Political Science and Public Policy

More than half of North Carolinians are unaware that state laws exist to allow public access to government records, according to the latest Elon University Poll, but nearly all respondents feel democracy is best when it operates openly.

A majority of North Carolinians favor laws to ban cell phone use while driving, even though more than half of mobile phone users report doing this regularly, according to the latest Elon University Poll. Respondents to the poll also supported a statewide ban on smoking in public places.

The Elon University Model United Nations Society participated over the weekend in a crisis simulation organized by the Princeton University International Relations Club.

North Carolinians are feeling the effects of the recession and 42 percent of respondents in the latest Elon University Poll identified the economy as the most important issue facing the state today. While a majority of respondents are united in their views on the federal stimulus package, as well as the steps needed to address state finances, they oppose cuts in sectors like education and public safety, and they support efforts to raise revenue through “sin taxes.”

Political science & public administration major Kristine Elizabeth Silvestri has been named a finalist for a 2009 Truman Scholarship, a prestigious national fellowship for graduate study awarded annually “to persons who demonstrate outstanding potential for and who plan to pursue a career in public service.”

A number of Elon faculty took part in the annual International Studies Association (ISA) meeting held in New York from February 14-19. ISA has more than 4,000 members worldwide and is the most respected and widely known scholarly association in the field.

Kerstin Sorensen, an assistant professor of political science, presented a paper at the Feb. 15-18, 2009, International Studies Association's Annual Convention in New York City.

Political science faculty members have twice been interviewed in February on the politics and economics behind the stimulus legislation working its way through Congress in Washington, and how President Barack Obama is trying to sell his ideas to the American public.

Students, faculty and staff packed McKinnon Hall on Tuesday to watch the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in a program sponsored by the Multicultural Center, the Council on Civic Engagement, the Office of Civic Engagement and Elon members of Phi Beta Kappa.

Rudy Zarzar, a professor of political science, was interviewed at length by WFMY News 2 (Greensboro, N.C.) for a Jan. 1 segment on local reaction to the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.