COMMUNICATOR

October 28, 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

Past Newsletters

DIRECTOR'S CORNER

Congratulations IAers and PPAers! You've made it to the half-way point in the semester. Now comes the tough part, preparing for term papers, finishing up semester projects, and putting the finishing touches on MA theses. Here's some tips for stress management to fight the mid-semester blues:

1. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! Why not? It' silly and narrow-minded to reward yourself when the job's done. Why not reward yourself right away. Then, after your reward, get down to business on your term projects, papers and theses.
2. Don't try to do it all in one sitting or one day. A wise writer once advised the following.
   (1) Put a small magnet picture frame on your computer or nearby your computer.
   (2) Every day try to fill only the one or two inch space inside that tiny frame.
   Don't try to do it all in one day, but be sure that you are doing some small part of the task EVERY DAY.
3. Try this, it works for me...
   Every day when you are just about to finish your writing, take 5 or 10 minutes and outline what you want to write the next day. Do this while the experience of writing is still clear in your mind. That way, you can pick up writing (and your train of thought) the next day right where you left off. You won't have to struggle to remind yourself of what you wanted to say the day before, or struggle to connect your thoughts from your earlier writing session.
4. Finally, take a break once in awhile! Go trick or treating (well... maybe not you, but take your children or some neighborhood kids for a Halloween spin around the block). Or, throw a spooky party for a few dozen friends and fellow students, or organize a small Halloween theme dinner party. Sure, it's corny but it's also fun!
5. After that, of course, get back to the term papers, projects and theses. When you do, don't forget Items (1) through (4), above.

Happy Halloween,

Bob Waste
IA And PPA Director

P.S. Please keep sending in those e-mails, letters and phone calls suggesting new courses in the IA and PPA programs. I have received a number of good suggestions that the faculty will be considering this year but we can always use more good ideas. Thanks & keep up the good work.

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FACULTY

Rob Wassmer, Graduate Program in Public Policy and Administration, had the co-authored paper "Public Sector Technical Inefficiency in Large U.S Cities" accepted for publication in the Journal of Urban Economics. If a city is generating the highest attainable market value of property within its boundaries given the local fiscal choices that it has made, then it is producing local government in a technically efficient manner. In this paper we develop a statistical technique to measure this technical efficiency and then calculate it for large U.S. cities. We find that large city governments in the U.S. are operating at different degrees of technical efficiency that vary inversely with measured levels of competitive pressure. A copy of the paper can be ordered from the Public Policy and Administration's working paper series at http://www.csus.edu/mppa/content.htm.

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ALUMNI

Here is the link to the CSUS Alumni Association website http://www.csus.edu/alum/.

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CONTRIBUTIONS

Eileen Roush, one of our PPA students, was in Russia last month participating in two projects funded by the United States Information Agency and the Eurasia Foundation. She gave lectures in Kaluga and Vladivostok on state and local taxation. Follow this link to read her reflections upon returning to the United States.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

The World Affairs Council's
52nd Annual Conference at Asilomar

The Great Game: Russia and the Future Of Eurasia

May 1-3, 1998
Asilomar Conference Center
Pacific Grove, California

For further information and a complete brochure, contact:
Michelle, Asilomar Registrar
Phone: (415) 434-5170
Fax: (415) 982-5028
Monday through Friday,
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

World Affairs Council
312 Sutter Street, Suite 200,
San Francisco, California 94108
http://www.wacsf.org/calendar/asilomar.htm

For over half a century, the Council's annual conference at Asilomar has been known as the most prestigious international affairs conference on the West Coast. Held at a beautiful seaside setting on the Monterey Coast adjacent to Pebble Beach, the conference boasts a special mix of social and educational activities. Scholars, current and former cabinet and government officials, ambassadors and businessmen from the US, Russia and other countries will address the 800 participants. Join us!

The Great Game: Russia and the Future of Eurasia will examine issues at the heart of Russia and Central Asia's transition from a multinational 20th century communist empire to 21st century groupings of nations:
What future do these previously closed nations at the crossroads of civilization have in the emerging global economy?
Will they forge new economic and political links with the West, or sink into anarchy and fundamentalism?

