JACKSON STATE TUSKEGEE AND XAVIER PARTNER WITH THE RAND CORPORTATION AND OTHER UNIVERSITIES TO CREATE A POLICY INSTITUTE FOR HURRICANE-RAVAGED STATES

The RAND Corporation and seven universities have partnered to create the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute designed to develop a long-term vision and a strategy to help build a better future for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The universities that make up the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute are:

• Jackson State University and the University of Southern Mississippi in that state.
• Tulane University, the University of New Orleans and Xavier University in Louisiana.
• Tuskegee University and the University of South Alabama in that state.

The primary purpose of the Institute is to lead strategic policy analysis across a broad spectrum of redevelopment and long-term issues with the goal of developing strong links to the represented citizenry in the region. The Institute will also extend capacity in the region to conduct strategic and data-driven policy analysis. The complementary abilities of the participating institutions will dive the strength of the Institute.

This is the first organization of its kind in the region to conduct a full spectrum of policy research on pressing challenges facing the three states, including problems that existed before the hurricanes struck.  The Institute will provide evidence-based policy guidance to speed regional recovery and provide a long-term policy roadmap for redevelopment on issues such as:

• The costs and benefits of different levels of flood control, hurricane protection and wetlands restoration.
• Options for financing public education in the three states.
• Ways to build an adequate supply of durable and affordable housing in the region.
• Actions to improve the performance of public safety agencies during hurricanes and catastrophic incidents.

Back to Newletters