director Jonathan Alexandratos and Roosevelt member Jonathan Jordan are investigating criminal justice issues to be discussed at the Diversity Conference to be held at Hunter College at the end of March. As always, feel free to contact Policy Director Jonathan Alexandratos with any questions, comments, or compliments.
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Environment and Energy
Director: Liz Suter
This center is attempting to improve community life in New York City by looking at local environmental issues in conjunction with the laws that govern them. One such policy is New York City’s failure to place appropriate recycling receptacles in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Projects. The lack of proper recycling depletes the environment and ignores a potentially great local resource for recyclable goods. Moreover, the failure to provide this service to economically poorer areas smacks of governmental ignorance of the underprivileged. The center is working with the office of State Senator Liz Krueger to fix this issue. Also, water issues in New York City are being investigated as well as the creation of more environmentally friendly public housing.
For further information, or to join the discussion, please visit the Environment and Energy Policy Center Facebook Group.
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Immigration
Director: Sabrina Caprioli
The United States has encompassed a long history of immigration. Currently, the large influx of illegal immigrants into the United States has caused some grave concerns and reservations, which has resulted in a general consensus in both the Republican and Democratic Parties in advocating for tighter border security. Devising methods of achieving a tighter border security, however, has been a source of many heated debates. Through this Immigration Branch of the Roosevelt Institution at Hunter College, we, as members of this student think tank, will engage in discussions and research on the immigration issue. We will first embark on intensive and comprehensive background research on immigration terminology, which will include but not be limited to terms such as “illegal immigrant” and “permanent resident.” By analyzing these various immigration terminologies, we may gain the comprehension needed to attack the greater issue. Gradually, we will begin to analyze current methods and possibly even improve or develop ways to handle the issue of illegal immigrants ourselves.
Currently, this center is working in tandem with the Human Rights Policy Center on issues at home and abroad. Over time, they will produce a paper based on student concerns. To take part in this start-up group, please contact their policy branch directors.
For further information, or to join the discussion, please visit the Immigration Policy Center Facebook Group.
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Foreign Policy
Director: Matthew Alhonte
This center is currently investigating possible ways to provide safety to translators serving the United States Army in Iraq. A bill introduced by Sen. Edward Kennedy, et al. puts forth this idea with respect to other Iraqi personnel, but excludes translators. The Foreign Policy Branch is trying to expand this bill to include translators under a classification of refugee status.
For further information, or to join the discussion, please visit the Foriegn Policy Center Facebook Group.
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Human Rights
Director: Ben Mejia
The field of human rights is an important one that has developed rapidly since the end of World War 2. As the foremost country in the world, the United States has a responsibility to take a strong stand against violations of these fundamental, intrinsic rights that are violated daily and worldwide. This policy center is focused on the issues of how to bring the United States’ actions to match its strong condemnations of other nations’ human rights violations, with children’s rights worldwide, and women’s rights worldwide. Some important issues currently being taken under considerations are the United States’ treatment of illegal and legal immigrants, the Bush administration’s treatment of prisoners, usage of torture and renditions, the plight of children in Africa, and the treatment of women in the Middle East.
Currently, this center is working in tandem with the Immigration Policy Center on issues at home and abroad. Over time, they will produce a paper based on student concerns. To take part in this start-up group, please contact their policy branch directors.
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Healthcare
Director: Anna Djougarian
This center is assembling a team of students to potentially look at the healthcare plans of Massachusetts. From this, the center will determine whether or not their policy is applicable to New York or the United States as a whole. They are also looking into ways to make preventative medicine more affordable so that patients can stop ailments before the occurrence of a traumatic event.
For further information, or to join the discussion, please visit the Healthcare Policy Center Facebook Group.
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