THE CARL VINSON INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT'S rich history of public service began in 1927 with the establishment of the University of Georgia's Institute of Public Affairs, whose mission was to study public issues and help improve democratic government in Georgia. Since then it has functioned under a number of different names, serving the people of Georgia and the administrations of many governors, including Ellis Arnall, Ernest Vandiver, Carl Sanders, Jimmy Carter, Zell Miller, Roy Barnes, and now Sonny Perdue. (Former director Hank Huckabee is serving as Governor Perdue's budget director.)

Its mission remains public service and outreach; as the research capabilities of the University of Georgia have grown tremendously over the seven decades of the Institute's history, so have the breadth and depth of the Institute's ability to design and deliver services. Today, the Institute's divisions include Community and Regional Development; Governmental Services; Governmental Training, Education, and Development; Research and Policy Analysis; and the Office of Publications and Communications.

In the 1990s, existing technical assistance and continuing education efforts with governments, nongovernmental organizations, and higher education institutions here and abroad coalesced to form another program, the International Center for Democratic Governance, the scope of which includes China, Ukraine, Croatia, Russia, and the Dominican Republic. Current projects run the gamut from the Peach State Poll, a quarterly public-opinion survey of Georgians on topics related to social, economic, and political life in the state, to a national study of county fiscal resources, to the recently published Study on Persistent Poverty in the South, to international partnerships. Whether it be assistance provided to help a government measure the scope of its resources or the effectiveness of services, or the training provided to state, local, and community officials - the work of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government touches, in some way, the life of every Georgian.

How the CVIOG Technical College Survey Cycle
Reaches Its Vital Conclusions

Each survey in the cycle begins with analysis by the steering committee - representatives from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG), technical college presidents, and DTAE state staff. The committee reviews the existing survey instrument for relevance and currency of questions and procedures. Once approved, the new survey instrument is published. (Graduates are surveyed at 1, 4, and 10 years after graduation. Employer satisfaction is measured every 5 years.)

Then the surveys - with a cover letter from Dr. Breeden - are mailed to the target group.

As the completed surveys arrive at CVIOG, the data is entered into a database and analyzed by CVIOG researchers.Then, a preliminary report is developed. After multiple reviews at CVIOG, a final report is published.This report is presented to Dr. Breeden and the state board, then to the presidents of the technical colleges.

The report is studied at the state level for purposes of modifying policy as necessary. Additional review of anecdotal comments from surveys - survey reports usually include hundreds of individual comments from those surveyed - provides further valuable information.

To view the survey instrument from the most recent Annual Follow-Up Survey, go to www.fromthecommissioner.org/classof2002surveyinstrument.