Resurgent Rust-belt Cities Forced by Economic Elites to Compete in Sunbelt Setting- UPPSA Presidential Roundup- February 7th

• Urban Innovation Symposium, A Great Success- More than 100 people attended each of the symposium’s 3 sessions and were comprised of a great mix of students, planners, community members and academics. Thanks to everyone who attended the Innovation Symposium. This was a fantastic event and the entire team that created it should be proud of this accomplishment. A big thank you goes out to Sara Amaral, Luke Hogan, Adam Moore, Whitney Panneton, Meredith Klekotka, Jack Eskin, Ian “Stix” Ludwig, Arnold Kasemsam, Joseph Van Dyk, Emily Spifle and David Gleicher for planning and implementing this event, as well as Lauren Smith, Tim Jeffries, Jesse Ackles and Chelsea Ross for volunteering during the events. Special thanks to Ann Barnds for all her insight and professional advice. Support for this event was provided by the Great Cities Institute, the Department of Urban Planning and Policy at UIC, and the American Planning Association of Illinois. Each of our presenters and community organizations were thought-provoking and gracious with their time. Finally, Work Studio was a fantastic and flexible host for the PechaKucha event in the evening.
• UPPSA Board Elections- It’s just the beginning of the semester but UPPSA will soon hold its annual board member elections in soon. We will hold information sessions for students interested in running for board positions this Wednesday, February 2nd from 4-6pm in the CUPPAH graduate lounge (basement) and from 5-6pm on Tuesday, February 8th from 5-6pm in Lecture Center C (where 505 meets). You can learn about the process in the appendix to the UPPSA constitution at http://www.uppsa.org/uppsa-documents.html. If you have questions regarding the process please email us at UPPSAelections@gmail.com
• UPP Faculty Candidate Job Talk, Tuesday February 8th in Room 110 at Noon- Come hear Hilary Shaffer present “Contentious Politics in Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Siting” as part of her candidacy to become a member of the UPP faculty. Students are also encouraged to stick around afterwards for a round table with the candidate to ask her questions and field hers.
• Lodging During the APA National Conference in Boston- The American Planning Association has secured a block of rooms at the Midtown Hotel in Boston for the National Conference. Located just across the park from the Conference Hotel and at a rate of $155/night, you will not likely find a better deal. Please reserve your rooms by March 11 in order to receive this special rate. See http://www.planning.org/conference/boston/housing/student.htm for details.
• Non-Profit Panel on Feb. 23rd at 6pm in CUPPAH Rm 413- The Public Administration Student Association (PASA) will host a panel featuring Tom Galassini of the United Way and Greg Cameron of the WTTW Channel 11. There will be food and light refreshments. RSVP for this event at uicpasa.weebly.com
• UPPSA Membership- For those students new to the program, those who have been around for a while but haven’t become members and students who became members last spring, enrollment in the Urban Planning and Policy Student Association is open during the first month of the spring semester. Visit http://www.uppsa.org/uppsa-documents.html to download the membership form. Return it and your check for $15 to Ann Barnds or any UPPSA board member to enroll or renew your membership. Membership benefits include higher reimbursement rates for approved conference travel, the annual UPPSA gift, and the satisfaction of being a part of one of UIC’s most dynamic and good-looking student associations. Email us at UPPSAinfo@gmail.com with any questions.
• APA National Conference 2011 in Boston Massachusetts April 9-12- The American Planning Association National Conference is right around to corner. Check out the APA website for details on speakers, programs, and student opportunities. http://www.planning.org/conference/
Early registration ends February 10, 2011 so sign up early to save money, or apply to be a student volunteer for a $100 refund if you are an APA Student Member. http://www.planning.org/conference/registration.htm
UPPSA will be providing more information regarding accommodations, travel, and partial reimbursement in the next few weeks! Join us for a greatnetworking and learning opportunity!
• Book Exchange- As this semester is ending, a new one is going to begin shortly. Don’t forget to sell your books for some extra holiday cash, or rent them out, if you are attached to them. UPPSA book exchange in online! Go to http://www.uppsa.org/forum.html to post your books.
• Academic or Assistantship Advocacy- Any MUPPs with concerns about department-wide academic issues are encouraged to contact UPPSA at UPPSAinfo@gmail.com with your feedback about the program. The Board of UPPSA meets regularly with the UPP department and the Dean of CUPPA. Let us be your advocate. Also, for those students with assistantships, UPPSA President Bob Fuller is also the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) steward for CUPPAH. If you feel you have been treated unfairly in your assistantship (Teaching, Graduate or Research) feel free to contact him at rfulle5@uic.edu to get connected with the GEO’s grievance resources.
• If you have important news for fellow MUPPs and you would like it included in the President’s Weekly Roundup and/or on the UPPSA website email UPPSAinfo@gmail.com by 2 p.m. each Sunday.