What effect does a university like NIU have on local economic trends?

This has been a common topic of debate in many college towns, including DeKalb. John Lewis, research associate at the NIU Center for Governmental Studies (CGS), said the relationship between university and city units of government can have an important effect on the local economy.

“It certainly will figure into the discussion,” Lewis said, referring to the panel discussion the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) will host today at 3:30 p.m.

The discussion, will be held in the basement of the SSRI facility at Third and Locust, will be moderated by Michael Peddle, also a research associate at CGS. The topic will be “The Role of the University in Economic Development.”

Lewis said the main ways to ensure economic growth are to expand existing industry and to attract new industry. He said the panel will discuss the ways NIU can assist in these two areas.

The discussion is part of the annual SSRI colloquium series, said SSRI Office Manager Marie Chase. The panelists, according to Chase, will be Norm Walzer, director of the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University; Ann H. Cohen, director of Community Research Services at Illinois State University; and Lewis.

A memorandum from J. Harvey Smith, director of SSRI, stated the purpose of SSRI is to develop and administer social science research and public service programs. This involves working closely with NIU academic departments.

Peddle said the role of NIU in economic development, especially on the local and regional scales, has been a topic of concern for some time. Education and re-training of the work force, development of small businesses and technology, continuing education and health education all are key roles NIU plays in assisting economic development.

The first discussion, on Nov. 4, was hosted by NIU President John La Tourette and Wright State University President Paige Mulhollan, Lewis said. They discussed the involvement of a university president in the programs and negotiations between university, local business and city government officials to facilitate economic development.

There will be two more panel discussions in this year’s colloquium series, and the next may be in February, Peddle said. “Every year the SSRI tries to choose a current topic of concern related to social science research, and hosts panel discussions relating to that topic.”

The colloquium series is intended to increase public awareness of the topic of discussion and the role of SSRI and NIU in local and regional affairs, Peddle said. Today’s discussion, and the rest of the panel discussions in the colloquium series, is open to the public.