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1. Secondary school administrators' perceptions and opinions regarding the implementation of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)

Creatore:: Chaves, Lisa
Descrizione:: Student behavior continues to be a significant concern among administrators and teachers. Traditional suspension and expulsion practices have failed to reduce negative behavior and prevent discriminatory practices. This study investigated secondary administrators’ perceptions and opinions regarding the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Participants were interviewed individually using questions developed by this researcher relating to experiences and perceptions of high school administrators regarding the implementation of PBIS. Common themes that were identified through the analysis of the interview data included teacher resistance during the transition from zero tolerance to the implementation of PBIS, integration of campus intervention and counseling programs, the acknowledgement of less student offenses including changes that address positive student behavior due to PBIS teaching strategies, and the need to support staff by offering more professional development.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Stanislaus
Department:: Department of Advanced Studies in Education

2. Westside Housing Consortium: a program proposal

Creatore:: Snyder, Victoria
Descrizione:: Individuals who struggle with a chronic and persistent mental illness can face many obstacles in coping with their daily lives. A community that embraces their mentally ill citizens can find that there can be a cohesive co-existence with these members. Taft, California is a community that reflects a successful cohesiveness in embracing their mentally ill citizens. Taft, unfortunately, does not have one important resource for their mentally ill citizens; there are no room and board or board and care facilities. This study will provide a guide and model for the establishment of the Westside Housing Consortium, a non-profit organization that will use both the payments from SSI of the individuals served and grants that will address the needs of the Consortium to establish and grow in the community. It will enable the community to better serve their mentally ill population and continue the cohesiveness that exists between the mentally ill and the rest of the community
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

3. Utilizing social media to increase student engagement: a study of Kern County public schools

Creatore:: Bynum, Steven Lance
Descrizione:: Social media has permeated almost every aspect of the lives of anyone who utilizes the internet. Teachers and students are no exception. Students are most likely to use social media sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. This research focuses on best practices related to augmenting school curriculum to utilize these tools to increase student engagement which is critical in taking the education of school-age children to the next level. Some research shows that children today spend an inordinate amount of time, upwards of 40+ hours weekly, interacting with social media. Educators must embrace this new technology and find new ways to integrate social media into the classroom, because they will be more able to connect with children in a medium that they are utilizing daily; thus increasing their engagement. Although some problems such as digital divide and other limitations do exist, this cannot be a deterrent to utilizing this type of new technology.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

4. Transforming Kern's relationship with unwanted animals: are programs operated by county animal control effective in reducing the rate of animals euthanized?

Creatore:: Guest, Suzanne B
Descrizione:: A 2004 article in the Bakersfield Californian detailed the relationship the community of Kern County had with what the writer calls “throw away” animals. A subsequent series of articles revealed approximately 25,000 animals were being killed in the local shelter annually. This number was considered by many in the community to be too high. Many of these 25, 000 unwanted animals were healthy and adoptable, yet they were still being euthanized by Kern County Animal Control every year (Burger, 2004). The facts presented in these articles brought the high euthanasia rate to the public’s attention. Now that the problem was highlighted, it inspired many community members to volunteer at the shelter, donate money to animal welfare organizations, and prompted them to do whatever was necessary to alleviate this. The Kern County Animal Control Department also added additional programs to address this problem. Despite the raised awareness and all of the efforts and progress that have been made by the County shelter and the community, the numbers of animals euthanized today remains relatively the same. The numbers of animals killed are still 15,000 to 20,000 annually (2004). This program evaluation will attempt to answer why Kern’s euthanasia rates are still high, and will also examine the Political and Institutional theories that supported the implementation of the programs. The methods used to gauge the effectiveness of shelter programs will use a non-experimental Comparative Cross Program design to show if the outcome numbers have changed during a five year time frame, and will attempt to evaluate whether the shelter programs affected these numbers. Lastly, the evaluation will determine if maintaining the status quo, of keeping many of the programs in place, is an appropriate response to the shelter problems. The evaluation will suggest new strategies for lowering the killing rates, and will also propose new ideas for funding a permanent no/low cost spay/neuter program.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

