William H. Bowen School of Law. service – learning program of two schools UALR Bowen School of Law University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

ALTHEIMER PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM

William H. BowenSchool of Law

CONCEPTservice – learning program of two schools

UALR Bowen School of Law

University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service

only master’s degree program in public service

concurrent J.D./M.P.S. degree program

partnership of public and private entitiesProjects undertaken by students from both schools

Funded by Ben J. Altheimer Charitable Foundation

Collaborative efforts with non-profit organizations or community agencies

program focuses on public service generally rather than specifically on pro bono legal services

TOPICS1.Creation and Formation

2.Implementation

3.Benefits to the Community and to Students

4.Challenges for the Future

PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAM

recognize the two schools’ common goal of public service

stimulate the commitment to public service among the schools’ students

contribute to the immediate needs of the community and the State

CREATION OF PROGRAM

Memorandum of Understandingwritten “charter” for the program

establishes operating structure for the program

defines program objectives and responsibilities

institutionalizes the program beyond the original “good idea”

OPERATING STRUCTURE FOR THE PROGRAM

Coordinating Committee2 law school students

2 Clinton School students

1 faculty member from each school

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Recommend Annually to Deans of the Two Schools:

1.joint service-learning project(s)

2.plan to implement the project(s)

3.keynote speaker(s)

4.budget

INAUGURAL PROJECT: PARTNERSHIP WITH

SOUTHSIDE MAIN STREET PROJECT

local non-profit working to revitalize economically depressed part of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas

pilot program of Main Street Arkansas; follows the four principles of Main Street Model developed by the National Trust Main Street Center

1.design

2.organization

3.promotion

4.economic restructuring

“in our own backyard”: investment in the neighborhoodsurrounding the two schools

generates interaction between the students and the residents of the community where the schools are located

TWO PROJECTS WITH SOUTHSIDE MAIN

1.survey of area residents and business owners for market analysis

2.case study to help Southside Main develop a long-term strategic plan

MARKET ANALYSISSouthside Main needs targeted business recruitment package to use in

encouraging new businesses to locate in the area

students refined model survey in conjunction with UALR Statistics Department

students canvass the neighborhood

survey collects market data about current shopping and spending habits, new businesses and services desired in the area, income levels, etc.

goal is to obtain enough completed surveys to attain statistical reliability

survey responses will be compiled and analyzed by Statistics Department

survey responses will be used to identify business and real estate development opportunities that Southside Main can include in a business

recruitment package

CASE STUDYThree Topics:

1.Collecting information on existing neighborhood associations and facilitating better working relationships

among those groups

2.Researching zoning regulations and developing user-friendly guide for potential property and business

owners

MacArthur Park Historic District

Capital Zoning District

3.Researching current structure and role of the Business Improvement District that exists in the area

BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY

projects provide some type of tangible service

market analysis

recommending ways that non-profits can work together better

interaction between area residents and local institutions of higher education

public events

keynote speaker who addresses issues related to the project

public program for stakeholders in the project at which students present research results, policy proposals, or recommendations

research into pressing community issues

lasting record of the work

at conclusion of project, Coordinating Committee must draft report chronicling the history and results of the project

reports will be electronically archived in the Clinton School’s Research Center and will be available to the public for later use

BENEFITS TO PARTICIPATING STUDENTS

experiencing and learning the value of service in a real-world setting

leadership opportunities in a service context

students have primary responsibility for selecting service projects

students “co-lead” each project

opportunity to work with and learn from community leaders, leaders of non-profits, and various other professionals engaged in public service

breaks down class barriers that sometimes exist between lawyers and rest of community; puts students in contact with people in a real way at street level

learning to practice in context and think more broadly about a problem, rather than focusing on just the narrow, immediate issue at hand

SPECIFIC BENEFITS OF CROSS-DISCIPLINARY PROJECTS

expanding the range of potential projects

opportunity for law students to work with non-lawyer professional students to see and experience how important law is to social change

expanding focus of law students beyond the technical skills of the craft and helping them see how public service is part of their professional role

learning to collaborate and work in groups with non-lawyer professionals

opportunity for law students to see the variety of ways that transactional lawyers can contribute to pro bono and public service efforts

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

student participation

awarding academic credit?

incorporating program into the curriculum?

project selection

finding “common ground”: projects that enrich both the legal education of Bowen students and the public-service education of Clinton School students

long-term project v. new project each year

continued funding

original grant is for 3 years