The other important side of the equation is the future of Russia, still the world's largest country and despite its current problems, potentially an economic and political superpower in the next century. Like Central Asia, Russia is at a crossroads. Its democracy is still fragile, beset by glaring weaknesses and under attack from both the far left and the far right.

Conference Chair:
Ambassador David J. Fischer, former President,
World Affairs Council of Northern California Presenters (partial list)

Free books!!
Several of our PPA faculty cleaned out their offices this summer. As a result, there is a stack of free books outside of Bus 3038. Please stop by and help yourselves!!

New PPA/IA Bulletin
We are updating our communications system. We will be implementing a new PPA/IA Bulletin ListProc. As of November 30, 1998 the old PPA/IA Bulletin will no longer be used to post information.
What is the PPA/IA Bulletin?
This is a list that is provided through your e-mail. You must have an e-mail account to subscribe. It is designed for PPA and IA Graduate students in either program at California State University, Sacramento. It is designed to provide information pertaining to the programs and about available jobs that come to the attention of the faculty and staff. This new system will allow members to access old messages that have been archived. Once you subscribe further information about the Bulletin will be supplied.
If you have any questions please contact the department office at (916) 278-6557 or suzi_byrd@csus.edu.
Who can subscribe?
This listproc is specifically for PPA student, IA students, faculty, and related persons. However, if you are a business and would like to post a job or internship pertaining to the areas of Public Policy and Administration or International Affairs only, please send to PPA-IA-Bulletin-L@CSUS.EDU. Anything posted will be subject to department approval.
How to subscribe!
Please subscribe to this new list using the following instructions.
To subscribe to this list, send a message to:

LISTPROC@CSUS.EDU

With the two-line message:

subscribe PPA-IA-BULLETIN-L Bulletin<your first and last name>
end

For example, Suzi Byrd would send the following message to LISTPROC@CSUS.EDU:

subscribe PPA/IA-BULLETIN-L Bulletin Suzi Byrd
end

Winter Commencement
December 18, 1998
ARCO Arena
3:30 p.m.
College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies
Doors open and candidates assemble at 3:00 p.m.
Sign up in the SSIS Dean's office, (916) 278-6504, no later than December 4, 1998 to participate.

Mentors Wanted!!!!!!!!!
Far too many talented Sacramento teens are lost each year to gangs, drugs and violence. But often a connection to a caring, accomplished adult "role model" can completely change a destructive direction. Such connections seldom happen accidentally.
Project STARS (Service to At-Risk Students) is beginning it's third year. In the first and second year we have seen an increase of overall GPA's for those students participating in the program and a marked improvement in behavior and attendance. Project STARS is targeting another 100 low-income/high potential 7th, 8th and 9th graders at C.K. McClatchy High School and its principal feeder California Middle School.
Mentors come from many backgrounds. So far, STARS volunteers have come from the California Departments of Education and Alcohol and Drug Programs, the District Attorney's office, and California State University, Sacramento. We hope that more CSUS students will follow the lead of former State Senator Gary Hart, who list among the STARS mentors from the our campus. 100 more mentors are urgently needed for this year's program.
Each mentor-mentee match is expected to last through the academic year, with a commitment of four to eight hours of face-to-face contact a month and a phone or E-mail contact once a week. Mentors will receive ongoing training and support at no cost. Project STARS sponsors monthly workshops and other activities that you can attend to assist you in meeting your monthly commitment.
To attend informational orientation please write the following on a sheet of paper.

Your Name
Job Title
Department
Phone: Work(Best time to call)
Home(Best time to call)
RETURN TO:
Attn: Sally Leake
Mail: CSUS 6000 J Street, Sacramento CA, 95819-6023
(916)278-7877 FAX:(916)278-7713

1999 Peking University
Summer Chinese Language Program

Plan Ahead for One of the Best Chinese Language Programs in China

Study at a top university, visit Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and travel to see the wonders of a most interesting country.

Explore the language and culture of China in an eight-week study and travel program based at China's premier institution of higher education -- Peking University. Six weeks of intensive language study at all levels of Chinese are followed by a 12-day tour through China's major historical and cultural capitals. Earn college credit while living in China!