5. A Policy analysis to maintain or reduce inmate costs

Creatore:: Hernandez, Jaime
Descrizione:: This policy analysis describes the current expenditures for inmates in California. Expenditures for inmates have not reduced since the state of California has cut back on many programs throughout the state to close the deficit. The goal of this policy analysis is to assess the expenditures of inmate cost in rehabilitation, medical health care, and the current expenses associated in California. The study will identify current problems in the correction system, advantages, and disadvantages for alternatives. Policy alternatives will be measured by effectiveness and feasibility. The policy alternatives are to improve rehabilitation services and reduce medical care costs. Rehabilitation services have not worked in California. Recidivism is still high with offenders violating their parole (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 2010). It is important to take a closer look at rehabilitation services and measure their effectiveness. Considering effectiveness and feasibility, the best alternative is through reducing costs related to inmate health care during tough economic times. This could be accomplished by an established well-organized primary health care system to provide effective medical services to inmates. Managed health care systems have reduced costs in other states and have avoided lawsuits (Chan & Speier, 2004). In addition, the careful evaluation of each patient when inmates request to see the doctor avoids unnecessary tests and expenses. Proper evaluation and preventative care have controlled expenditures for inmate’s medical health care (Office of The General Inspector, 2008).
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

6. Why fundraisers are needed for children who are at-risk

Creatore:: Saso, Morgan
Descrizione:: The state of California has made tremendous budget cuts in the last year. Many of these cuts have affected the education of our children. In Bakersfield, CA a state funded women’s center wants to open up a children’s center for the women who have children under the age of four. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault is part of the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter in Bakersfield. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault provides care and opportunities for women who have been abused. This facility offers a place to stay, food and assistance with employment to help women become a positive part of society. For the women with young children, The Alliance Against Family Violence can give a positive support and healthy developmental learning environments. The purpose of this project was too host a 5K Fun Run fundraiser, which will support the learning environments for the children, helping them to receive the same educational opportunities as other children.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Teacher Education

7. Ban the use of cell phones while driving

Creatore:: Love, Wenzel Deseen
Descrizione:: The policy analysis was conducted to find that the use of cell phones while driving causes drivers to be distracted mentally, and visually causing an increase in automobile accidents. According to the findings the use of a cell phone while driving leads to injury and/or death to motorists, their passengers or pedestrians. However, the policy analysis also provided information about driver safety education concerning cell phone use and laws (e.g., SB 1613, SB 28, & SB 33) in other states (e.g. New York) that ban the use of cell phones while driving. Statistics pertaining to dangers of distracted driving and automobile accidents are provided. Finally, my descriptions of policy alternatives that I feel are realistic solutions to increase driver safety, reduce the number of accidents, causalities, and deaths in California. Recommendations The specific recommendations that I would make about the resolution of the problem that led me to conduct the policy analysis consist of; 1) Completely ban the use of any kind of cell phone while driving. A violation should impose an infraction with a fine of $200 for first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense plus court cost; 2) Report the infraction to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), but first offense would not count as a point against the person's drivers license or insurance record. However, for every infraction after the first offense, drivers would receive 2 points on their driver's license and insurance record; and 3) Police, fire, and rescue personnel, including public and private ambulance drivers are exempted from this law, and any person can use a cell phone while driving for “only” an emergency situation. Overall, in order to get my policy proposal enacted, it takes cooperation from the community, major stakeholders and legislation.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

8. Volunteer foster youth education liaison program proposal

Creatore:: Anderson, Ian J
Descrizione:: When a child is placed into foster care, the courts and dependency care systems focus on finding a safe haven for the child which means that the child’s education is often overlooked. The long-term effects of not considering the child’s educational needs are devastating to the child the longer they stay within the system. To address these issues California Assembly Bill AB 490 was implemented in January 2004. One key element of this legislation was the implementation of an education liaison. The research presented will show that due to a lack of funding, enforcement and clearly outlined implantation AB 490 has not been able to fully address the problems of educating foster youth. Kern County foster youth suffer from the same educational disparities of those in the rest of California. In order to address this the following program proposal will demonstrate how the creation of a volunteer education liaison program run through the Kern County Network for Children will help to correct these disparities for Kern County Foster youth.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

