About 300 students attended an Institute of Politics open house yesterday to learn about this semester's study groups.

The groups cover topics like political campaigns, affirmative action and leadership styles.

"I think it's an excellent opportunity for students to expose themselves to important issues in the community without the restraints imposed by courses," Erica S. Simmons '99 said of the non-credit discussion groups.

During the one-hour session at the Kennedy School's Arco Forum, students and visitors met with study group leaders--who are mainly IOP fellows and community notables--and signed up for one or more of the 12 weekly groups.

The informal discussion groups, which meet Tuesdays or Wednesdays for an hour and a half, start next week.

Mary Anne Sharkey, an Institute fellow who is political editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, said the groups help students understand the "real world" in which she and the other group leaders work when they're not at Harvard.

"The real value of a program like this is to have someone like me, who is a practitioner, to give a real world view of what occurs inside newspapers and what it's like to cover politics," said Sharkey, who will be leading a group called "Beyond the Beltway: Flexing Media Muscle in a Presidential Campaign."

One first-year at the open house said the wide range of topics impressed her.

"I'm overwhelmed--there are so many things I'm interested in, and I can't possibly do them all," said Grace K. Katabaruki 94'. "But it's nice to have people like this at such a close proximity."

Six IOP fellows are leading half of the study groups. Community leaders selected by students will run the other six, said John E. Trinidad '97, chair of the study groups committee.

The IOP fellows, who were introduced after the open house in a panel titled "Personal Perspectives on Politics," told students about their interest in politics and public service.

In addition to leading study groups, the fellow will be able to take classes and become involved in College life, said Margo S. Flug '97, chair of the fellows committee.

The fellows will also have regular office hours when they can meet with students. "The open-door policy is really important," Flug said.

Many of the group leaders emphasize that the study groups at learning environments for them as well.

"I really enjoy meeting the students--it gives me a feeling of what's on their minds," Sharkey said.

Raymond P. Howell, who worked on the 1990 and 1994 campaign of Gov. William F. Weld '66, will be conducting a study group on "The Nuts and Bolts of Political Campaigns (or. 101 Uses for Duct Tape)," and said new ideas keep his field fresh.