C.W. Post Honors Conference Explores Commitment and Discusses Presidential Election

Brookville, N.Y.—As our nation moves closer to electing the 47th president of the United States, learn more about key political issues to prepare for the summer conventions and the upcoming presidential election. 

On Friday, March 7 at 11:45 a.m., Roslyn Muraskin, Ph.D., professor of criminal justice at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University will moderate the opening session of the college’s annual Honors Conference. The highlight of the conference is a forum co-presented with the C.W. Post Student Affairs-Faculty Partnership Initiative Committee.

CHOICES ’08: Commitment and Action is a series of sessions that will focus on critical issues important to the November elections, including the war in Iraq, education, health care, poverty, global warming and immigration. Break-out sessions facilitated by teams of faculty members and students will explore and examine issues relevant to the November election. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 7

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.:

Opening Session                                            Dr. Roslyn Muraskin, moderator, Hillwood Lecture Hall

1 - 2 p.m.:

Break-out Sessions                                        Conducted by teams of faculty members and students in various locations

Domestic Policy                                             Dr. Linda Vila & Justin LaFantano, Hillwood Commuter Lounge

Energy & Environmental Issues                   Dr. Scott Carlin & Janelle Hrycik, Hillwood Pioneer Room

Foreign Policy                                               Dr. Jeremy Buchman & Michael Colon, Humanities 128

Immigration                                                   Dr. Rachel Sullivan & Atinuke Awoyomi, Hillwood 106 

Role of Religion in Politics                           Fr. Ted Brown & Daniel Resch, Humanities 125

2:15 - 3 p.m.:

Wrap Up Session                                           Dr. Muraskin and break out group facilitators, Humanities 119

The symposium will specifically address the upcoming presidential elections and the issues that surround it. “Political commitment seemed a natural link,” said Joan Digby, Ph.D., director of the Honors Program. “Commitment refers not only to politicians but also to voters who need to think about where they stand on key issues. Our goal is to make the students feel vested in the presidential election so that they will vote.” A wrap-up session will conclude the program and provide summaries of the break-out session and will challenge students to formulate their own positions and compare their opinions with those of the presidential candidates.

For more information e-mail joan.digby@liu.edu.

Posted: March 5, 2008