By Bendik Sorensen
Staff Writer
The Steven S. Hornstein Center for Public Policy, Public Opinion, and Electoral Analysis was founded after a generous donation was made by Steven S. Hornstein, an alumni from the class of 1980, and a member of the LIU Board of Trustees, according to Dr. Stanley Klein, a professor in the Political Science department and the director of the new center. Hornstein, who is a member of the university Board of Trustees and chief investment officer and managing member at his firm, Global Credit Advisors LLC., was a student in Dr. Klein’s classes when he attended LIU Post. Klein still keeps all the grades of every student he’s had in a filing cabinet in his office, located in Hoxie Hall.
The goal of the center is to create a unique polling and opinions forum for students that can be accessed by the media, researchers, and others. The service will also gain Post recognition in public space for their public opinions work. Klein stated that similar projects have earned previously unknown colleges, like Quinnipiac University and Marist Col- lege, recognition and made them synonymous with research and public opinion.
The Marist and Quinnipiac University polls are frequently cited for information by public officials, journalists, and researchers.
“Hornstein, an alum that ended up owning a hedge firm, donated [money] for this cause. The president of the university, Dr. Kimberly Cline, asked me to be in charge,” Klein said.
“The center had its first shot out of the box with a poll from Oct. 24 through the 29, and it will be the first of many,” Klein said, speaking from his office, which is cramped with books on public opinion and po- litical science. The recent poll was on whether or not students will vote, and if they’re voting for and are registered to the same party as their parents. “That’s what makes this [poll] unique,” Klein mentioned. “It’s not what they’re going to vote for, but if.”
“What they will use [the poll] for is up to the university,” Klein continued. “But in the spring, we’re going to have a panel on a major national issue.” Klein stated that they’re aiming to have the event in the Tilles Center, and that big names will be invited. “It’s still in the planning stages, but the issues in question [will concern issues such as] Ebola, ISIS, or health care. Big issues,” he said.
Look out for new polls in your school email throughout the fall and spring semesters, and keep an eye out for the panel in the spring.
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