Second-Year Advocacy Project
Please read the following statement before accessing my project:
My project, “The State of PSL: Results from a Climate Survey”, is presented as results from research I have done regarding the second-year cohort of PSL. While I call it “research”, it should be noted that is not to be confused with academic research and with appropriate oversight and scholarly methods. The SYAP is intended to be more of an op-ed style presentation on a project second-years are passionate about and since I could be considered part of the sample taking the survey, I inherently have a biased approach in the creation of the survey and the presentation of its results. Again, this project is not to be confused with statistically valid, peer-reviewed academic writing and though I present it in a way similar to academic research, it is a personal project for this SYAP forum. With that in mind, I will stress that although there are flaws within the research, the answers individuals gave and the problems identified in the results are valid concerns from actual PSL members; I would gladly lend my support behind more conversations related to change and I am sure many of the respondents would also be a part of the conversation. The unusual circumstances we have all been navigating lend themselves to unique and unexpected solutions and if I could go back and revise some of my work and choices, I would glad take the offer, but I proudly stand by what I have written and hope that others who read it can understand why I am so passionate about the group.
For those curious, I am specifically advocating for greater communication and respectful dialogue between all members of PSL. I cite specific problems and solutions in the Discussion section of my paper, but if I had to summarize my work it would boil down to creating new channels where students can freely voice their opinions on all manner of issues and use their voice to shape the program they are in. Regardless of how the data is skewed or appears to favor one side, all parties mentioned in the paper (Advisor, Executive Board, Mentors, Membership, etc.) would benefit from being more honest with how they feel and know that their opinion is valid and heard. If another poll taken from PSLers completely contradicts my work, I would be overjoyed since it would address the issues of communication and honesty that I have recommended and hopefully continue progress towards a better program. I look forward to having some of these dialogues in the comments to this post and encourage readers to read the entire paper if they have the time!
Click here to open a PDF of my report or visit go.osu.edu/BermanSurveyPDF.
Abstract:
The Politics, Society, and Law (PSL) Scholars program was created in 2006* as part of The Ohio State University’s Honors & Scholars Program. PSL is currently advised by Mr. Kevin Freeman who, along with the PSL Executive Board (PSLEB), creates programming for undergraduate students in a two-year program; completion of the program gives students a unique Scholars transcript designation (among other perks). Inspired by my own experiences within the program and recent developments, I created a climate survey to gather opinions and experiences from my fellow Second-Year cohort members. The climate survey was sent to members of the Second-Year PSL cohort and solicited honest, anonymous feedback on the program’s leadership, requirements, and membership. At the conclusion of the data collection, I found that opinion among the Second-Year cohort was generally negative and in multiple parts of the program. The majority sampled believe that systemic change is needed in the future for the program to align more closely with their desires. Many responses indicate that the program’s leadership severely lacked concern for salient issues such as student safety and respect of opinions. My hope is that these results will be used to inform real reformation within the program and membership opinion can shape the program in the future.
*PSL was actually founded in 2004, but Mr. Freeman became the advisor in 2006. I take full responsibility for this error and should be noted as a correction to the project.*