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Political Science Department sponsors campus Constitution Day panel.

Tuesday, September 20, is the day Fresno State observes the signing of the American Constitution in 1787. This year the political science department is sponsoring a panel on the Constitution, the nation's debt, and the political debt crisis. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Jeff Cummins and the panel will include Dr. Thomas Holyoke along with Drs. Antonio Avalos and David Vera from the economics department. It will be in the Satellite Student Union from 11:00am to 12:30pm.

Special Honors for Political Science Students

We are thrilled to announce that two of our graduating students have won major university awards this year for their academic achievements. Tracey Chow of Easton, California, is the undergraduate dean's medalist for the College of Social Science and is getting her bachelors degree in political science. Palingwinde Yves Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso, who is getting his masters degree in international relations, is the graduate medalist for the Division of Student Affairs.

Faculty Members Receive University Awards

Two members of our faculty have won major awards from the university provost this year. Dr. David Schecter has won the University Service award and Dr. Melanie Ram has won the Most Promising New Faculty Award. Congratulations!

New Book on Indian Casino Gaming Published

Dr. Kenneth Hansen's new edited book, The New Politics of Indian Gaming, has just been released by the University of Nevada Press. The book contains two chapters written by Dr. Hansen along with his co-editor, Dr. Tracy Skopek of the University of Wyoming, as well as chapters written by Dr. Jeffrey Cummins and Dr. Thomas Holyoke.

 

 

Constitution Day Celebrated

The department recently held a very successful forum on the constitutionality of the recently passed federal health care law, a forum held to celebrate Constitution Day (September 17). To watch the entire event, click here.

Political Science Major is ASI President

The department congratulates political science major Pedro Ramirez on his election as president of CSUF's Associated Students, Inc. For more information, click here.

Faculty Involvement in Lowell Neighborhood Development

Several of our faculty are involved with the Lowell Neighborhood Project, where the University is working with the City of Fresno on a neighborhood revitalization initiative.  For the latest on the project see click here.

"December 7, 2009 - Students Raise Concern Over Jesse Morrow Mountain Report

An analysis by California State University, Fresno students of the Jesse Morrow Mountain Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) details concerns about degraded air quality, protection of Native American remains and lack of funding for infrastructure support. Students in an 'environmental learning' class reviewed and analyzed the report, which was released by Fresno County in September. The class is under the direction of Dr. Mark Somma, a professor of political science in the university's College of Social Sciences." To read the complete press release, click here. To read the report, click here and scroll down to the appropriate link.

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Panel sponsored by the department and the Political Science Student Associated debated controversial water issues Feb. 4 at Fresno State.

To watch the debate, please click here. [This program requires that Quicktime be installed on your computer. You may download it for free from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ if you do not have it.]

(January 14, 2009) – A public debate on water policy in California and the Central Valley will be moderated by U.S District Judge Oliver Wanger at 7 p.m. Feb. 4, at California State University, Fresno. Agricultural and environmental advocates will face off on the issues.

The debate, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Satellite Student Union (2485 E. San Ramon Ave. at Maple Avenue, south of Barstow Avenue). It is sponsored by Fresno State’s Political Science Student Association and the Political Science Department.

As the presiding judge for the Eastern District of California, Wanger has ruled over most of the major water cases recently in the Valley, including the controversy over preserving Delta smelt in the Sacramento Delta. Wanger will provide brief opening remarks, said Dr. Thomas Holyoke, a political science professor who is coordinating the event. Holyoke said the debate will focus on Valley East Side, West Side and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta issues.

“The single most important public policy problem confronting California’s Central Valley today is the availability of water,” Holyoke said.  “The declining snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, the falling groundwater table and decisions to restore smelt in the Delta will most likely mean considerably less water in the future for Valley agriculture.” 

He said the issue also is forcing state and local policymakers to develop a broad new policy to strike a balance between supporting the agriculture economy and ensuring the quality of water and the environment that depends on it. 

The forum will also provide an opportunity for the public to express its concerns, Holyoke said.

Valley agricultural community participants are:

• Thomas Birmingham, general manager and general counsel of the Westlands Water District,
• Kole Upton, former chairman of Friant Water Users Authority, and
• Jim Beck, general manager of Kern County Water Agency. 

Representing environmental concerns are:

• Lloyd Carter, board member of the California Water Impact Network and Revive the San Joaquin and president of California Save Our Streams Council;
• Michael Jackson, board member of California Water Impact Network and counsel to California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and Regional Council of Rural Counties; and
• Bill Jennings, chairman of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.

Free parking will be available in Lot P at Barstow and Maple and in Lot J off Woodrow Avenue.

For more information, contact Holyoke at 559.278.7580 or by e-mail at tholyoke@csufresno.edu.

DEBATE ISSUES

Valley East Side -- Who is likely to win and lose in Congressional efforts to restore the San Joaquin River? The return of salmon, groundwater recharge, potential loss of water for agricultural irrigation, new recreational opportunities, new freshwater for the Delta, groundwater banks, county of origin and watershed of origin statutes, irrigation districts selling water to Valley cities, and the possibility of a new dam at Temperance Flat.

Valley West Side -- Potential damage to agriculture, loss of jobs, dwindling water supplies, Westlands Water District's claim to San Joaquin River water through a county of origin statute, drainage and selenium problems, and a proposed settlement through federal legislation.

Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta -- Collapse of the smelt population, fragile levees, Northern California users’ concerns, potential impact on Native American tribes and re-emergence of the peripheral canal proposal to route water form the Delta to the Valley and Southern California.

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(University Communications news intern Amanda Fine contributed this copy.)