9. Bridges Academy's ability to reduce truancy

Creatore:: Padron, Magda
Descrizione:: Bridges Academy is an alternative education program designed to assist high-risk juveniles who are on probation in obtaining a high school education. This study was conducted in order to evaluate this programs effectiveness in reducing truancy. Past attendance rates, and present attendance rates were collected from 15 students from Bridges Academy. In addition, attendance rates from four alternative schools in Kern County were also collected as comparison. End results found student attendance significantly increased since their enrollment in Bridges Academy. Furthermore, Bridges Academy had a higher mean attendance rate than the four comparative alternative schools in this study. Future studies are encouraged to evaluate other components of this program and search for alternate sources of funding.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

10. A Comparison of the fiscal strategies and outlooks of the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster

Creatore:: Grimm-Hager, Margaret
Descrizione:: In the field of public policy it is important for cities to make choices that provide safety and security for its citizens; to give them a place to live that offers housing, employment and amenities to enjoy. Cities should be fiscally responsible by maintaining balanced budgets with enough financial reserve to see themselves and their residents through the tough times. Palmdale has cut back on services to their residents and has been through several rounds of layoffs in addition to freezing positions. This doesn’t benefit the residents of Palmdale or its employees. However, since the recession began in 2007 the city of Lancaster has, relatively speaking, appeared to thrive. The city recently completed renovation of their main boulevard and is attracting new business to the area. While they have had to freeze positions, there have been no layoffs. With both cities facing similar business, residential and political situations, it appears that differences in fiscal soundness between Lancaster and Palmdale must lie in differing policy decisions made by each city. This paper will look closely at the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR) of Palmdale and Lancaster to see if there are any differences between the two cities that will help to explain the difference in outcomes. This paper focuses on the CAFR’s because they are the audited reports and show the actual monies earned and spent. The purpose of this study is to analyze the key decisions and policies of these two cities and determine what policies or decisions made the key difference between the outcomes of the two cities. This may serve as a general frame for assessing fiscal strategies and outlooks of these and other cities.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

11. Gender stereotypes and their effects on Kern County political candidates

Creatore:: Pitcher, Jenifer Mikel
Descrizione:: The purpose of this study is to address the different ways in which female and male candidates are combating gender stereotypes in political campaigns. Society has led us to believe that masculine qualities are the qualities in which make good leaders; feminine qualities are seen as weaknesses if found in those seeking leadership positions. The general stereotypes held by society convey a hierarchical system of beliefs in leadership capabilities that place men above women, masculine above feminine. I investigate these stereotypes by conducting interviews with male and female political candidates and/or political office holders within Kern County. The findings in this study support existing evidence that females face “double standards” in the political arena and therefore must counter certain stereotypes associated with femininity by the voting public. This study also finds that male candidates have had to change the way in which the campaign in order for voters to see them as more “approachable;” however, the hurdles for female candidates are much more consistent and more difficult to overcome in order to be successful within the predominantly masculine world of politics.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Sociology

12. Check and mate: Chaucer's clerical tale of oppression, submission, and obligation

Creatore:: Alexander, Jacen Rynae
Descrizione:: Reading “The Clerk‟s Tale” can be a frustrating experience, for it seems to mean something, but—even barring modern sensibilities from the analysis—it seems confused or even self-contradictory in its conclusions. Is it the ideal marriage or not? A little overboard or a lot? And what of Walter‟s thematic connection to God, if there is any? For that matter, does Griselda equate Job? Is she to be emulated or not? What of the Clerk? Yet analysis of the primary characters and their narrator can yield some interesting points about marriage, love, entitlement, sovereignty and, ultimately, despotism: the wife‟s unthinking acquiescence to the husband‟s tests justifies spousal abuse, and as royalty their twisted dynamic justifies the worst kind of tyranny. Therefore, this thesis will use theories and examples of modern tyranny and abusive relationships to examine Walter's disturbing power over Grisilde.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: English

13. Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and nineteenth-century Christianity

