sTudenTs
narayan mulukutla mary catherine dillman alan kolodny noorain khan
lacking, unfortunately, in differ- do in the future. One of the ex- enough,” Kolodny says. “We’ve zation, student support is criti-
ent aspects of politics. But what citing things about this group is had all these speakers and events cal. But Dillman doesn’t see that
really pulled me here was the that it’s student run, and we check with meals and things that have as a problem. “We have a great
idea of activism in politics and ourselves when we debate issues cost significant amounts of money, outpouring of student interest,”
bringing in all different kinds of or when we decide we’re going to and the institute has been ex- she says. “I’m really optimistic
viewpoints and perspectives on have an event and work through ceptionally supportive.” Dillman and excited about where this is
issues.” the logistics. It’s amazing to see agrees. “There’s no way a student heading. After we graduate, it’ll
that we’ve grown enough in every organization this young would be be interesting to see where BISF
Most of BISF’s executive commit- way that we’re able to function like able to have the reputation on its is in 10 years.” Kolodny echoes
tee members see the organiza- this.” own to attract the kind of speakers those sentiments. “A number
tion’s activities applying directly Mulukutla, who plans to go to that we’ve been fortunate enough of students have approached
to their educational programs and medical school, is an exception in to have,” she says. “It’s only by our me asking about the applica-
their plans for the future. tion process. By maintaining our
selectivity, I hope that we’ll be
“I’ve always been fascinated
“you learn a lot about teamwork and
able to promote a continuity of
by policy and politics,” says
Kolodny, who is a political sci-
leadership skills. i intend to go to grad
excellence.”
Khan sees yet another aspect
ence major. “My dream is to be
school for a phd in sociology, and i’m
of the group’s future potential.
a public servant one day. The
really interested in how public policy
“Our students ask really chal-
student forum has helped satisfy
reflects different social values and
lenging questions,” she says,
my hunger for a political envi- “and I look forward to seeing
ronment where we talk politics
affects different social institutions.”
the student forum establish such
and put on politically oriented —mary catherine dillman a reputation among speakers
events.” that speakers actually want to
“You learn a lot about team- come here.”
work and leadership skills,” says a group where political science and association with the Baker Institute
Dillman, a triple major in sociol- policy studies majors predominate. that we’ve had enough political Considering how much the or-
ogy, policy studies, and anthro- “Policy stuff affected me, but be- capital to attract these people.” ganization has done in the past
pology. “I intend to go to grad ing a biology major, I never really Support such as this has made year and a half, one might think
school for a PhD in sociology, thought about it,” he says. “The the committee optimistic about the the group content to slow down,
and I’m really interested in how things that you learn in a group future of the organization. “The but nothing could be farther from
public policy reflects different like this, though, are not the kinds institute will continue to maintain the truth.
social values and affects different of things you learn in a classroom. the integrity of the group and fos-
social institutions.” We meet and listen to actual digni- ter it both economically and politi- “There are so many things that
A political science major, taries or people in the media who cally by helping bring speakers,” we can do,” Khan says, “and
Khan believes her involvement have influence in the system, and Kolodny maintains, and Mulukutla that’s really exciting.”
in the committee and the events they’re giving us a first-hand look says that the committee is ac- For more information,
held by the forum have taught at the way the world works. I like tively laying the foundation for the visit http://www.rice.edu/
her a lot. “I’m getting a bet- to keep my horizons broad and stay group’s future. “During our meet- projects/baker/studentforum/
ter perspective on the policy in tune with what’s going on in the ings, we devote time to establishing index.html.
world,” she says, “and I’m even world.” guidelines for administration, se-
learning skills such as events BISF members are quick to ac- lecting new members, and so on.”
—christopher dow
planning and logistics that will knowledge the support the Baker While backing from the Baker
be really useful in whatever I Institute has shown their nascent Institute and internal organization
organization. “Really, I can’t say are both important for the organi-
Winter ’04 15
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