Digital Commons Network^™

Make-A-Difference Awards, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Investigating Adolescent Bullying Programs: Bridging The Gap Between Theory And Practice, Amanda Waligora

Honors Theses

Recently, substantial research has been conducted towards the widespread concern of adolescent bullying. Definitions and qualifications of bullying incidents have changed as studies and factors relating to bullying have evolved. Extensive amounts of resources can be found and made available for schools, parents, and adolescents in relation to bullying, but the question stands if these theories and resources are being used in the schools, and if so, how. This study focuses to examine current bullying program implementations within school districts of the Southwest Michigan area. Qualitative analyses on interpretive interviews were conducted to determine what school districts are actually doing …

Using Multi-Objective Value Estimation To Support Predictive Analytics For Human Service Project Management, David D. Wingard

Dissertations

Human service organizations need outcome measurement approaches that support project management for efficiency and effectiveness. While, in recent years, human services have increased their capacity to manage data and measure outcomes empirically, several barriers remain. First, current outcome measurement practices are not designed to effectively support the management of human services programs for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Second, human services organizations need a methodology to manage programs to identified outcomes. This dissertation explored meaningful solutions to both issues. In Paper 1 (Chapter II), this dissertation assessed strengths and limitations of current outcome evaluation approaches and suggested an innovative application of …

Western News, March 27, 2014, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Five engineering dean candidates to visit; Final design plans for new alumni center revealed; University garners two new grants related to water quality; Dunn elected to national higher ed board; On Campus with Marilyn Johnson.

Discovery: Research Annual Report 2014, Office Of Vice President For Research

Research Annual Reports

• WMU boosts its autism research and professional training initiatives
• W.E. Upjohn Center internationally known for its topographical innovation
• From invention to commercialization
• Faculty receive awards
• Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education

Income Packaging Strategies Of Economically Disconnected Women And The Implications For Social Policy And Practice, Andrea Hetling, Jinwoo Kwon, Elizabeth Mahn

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Income packaging, or piecing together cash and non-cash resources from a variety of sources, is a common financial survival strategy among low-income women. This strategy is particularly important for economically disconnected women, who lack both employment income and public cash assistance receipt. Using data from the confidential Census Bureau versions of the Survey of Income and Program Participation, this study compares the use of public and private supports between disconnected and connected low-income women, controlling for differences in state welfare rules and county unemployment rates. Findings from bivariate comparisons and multilevel logistic regressions indicate that disconnected women utilize public non-cash …

Faculty Senate Yearbook, 2014-15, Wmu Faculty Senate

WMU Faculty Senate Yearbooks

No abstract provided.

Mass Shootings And Mental Health Policy, Jessica Rosenberg

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Research suggests that mass shootings can increase mental health stigma, reinforce stereotypes that people with mental illness are violent, and influence public policy. This article examines mental health policy initiatives resulting from the mass shootings in Sandy Hook, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado within the context of existing research about mental illness, suicide, substance abuse and gun violence. Previous legislation that restricts access to firearms among persons with mental illness is reviewed. The article suggests that gun control legislation that focuses on persons with mental illness is not supported by research, may create barriers to treatment, and may have limited efficacy …

Rolling Downhill: Effects Of Austerity On Local Government Social Services In The United States, David B. Miller, Terry Hokenstad

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Austerity policies have been instituted in countries around the world attempting to address the fallout from the global economic crisis beginning in 2008 and still lingering through today. While the literature debates the economic impact of these policies, limited attention has been given to the effects of austerity at the local governmental level. It is posited that at the local government level, the effects of austerity policies are most noticeable and detrimental. States and local municipalities are “switching roles” with the federal government (Davidson, 2013, p. 1). They are providing jobs and social welfare services in the gap left by …

Western News, Dec. 5, 2013, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU attracting international students at high rate; Research universities partner to increase faculty diversity; Wolfinbarger is state’s professor of year; On Campus with Al Shifflett.

Faculty Senate Budget Update, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

25 Year Club: 32nd Annual Gala, Western Michigan University

25 Year Club

25 Year Club: 32nd Annual Gala

December 3, 2013

• New Inductees
• Members
• Retirees

Exploring Police Active Shooter Preparedness In Michigan: A Grounded Study Of Police Preparedness To Active Shooter Incidents, Developing A Normative Model, Daryl Darwin Green

Dissertations

On September 22, 2013, at a memorial for people killed in a September 16, 2013 active shooter incident, President Barack Obama stated that the United States “can’t accept” the killing of 12 people at Washington’s Navy Yard as “inevitable” and that the shooting should “lead to some sort of transformation” (Merica, 2013). Active shooter incidents remain a constant societal concern that are deserving of continued academic research. The following grounded theory study examined the active shooter incident preparedness systems of police agencies in three Michigan counties. The principal investigator observed the strategic and tactical objectives of police agencies relative to …

Shelter From The Storm: Companion Animal Emergency Planning In Nine States, Jessica J. Austin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Failure to evacuate pets in an emergency has negative implications for public health, the economy, emotional well-being of pet owners, and physical health of animals. These effects may be at least partially mitigated by a robust plan to accommodate pets. Nine state companion animal emergency plans were reviewed to determine the extent to which they addressed the needs of companion animals, utilizing characteristics of a model emergency plan. States were compared utilizing variables such as population, pet friendliness, and emergency preparedness funding in order to explain differences in plan composition. This comprehensive review produced a list of recommendations for emergency …

Arts And Sciences Open Faculty Forum, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Western News, Nov. 14, 2013, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: University to celebrate MLK’s 1963 visit, talk; WMU named ‘Best for Vets’ for fourth consecutive year; New director named to head Michigan Geological Survey; On Campus with Trent Hines.