Creatore:: Iverson, Rebecca Anne
Descrizione:: The textual, biographical and historical inquiry into Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre will center on the explicit and implicit Christianity of the novel and how it was possibly influenced by Charlotte Bronte's own unconventional religious perspective. The questions that I will explore deal with the brand of Christianity and social idealism with which Bronte was brought up, and how this is reflected in the text. Biography here is used to evaluate Bronte's attitudes concerning a multitude of Christianities, both prevalent and fledgling during the mid-eighteen hundreds. I will contextualize her faith, in hopes of broadening and enhancing our understanding of the text, and thus challenge aspects of the readings by critics who see her apparent feminism as a direct challenge to Christianity, (which they construe as a singular and monolithic social phenomenon). In chapter one I will contextualize Charlotte Bronte through the religious and social climate of her time and her own beliefs as they are revealed in her biography and letters. I will focus on the varying religious motifs of the novel as they are exemplified in the main characters. Chapter two will center on the character of St. John Rivers. Chapter three with Edward Rochester. Chapter four concerning Jane Eyre. At this point in my research, I have come to believe that Bronte studies in the recent past and present (1970's on) focus mainly on the feminist aspect of Jane Eyre while the Christian component is often marginalized or misunderstood.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: English

14. "Against either scale": analyzing Jesuitical equivocation in the porter scene in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

Creatore:: Stock Stotler, Darlene
Descrizione:: A study of equivocation will yield that this practice commanded a vast amount of attention during the Renaissance, the time period of 1450-1600, in which Jesuitical equivocation was an ongoing phenomenon. The practice became part of the Renaissance era's ideology; however, since the Greek suffix "logy" signifies "the study of," the term ideology is not as specific, nor does it explain the role ofJesuitical equivocation in relation to the Renaissance as accurately as another term: the episteme. A brief discussion of the episteme is necessary to discover its relevancy to the puns William Shakespeare used in his Porter Scene in the tragedy Macbeth. An episteme (Greek for "knowledge") is most clearly defined by the new historicist scholar Michel Foucault as a verbal device that involves "[a] network ofdiscursive practices--of thoughts, concepts, and cultural codes-dominant during a given historical period; and ... the rules governing the transformation of those practices" (Murfin 149). Placing an emphasis on the phrase "rules governing" is extremely illuminating in identifying the interplay between the Jacobean monarchy that held public disdain, and executions of, Jesuits. The persecutions forced subjugated Jesuits to the point that ordinances, such as confessions, needed some form of protection, hence Father Henry Garnet's treatise regarding equivocation . This imbalanced reciprocity of a monarchy instilling fear in religious leaders illustrates Foucault's "transformation of ... practices" and is the basis of the Foucauldian concept of the episteme. Applying Foucault's theory to the Porter Scene reveals the way Shakespeare's satirical puns mirrored the Jacobean episteme of the blatant hatred directed at Catholics and the Jesuits.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: English

15. The Role of Tiresias in T. S. Eliot's The Waste land

Creatore:: Sergi, Stephanie Lynne
Descrizione:: In this thesis, I seek to resolve the debate over Tiresias’s ability to unify The Waste Land by offering a new perspective—Tiresias as a Modernist Maypole. I propose that Tiresias’s inability to perfectly coalesce the different voices and themes within the poem is not due to an authorial failing but is instead an imperfect unification that may suggest a modernist view of unity. In short, the thesis focuses Tiresias in regards gender, prophecy, and mythology. This thesis argues that Tiresias fails to completely unify The Waste Land; nevertheless, it also maintains that he can, in fact, fuse the poem’s fragments in an unusual way. Tiresias allows for a nuanced view of the poem’s structure by suggesting incomplete connections hidden in the numerous vignettes. An image of a maypole can illustrate this modernist view of unity. A traditional maypole consists of a fixed pole that has ribbons or streamers extending down from the top, and the end of each ribbon is held by a person. Then, the people dance around the pole weaving the ribbons together. In contrast, a modernist maypole would lack some of these ribbons, and others may be frayed or torn. In The Waste Land, Tiresias is the stationary maypole; however, some of the ribbons connecting him to the other characters in the poem are either torn or missing. In true modernist fashion, the maypole, Tiresias, unifies the work by suggesting what it might have been.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: English

