IPPSR Policy Forums Series
The 2008 IPPSR Policy Forums Series has come to a highly successful conclusion with a discussion on one of the most important issues of our times -- protection of our critical infrastructure.
Watch for word of the 2009 Policy Forums Series as well as special IPPSR events upcoming in the near future.
As in the past, the 2008 Forums took place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Mackinac Room, fifth floor of the Anderson House Building in downtown Lansing. Each Forum is free to the public, but a light lunch has been served on a first-come, first-served basis so reservations are recommended. Directions are available online. Reservations have been taken by phone at 517-355-6672 and by emailing IPPSR.
The 2008 IPPSR Policy Forums took place on:
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The Public’s Take on Michigan’s Energy Discussion
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The forum series kickoff showed that Michigan citizens are very interested in energy costs, efficiency, renewables, and proposed policies. Forum presenters shared information from a State of the State survey that gives key guidance to Michigan policymakers and consumer educators.
See results from one group of questions posed in the State of the State survey.
View an account of the event. (Password needed)
Energy costs first sparked public discussion of Michigan’s resources and their application to energy conservation and production. The topic of energy is now prevalent in a policy framework for renewable resources as well as economic development. The January forum presented the viewpoint of Michigan citizens on energy-related topics being discussed by local, state, and national leaders. It also presented results from a new survey showing consumers' level of interest in energy and awareness of alternative sources of energy. Speakers include:
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AnnMarie Schneider is the Program Planning Director for the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research with a background of over 20 years of professional accomplishments in communications and marketing, as well as public policy and government relations. See a summary of her presentation.
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Mark Wilson, Associate Director of the MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction, and an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning. He has participated in a number of policy and research initiatives gauging public opinion. See a summary of his presentation.
- James A. Croce, Chief Executive Officer managing business strategy, leadership initiatives, and government relations for NextEnergy Center, a non-profit corporation dedicated to enabling the commercialization of energy technologies. See a summary of his presentation.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Michigan K-12 Education on an International Scale
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Michigan educators compete with professionals across the world in their preparation of a workforce that will face an international job market. How are we faring? This forum will look at national and international rankings, and consider policy innovations that further support top academic achievement for Michigan’s young residents. Speakers include:
- Sharif Shakrani, Ph.D., Co-Director, Professor in Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, and Co-director of the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University, former deputy executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) in Washington, D.C. See this presentation (.pdf)
- Kristin Janka Millar, Co-director of LATTICE (Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-Cultural Education) and Coordinator of the Undergraduate Program in the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies within Michigan State University’s Office of International Studies and Programs. See a summary of this presentation (.pdf)
Bios of all panelists.
Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7, 2008
Michigan Political Leadership FUNDRAISERS
Plan to attend Michigan’s largest bipartisan fundraising effort for political leadership development. Select the dinner program on Thursday, March 6, 2008 in Livonia at Laurel Manor from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., or the breakfast program on Friday, March 7, 2008 in Grand Rapids at Noto’s Old World Italian Dining from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.ippsr.msu.edu.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Michigan’s Role in Securing a U.S. Border
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The April forum will define the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and the Real ID Act of 2005, lay out the implications for Michigan, and the policy-relevant issues that are arising among both the citizenry and policy decision makers. Approaches to meeting the demands of new legislative requirements will be reviewed as will be results of a new State of the State survey asking Michigan citizens for their thoughts about protecting the country's borders.
- Edmund McGarrell, Director of Michigan State University’s School of Criminal Justice. See the presentation.
- Brig. Gen. Michael McDaniel, of the Michigan National Guard, Michigan’s Homeland Security Adviser. See the presentation.
- Brian DeBano, Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer for the Michigan Department of State. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land named DeBano to the position in in January 2003. In that role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the Department and is responsible for implementing the agency's priorities.
Bios of all panelists
Michigan citizens overwhelmingly favor enhanced driver's license carrying their fingerprints. (Press Release) (.pdf)
See briefing detailing results of State of the State Survey (.pdf)
See a news account of the event (.pdf)
See a television news account of the event (.pdf)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Maintaining Michigan’s Infrastructure
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Michigan citizens, like those across the country, are concerned about maintaining the state’s critical infrastructure since notable events in Sterling Heights, Michigan (road sinkhole), New Orleans,
Louisiana (levee failure), Minneapolis, Minnesota (bridge collapse), and Portland, Oregon (mud
slide). Infrastructure needs and related policy questions are the focus of the May forum.
- Jan Beecher, Ph.D., director of the Institute of Public Utilities (IPU) at Michigan State University since 2002 and is an adjunct member of MSU's Political Science and Economics Departments and the College of Law.
- Kenneth D. Boyer, Ph.D., professor of Economics at Michigan State University with primary research interests in the economics of transportation and the economics of regulation.
- Charles "Chip Steinfield, Ph.D., professor and chairperson in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media at Michigan State University. He is regarded as one of the world's leading researchers in the area of social and organizational impacts of information and commnication technologies.
- Brit Weber, Program Director in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. Program Director Weber served 28 years in the Michigan State Police before joining MSU's Critical Incident Protocol-Community Facilitation program at the School of Criminal Justice. The program is a grant-funded initiative for communities across the nation and designed to help build public and private sector partnerships in joint critical incident management.
- R. Scott Oppmann, Application Services Division Manager for Oakland County Information Technology. He is resonsibible for the planning, implementation and support of spatial and non-spatial technology solutions across a diverse customer base.
Bios of all panelists.
Read an account of the Forum presentations.
Prior Event Resources
Check out our online clearinghouse of prior forum resources and photos. Resources include
presenter handouts, electronic presentations, and biographical information.
IPPSR Forum Series - General Information 
In its 15th year, the IPPSR series of forums provides
an opportunity to hear and interact with experts on critical issues
that are faced by Michigan communities. It is a venue for meeting
people with similar interests and learning of new information resources,
as well as expressing your point of view. It brings together a network
of campus faculty, policymakers, capitol staff, and policy advocates.
Current policy-relevant research is discussed, perspectives are
exchanged, and solutions are cultivated.
2007 Series Events
IPPSR’s 2007 season of forums concluded in a special dialogue showcasing the significance of Michigan’s major research universities to the state economy. Our forum series this year has given a new and informed perspective to the most pressing problems of our times: healthcare, climate change and economic challenge.
We now send a sincere thank you to those who presented new research and those who attended our forums from Michigan State University, state government, local government and local businesses. Our public dialogue is engaged by such a community and our society is enriched by our discourse.
2006 Series Events
Special thanks are extended to all 2006 forum presenters and to all who attended the 2006 IPPSR Public Policy Forum Series. It was a banner year for tough and timely topics, as well as participation. As a whole, the series hosted 27 speakers and 625 attendees. The average forum audience was 125 with the highest audience count of 185 registering to attend the February Forum regarding the Economy and Michigan Cities.
Running one day a month from January to May, the series attracted the attention of more than 47 legislative offices and several state departments in addition to the Governor’s Office and Michigan’s U.S. Senators. Forum panelists have received additional inquires on their topics and invitations to further address the forum topic on which they presented during the series. Every forum received media coverage.
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