California State University, Sacramento
Public Policy & Administration/International Affairs

COMMUNICATOR

March 24, 1998
The communicator is the official program newsletter serving the students of the Graduate Programs in Public Policy and Administration and International Affairs at California State University, Sacramento.

Please note: this is an archived newsletter. The links and other information are NOT current.


Director's Corner

Faculty

Alumni

Announcements

Career Opportunities

Student Jobs

Scholarships,
Grants, Fellowships...

Dates to Remember

DIRECTOR'S CORNER

Welcome to the first on-line edition of the PPA/IA newsletter, the Communicator!

There are lot's of exciting things happening in the MPPA program these days! For starters, we are exploring the possibility of creating a Center for Local Government in the Department. The new Center, if successfully located at CSUS, would be a high quality, non-partisan think tank aimed at producing policy research on county and local government policy issues, encouraging graduate work and theses in the area of county and local policy analysis, and would capitalize on the state, county and local government policy experience of the MPPA Program faculty.

The MPPA Program faculty have a strong county focus already - given that Ted Lascher completed his Ph.D. dissertation in the area of county policymaking, Rob Wassmer is completing a study on county fiscal resources and policy for PPIC in San Francisco, Cristy Jensen is engaged in a study of welfare reform in Sacramento and Yolo counties for a national study of welfare reform, Tim Hodson supervises a county official training program through the Center for California Studies, and I am currently serving as an advisor to Sacramento County on homelessness and welfare reform. So, as you can clearly see, the "fit" between our Program and a County Think tank is very good. I'll report back to you in the next Communicator about progress on the MPPA County think tank, and other new projects involving the MPPA program and the PPA Department.

We just finished a very successful International Affairs program review. The review raises thirty interesting and exciting items for the IA program. During the Spring, we will be working with faculty and students to build a larger better program. I will discuss the review in some detail in the next Communicator.

Best wishes,
Bob Waste

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FACULTY

Peter Detwiler's (PPA) article, "Show and Tell: The New 'Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement'" was published in the February 1998 issue of 'California Real Estate Reporter,' published by Matthew Bender & Co. The article describes the legislative history and requirements of a new state law that will affect hundreds of thousands of residential real estate deals in California.

Rob Wassmer, Associate Professor in PPA; and Deborah Franklin, PPA Master's Student; just completed a consulting report that was funded by the California Building Institute on "An Evaluation of California's Proposition 224: Cost Saving and Taxpayer Protecting, or Time Delaying and Bureaucracy Enhancing?" As quoted from the report's Executive Summary: "In our mind, the possible benefits of cost savings through the [State] Controller's estimate of whether public or private sector engineers can perform the design or engineering service, and the possible removal of political influence on raising the price of these services, are swamped by the definite costs imposed on Californians due to time delays and very likely monopolization of design and engineering services [if the initiative passes]...[W]e recommend that the people of California vote down Proposition 224." The full report is available as a CSUS Public Policy and Administration Working Paper.

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ALUMNI

Maria Sampanis (MA in IA 1986) recently completed her Ph.D. degree in Political Science at UCLA. Her doctoral dissertation will be the basis for a book soon to be published by the Greenwood Press. Maria has been teaching on a part-time basis both at CSU Sacramento and UC Davis. In one of her recent courses at UC Davis, her students evaluated her teaching as being "tops" in the Political Science Department.

A number of former IA students are currently working on Ph.D. degrees. Kumiko Okuyama (MA 1991) is completing her degree in Economics at Oregon State University and Satoko Yasuda (MA 1997) is beginning her program in Economics at Tokyo University. Myoung-Ae Jones (MA 1998) is working on her Ph.D. in Political Science at UC Davis. Bob O'Meara (MA 1998) has started his doctoral program in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Gloria Moser Walker (MA 1994) has just received a graduate assistantship from UC Davis where she will begin her Ph.D. program in Political Science in the Fall. Erich Fleshman (MA 1995) is completing his teaching assignment at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and he will begin a Ph.D. program in Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In addition, Mike Murphy (MA 1981), a former Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines and an IA graduate, has recently completed his doctorate in Education at Columbia University.

Bill Deng (MA 1993), an IA alumnus who studied at CSUS after earning his BA degree in Taiwan, undertook an extremely successful internship with the British Broadcasting Corporation in London. He did so following his graduation from CSUS, and after his stint in England, he was assigned to Hong Kong and Singapore where he has been working with the BBC's Asia News service.

Contact Rick Wallinder (MPPA 1995), (916)756-3822, for information about the MPPA Alumni Association.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gina Barkalow and Raymond Balestino are completing their MA programs in International Affairs this Spring. They are the first Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to enter the IA Program under an agreement between CSUS and the Peace Corps. Signed in 1996, the agreement permits returned volunteers to gain internship and independent study credit based upon their successful completion of Peace Corps service. Gina served in West Africa and Ray's service was in Latin America. Each plans a public service career after completing the IA Program.

