Problem Statement Structures

Lay Document Problem Statement Structures

Clemson University’s student body understands the importance of lobbying.

BUT

CU’s Student Body doesn’t know how to lobby effectively. They need to know how to effectively lobby in order to promote change.

SO

I will inform them about effective lobbying by writing a how to lobby manual that can be utilized by CUSG (Clemson University’s Student Government) in pre-lobbying trip workshops.

***

CUSG would like to be in a situation where all participants on lobbying trips already know how to lobby effectively thus allowing them to promote change in policies pertaining to secondary public education.

BUT

Actually, the real situation CUSG is facing, having participants participating on lobbying trips that are knowledgeable as to how to lobby effectively, precludes promoting change in public education policies.

SO

I will make the real situation more like the ideal by writing a how to manual that educate both new and old lobbying trip participants as to the ends and outs of lobbying.

***

The situation CUSG is facing can be described as a catch 22. While they have a student body that is passionate about pursuing changes in policies pertaining to public education in colleges the lobbying participants (from the student body) aren’t always educated as to how to effectively pursue these changes.

The situation has negative consequences. For instance, in some cases these students whom have very noble intentions in signing up to participate on a lobbying trip end up causing more harm than good.

SO

I will alleviate the consequences by writing a how to manual document that will outline for participants how to utilize and build upon the lobbying they already use in their private “daily” lives when lobbying for causes (political and/or public policy) in their public lives.

Expert Document Problem Statement Structures

Clemson University's student body knows that there is a problem with a lack of sufficient student parking on campus

BUT

The student body does not, however, know how to or to whom to effectively communicate their discontent with the parking on campus.
They need to know how to effectively get their message out there and to whom in order to improve parking on campus.

SO

I will lobby on their behalf by creating and implementing a lobbying campaign geared towards improving student parking on Clemson University's campus.

***

Clemson University's student body would like to be able to drive into a student parking lot, find a space without circling around for 15 mins, and have the catbus run on schedule so as not to be late for class.

BUT

Actually, the real situation the students at CU are facing doesn't involve adequate (i.e. in reasonable proximity to lecture halls and available spaces) parking for all student's who purchased a parking permit on campus.

SO

I will make the real situation more like the ideal by lobbying for improving student parking on campus (this may or may not involve addressing the CAT bus, creating a parking garage, creating more student spaces, not allowing freshman to bring cars on campus).

***

The situation CU's student body is facing can be described as being "taken for a ride." They are paying for a product (adequate parking on campus) that they are not receiving. Atleast not by any reasonable person's definition of adequate.

BUT

This situation has negative consequences for CU's goal of being a top 20 university. Students are coming into classes late because of the parking situation on campus and this is a distraction to those students who were able to find spaces. Some students aren't coming to class at all because of parking on campus. Then you have students who park in faculty parking to avoid missing class thus resulting in faculty members cancelling classes. How is it that we can become a top 20 school if both students and faculty alike are missing classes due to a lack of parking?

SO

I will attempt to improve the consequences by creating and implementing a lobbying campaign that will voice the discontent of the student body involving parking, enlist others to voice their concerns as well, and finally to encourage a change or atleast dialogue among those who are in a position to implement the changes needed to give Clemson students what they have already paid for--adequate parking!!!