Resources
The Auburn MPA program has a variety of resources available to all of its students. Information about the Faculty, Auburn University Library, the Auburn Center for Governmental Services, and the Economic Development Institute is available here.
The Faculty
Getting to know faculty is an essential unwritten requirement for students. You will naturally have contact with the MPA nucleus faculty because they teach the core courses. But there are several other faculty who are associated with the MPA program and whose expertise may be a valuable resource for you. They teach graduate courses that you may want to take as electives; and they can serve on committees for those of you who do research projects. They should be your principal source of advice on specializations in their areas.
The Library
The Auburn University Library recently completed construction on the facilities which will result in the doubling of library volume. The library now contains over 2.2 million books, 2.9 million microformated texts and articles, and 19,000 journals. The holdings related to public administration are excellent; and the staff are both knowledgeable and helpful. The library also has several social science research guides which will help in the location of books and articles for various papers. One of the first things a student will need to learn is the use of these research guides. A librarian or faculty member will be happy to aid you in this task. Anyone who needs an introduction to the library should contact the MPA office.
The library is also a United States depository library. This means that all publications issued by the Superintendent of Documents, the United States Department of Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are placed in the library in hard or microfiche copies. By using the research guides for governmental publications a student may readily access important new developments in administration published at the federal level. The amount and diversity of government information available is truly a bonus for MPA students.
The Center for Governmental Services (CGS)
The Center for Governmental Services (CGS) maintains a staff committed to the improvement of state and local government operations in Alabama through training and certification programs, technical assistance and applied research services. The beneficiaries of the Center's services are the governments served and the faculty and students who have found an outstanding laboratory in CGS through employment, research opportunities and practical experience.
The small professional staff has expertise in fiscal policy and administration, public management and supervision, personnel administration, energy policy, and program evaluation. When other skills are required, CGS enlists the services of some of the many specialists employed by Auburn University. Recent projects by CGS include:
- Revenue and expenditure analysis.
- Analysis of the financial conditions and practices of local governments for the purpose of recommending solutions to financial problems.
- Development of a comprehensive State Energy Policy.
- Documentation of local government energy cost savings that can be realized through effective purchasing measures.
- Preparation of personnel systems for use by Alabama cities and counties.
- Employee evaluation and compensation plans.
- Tax reform for state government.
The Center for Governmental Services is Auburn University's liaison through which the knowledge and research skills of the University are used to assist government within Alabama. The CGS approach encourages those concerned to participate in a process which promotes effectiveness and efficiency in the public sector. This approach saves money while treating each project as a unique case requiring close attention from a dedicated staff. Through CGS, government managers are provided a learning experience and an ongoing working relationship with Auburn University. CGS programs in training, technical assistance and research include:
- Education and Certification Programs and workshops on topics of concern to government personnel.
- Technical assistance to municipalities, counties and state agencies in solving specific problems.
- Design of municipal and county personnel systems, including policy manuals, classification and pay plans and employee evaluations.
- Design of municipal and county finance systems, including revenue and expenditure analysis and budget preparations.
- Program and agency evaluation to improve efficiency and effectiveness of government services.
- Research on special topics and issues to broaden understanding and to promote informed decision making.
- Survey design, administration, and analysis.
Depending on an incoming student's skills, one of the many options for employment is the CGS. Several MPA students currently assist in research in the CGS. To apply for a position include a letter of interest in your application.
The Economic Development Institute (EPI)
The Economic Development Institute (EDI) is Auburn University's outreach unit for economic and community development. Created in 1988, EDI has established itself as one of Alabama's leading organizations for economic development education and professional development, research, and community assistance. With a small core staff, EDI fosters partnerships within and outside the University as it works to improve community economic development policies and practices throughout Alabama.
The primary target audiences for EDI programs and services are:
- Economic Development Professionals and Organizations in Alabama, including:
- Local, Regional, and State Economic Development Organizations
- Chambers of Commerce
- University-based Economic Development Organizations
- National- and state-level economic development organizations and agencies
- Alabama Communities, especially small and medium-sized rural and economically distressed areas.
EDI's services and programs include:
- Connections and Communication
- EDI attempts to maintain effective connections and communication among the many diverse economic development actors in Alabama (including those within Auburn University). A primary role of EDI is to facilitate coordination and information sharing among the State's economic development professionals and practitioners. Check out Alabama's most comprehensive site for Economic Development Links.
- Education and Professional Development
- EDI provides educational opportunities for Alabama's economic development community, including:
- Alabama Intensive Economic Development Training Course
- Economic Development Workshops and Short-Courses
- Graduate Minor in Economic Development
- Research
- EDI conducts research related to Alabama economic development policy and practice, specializing in rural community and economic development.
- Community Assistance
- EDI provides direct outreach assistance to Alabama communities in:
- Leadership: building and developing community capacity
- Planning: strategic planning for community and economic development
- Organization: building and strengthening economic development organizations.
Questions about this page
Last updated April 19, 2007