WRITER'S BLOCK: A SUPPORT GROUP FOR THESIS STUDENTS. Francine Toder, Ph.D. Psychologist and Author and Patricia Grady, M.S., Doctoral Intern. What are the thoughts, emotions and /or behaviors that interfere with beginning or completing your thesis? This group will help you to identify and challenge your discomfort at any phase where block occur from topic selection to the final draft. Learn to recognize your beliefs and attitudes about writing that interfere with the process. Identify your personal or interpersonal struggles. Try out new skills and strategies. This 1 1/2 hour per week will continue to meet Tuesdays during the spring semester from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the student health center. Call Psychological Services at (916) 278-6416 for a screening appointment.

Those of you who would like to be on the PPA/IA ListProc contact the department office at (916) 278-6557 or suzi_byrd@csus.edu.

We welcome your contributions to the Communicator! Make announcements, share your good news, or reflect on your academic and professional achievements. Contact the Director, Bob Waste, or the Department Secretary, Suzi Byrd, (916) 278-6557, in the PPA/IA Department Office.

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

City of Fairfield Public Works Department is seeking a Management Analyst II
$42,924-$52,174 annually.
The Position: This is an exciting opportunity for an experience Management Analyst to work in the transportation and transit needs of the City. The Management Analyst reports to the Transportation Manager who administers the Fairfield/Suisun Transit (FST)system. The Management Analyst is responsible for performing advanced professional administrative work, including financial review and budgetary analysis; coordinating municipal policies, procedures, finances and services and policy analysis.
Experience and Education: Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Three years of progressively responsible professional level administration experience which demonstrates application of the above knowledge, skills, and
abilities in either the private or public sector. Experience in a transportation or transit related position is desirable.
Education:
Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree form an accredited college or University with major course work in Business administration, public administration or a closely related field. A master's Degree in Economics, Public Administration, Finance, Business Administration, or Information Systems is preferred.
Licenses or Certification: Possession of a valid California State Driver's License. Application and Selection Procedures:
To apply: for this career opportunity, contact the City of Fairfield at (707)428-7396 to obtain an official
employment application, flyer and supplemental questionnaire to:
City of Fairfield
Human Resources Department
1000 Webster Street
Fairfield, CA 94533.
The final filing date is March 31, 1998. For more information please call (707)428-7505. Please not that the resumes are accepted, only if attached to a completed City application. The city does not fax applications, nor does it accept faxed applications.

City of Fairfield is seeking a Senior Human Resources Analyst
$48,585-$59054 annually.
The Position
: This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced human resources professional to work in a newly created Human Resources Department. The Senior Human Resources Analyst is part of a Human Resources team that provides support to all City Departments. The Senior Human Resources Analyst reports to the Director of Human Resources.
Responsibilities include: Supervising technical staff involved in human resources activities, Recruitment and selection, Classification and compensation, Training and Employee relations.
Qualifications:
Knowledge of Modern principles and practices of human resources administration; Principles and procedures of grievance resolution; Principles and practices of statistical analysis and research; Principles and practices of personnel selection and testing; Principles and practices of classification and compensation; Principles of supervision and training; Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations; Proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; Job analysis methods.
Ability to: Use tact and diplomacy in discussing sensitive personnel matters; Maintain confidentiality in personnel matters; Carry out simultaneous assignments with close attention to detail, schedules and deadlines; Use practical judgement, creativity and resourcefulness in planning and developing wage and classification plans; Develop and construct written examinations from available resources in compliance with regulatory guidelines; Interpret and apply City policies, procedures, rules and regulations; Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Collect, organize and analyze survey data; Prepare clear, concise, technically accurate reports; Operate a computer terminal.
Experience and Education:
Bachelor's degree, preferably in public or business administration or a related field. Candidates should have supervisory experience and a minimum of three years increasingly responsible human resources experience, preferably in recruitment and selection; classification and compensation;training and employee relations. Licenses or certification: Possession of a valid California State Driver's License.
Application and Selection Procedures: To apply for this career opportunity, contact the city of Fairfield at (707)428-7396 to obtain an official employment application, flyer and supplemental questionnaire. Submit a completed application and supplemental questionnaire to:
City of Fairfield
Human Resource Department
1000 Webster Street
Fairfield, CA 94533
The final filing date is April 3, 1998
for more information please call (707)428-7505. Please note that resumes are accepted, only if attached to a completed City application. The city does not fax applications, nor does it accept faxed applications.

Visit The Management Center's Opportunity NOCs (Non-profit Organizations Classifieds) at www.tmcenter.org/op-noc/on-intro.html. They have classified ads for jobs in non-profit organizations in California and around the country.

