Some UF students seem caught in a bubble, often unaware of local political affairs.
Gainesville 101, a class provided by the city's Citizens' Academy, is hoping to change this by getting students involved in local government.
Kate Parmelee, senior marketing and communications specialist for the city, hopes the sessions will get students to call Gainesville home instead of just the place they live for four years.
The meetings will host officials from different departments of the local government to explain how they function, Parmelee said.
Frank Bracco, director of Chomp the Vote, said students enhance their college experience by learning about the local community.
"No matter where you go, government will impact your life," Bracco said. "It's your local government, not the federal government, that picks up your trash and has a daily impact on your life."
The program, which meets at City Hall, begins Oct. 5, and runs from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every other Friday until Dec. 14. Registration to attend ends Sept. 24.