LANGUAGE STUDY
July 5 - August 12
Intensive Chinese language study at Peking University, located on the outskirts of Beijing, affords students some of the finest resources and language teaching staff available in China today. Classes in Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Chinese meet for four hours every morning, Monday through Friday.

Weekend excursions in and around Beijing introduce students to the ancient and modern wonders of the city. A certificate from Peking University, recognized by most universities in the U.S. will be awarded to all students who pass their final exams. Tai-chi, Qigong, Chinese Calligraphy, Painting and Chinese Cooking classes will also be offered for a small additional fee.

TRAVEL
August 12-24
Practice your new Chinese language skills during twelve exciting days of travel, with your language teachers as escorts. Sites and stops include Heifei, Huang Shan (Mt. Huang), one of the most beautiful natural resorts in the country; Qian Dao Hu (the Lake of a Thousand Islands); Shaoxing, hometown of world-famous writer Lu Xun; Hangzhou, famous for its tranquil and idyllic West Lake; Suzhou, also known as the "VeniRegistration

Cost: $3,890
Includes tuition, room & board, books, visa fee, hotels and meals for two-week tour. Does not include international airfare.

To apply, please contact
Chinese Language Education & Research Center (CLERC)
510 Broadway, Suite 300
Millbrae, CA 94030
Tel: (650) 259-2100
Fax: (650) 259-2108
E-mail: clerc@nanhai.com ce of the Orient"; and Shanghai, China's financial and cultural center.
http://www.nanhai.com/edu.html

The Chinese Language Education and Research Center (CLERC), a division of Chinese Culture Center of California, is a non-profit organization that has been engaged in cultural exchange programs between China and the United States since 1990. It promotes Chinese Language research, instruction and learning in the States. The summer study-travel programs at Peking University is one of the major educational exchange program it offers to scholars and university students in the United States.

GRADUATE STUDENT SYMPOSIUM
A Call for Papers
1999 Sixth Annual UCLA Graduate
Student Symposium For Japanese Studies
The Foreign Presence in Japan

Established interpretations of the history of foreigners and foreign presence in Japan have come under considerable debate. Who were these foreigners? Why did they come to Japan? How did foreign presence in Japan impact Japanese ideas of the world outside? How did the foreign presence effect Japanese identities? How did foreigners and foreign presence in Japan influence on Japanese art, thought, science and culture?
The sixth annual UCLA graduate student symposium for Japanese Studies on May 1, 1999, sponsored by the UCLA Center for Japanese Studies, offers interested graduates students from the Western United States and beyond and faculty commentators a forum in which to discuss these questions. Transportation and two nights' lodging for presenters will be paid for by the symposium. The symposium committee welcomes proposals from various academic fields addressing these questions. The submission of papers employing interdisciplinary, comparative, or cross-cultural approaches is encouraged.
Pleas submit proposals of no more than one page in length by November7, 1998. Please include your university department, field of specialization, name, address, telephone number, and email address (if available), along with a self-addressed stamped postcard for acknowledgement of receipt of your submission.
Send proposals to:
UCLA Graduate School Student Symposium
c/o Center for Japanese Studies
405 Hilgard Avenue
11250 Bunche Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487

Inquiries and proposals may be directed to the above address or you may e-mail Yoko Shirai at ysirai@ucla.edu

The California State University Social Sciences Research and Instructional Council
23rd ANNUAL STUDENT RESEARCH
CONFERENCE
At California State University, Sacramento
Thursday, February 25, 1999

The CSU Research Conference has been held since 1976. At the conference, students from all areas of the social sciences present the results of their research to groups and peers. Presentation time is from 15-20 minutes. There will be cash awards for the best papers presented.
TO ENTER PAPERS:
Send a typed manuscript to Professor Ted Lascher, Graduate Program in Public Policy and Administration, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento CA 95819-6081. Manuscripts must be received by February 18, 1999.
FOR INFORMATION:
Contact Ted Lascher: tedl@csus.edu or (916) 278-4864, or your local SSRIC representative.

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Solano College Educational Foundation

Marketing Internship – Promotions, advertising, writing articles for Alumni development, Corporate outreach, major donor prospecting, and special events. 

