Chalkbeat's journalism is made possible by our sponsors.
Interested in becoming one? Reach out here.

Good morning. It’s Amy with Chalkbeat New York.

Have you ever heard of a citizens assembly? Also known as civic assembly, popular assembly, lottocracy, or citizen jury, it has been used in Europe for decades and is now gaining traction here. The CUNY Climate Assembly Project at Hunter is one of the first citizens assemblies in New York state. The approach involves selecting participants at random, ensuring their demographics accurately reflect the community, and giving their recommendations real weight in decision-making.

Hunter undergrads, as our friends from New York Focus report, are using the approach to tackle how to cut down on the trash produced by the school.

Do you think your school could use this type of decision-making model? Tell us at [email protected].

Local education coverage is disappearing. Chalkbeat helps families and educators understand what’s changing. We can’t do it without you.

Support Chalkbeat

Local News

At Hunter College, students tackle garbage — and a new way of shaping policy

The citizens assembly model, used for public decision-making around the world, is gaining traction in New York. Here's how it's being used at Hunter College.

Around Chalkbeat

This college rodeo team is mostly women. Here’s why that matters for rural men.

Colorado Mesa's lack of men on its rodeo team mirrors a national trend. Some academics are studying what’s happening in the college-going patterns of rural men.