PPA Newsletter

Happy spring! This month our major news pertains to the curriculum. We also want to inform/remind you of a number of upcoming events.

Curriculum: Changes Made, Changes Under Consideration

1. Public Management Courses. Beginning next academic year (and absent some unforeseen objection from the University administration), the department will replace the single core course on public management with a two course sequence. That is, PPA 240A (in the fall) and PPA 240B (in the spring) will replace the single fall course, PPA 240. The rationale for this change is a long standing desire to beef up the administrative side of the curriculum, making it more similar to the two course sequences we now have for methods (PPA 205 and PPA 207) and applied microeconomics (PPA 220A and PPA 220B). Bob Waste will teach PPA 240A while our new faculty member, Mary Kirlin, will teach PPA 240B.

Because it is not appropriate to change requirements "mid-stream," only students entering in fall 2003 or later will be required to take PPA 240B; students enrolling before that time need only have taken either the old PPA 240 or the new PPA 240A to graduate. However, it is perfectly appropriate to take PPA 240B as an elective and we urge those of you with strong management interests to do so.

To maintain the total number of units required to graduate, students beginning the program in fall 2003 or later need only take two elective courses in addition to their core classes. We will also eliminate the requirement that the elective courses be in an area of specialization; enrollment in specific elective courses will simply require approval of an advisor.

Please contact me if you have any questions about the above course changes, including how they might apply to your circumstances.

2. Potential Collaborative Decision Making Certificate. We are in the early stages of considering development of a certificate in collaborative decision making, building on the highly regarded elective courses offered by David Booher, PPA 296H and PPA 296J. We will likely offer a "public forum" to discuss a specific proposal in the near future. In the meantime I would welcome any thoughts you might have about the advisability of this approach.

3. Thesis/Project. Early this summer PPA faculty will discuss potential changes to the thesis/project requirement. In preparation for this meeting we would like to discuss the culminating requirement with current students and alumni. We have tentatively set Friday, June 9 as the date for this discussion (I'll write further about this meeting soon). I welcome your thoughts in the interim. What's working and what's not working with respect to the culminating project? What improvements should we consider? I would be glad to meet with any of you who have some input on this topic.

Upcoming Events

Last Reminder: Professor Richard Ellis on Campus on March 26

Professor Richard Ellis of Willamette University will be leading a seminar on "The Dark Side of the Pledge of Allegiance" on Wednesday, March 26 at 4:00 in Mendocino 3011. He will also be talking informally with students and faculty at 2:00 p.m that day in the Camellia Room in the Union.

March 27: ASPA Event on A "Succession Planning"

The Sacramento chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) will be sponsoring a panel entitled "Succession Planning--Helping the Next Generation Take Over". Presenters include Brian Moffitt, OD Manager for the City of Sacramento, and Keith and Shirley Porter of Work Vantage Associates. The event will be on Thursday March 27 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the USC Sacramento Center, 1800 I Street, in midtown. There is no charge and non-ASPA members are welcome. For further information contact Richard Hill at 376-5070.

April 22: ASPA Awards Dinner

The annual awards dinner held by the Sacramento ASPA chapter is scheduled for the evening on Tuesday, April 22. It will be held at the Vizkaya Hotel at 2019 21st Street in midtown. We wish a hearty congratulations to PPA student Kristy Wiese who will receive the outstanding student award. We also strongly congratulate CSUS President Don Gerth and Vice President Betty Moulds (who in addition are PPA faculty members) for being named outstanding educators.

April 24 Alumni Event: Finding Jobs in Hard Times

With the alumni chapter, we're in the process of putting together a .panel on finding jobs in hard times, to be held at the Alumni Center on campus. Watch for more details.

May 3: Bash at Rob Wassmer's House

Rob Wassmer will once again be hosting a spring potluck at his house on Saturday, May 3. The event has proved so popular that Rob's under contract to hold it for the next ten years. Or something like that.

May 23: Graduation

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't remind everyone that spring graduation is on Friday, May 23. And what better way is there to celebrate than to attend the ceremony, have a party... and join the alumni chapter?

Best wishes.

Ted Lascher
PPA Department Chair

COMMUNICATOR