From campus to the capitol: Sociology interns tackle water justice in Lansing
When students in SOC 4600: Sociology Internship signed up for a hands-on course with Professor Khari Brown at Wayne State University, they likely didn’t expect it would lead them to the Michigan State Capitol.
But that’s exactly where they found themselves this semester — interviewing lawmakers about a high-stakes water affordability bill package that failed during the 2023-2024 legislative session.
Understanding the policy
Students interviewed six state legislators about the bill package, which was introduced but ultimately did not pass.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), proposed adjusting water rates based on income to ease the burden on low-income households. It would have been funded through a statewide surcharge.
The experience gave students a firsthand look at how public policy intersects with social issues, and how sociology plays a key role in understanding both.
Grounded in advocacy
“In researching the faith response to the water affordability crisis in Detroit, I became aware of The Michigan Welfare Rights Organization (MWRO),” said Brown. “They are one of the most pivotal water affordability advocacy groups in the city and the state.”
Throughout the semester, students interned with MWRO and worked closely with co-founder and longtime community organizer Maureen Taylor.
Their work included reviewing case files, listening to service calls and studying the broader historical and social context of Detroit’s water crisis.
“Ms. Taylor and I provided students with materials on the intersection of race, poverty and public policy in Detroit,” Brown said. “We also examined the legislative records and priorities of the elected officials we spoke with.”
Learning from legislators
Student interviews — conducted both virtually and in person in Lansing — highlighted how the framing of an issue can influence legislative outcomes.
Students discovered that beyond budget considerations, political messaging played a role in the bill’s failure.
“What stood out was how important narratives are," Brown said. "A central reason legislators believed the bills did not pass was because some conservative legislators effectively framed the issue of water affordability as a handout for irresponsible Detroiters."
Legislators also offered ideas to broaden support, such as reframing the initiative to focus on statewide concerns and highlighting issues like rural groundwater and aging infrastructure
Impact on students
The experience reshaped how students viewed civic engagement. “They came away seeing elected officials as public servants who are accountable to us voters," said Brown.
Students learned that even well-supported policies can struggle when competing narratives or interests are at play. But that didn’t lessen the value of their experience.
Through their work, students gained real-world insight into policymaking, advocacy, and the role of community organizations.
At the end of the course, the student interns presented their findings presented their findings directly to MWRO and Sen. Stephanie Chang, bringing the project full circle and contributing to ongoing conversations about policy and justice.
Lessons that last
Brown hopes the course left a lasting impression. “I want my students to continue to inform themselves about political issues that affect their quality of life and people more vulnerable than they are,” he said. “I also hope they understand the necessity of grassroots organizations to act with and on behalf of persons and groups that cannot act themselves.”
College to Career in action: This internship course is part of Wayne State’s College to Career initiative, which connects academic learning with real-world skills and meaningful community engagement.