Under Discussion

At the Policy Management in Seoul conference, MPA students are pictured with their Seoul hosts. MPA students experience Italy, Seoul Students from the NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration program at CMU traveled to Europe and Asia in April to learn about international public management policies. Students were selected from a highly competitive essay contest and earn course credit as an elective for the MPA program. In collaboration with the European and North American Research on Governance Network, one group of students spent a week in Italy, where they attended the 16th annual International Research Society for Public Management conference and participated in a case-study simulation at the University of Rome, Tor Vergata. A separate group of students, in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, spent a week in Seoul, where they attended briefi ngs by Seoul City offi cials and visited sites of public management initiatives. • Construction crews work to complete Phase I of the Anspach Hall renovation project. Improving Anspach Facility to undergo $14 million renovation This summer marks the beginning of a major change on Central Michigan University's Mount Pleasant campus. Renovations on the fi rst fl oor and west entrance of Anspach Hall will launch a two-year project updating one of the most heavily used academic buildings. The CMU Board of Trustees approved this $14 million project during its December board meeting. Renovations will include installing air conditioning, improving the heating and electrical system, modernizing the classrooms, and improving the layout for lecture halls. "As part of the university's long-time planning horizon, it is essential that this building remain a viable part of academic program delivery," says Pamela Gates, dean for the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. "Improvements will enhance the comfort level and physical environment in Anspach necessary for optimum teaching and learning." Other upgrades planned are replacing the fl oors and ceiling tiles, updating the fi re alarm system, installing new lights and renovating the bathrooms to follow Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. In addition, the offi ce division roof will be revamped and a student lounge will be created. Sophomore history major Brianne June is excited about the Anspach Hall project. "I am really happy to hear that Anspach will be getting updated," June says. "Now, as a student, I feel that I will have more updated resources that will further my learning." This is the fi rst major renovation project for the building that opened in 1966 and is named in honor of Charles Anspach, who served as university president from 1939 to 1959. • Under Discussion | Fall 2012 15

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