The public advocacy class at Ferris State has raised $300 among other efforts to support Trap Neuter Release Mecosta.
This class, formally known as communicator and now known as public advocate, has a project-based curriculum in which students run a service project of their choosing to help out a local community entity.
The class itself is considered a capstone for the public advocacy minor, an option for students pursuing a communication studies degree.
The goal of the course is to provide students with an opportunity to engage in academic service learning and receive hands-on experience via the coursework.
Professor of Communication Dr. Stephanie Thomson stated that public advocacy has a place everywhere, especially in a smaller community such as Big Rapids.
“It really does take a village,” Thomson said. “The idea is, advocacy is not just about ‘gee, I have to advocate for myself’, but rather I’m a part of this group, and how can we work together to make things better for everyone?”
Thomson further noted that the class is geared towards providing students with a way to learn leadership and organizational skills that prepare them to take on advocacy throughout their careers and lives.
Trap Neuter Return Mecosta is a local program aimed at trapping feral cats and humanely neutering them to prevent the growth of the feral cat population in Big Rapids.
Feral cats are not adoptable and can cause problems for residents, such as noise disturbances and property damage.
TNR Mecosta volunteer and grant writer Bonnie Clark stated that the feral cat problem is more extensive than many realize.
“One female cat, with her mate and subsequent kittens in nine years can produce 11,000 cats,” Clark said. “If we spay and neuter just one female, we are preventing that and making things better.”
Clark explained that the public advocacy class has helped with fundraising for the TNR Mecosta and the management of their social media and website.
TNR Mecosta also receives proceeds from Sawmill Saloon’s Wiener Wednesday.
These funds go towards the fees associated with the neutering procedure for the feral cats.
Clark further stated that she hopes the public advocacy students will continue to foster the connection between local organizations and Ferris State.
“Collaboration with agency is one of the most important things in any organization,” Clark said. “The more collaboration you can get, the outreach is just so much better and so much more positive. Ferris is a huge part of Big Rapids, so why would you exclude them?”
This semester the public advocacy class had a penny fundraiser, bake sale and a can return to support TNR Mecosta. The group has raised about $300 from these efforts.
Communication studies junior Kailey Freitag explained that helping the organization in a preferred way and building awareness are at the center of the course.
“Our biggest goal is to make sure we’re doing what they want and not what we want,” Freitag said. “Our class and our tabling gives them more communications with students through us.”
Freitag also stated that she hopes the class project will provide TNR Mecosta with the longevity of awareness and support from people on campus.
The class has also taken over management of TNR Mecosta’s Instagram as part of the awareness efforts.
Sports communication junior Mervens Jean Pierre explained that Ferris has the ability and responsibility to help the surrounding community.
“One thing that comes to mind is the word change,” Pierre said. “Big Rapids isn’t a huge city, but Ferris State is a big institution, so we should use our resources to help other companies in the city grow. It’s good for us to make a change.”
The public advocacy class will continue efforts to support TNR Mecosta through the rest of the semester.