Digital Commons Network^™

John M. Dunn Inaugural Address, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session March 18, 2008, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Gift Report
• Grant Report
• Personnel Report
• Proposed Curriculum Changes
• Environmental Award
• Operating Cash Investment Performance and Annuity

Western News, March 13, 2008, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU Day at the state Capitol; Free tickets needed for Dunn inauguration; Fulbright takes Joslin to Egypt; Obituaries for Albert, Chapman, Drennan, Holaday; On Campus with Erika Carr.

Prism #29, March 2008, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

When Does Public Opinion Matter?, Jennifer L. Christian

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The landmark 1996 reform to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) provides an opportunity to study processes of welfare reform in the United States. A potential factor behind the transformation of AFDC is public opinion, possibly in the form of changes in attitudes among politically relevant groups. This study will evaluate this thesis, focusing on attitudinal changes between partisan identifiers. Most data suggest the American public may have been critical of welfare programs prior to the 1996 reform. However, the extent of these criticisms generally varies depending on who is asked, how questions are worded and the type of …

Political Economy, Moral Economy And The Medicare Modernization Act Of 2003, Judie Svihula

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Through the lens of political and moral economy, I examined the dominant values and actors in the legislative process of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. In my content analysis of federal hearings, I found that witnesses from government agencies, Congress and think tanks had almost equal presence at the hearings. Witnesses who were invited by Congress to testify at the hearings expressed twice as much support for private interests than for the general Medicare population or low-income beneficiaries. Few expressed concern for the uninsured population. Witnesses offered almost four times as many expressions of support for market rationalism than …

Social Security Privatization: An Ideologically Structured Movement, Judie Svihula, Carroll L. Estes

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

We document the cumulative change in expressions of support for Social Security's social insurance ideals to privatization,from the late 1970s through 2007. Social Security's basic structure and principles generally were supported by the United States government and in amendments to the original Act of 1935. However, in the 1980s market arguments began to proliferate in government alongside pension privatization projects by international governmental organizations and conservative think tanks. Although in 1983 Commission members concluded "the Social Security system is sound in principle.. and... structure," four members wrote a supplemental statement that emphasized market rationalism. By 1994 dissension in Congress was …

The Illusion Of Change, The Politics Of Illusion: Evolution Of The Family Support Act Of 1988, Luisa S. Deprez

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The enactment of the Family Support Act was the outcome of a six-year legislative and administrative review of, and debate about, welfare policy and programs. Heralded as the opportunity of the century, it did little, however, to alter existing policy. This article examines the evolution of the Family Support Act within the United States Congress, spotlighting two important time periods leading up to its enactment: 1981 to 1985 and 1986 to 1988. Original documentsfroin the files of the late Senator Moynihan, legislative sponsor of the Family Support Act, as well as a comprehensive investigation of Congressional records of hearings and …

Social Work In The Workfare Regime: A Comparison Of The U.S. And Australia, Catherine Mcdonald, Michael Reisch

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Australia and the U.S. are both liberal welfare states. During the past quarter century, they have begun the transition from a welfare to a workfare state, albeit at different rates and through different paths. Social work developed in each country in ways congruent with the local liberal welfare state, and as such, has been destabilized by the transition to the workfare regime. Drawing on neo-institutional theory and extant empirical research in other professionalized fields, the paper suggests that this transition can be understood as an aspect of institutional change. By comparing the developments in two similar, yet difterent nations, this …

Does Belief Matter? Social Psychological Characteristics And The Likelihood Of Welfare Use And Exit, Michele Lee Kozimor-King

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Numerous studies have reemerged examining social psychological variables as predictors of individual differences in the human experience. Still, current research focusing on the effects of self-beliefs on welfare use and exit is limited. This study examines the effects of social psychological variables on the likelihood of welfare use and five-year outcomes of wonen using data from the 1979 through 2000 waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY). Binary logistic regression estimates suggest that social psychological characteristics are initially related to welfare use, but do not remain oce control variables are introduced. While social psychological predictors do not appear …

Tracing The History Of Medicare Home Health Care: The Impact Of Policy On Benefit Use, Joan K. Davitt, Sunha Choi

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

We trace key policy changes that affected use of the Medicare home health benefit from the 1980s through the prospective payment system implemented in 2000, analyzing the impact on three measures of home care use: expenditures, users and visits. We demonstrate the impact of policies generated in the legislative, the judicial, and the executive branches of government and the gaming behavior of home health agencies in response to policy changes. Our analysis suggests that the policy itself and the implementation process are critical to understanding benefit use. The incentives in the policies and agency reactions had the potential to generate …

A Decent Home For Every Family? Housing Policy Initiatives Since The 1980s, Sondra J. Fogel, Marc T. Smith, Anne R. Williamson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A fundamental economic and social principle embedded in the American psyche remains the value of shelter. However, housing policy is the result of a complex exchange among economic, political, and social agendas competing for attention within the multiple levels of local, state, and federal governments. This article intends to capture what we consider afea of the significant initiatives since 1980 that reflect these tensions and comprise our current housing policies and directions. Furthermore, we suggest additional housing issues that may need to be addressed by the next presidential administration.