History
The Solano Community College Educational Foundation was created as a not-for-profit corporation by local residents in 1985. Its purpose is to promote the general welfare of Solano Community College in the following manner:

1. Solicit, raise and distribute monies, properties, and other assets for the construction of buildings, purchase of equipment and other worthy needs.
2. Raise funds for long term capital improvements, to support educational excellence and to provide programs of special service to the community.

Qualities: The ideal candidate for this position should possess the following qualities:
Intelligence; maturity; experience working in a professional office; self-directed; an outgoing, enthusiastic and creative nature; familiarity with California Higher Education system and a willingness to explore the use of mass media technologies in non-profit development and fundraising.

Skills and Experience: The candidate for this position should have skills and experience in some or all of the following areas:
Membership and fundraising; strong writing, public speaking, organizational, social, computer and Internet skills; good "customer service" skills and experience working directly with the public; experience with nonprofit organizations; a bachelor’s degree.

Schedule/Hours: Part-time, flexible – 10 + hours week.
Immediate opening. Credits and supervision available.

Contact:
Robert DaPrato
Executive Director
Solano College Educational Foundation
4000 Suisun Valley Road
Suisun, CA 94585-3197
Telephone: 707-864-7000 x579 Fax: 707-864-7146 E-mail: rdaprato@solano.cc.ca.us

The PPA/IA ListProc sends job announcements right to your computer (before the deadlines)! See above for more information.

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STUDENT JOBS

YOLO-COUNTY PLANNING AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
292 West Beamer Street, Woodland, CA 95695 (530)666-8044
Contact: Michael Rock
Hours Per Week: At least 20 and up to 40
Pay: To be determined
Application Deadline: Continuous until filled
JOB DESCRIPTION: We are looking for someone to assist our department administrative staff with a number of special projects. Primarily support help is needed with administering the County Service Areas. Our Department is responsible for nine County Service Areas that are provided water, sewer, lighting, landscaping, and road maintenance services. There will be a lot of interaction with property owners and other professionals to deliver these services.
Our Department consists of the following work areas: Road Maintenance, Fleet Services, Planning, Building, Economic Development, Information Systems, Support Services, and Administration. There are 94 staff members.
Candidates must have good organizational skills, analytical ability, writing skills, and strong interpersonal skills. Candidates must possess initiative and a willingness to assume responsibility. Microsoft Word and Excel is desirable. We work in team environment with a set of common values. To learn more about Yolo County see our home page at: www.yolocounty.org.

SPSSI APPLIES SOCIAL ISSUES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

SYNOPSIS: Support is provided to college seniors, graduate students, and first-year postdoctorates for projects applying social science principles to social issues in cooperation with a community, city, or state government organization, public interest group, or other non-profit entity. Awards range from$1,500 to $2,500.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose is to encourage applied research, intervention projects, non-partisan advocacy projects, and writing and implementing public policy.
RESTRICTIONS: Eligible applicants are college seniors, graduate students, and first-year post-doctorates in psychology, applied social science, and related disciplines. There are no citizenship restrictions.
Awards ordinarily range from $1,500 to $2,500 to cover such expenses as research costs, community organizing, and summer stipends.
Application guidelines are available.
Deadline: 11/10/98
For more information:
SPSSI Central Office
Applied Social Issues Internship Pg.
P.O. Box 1248
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248
email: spssi@umich.edu
Tel: 734-662-9130
Fax: 734-662-5607

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

Go to the Community College Foundation job listing web site for student employment opportunities off campus.

Go to the Cooperative Education Program website for information about unique student opportunities.

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SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS...

