Student-driven research
for better campus policy
Florida State University's student-run campus think tank
OUR PURPOSE
Torchlight is a student-run think tank that produces research about past, present, and future campus policy.
There are thousands of think-tanks throughout the world that conduct research for federal, state and local governments. They play a crucial role in the function of our government.
Florida State University's government is no different. Decisions made by faculty and student administration can be supplemented by research.
Learn more about us and the work we do by visiting our "about" page.
OUR AUDIENCE
Torchlight composes professional-level research for four distinct audiences. Research is meant to be digestible and useful to each group.
RSO
Student Body
& Coalitions
By reading Torchlight research, students can get informed about FSU campus policy.
Examples:
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SGA Agencies
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Greek Organizations
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General student body
SGA
Student
Leaders
Student leaders who wish to bring about a policy change on campus can use the Center's research to better inform their decisions.
Examples:
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Student Body President
-
SGA Bureaus
-
Student Senate
University
Administration
Administrators can gain valuable insight from research published by this student-led research initiative to direct their focus.
Examples:
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University President
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University Housing
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Seminole Dining
State Government
Substantial change on campus can come from the state-level government, which can support the student body from an administrative level.
Examples:
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Florida Legislature
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State University System of Governors
Our Team
Students join Torchlight for hands-on experience that's transferable to the professional world.
Recent Research
Message from the Founder
Torchlight was born out of a love for responsible student government at Florida State University. After three years of tenure within student government and experience at two state-level think tanks plus an internship at a federal agency in Washington, D.C., my vision for Torchlight blends together real-world practices with the FSU student government to elevate the student democracy.
Through Torchlight, students learn to appreciate a higher level of accountability and transparency for their government, which carries on into the real world. College campuses are the laboratory of democracy and Torchlight is another experiment in that laboratory, simultaneously providing students with gainful involvement opportunities while providing a much-needed service in FSU's civic environment.
- Patrick Martin