Speaking at The Roosevelt Institute at Tufts' first policy−training session, Massachusetts State Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D−Somerville) emphasized the need to pay attention to presentation and language when advocating for policy.
The Roosevelt Institute, a national student think tank which on Feb. 10 officially launched its Tufts chapter, encourages and equips students to engage in policy research and writing. It aims to further a progressive national and foreign policy and presents students' proposals to policy makers and advocacy groups.
The Tufts chapter is this semester hosting three policy−writing workshops. Last evening's first session featured Jehlen as an expert on policy from a legislative point of view, according to Tufts Roosevelt Institute Co−President Sigourney Norman, a sophomore.
In her talk, Jehlen highlighted the importance of labeling and language in attempting to pass legislation on both the state and national level.
"Evidence is not often the top thing in people's minds," she said. "Marketing is important."
Jehlen cited the example of a recent bill in the Massachusetts State Senate that expands access to charter schools in the hopes of closing the achievement gap between students of different socioeconomic backgrounds.
She voted against the bill, which passed in January, and explained that despite evidence that charter schools "only sort kids … and don't close the achievement gap," the bill succeeded because it was portrayed as an effective proposal.
Jehlen acknowledged the importance of discussions and think tanks such as The Roosevelt Institute but went on to encourage the event's attendees to consider entering the world of politics to fulfill their policy ambitions.
"You cannot do policy in academia," she said. "In order to make ideas real you have to participate in politics."
Politics, she explained, is about shaping discussions to support one's desired policy.
Jehlen feels that running for office is a great learning experience. "It forces you to think about what people in the real world think," she said. "My job is all about policy. It's about making laws, making jobs … and helping my constituents with problems in the system."
She also highlighted the importance of connecting with constituents on a personal level, something she said was critical to her job and putting a face to an otherwise impersonal government.
Sophomore Leslie Ogden, defense and diplomacy director for the institute's Tufts chapter, said that Jehlen was a great speaker whose talk was very thought−provoking. She welcomed Jehlen's emphasis on being connected to the people she serves.
"I admire her dedication to her constituents," Ogden said. "A lot of times when we look at policy from an academic standpoint, we forget about the people it really affects. She did a great job of connecting policy … with people … and really driving that point home."
Ogden added that Jehlen's talk was a good reminder that any policy must be relevant to the community's needs. "You can write papers, but it needs to be pertinent to people," she said.
Norman said that Jehlen was chosen as a speaker for the workshop because she had a lot to offer the institute's members.
"She is a great resource, and is [...] invested in [the Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service]," Norman said. "We do want to [...] start fostering relationships with these types of people for when we start drafting policy."
Responding to a question about her choice of career path, Jehlen explained that she started out by running for her daughter's school system committee after being frustrated about her inability to get things done from outside the system. "I never had a plan," she said.
Jehlen credited her experience after college with Americorps, an organization facilitating community service and volunteering, as integral to shaping her worldview and values.
The institute's next two training sessions, planned for later in the semester, will focus on the advocacy and judicial aspects of legislation, according to Norman.