16. Style, rhetoric, and ambiguity in Henry James's The Turn of the screw

Creatore:: Martinez, Lauren Elizabeth
Descrizione:: Originally published in 1898 in serial form, The Turn of the Screw has undergone many incarnations. The short story was published again, complete with a preface, in Henry James’s New York Edition, 1907-1909. The version I have chosen to use, edited by Robert Kimbrough, is based directly on this edition: “The first section of the present volume contains the only critical edition of The Turn of the Screw ever published and is the first modern text to follow the New York Edition, the one which had James’s final authority” (Kimbrough, ix). Kimbrough includes the notes that accompanied the serial version, as well as several of James’s personal letters about the story as well. Rather than choose sides and argue for or against the Governess’s sanity, I am studying James’s stylistic choices not to solve the debate over the ghosts’ existence, but to determine how, lingusitically and rhetorically, James created this unanswerable dilemma. Richard A. Lanham’s Analyzing Prose will serve as a starting point for my stylistic analysis, and I supplement with Aristotle’s theories of rhetoric. James wrote in his New York edition preface that this story is “a piece of ingenuity pure and simple, of cold artistic calculation, an amusette to catch those not easily caught (the “fun” of the capture of the witless being ever but small), the jaded, the disillusioned, the fastidious” (120). My interest lies not in what ambiguity he created, but rather in how.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: English

17. Identification of cutaneous bacterial species with anti-dermatophyte properties from Rana catesbeiana, the North American bullfrog

Creatore:: Hernandez, Trang Manny
Descrizione:: There is a possibility to eradicate infectious diseases with antibiotics. However, new infectious diseases are continually being identified and some known pathogens are again becoming a threat because of antibiotic resistance. Amphibians mostly live in a moist environment which is the best condition for the growth of bacteria and fungi as well. Antimicrobial peptides produced by serous glands in the amphibian skin play a key role in limiting microbial growth and preventing infections with pathogenic microorganisms. In addition to the antimicrobial peptides produced by serous glands, microbial symbionts on the bullfrog skin are also a source of antimicrobial peptides that can protect the amphibian against diseases. In this research, we investigated whether cutaneous bacterial species isolated from Rana catesbeiana (North American Bullfrog), an amphibian species that is resistant to chytridiomycosis, produce secondary metabolites that could be used to inhibit the growth of three species of dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, Epidermotphyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes) which are known to cause skin infections in humans. The isolated bacterial species from R. catesbeiana may be useful as producers of antifungal metabolites that kill, or inhibit the growth of, dermatophytes known to cause topical or subdermal skin infections in humans.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Biology

18. Perspective made visible: the intellectual relationship of Ralph Ellison and Kenneth Burke

Creatore:: Kroll, Rebecca
Descrizione:: To approach these concerns, this project seeks to provide an evaluation of the intellectual and personal relationship between authors Ralph Ellison and Kenneth Burke as viewed through the lens of personal correspondence. A review of selected letters demonstrates the two authors maintained an enduring relationship, one that spanned from the forties up until Kenneth Burke’s death in 1993. In other words, the authors maintained a friendship lasting roughly half their lives. To that end, this project presents a chronology of selected correspondence in order to provide an initial set up, so that scholars may encounter the letters in one place and consider the role each author played in the development of the other’s ideas.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: English

19. Becoming an atheist minister: identity formation and impression management

Creatore:: Leif Basilio, Jonathan
Descrizione:: This study explores the dynamics of the social construction of the conflicting identities of “evangelical Christian” ministers who have embraced atheistic beliefs, but contrary to normal conventions and expectations, have chosen to remain in their religious roles as pastors, and in so doing keep their beliefs private. Drawing on data gathered from individual interviews with eight active ministers, an evolving process of identity re-interpretation is revealed -- a process occasioned both by the ministers‟ private encounter with dissonant beliefs and the necessity of constant public identity management. The study takes the ideas of Cognitive Dissonance and Structural Symbolic Interactionism‟s Identity Salience a step further by highlighting an identity re-interpretation process in which contradictory social and cognitive elements are negotiated within the ministers‟ particular social contexts. The result can be described as a modified identity which is cognizant of both strengths and weaknesses of the previous contradictory identities. Erving Goffman‟s Dramaturgical approach is subsequently used to analyze the pastor‟s public identity and impression management strategies, specifically in the context of the public performance of their duties.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Sociology

