1. Northern Illinois University
Public Administration Student Association
Executive Committee Meeting
January 28, 2010
Minutes
Cal to Order
President Jarret Byrne called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m.
Present: President Jarrett Byrne, Vice President Alex Barkley, Secretary Inga Jacobson,
Appointed Member Christina Collison, and Faculty Advisor Dr. Kim Nelson.
Call Ins: Treasurer Melissa Steirer
Also Present: Division Director Dr. Kurt Thurmaier and MPA Coordinator Samantha
Fisher.
Information from Dr. Thurmaier
Dr. Thurmaier had two issues to discuss. First, the student government budget process
is starting. He urged the executive committee to think about how to obtain funds for
PASA. PASA is currently eligible for $500.00. Dr. Thurmaier stated one of the reasons
the MPA program dedicated staff time was to form a group that was eligible for funds.
Dr. Thurmaier said PASA can use the funds to enhance the speaker series. There are
many speakers that he would like to bring to campus, but the funds aren’t available.
PASA would be able to help determine what speakers to bring to campus. A budget
proposal would need to be developed. J. Byrne asked M. Steirer to start working on the
proposal. M. Steirer said she would look into deadlines before the next meeting.
The second issue Dr. Thurmaier wanted to discuss with the committee was how to
honor students who graduate in August or December. He said when someone
completes the program, they should be honored. The problem is that the number of
graduates at any given graduation varies. He would prefer to include all students who
graduate in an academic year in one ceremony. The problem with this is that for the
convocation ceremony, you rent a cap and gown and have to give it back. For an
annually ceremony for the MPA program, everyone wouldn’t have a cap and gown. He
suggested the program should buy some to have in storage.
Review of Student Feedback
Communication
J. Byrne stated that communication issues should be a priority to correct because
it will help in other areas of student concern. He asked the committee how PASA
continues to get people involved and informed about the organization. C.
Collison suggested a private Facebook page. Discussion followed, and it was

2. PA Student Association January 28, 2010
agreed by the committee to set up a page. The page will also direct students to
the MPA E-Community accessible through Blackboard. J. Byrne and I. Jacobson
will work on development. K. Nelson also suggested cutting back e-mails to
once per month.
In regards to the complaints of missed office hours, e-mails not returned, or
phone calls not returned by professors, K. Nelson said students should be
advised to keep records. C. Collison suggested writing an alternate policy that
stated what to do if there was no response.
S. Fisher suggested working with Dr. Thurmaier to see if there are any
restrictions to developing this type of policy. C. Collison said she would talk with
Dr. Thurmaier.
K. Nelson suggested waiting to talk to Dr. Thurmaier until a list of topics is
developed from the survey results. She also suggested that students should call
Ellen Cabrera or June Kubasiak in the MPA office to let them know the student is
trying to reach a professor. They would then be able to document it, and it could
be grounds for appealing a bad grade.
The executive committee then discussed how politics is viewed in the program.
There was consensus among members that politics are taught as evil. K. Nelson
thought some students take it the wrong way.
A. Barkley stated that “evil” is probably a bad word. He said politics are
overlooked as a reality of how things get done.
Nonprofits
J. Byrne said some students are complaining about the lack of nonprofit material
and speakers in the program.
K. Nelson and S. Fisher spoke about how the program is moving in the direction
of offering more nonprofit opportunities by hiring another professor and other
development aspects. It takes a few years for the changes to be implemented.
S. Fisher suggested recapping what students have encouraged to further
develop the nonprofit aspects of the program.
A. Barkley stated that professors often have nonprofits an afterthought. There
needs to be a different mindset.
Coordinator
K. Nelson said Dr. Thurmaier will be developing an evaluation for S. Fisher.
Advising

3. PA Student Association January 28, 2010
S. Fisher said NASPA requires goal setting like what we have now for
accreditation purposes.
C. Collison suggested the students are provided with the advising sheet before
the meeting so they have time to think about their goals.
A.Barkley suggested including a reminder in the semester advising letter.
Off Campus Classes
J. Byrne stated there are the same comments about having more classes off
campus. He said the rationale should be presented to the students why more
are not offered. K. Nelson explained that the program is accredited as NIU
DeKalb, so there has to be a certain percentage of classes on campus.
S. Fisher said one problem with off campus classes is that students don’t want to
pay the extra fees.
The executive committee also discussed differences between how classes are
taught. One difference may be whether the professor is an adjunct or regular
professor.
Class schedules
J. Byrne mentioned the comment about having more classes at night (6:30 –
9:10 p.m.). K. Nelson stated the fall schedule has the 6:30 block full on each
day. This means some classes will have to be at 3:30 p.m. – 6:10 p.m.
Open Discussion
J. Byrne stated at the next meeting the committee will need to develop five or more
topics that students will be able to vote on for the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 colloquium
topics. Dr. Fred Mayhew will have to submit the paperwork by April. There will be an
online vote again to decide the topics.
C. Collison stated she will most likely be taking over as the IAMMA Intern
Representative.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on February 11, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
Adjournment:
C. Collison moved to adjourn. I. Jacobson seconded it and the motion carried. Meeting
adjourned at 3:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Inga Jacobson
PA Student Association Secretary