Western News, Oct. 31, 2013, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Researchers leading $1.4 million project; Donations sought to conserve East Hall’s two wings; More than 50 longtime employees to be inducted into 25 Year Club this year; On Campus with Shawn Tenney.

Somos & Estamos, Otoño/Fall 2013, Western Michigan University

Somos y Estamos

For Friends of the Department of Spanish at Western Michigan University. In both Spanish and English.

Western News, Sept. 19, 2013, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Rare potash deposit rediscovered in state; WMU again on U.S. News' top-tier universities list; Surge seen in several 2013 enrollment categories; Five employees earn Universitywide service, teaching awards; On Campus with Maddy Day.

Western News, Sept. 5, 2013, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: University earns more national accolades; Report details successful first year in implementing strategic plan; Four staff members to receive annual Make a Difference Awards; On Campus with Vance Harris.

College Of Arts And Sciences E-News Issue 5: September 2013, College Of Arts And Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences news

No abstract provided.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session June 12, 2013, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Minutes of the June 12, 2013 WMU Board of Trustees meeting include:

• Remarks by President John Dunn
• Remarks by Board Chair Jeanne Carlson
• Recommendation re 2013/14 Tuition and Required Fees
• General Fund Budget Outlook for 2013/14
• Personnel Report

WMU Board of Trustees

Executive Functions And Social Interactions: Developing Social Scenarios, Mackenzie Waite

Masters Theses

The aim of this study was to develop a series of vignettes to form the basis for an assessment of executive functions (EFs) for 9 – 12 year old children. Although EFs are necessary for effective social communication and positive social interactions, currently, most EF assessments focus on impersonal activities. Little research exists that incorporates real-time processing using ecologically valid social scenarios. The current study aims to develop realistic scenarios that children could encounter in daily life. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with six participants, who worked in a school with 9-12 year old children, to gain their perspective on social …

Western News, May 9, 2013, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: WMU again named among top ‘green colleges’; Archives reduces hours to prep for facility move; Orientation program for new employees updated; On Campus with Judy Jones.

The Nuclear Triangle: A Case Study In Nuclear Operations Policy, Jordan Lewis

Honors Theses

As nuclear power has evolved from the mid-twentieth century to today, it has experienced phases of rapid growth, regulation, and distrust concerning operations and waste disposal. This study will analyze the policy community active in these changes as they have progressed through the policymaking process and will examine the actors within an "iron triangle" framework to evaluate the community's relationships, power structure, and effectiveness. Specifically, this thesis seeks to answer two research questions: 1) how does interest group behavior influence nuclear policy communities, and 2) does the iron triangle framework explain the nuclear policy community relationships and outcomes. While historical …

Ethical Ambivalence In Local Television Weathercasting: A Rossian Analysis, Vernon Keith Thompson

Masters Theses

Today’s television weathercasters are being called upon increasingly to go beyond benign weather prognostications to become the “newsroom experts” for science topics. The expectation to act as both scientists and journalists can cause ethical ambivalence (EA), a sociological condition in which, faced with conflicting norms, the subject feels that he/she is being pulled psychologically in two different directions (Jansen & Von Glinow, 1985). This thesis presents a Rossian analysis of climate change in weathercasting, a topic that captures the most important ethical tensions arising from conflicting duties within the weathercaster role, specifically: a) how might the duties of the television …

Climbing Into The Ivory Tower: A Look At Administrative Perspectives On Sexual Assault On The College Campus, Tasha Nichole Turner

Masters Theses

This study examines the attitudes of administrators about sexual violence on campus, as well as their knowledge of disciplinary policies and procedures to prevent and redress rape and sexual assault on campuses. This study begins the discussion about how administrators understand their current policies as well as the attitudes that may affect their understandings. I use Thematic Analysis to analyze responses to a series of open-ended questions surveying participants on their attitudes towards their universities policy and procedures for handling sexual assault. Findings suggest that the participants have overwhelming confidence in the established policies, the extent of their knowledge of …

Lewis Walker Institute Fundraiser, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Western News, March 14, 2013, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Carlson, Hettinger leading WMU trustees; Service-learning, community work wins national praise; National firm to take over operation of WMU Bookstore; On Campus with Shams Khan.

Western News, Jan. 24, 2013, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: New LEED certifications boost total to seven; Trustees amend Dunn's contract, increase his 2012-13 salary; Joffrey ballet master directing students; On Campus with Helen Beck.