20. Late Pleistocene geomagnetic field recorded in sediments from the depocenter of Pluvial Lake Chewaucan, Lake County, OR

Creatore:: McCuan, Daniel Thomas
Descrizione:: The main topic of this thesis focuses on geomagnetic excursions. The exact definition of an excursion is problematic and over time a number of conventions have been used. The traditional excursion is defined by VGPs that travel more than 40° to 45° away from the average magnetic north pole for that time period. A more recent and far more lax definition of an excursion has been proposed labeling any magnetic field behavior other than “normal” field behavior as an excursion.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Geological Sciences

21. A Program proposal for an assisted living facility in Mexico

Creatore:: Rasmussen, Cody W
Descrizione:: The soon to retire baby boomers are going to create a strain on the current elderly infrastructure in America. The following is a proposal for an assisted living facility in Mexico. If put into effect the outsourced assisted living facility will help to ease the strain on the American elderly infrastructure. The proposed facility will provide both a quality and affordable retirement for baby boomers. The recommendation is to put this program model into effect and to reap the benefits thereof for years to come.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

22. A Policy analysis on banning competitive food and beverages in California public schools to reduce childhood obesity

Creatore:: Valencia, Alphonso
Descrizione:: This policy analysis researches the epidemic of childhood obesity in California and the state’s efforts to reduce obesity by banning competitive food and beverages in public schools. With an extensive literature review of obesity in California and the rest of the U.S., this analysis compares California to other states in the nation with high obesity rates. The vast efforts and tactics used by states to reduce obesity are compared for commonalities and gaps in the U.S. The research indicated that children across California and the rest of the U. S. are not receiving proper nutrition and exercise. Schools across the nation are being targeted as key contributors to the increase in obesity rates because of poor nutritional standards and physical education standards. The research also indicated that there is a need for a nationwide policy to address childhood obesity. A standardized nationwide policy would be the best method to reduce childhood obesity.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

23. Molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic analysis of the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Gambelia sila

Creatore:: Grimes, Adam John
Descrizione:: The blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila) is a federally and state-listed endangered species, endemic to the San Joaquin Valley, Carrizo and Elkhorn Plains, and Cuyama Valley of central California. Habitat degradation has had a profound impact on the historic distribution and population size of G. sila. Although recognition of G. sila as a distinct species has been questioned by some authors (e.g., Cope 1900, Smith 1946), it is currently recognized as a full species separate from the wide-ranging long-nosed leopard lizard (G. wislizenii); however, genetic support for the specific status of G. sila is lacking. Furthermore, the genetic identity of leopard lizards in the purported hybrid zone between these two species in the Cuyama Valley in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties has not been evaluated using modern molecular techniques. Understanding the genetic identity of leopard lizards in the Cuyama Valley has practical as well as systematic implications. I investigated the sister taxon relationship of G. sila and G. wislizenii using 603 base pairs of sequence from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase III (CO3) gene from 37 individuals representing the two species sampled from various populations in western North America. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 17 haplotypes that are partitioned into two major clades that correspond to the range of G. sila and that of G. wislizenii haplotype groups, thus supporting the recognition of both lizards as distinct species. Additionally, I sequenced 682 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase b (cyt b) gene from 34 individuals representing six populations of G. sila, including lizards from a remnant hybrid population. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the cyt b sequences consisted of 18 haplotypes that are partitioned into three geographic clades: northern, central, and southern. All lizards from the Cuyama Valley exhibited the G. sila mitochondrial DNA signature and formed the "southern" clade that was joined as a sister group to the "central" clade. My morphological analysis placed some leopard lizards from the hybrid zone with true G. sila, whereas some aggregated with G. wislizenii, indicative of hybrid status. However, genetic signatures suggest that all lizards in the hybrid zone are true G. sila, and not hybrids.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Biology

24. Conservation of Tipton kangaroo rats (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides): effects of competition and potential for translocation

Creatore:: Tennant, Erin Nicole
Descrizione:: The Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), is an endangered subspecies of the San Joaquin Valley kangaroo rat, found in the Tulare basin of the San Joaquin Valley. Dipodomys n. nitratoides and the larger Heermann’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni) are often found sympatrically throughout the San Joaquin Valley. However, potential competitive interactions and the nature of population fluctuations between these two species are largely unknown. Because I thought that D. heermanni could be negatively affecting a translocated population D. n. nitratoides on Allensworth Ecological Reserve, Tulare County, California, I initiated a study on potential competitive interactions between these two species. In this study my objectives were to (1) determine whether the presence of D. heermanni affects space use and foraging behavior of D. n. nitratoides and (2) compare D. n. nitratoides abundance and population trends between areas with and without D. heermanni. I found that in an exclusion area where D. heermanni were removed, D. n. nitratoides increased exponentially since the start the study, whereas on a control site with both species, D. n. nitratoides decreased significantly. My results suggest that D. heermanni are competitively depressing a population of translocated D. n. nitratoides on the study site. Furthermore, eliminating competitive effects of larger, coexisting species during reintroduction or translocation efforts for D. n. nitratoides may be an important factor in success. To further test optimal translocation and reintroduction methods for protected kangaroo rats in the San Joaquin Valley, possibly an important conservation strategy, I translocated the group of non-protected D. heermanni that was removed from the exclusion area during the competitive interactions part of my study. During this part of my research, my objective was to determine whether soft-release methods, which involve a 30-day acclimation period in a wire mesh cage, help to improve survivorship of translocated kangaroo rats. My results indicated that hard-released individuals had higher survivorship than soft and semi soft- released individuals. I believe that one of the factors that may have contributed to the success of hard-released individuals was the high number of available burrows on the translocation site, often not found at sites, which provided refugia for translocated individuals. ii
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Biology

25. Implementing an intergenerational program at an adult day health care center in southern California

Creatore:: Smith, Jessica R
Descrizione:: Intergenerational programming has benefits for both the older adults and the children involved in them. The objective of this project was to work toward the implementation of an intergenerational program at an adult day health care center in Southern California. A thorough literature review was conducted focusing on intergenerational programs and the benefits of such. In addition, qualitative data was collected through in person interviews, telephone interviews, and email correspondence. The knowledge gained from the literature review and qualitative data collected for this project will help with the implementation of an intergenerational program at an adult day health care center in Southern California and may encourage more adult day health care centers to look into implementing their own intergenerational programs.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Social Work

26. A Policy analysis of California's subsidized child care system

Creatore:: Jones, Kerri L.
Descrizione:: California has been facing a severe fiscal crisis for several years. The challenge before elected officials is providing services and balancing the budget. As the Governor and the Legislature work to solve a projected $26 billion budget deficit for fiscal year 2011-12, cuts to programs will be necessary. The California Department of Education has been successfully implementing and managing child care programs for over 60 years. These programs allow families to work, receive training, become contributing members of society and break the cycle of generational welfare while providing safe, quality, child care options for the care of their children. The goal of fiscal cuts to the system is to reduce expenditures with minimal impact to children and families receiving services. These programs, which are funded with both state and federal dollars are being critically evaluated to determine the cost effectiveness and the value of the service to all Californians. This paper will review potential program changes that achieve the goals of cutting expenditures with minimal impact to the number of children and families receiving services. Each alternative has individual merit, but must be critically evaluated. Two strategies to reduce costs and preserve services are proposed for implementation of the 2011-12 fiscal year. Maintain the reduction in administrative rates from 19% to 17.5% of the contract amount. While this cut is difficult for contracting agencies to absorb, it achieves the goal of cost savings with minimal impact to children. The second strategy is to streamline and simplify the Regional Market Rate tool that establishes ceilings or caps on the amount of payment made in the alternative payment subsidized child care programs. The tool establishes provider ceilings for traditional hours of care from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and non-traditional hours of care from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and weekends. The tool is cumbersome for contractors, child care providers and families to understand. Results of a federal audit found that 25% of files in the sample had payment errors. Simplification of the RMR tool would streamline and simplify the process, resulting in fewer errors or audit findings and result in cost savings.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