1999-2000 NATO-Euro Atlantic Partnership Council Fellowship Program

• INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIPS IN POLITICAL/MILITARY STUDIES
• MANFRED WOERNER FELLOWSHIP
• INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 1, 1999
Special NATO application material will be available in September 1998 and may be obtained by contacting:
NATO-Euro Atlantic Partnership Council Fellowship Program
COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF SCHOLARS
3007 Tilden Street, NW, Suite 5L
Box F-GERS
Washington, DC 2008-3009
Telephone: (202) 686-6240
Web site: rpettit@cies.iie.org

1999 JAPAN EXCHANGE &TEACHING (JET) PROGRAM
APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Applications are now available for the 1999 Japan Exchange & Teaching Program can can be obtained by calling our JET Program Application Hotline at 1(800) INFO-JET. Applications will be due at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. by Tuesday, December 8, 1998. Initiated by the Japanese government in 1987, the JET Program invites college graduates form 34 countries to participate in international activities and foreign language instruction in Japan. Currently, there are over 5,600 participants on the JET Program, approximately half of whom are American. Those who are interested in this program may apply for one of the following two positions.

1. Coordinator for International Relations (CIR)
   CIRs assist in projects related to international activities at the local government level in Japan. Duties may include translating, interpreting, receiving guests from abroad and advising on matters related to international exchange programs. A functional command of Japanese and excellent communication skills are required for CIRs.
   
   
2. Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)
   ALTs are assigned to local schools and boards of education in Japan to engage in foreign language instruction. ALTs may also be involved in language clubs, teachers' seminars and judging speech contests. Applicants should have excellent English skills as well as an interest in teaching. Neither Japanese language ability nor teaching experience is required for ALTs.

In addition to the above, applicants must hold or expect to obtain a Bachelor's degree by June 30, 1999. Applicants must have U.S. citizenship by December8, 1998. The ability to adapt to life in a Japanese community is a necessary requirement. Thus, an interest in Japan, as well as a flexible and enthusiastic attitude, will be helpful.
Successful applicants will depart for Japan in July 1999. Round-trip airfare from designated points in the U.S. will be provided. The length of the contract is one year and the annual remuneration will be 3,600,000 Japanese yen, or approximately $30,000 ($1 = approx. ¥ 120).
For more information please contact:
Call: 1(800)INFO-JET or
Japan Information Center
Consulate General of Japan
50 Fremont St., Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415)777-3533 Fax: (415)777-0518
Or go to: http://www.embjapan.org/sf

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FELLOWSHIPS
• NIS • East and Central Europe •

The Program
The Institute of International Education (IIE) announces a fellowship program for young American researchers in professional, policy and public administration-related fields who want to develop a specialized knowledge of the NIS. Candidates may apply for grants to Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia,Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, SlovakRepublic,Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine or Uzbekistan. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State through the Research and Training for Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union Act of 1983 (Title VIII).
Purpose
The program is intended to support young specialists in the fields of business and economics, education reform,environmental and conservation policy, international relations, journalism, law, public administration and public health. Fellows will go to a country in the region to deepen their understanding of current reforms and national development, and become familiar with scholarly resources which they will use in future projects. Applicants Will be expected to propose feasible research, study or internship plans for the period of the fellowship and indicate a desired institutional affiliation in the host country.
Applications solely in support of dissertation research or language research will not be considered. Grants are available for periods of three to seven months.
Applicants must:
1.Be U.S. citizens; and
2.Be at least in the second (or terminal) year of a graduate or professional degree program; or
3.Have graduated within 5 years from a graduate or professional degree program
4.Have language ability sufficient to carry out the proposed project by the time of departure from the U.S.
Only advanced language study will be approved as part of an award.
Applications will be accepted in the following general fields: Business and Economics, Education Reform, Environmental and Conservation Policy, International Relations, Journalism, Law, Public Administration, and Public Health.
All applicants will submit a detailed proposal of study/research/internship that clearly demonstrates how work carried out in the host country will be of benefit to their future plans and professional careers.
The Competition
The application deadline is February 2. Finalists, who will be selected by a panel of specialists in appropriate fields, will be interviewed by telephone in late March. Final notification will be made in April.

Further Information
U.S. Student Programs
Professional Development Fellowships
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017-3580
Tel: (212) 984-5330
Fax: (212) 984-5325
E-mail: pdfnis@iie.org or go to: www.iie/org/pgms/pdfnis/

The Financial Aid Office here at CSUS has some great information for those seeking scholarships.

Just go to http://www.csus.edu/faid/finschlr.html for more information.

Go to the International Programs website for information about Fulbright and Other Scholarships for Study or Research Abroad.

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DATES TO REMEMBER

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