Public Policy Workshop
Social Science majors have access to the Public Policy Workshop (PPW), which is hosted and administered by the Political Science department. This facility is located in Eliot 110. The PPW serves primarily as a research laboratory, but also serves as a computer facility, teaching facility, and gathering place for social scientists. The PPW has five PowerMacs and five PC’s equipped with ArcView, a GIS (geographic information system) program, and software for data analysis, as well as full access to the internet and the resources available through the Library’s website. Students can also access datasets from the vast archives of the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research of the University of Michigan (ICPSR).
The PPW is not an IRC, and is not a part of the College computer system. It is, therefore, not open to anyone, but only to authorized users who have been granted access. Access is authorized by the Director, on application to the PPW Manager, whose name and e-mail address are posted on the door to Eliot 110. Card access is limited to social science students and faculty.
The PPW is open 24 hours on an honors system basis. Occasionally, the PPW is used for other purposes, such as classes. Students should consult the bulletin board as to times the PPW is available for use. The PPW Manager handles all special scheduling of the PPW authorized by the Director. Nevertheless, special scheduling is infrequent, so the PPW remains a good place to work on papers, etc., without interruption.