Social Welfare Policy And Public Assistance For Low-Income Substance Abusers: The Impact Of 1996 Welfare Reform Legislation On The Economic Security Of Former Supplemental Security Income Drug Addiction And Alcoholism Beneficiaries, Sean R. Hogan, George J. Unick, Richard Speiglman, Jean C. Norris

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Prior to January 1, 1997, individuals with drug- or alcohol-related disabilities could qualify for federal public assistance through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. During the welfare reforms of the Clinton administration, this policy was changed, resulting in lost income and health care benefits for many lowincome substance abusers. This paper examines the historical underpinnings to the elimination of drug addiction and alcoholism (DA&A) as qualifjing impairments for SSI disability payments. Following this, empirical evidence is presented on the effect this policy change had on the subsequent economic security of former SSI DA&A beneficiaries. Findings indicate that study participants who …

Leveling The Playing Field: Epitomizing Devolution Through Faith-Based Organizations, Robert J. Wineburg, Brian L. Coleman, Stephanie C. Boddie, Ram A. Cnaan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The original New-Federalism agenda that emerged with the Reagan administration weakened federal programs and transferred power to states and localities. While Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush's years were characterized by block grants and dismantling public assistance, the Clinton years will be remembered for the dismantling of AFDC. Recruiting faith-based organizations to provide social services epitomized the second Bush presidency. In this article, we demonstrate how the seeds for recruiting faith-based groups were planted before and during the Reagan years, and how two waves of devolution chipped away at our national commitment to welfare. These first two waves provided …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 35, No. 1 (March 2008)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SPECIAL ISSUE ON HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL POLICY

• INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE - Richard K. Caputo, Special Editor
• LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD: EPITOMIZING DEVOLUTION THROUGH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS - Robert J. Wineburg, Brian L. Coleman, Stephanie C. Boddie, and Ram A. Cnaan
• SOCIAL WORK IN THE WORKFARE REGIME: A COMPARISON OF THE U.S. AND AUSTRALIA - Catherine McDonald and Michael Reisch
• SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVATIZATION: AN IDEOLOGICALLY STRUCTURED MOVEMENT - Judie Svihula and Carroll L. Estes
• THE ILLUSION OF CHANGE, THE POLITICS OF ILLUSION: EVOLUTION OF THE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT OF 1988 - Luisa S. Deprez
• WHEN DOES …

Western News, Feb. 21, 2008, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: How to learn about campus emergencies; Digital technology helping students experience history; Delene, Kelemen, Newton, Piatkowski to retire; On Campus with James Center.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session February 15, 2008, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Election of Officers
• Secondary Education Partnership Agreement
• Conferring of Degrees
• Gift Report
• Grant Report
• Personnel Report
• Property Lease
• Property Lease
• Adoption of Kalamazoo County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Western News, Feb. 7, 2008, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Scholarships bring scores of Dominicans to WMU; Students compiling 100 WMU points of pride; Microcomputer sales opens in new location; On Campus with Janet Rice.

Assessment Matters #3, Feb 2008, Assessment In Action Committee

Assessment Matters @ WMU

No abstract provided.

Prism #28, February 2008, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

Kalamazoo Kiwanis Presentation, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Center For The Study Of Ethics In Society, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Western News, Jan. 24, 2008, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Scholarships support program for foster-care youth; Provost search moves into high gear; Student award named for retiree Gary Belleville; On Campus with Gary Custer.

Western News, Jan. 10, 2008, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Anonymous $5 million gift boosts faculty retention; Faculty in four grad programs earn top-10 ranking; Timothy Ready is new Walker Institute director; On Campus with Laurie Foster.

Prism #27, January 2008, Office Of The Provost

Prism: Western Michigan University's Newsletter for Academic Affairs

No abstract provided.

Western Michigan University Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2009, Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Course Catalogs (1904-present)

• General Information
• Colleges
• Course Descriptions (by prefix)

Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness Alters The Effect Of Nmes, Michael G. Miller, Christopher C. Cheatham, William R. Holcomb, Rosealin Ganschow, Timothy J. Michael, Mack D. Rubley

Human Performance and Health Education Faculty Research

Context: No direct research has been conducted on the relationship between subcutaneous tissue thickness and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of subcutaneous tissue thickness on NMES amplitude and NMES force production of the quadriceps. Design: Simple fixed design, testing the independent variable of subcutaneous thickness (skinfold) groups with the dependent variables of NMES amplitude and force production. Setting: Athletic Training Laboratory. Participants: 29 healthy women. Intervention: NMES to produce at least 30% of maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the quadriceps. Main Outcome Measure: Maximal NMES amplitude and percentage of …

2007/08 Research, Development, And Activities, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

Electrical and Computer Engineering Newsletter

• Nonlinear Circuits and Systems
• Computing with Neuron Cell Cultures
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Cooperative Localization and Communication via Indoor Wireless Networks
• Wireless Communications over Time-Varying Channels
• Development of an Intelligent Vehicle Health Management System for Light Tactical Vehicles

Emeriti News, Winter 2008, Emeriti Council

Emeriti News

Contents from Volume XIII, Number 1:

• Wednesdays II for Fall 2007 and Winter/ Spring 2008
• August Break-Fest
• Faculty Senate Retirement Dinner
• The Council's New E-Mail List
• The Emeriti Council Website
• Emeriti Textbook Scholarship
• "Sharpening the Edge: WMU's Strategy for the Future"
• Sindecuse Health Center Pharmacy

Crossword Puzzles As A Tool To Enhance Athletic Training Student Learning: Part 2, David C. Berry, Michael Miller

Human Performance and Health Education Faculty Research

Crossword puzzles can be used to reinforce cognitive information presented in class, to introduce new concepts, or to assess student learning and retention. To evaluate the effectiveness of crossword puzzles for facilitation of learning and retention of knowledge and to examine students’ perceptions and preferences for learning, a systematic investigation was conducted.