Carolina MPA Calendar

• August 15: Fall on-campus courses start
• August 20: MPA Alumni Picnic in Chapel Hill, NC! (Register below!)
• September 5: September term online classes start
• September 17-21: ICMA Conference in Columbus, OH
• October 6-8: Fall Immersion: Social Equity in the Public Sector: Self to Systems, Watch the Video on our Immersion course Here!
• December 10-11: Fall Commencement Events

Note for MPA Students: We hope you will submit proposals! . ICMA will provide travel and lodging scholarships for the winners. At this point, you only need a proposal, though they will need a paper by the time the presentation happens at the conference. It does not need to be some original data analysis. Course papers can work.

ICMA Form of Government Graduate Student Symposium Call for Proposals

ICMA is proud to announce a call for proposals for a planned “Form of Government Graduate Student Symposium” to be held during the 2022 ICMA Annual Conference in Columbus/Franklin County, OH. This event will enable graduate students to submit papers or presentations that will help guide our understanding of the council-manager form of government.

The U.S. Constitution is silent on the establishment of local governments. And so, in accordance with the 10th Amendment, which reserves to the states all powers not granted to the United States or prohibited by the Constitution, states have the power to determine how local governments may be established and abolished. Due to the differences in state constitutions and state codes, local government structures (along with the powers conferred upon local governments and their officials) vary greatly throughout the U.S. – not only between states but even between local governments within the same state. Internationally, ICMA has engaged with several nations that have established various practices to enhance local autonomy to better meet the needs of the people. 

Central to the decisions regarding the local government's powers, authority, and structures at the local level is an emphasis on meeting public needs. Yet, what is often neglected in these policy discussions is a clear definition of the public. 

• Does it include all people within a jurisdiction? 
• Is it only those who vote? 
• Does it include businesses and visitors or only residents? 

With the lack of clarity regarding who the public is, evaluating policy decisions meant to serve that public becomes particularly murky. Further, how does a jurisdiction establish a more responsive, equitable, and accountable form of government without a clear understanding of the public? Specifically, to whom is the government responsive and accountable, and how do we measure equity if we do not clearly understand who the local government is designed to serve?

As academics engaged in public policy and public administration, we would do well to clearly define what is meant by public in both theoretical and practical terms. To this end, ICMA is seeking papers that explore the concept of the public (or publics) and its particular importance at the local level. Papers may present specific research findings or explore theoretical concepts that help to unpack the idea of the public. 

Proposals are due by August 12, 2022, and should be no more than 800 words in length (excluding bibliography) to ecooper@icma.org.

• Define the concept of the public (or publics) theoretically and practically. 
• Discuss the importance the concept of the public (or publics) plays at the local level. 
• Provide a 60-word abstract that engages attendees and demonstrates how defining the concept of the public (or publics) will benefit policy decisions. 
• Clearly articulate the methodology and any hypotheses/findings to be addressed in the paper/presentation.

This is a great opportunity for graduate students to engage with practitioners, academics, and other graduate students as we collaborate to find ways to improve the quality of life of communities through effective government administration.

Selected proposals will be notified by August 15, 2022.

• Accepted papers and presentations will be published online at icma.org
• Authors/presenters will have the opportunity to present their research to ICMA members during the ICMA Annual Conference in September 2022 (ICMA will provide travel and lodging scholarships to accepted authors/presenters)
• Papers will be considered for publication in ICMA’s PM print magazine.

For questions email ecooper@icma.org.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Webinar

Registration links aren't working in flyer, so here they are below:

• August 10 Registration
• August 11 Registration
• August 12 Registration

Are you interested in research conducted with, rather than on, communities? Come to the Fall Reception of the Graduate Certificate in Participatory Research to learn how you can join this vibrant interdisciplinary community!

Thursday August 18, 2022, 5:30-7:00

Blue Dogwood Public Market

306 W. Franklin Street in Downtown Chapel Hill

Catered by Bouquet Garni Senegalese

Click here to learn more about  The Graduate Certificate in Particpatory Research. 

• Diversity & Student Success for Graduate Students
• Due August 10: Apply to be the Lead Graduate Assistant for the Buckley Public Service Scholars
• August 10: Young Nonprofit Professionals of the Triangle Virtual Happy Hour
• August 15: Queer Fall Fest: A Week of Welcome Event
• Applicants Needed for Orange County Volunteer Boards and Commissions

If interested, email resume and cover letter to Dr. Lynn Blanchard at blanchard@unc.edu by August 10th .

Applicants Needed For Volunteer Boards And Commissions

One way residents can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to serve on a volunteer board or commission. The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants for the following boards and commissions:

• Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
• Advisory Board on Aging
• Affordable Housing Advisory Board
• Agricultural Preservation Board
• Animal Services Advisory Board
• Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
• Board of Equalization and Review
• Commission for the Environment
• Historic Preservation Commission
• Human Relations Commission
• Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
• Orange County Board of Adjustment
• Orange County Housing Authority Board
• Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
• Orange Unified Transportation Board

If interested in serving on any of these boards, view requirements and apply at www.orangecountync.gov/Apply.

Orange County strives for authentically diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Orange County. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have the opportunity to directly influence the County’s decisions, policies, and priorities.

For additional information contact Tara May at 919-245-2125 or tmay@orangecountync.gov.