“Election 2012: Staten Island and the Nation” will be the inaugural event of the Dean's Symposium series on October 9.

“Election 2012: Staten Island and the Nation,” is a roundtable discussion that will address the local and national dimensions of the upcoming federal elections with James Oddo, New York City Council Member, 50th District; Tom Wrobleski, Political Editor, Staten Island Advance; Jeffrey Kroessler, Historian, John Jay College; and Richard Flanagan, Political Scientist, College of Staten Island. 

The discussions will use the recently published book, Staten Island: Conservative Bastion in a Liberal City, by Dr. Daniel Kramer and Dr. Richard Flanagan as a point of departure. Topics will include local and national voting patterns and public policy challenges facing the Borough and the country.  

“During this time of unprecedented coverage of the presidential election, many voters are finding it difficult to discern the relevant, non-partisan information,” commented Flanagan. “This panel discussion aims to shed some light on not only the current national and local topics, but also the history of these topics and how they have helped shaped our country today.” 

This rountable discussion, which is free and open to the public, will take place Tuesday, October 9 at 2:30pm in the Center for the Arts at 2800 Victory Boulevard in the Willowbrook section of Staten Island. The roundtable will be moderated by Associate Professor Richard Flanagan, and will posthumously honor Professor Emeritus Daniel Kramer. A reception will follow. 

“This event will be the first of a series of symposia entitled the “Dean’s Symposium,” and is aimed at featuring outstanding accomplishments of CSI faculty, new curricula developments, and events of national and international import,” said Dr. Nan Sussman, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at the College. “We look forward to fostering conversations that stimulate the intellect, introduce new perspectives, and engage our emotions.” 

The series is presented by the College of Staten Island, the CSI Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Department of the Library.