WINONA, Minn. – Plans for a regional civil engagement project at Winona State University are still “on” albeit being scaled down after the Trump Administration reneged on a $1.1 million grant. “While the termination is indeed very disappointing, we are moving forward,” said Elissa Alzate, project director. “There are several options that we are pursuing with various community partners.” The project is designed to facilitate citizen dialogue with government and community leaders for positive outcomes. Alzate said that Winona State administrators have supported the project since the beginning and have indicated continuing support. “What form that support will take will remain to be seen in an era of tightening budgets,” she said. The U.S. Defense Department awarded the grant last year but cancelled two weeks ago. It The explanation n was terse. Between the lines, outside observers were blunt in assessing the withdrawal: Civic engagement was not a Trump priority and indeed anathema.
Student interns lose jobs
Alzate said that four student interns had been hired for the project. “We’ve unfortunately had to let all four interns go, although we are pursuing a couple different options to help them,” she said. The budget also had included part-time salaries for Alzate, a second Winona State faculty member, and community partners.
Speaker series takes hit
The original budget also had lines to bring in national level speakers on civic engagement, civility, collaboration, and the importance of public service. “We can still proceed with some of that but will to focus on local speakers and partner with community organizations for round table discussions,” she said. The budget also had money for consultants to help build partnerships and establish workshops to benefit government entities in southeast Minnesota.
Earlier: How WSU lost $1.1 million community-building grant
Earlier: Trump kills $1.1 million WSU project
Spring roundtables. Plans proceeding for sessionst o brain-storm possibilities, strategies, tactics.
Alzate. Calls university administation supportive in changing gears but notes this is “an era of tightening budgets.”
Verbatim
Alzate: “We’ve been very lucky in the partnerships we are already developing, and they have been an invaluable resource. We will be able to establish workshops of some sort, but it just may take longer than we had anticipated.”