Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – The weekend has been a good time to catch up on some questions which have come my way:
Question: How is the Clinton School responding to the economic downturn?
Answer: “Hope for the best but plan for the worst” is an adage we should all follow during these difficult times. State funding, it appears, will be basically flat for the next couple of years. That’s not unexpected, and I just hope Arkansas can avoid the major higher education cuts some states are experiencing. As I have said before, the Clinton School’s operational strategy of low overhead and maximizing existing resources continues to serve us well. We’ll continue to manage efficiently and pursue additional public and private funding for scholarship support. As an example, our 2008 scholarship luncheon netted more than our 2007 event.
Question: How does Senator Hillary Clinton’s most likely appointment to Secretary of State affect the Clinton School?
Answer: When talking to alumni about their graduate experience, they often highlight their international public service projects (IPSP) which take place during the summer. Furthermore, the IPSP is high point of interest within our recruitment efforts. Therefore, having Senator Hillary Clinton speak and meet all over the world would certainly have a positive impact on our school. Hopefully, in the future, there might even be some projects we can work on together.
Question: What about President Clinton’s role if Senator Clinton becomes Secretary of State?
Answer: I’ve read that he would not be involved in the day to day operations of his foundation, but I am uncertain to what extent. If that is true, it will not negatively impact any involvement he has with the Clinton School. We are not part of the Clinton Foundation though the Foundation does help sponsor the Frank and Kula Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture Series.
Question: When is the Clinton School moving into its new River Market Campus in the restored 1882 Budget Office Building?
Answer: The move will begin sometime in early December. We’re planning to have some of our spring semester classes there starting January 12th.
Question: What are the Clinton School students doing over Thanksgiving?
Answer: The majority are going home to visit family and friends. Several are continuing their holiday initiatives including Jonathan Dunkley’s coat drive and James Mitchell’s Christmas Card fundraiser for orphans in Tanzania. We’ve invited those who will be staying in Little Rock to have Thanksgiving dinner with our family and to tailgate with us Friday for the Arkansas-LSU football game.