SPEA at the Statehouse

Turn-of-the-century concerns to be examined by stakeholders in Indiana's future

By Jayne Spencer

Hoosier health-care costs, source water assessment planning, tax reform and criminal justice challenges will be a few of the topics addressed Tuesday (Feb. 24) when state policymakers, administrators, corporate officials, and faculty and staff of the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) bring their combined expertise to the table for the annual SPEA Statehouse Colloquium Series and Reception.

"SPEA began this effort several years ago as a means of bringing our alumni and current students together with public officials," said Sandra Bate, director of communications and marketing at SPEA.

"Originally, we only hosted the reception, but two years ago, we added the colloquium series to offer a forum for continuing professional education."

The series begins at 4 p.m. at the Indiana Government Center South, directly across from the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Those wishing to attend have a choice of six different topics. They are:

• "Containing Health Care Costs in Indiana: The Demands and Concerns," moderated by SPEA Professor Terry Zollinger.

• "Source Water Assessment Planning in Indiana," moderated by SPEA Professor Henk Haitjema.

• "Applications of Research Sensing and GIS (Geographical Information System), moderated by Anna Radue, coordinator of the SPEA GIS Laboratory (see Web site below).

• "Civil Society, Social Capital, and the Nonprofit Sector," moderated by Kirsten Granbjerg, associate dean of SPEA.

• "Reforming Taxes in Indiana," moderated by Joe Loftus of Barnes and Thornburg.

• "Challenges for Criminal Justice in the 21st Century," moderated by SPEA Professor Kenna Davis Quinet.

A reception will follow at the rotunda of the Statehouse at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Terri Belden at 812-855-5780.

Don't know what GIS is? Go to this Web site and learn what IU scientists are doing with this particular technology: