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GWIPP – Graduate Women In
Public Policy Newsletter I see how important it is to live
a life where you are fully committed. In this edition…
Dear GWIPP Members and Alumnae, This fall, the University of Maryland School of Public Policy will create a strategic plan to guide the growth of the institution over the next decade. The question on the table at this point is no longer whether we should expand, but has become “How will we manage our future growth?” The choices made by the strategic planning committee will determine the school’s priorities for seeking new students, faculty and funding sources. Obviously, these priorities will have a significant impact on both the character of the school and the future value of our degree. That being said, student and alumni input is a critical ingredient of the planning process. The strategic planning committee includes several faculty members, representatives from administration, and one student representative. Not only am I the lone student on the committee, but I am also the only female. The task should be interesting but a bit of a challenge as there are so many unique perspectives within the school. Fortunately, at the last GWIPP meeting several members took some time to discuss the issues that were most important to them. Some of the most pressing concerns to those in attendance were: improving and maintaining faculty diversity, increasing coursework in practical methods while retaining the academic nature of the school, and defining and marketing our program as the high quality learning experience that it truly is. I look forward to hearing more of your ideas as the plan progresses. The committee hopes to have a final plan by February but it is critical that we define student interests early in the process to ensure they will be addressed. Please contact me with your thoughts so I can incorporate them into the student concerns memo. Alternatively, you are encouraged to write your own 1-2 page memos addressing any strategic planning item you are especially concerned about. The memos will be distributed to and addressed by the entire committee. This is a great opportunity to express your views to the faculty in a context where it really matters. Imagine the impact of twenty memos all addressing female and minority representation! For those of you still around campus, we will have a community meeting with all students to discuss these issues on Tuesday, November 9 in the student lounge. I hope to see you there. Sincerely,
GWIPP is seeking Alumnae for
interviews with students.
Many of us choose to attend the Maryland School of Public Policy because of the school’s emphasis on public service. For some of us that translated into government or nonprofit sector jobs, others have chosen to live out that ideal by volunteering for local charities, serving as mentors or participating on foundation boards among other things. We are looking for future articles on public service and how you work to make your community a better place – whether it be through a formal job or a volunteer position. Please contact Courtney Workman, Alumnae Relations Chair, at Courtney.Workman@opm.gov or by phone at (410) 381-0809 if you can share your story with us. Michelle Sinkgraven, MPM, 2005 I became a runner when I started the School of Public Policy (hey, let’s face it; it’s a great way to avoid doing my stats or econ homework!). Well, I must really want to procrastinate this year because I am training to run a marathon. I am not alone in this 26.2 mile pursuit; I am joined by two other GWIPP members training with the National AIDS Marathon Training Program for the February 2005 New Orleans Marathon. To run further than any of us ever thought possible is a lofty goal but we are also running for a great cause - to raise money for the Whitman-Walker Clinic, the largest HIV/AIDS service provider in the DC area. Prior to grad school, I served as a grassroots organizer for Bread for the World, the nation’s largest anti-hunger advocacy group. In 2003, our legislative campaign called on Congress to increase funding to combat hunger, poverty and disease in the developing world. I spent the year talking with folks across the nation about HIV/AIDS and the devastating impact it is having in Sub-Saharan Africa. The same factors that cause hunger -- poverty, conflict and social inequality are also at work in the spread of HIV/AIDS. The AIDS pandemic threatens to reverse the progress that has been made against hunger and poverty over the last three decades in the developing world. HIV/AIDS and food insecurity have a disproportionate impact on women. Women are more vulnerable physically and culturally to HIV infection. At the same time, women produce up to 80 percent of the total food supply in sub-Saharan Africa. Regrettably, AIDS is now the leading cause of death for people age 15 to 59 worldwide. 20 million people have already died and 38 million others are living with HIV/AIDS. In the United States, 950,000 people are living with HIV, and thousands more become infected each year. By supporting targeted prevention campaigns and AIDS services, we can help keep people safe and alive until there's a cure. I am running this marathon on behalf of the millions of people affected by this disease. I am running for the women of Sub-Saharan Africa. I am running for my neighbor here in DC. I am running for the partners and friends and family of those infected. I am running today in hopes that it can save a life tomorrow. I, along with GWIPP members Dana Coelho and Allison Albert, hope to raise $9000 by November 30! Since mid-September, we have collectively logged in well over 300 miles (by marathon time the three of us will have logged in over 1500 miles of training)! Our early morning weekend runs, sore knees and tired feet are all worth it because we know we are running to make a difference in the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS. We invite you to make a difference as well by donating to our efforts. To donate online go to our team UMD website: http://www.wam.umd.edu/~dcoelho1/aidsmarathon/ Thanks so much for supporting us! For more information about the Whitman-Walker Clinic, please visit www.wwc.org. For more information about Bread for the World, please visit www.bread.org.
GWIPP General Meeting (and Potluck Dinner!)
Maryland School of Public Policy Fall Open House
Mexican Ambassador to Speak at College Park
Trans-Formations: Perspectives on Transgender Politics and Embodiment
“The President, The Nation and the World Through the Eyes of Women Who Cover the News "
International Perspectives: Women Leading Change in Public Health
and Technology
Center for Policy Alternatives – Summit on the State
Carolyn Chuhta, GWIPP President, serves as the GWIPP representative in monthly Dean/Student meetings to improve the Maryland School of Public Policy. She will use this column to let students and alumnae alike learn about the ongoing changes at MSPP. If you have a concern that you would like transmitted to the Deans, please contact Carolyn at cachuhta@presidency.com. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of some new developments at MSPP. During the summer, Bob Lamb (former SGA President) and I began working aggressively in response to the fruitless search for a new Dean. We recognized the importance of the search process and its connection to other problems the school was experiencing. Several students and members of the administration and staff joined Bob and I at a meeting with Provost William Destler. We were able to effectively clarify our concerns about the Dean search outcomes and the future of MSPP. Additionally, we have been able to build a constructive and responsive relationship with Interim Dean William Galston, Assistant Dean and Director of Student Affairs Elisabeth El’Khodary, and Executive Dean William Powers. The student leaders of MSPP (including SGA officers, GWIPP officers, and Graduate School Government representatives) meet monthly with these committed administrators to discuss the current concerns and needs of the student population. The range of issues has included curriculum inadequacies, financial aid distribution, consistent inclusion of students in decision-making processes and prospective student recruitment, and critical shortcomings in communication within the school populace. It is important for all of us to realize, whether current student or alumna, that the value of our degree from MSPP is ultimately derived from the existing organizational culture (“school spirit,” if you will) and functionality (every job is done well) of the school. We are responsible for ensuring that our education is a worthwhile investment and that it continues to offer the same opportunities for others in the future! I look forward to updating you about the future endeavors and accomplishments of the MSPP student leaders and administrators. Carolyn Chuhta
Publications Competitive Sourcing: What Happens to Federal
Employees? Competitive sourcing is the competing of the federal government’s commercial activities between government and private sector providers. To date, the impact on federal employees has been subject to speculation based largely on anecdotal evidence, with the exception of limited studies by RAND and the Government Accountability Office. As a result, many federal agencies are reticent to undertake such initiatives because employees and their unions are fearful of losing federal jobs. But what actually happens to federal employees? To understand the actual impact, Gansler and Lucyschn examined all A-76 competitions conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD) from 1994 through the first quarter of 2004. Analyzing data on almost 1,200 competitions, they draw a number of significant conclusions. Available online at: www.businessofgovernment.org/pdfs/GanslerLucyReport.pdf
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