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STUDENT JOBS

Student Internship
Office of Legislation, Department of General Services,
1325 J Street, Suite 1910
Sacramento,California 95814
Contact: Carol Ferreira, Legislative Coordinator.
Phone: 445-3946 Fax: 323-6567
Internship Description: Under the direction of the Executive Director for the Building Standard Commission, the intern will be responsible for preparing legislative bill analyses and amendment relating to departmental programs; research and prepare responses to other departments' legislative proposals; and develop position papers on proposed or pending legislation. In addition, the intern will need to effectively communicate to top management the interpretations of analytical and research findings, recognizing the policy implication, and recommending specific actions and positions on legislative and policy issue.
Required Skills: Excellent oral and written communication and research skills; ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision: ability to maintain excellent working relationships.
Desirable skills: Knowledge of the legislative process.
This is a paid internship-salary is based on the number of units completed. The internship will run from February through September 1998.

Legislative Internships:
Sierra Club California seeks interns to assist with our state environmental advocacy program in Sacramento. The program includes legislative and agency lobbying, grassroots activism and media outreach on wide range of environmental issues in California. Our internships provide an opportunity for undergraduates, graduates and graduate students to gain legislative experience and to work with the nation's largest grassroots environmental organization.
Responsibilities: Internship typically involve three components: legislative assistance, a long-term project, and monitoring and reporting on legislative proceedings. The focus of the long-term project depends on our needs and the intern's interests: it may consist of researching a key environmental issue, organizing a grassroots campaign, or tracking the activities of an administrative agency. Office support entails assisting with filing and answering phones.
Qualifications: Motivation and independence, ability to work with limited supervision on multiple tasks. Strong writing and computer skills, Some familiarity with current environmental issues, Interest in the legislative process.
Compensation: Non-monetary rewards such as personal satisfaction and valuable work experience, as well as occasional free bagels and birthday cakes.
Application: Beginning and ending dates of internships are flexible, but a minimum stay of ten weeks is required. We prefer interns to work at least fifteen hours per week. To apply, please submit a resume and brief writing sample, along with a letter summarizing your interests and abilities to:
Megan Mullin
Sierra Club California
1414 K Street, Ste. 300
Sacramento, CA 95814.
For more information contact Megan at (916)557-1100 x102 or megan.mullin@sierraclub.org.

Summer Internship Opportunities For Public Policy Students
The Planning and Budget Division of the San Francisco Department of Human Services is seeking summer interns to help our department implement and evaluate welfare reform.

Potential projects include:
- Evaluating and implementation of our CalWORKs (TANF) program.
- Conducting a survey of discontinued clients to determine why discontinuance occurred.
- Helping the department explore potential grant funding for new and existing projects.
Actual Assignments will be based upon interests, skills and experience and our most urgent needs. Salary is $11.66 per hour, for a 40 hours per week schedule. Two positions are available.
To apply, send resume and cover letter detailing why you would be interested in working with us to:
Christian Griffith, Planning and Budget
SF DHS
PO Box 7988
San Francisco, CA 94120-7988
or fax to (415) 431-9270
You can also email your resume and cover letter to: sfdhsbudget@yahoo.com
Applications are due by April 17, 1998.

Go to the CSUS Foundation web site for a listing of Employment Opportunities on and off campus.

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SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS...

Fellowship Available
The CSU announces the Glenn and Dorothy Dumke Fellowship for Graduate Students in the areas of : Public Policy, American History, Economics, Archival management and government. The fellowship is offered to full-time graduate students whose cumulative undergraduate grade point average is 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale), and who have a specific interest in California history, politics, economics, or similar areas. One $1,000 award will be available for 1998-99. Completed application must be received by 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, 1998. Applications available in the
PPA/IA department office, (916) 278-6557. Send to:
Office of the President
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6026.
Fax: (916)278-5709.

Fulbright Student Grant Opportunities for International Travel and Research
CSUS Office of International Programs presents:
Fulbright Grants for Overseas Study and Research Workshops for Seniors and Graduate Students:
Tuesday, May 5, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 14, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Please call the
Office of International Programs at (916)278-6686 for room information and RSVP.

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DATES TO REMEMBER

April 1 Deadline for graduate students to apply for Spring 1998 graduation
April 6-10 Spring Recess
April 24 Last day to drop a class with approved petition
May 11 Fall 1998 Class Schedule available (tentative)
May 18-22 Final Exam Week
May 22 Commencement for the School of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies (that means PPA and IA Students) at 4:30 at Arco Arena. Students should plan to arrive at 4:00.
May 28 Dealine for file thesis or project for Spring 1998 graduation.
May 28 Last day of Academic year.
June 15 Fall 1998 CASPER Invitation to Register mailed (tentative)
June 16 Begin CASPER fee payment at Cashier's Office - LSN 1001 (by mail, drop box, in person or via CasperNET for VISA/MC)
June 29 - July 27 CASPER for Fall 1998 semester (tentative)
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