27. Program proposal for a drinking license in California

Creatore:: Varela, Steven Robert
Descrizione:: The current Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws were created to save lives and deter underage drinking. Researchers have found that has been a steady occurrence of unsafe drinking practices among college-aged adults (18 to 24 year olds). The most common unsafe activity is binge drinking where participants are drinking more than five servings of alcohol in one sitting or event. College presidents and chancellors have made note of the reckless drinking activities occurring on their campus and neighboring communities, and formed the Amethyst Initiative. The Amethyst Initiative focuses on reexamining the current MLDA laws to help find an alternative to curb the reckless drinking activities. They suggest that a drinking education course be created which upon completion participants can receive a license to drink alcohol legally. This program proposal will take AI’s drinking education suggestion and apply it to the state of California. This program proposal will allow 18 to 20 year olds to voluntarily participate in ten-week course, which will educate them about alcohol awareness, accountability, responsibility, and consequences. The materials are not abstinence based and does not try to stop drinking alcohol rather it will provide the participants valuable skills and techniques when drinking alcohol occurs. In addition to the educational aspect of the program, participants will be able to hear about the misuse of alcohol by representatives of their local law officials, emergency medical technicians, doctors, professors, and victims of alcohol abuse. Lastly, participants who have completed the program successfully will be awarded a license to purchase and consume alcohol legally. However, in order to deter misuse of the drinking license, license holders will be required to register with the California State Department of Justice and local law enforcement agencies. If license holders were ever convicted of a crime while under the influence of alcohol, they would be subject to stricter penalties and consequences. In the end, the goal of this program proposal is to break the cycle of reckless drinking habits among 18 to 24 year olds through drinking education and by allowing participants demonstrate proper drinking habits socially among their peers. By demonstrating proper drinking habits socially among their peers, participants will help to bring a change in reckless drinking culture that currently occurs across the state of California. This program proposal is the solution to breaking the cycle of reckless drinking habits and can be certainly have an impact on the drinking culture of Californians.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

28. Policy analysis of California Workers' Compensation claim costs

Creatore:: Paul, Rohit
Descrizione:: Senate Bill 899 was a partial success as it was able to lower the costs of workers’ compensation for California’s insurance carriers and employers. That 2004 reform bill led to a substantial reduction in overall claim volume by limiting the various extensions of injured worker benefits and increasing the requirements to qualify for particular benefits. By the year 2009, any progress made by the 2004 reform had already been erased. The state’s insurance carriers averaged a 25% loss on workers’ compensation premiums that year. Gradual price increases in workers’ compensation premiums, over the last several years, have significantly contributed to California’s notorious distinction as one of the worst states in which to operate small businesses. From a historical review, workers' compensation system premium pricing goes through a cycle of highs and lows that project over several years. The high years prompt cost reducing reforms and the low years prompt new actions from involved parties that result in rising costs. Currently, Status Quo projects a workers' compensation system that is unsustainable for businesses and insurance carriers due to mounting pressure from rising claim costs that have already overcome the SB899 reform. Over 90 percent, of the total costs in the system, stem from claims involving temporary disability. In addition, the system allows for claim lifespans and medical profits that significantly out-pace those of similar claims for non-industrial injuries. Policy changes are needed in the form of medical treatment containment measures and overall claim resolution motivators. The larger focus of future reforms should be on returning injured workers to their job in a functional capacity and at a universally accepted pace. Alternatives to the problem can largely be devised from existing components of the workers' compensation system. Current AME/QME procedures and ACOEM guidelines should be used to formulate small scale reforms that attempt to return claim costs and durations to a logical level as opposed to reforms that aim only to cut exorbitant costs.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

29. Remembering the Sacred Feminine through the Motherline: A Quest toward Wholeness

Creatore:: Shahrokhshahi, Rita
Descrizione:: Purpose of the Study: This thesis examines the patriarchal wounding of my Slavic mother line and follows the healing journey I took to transform wounds to enrich my self-identity in my pursuit toward wholeness Procedure: My study follows the motherline. The motherline is the maternal lineage of a woman backward through the generations. I explored the wounding of my motherline by using an autoethnographical narrative. Autoethnography is an autobiographical form of qualitative research that uses self reflection to explore personal stories and experiences within a cultural context. I used self-reflection to aid my stories and employed a Jungian psychological framework. Through the myth of Inanna, I embarked upon a metaphorical descent and met the dark goddess Ereshkigal. I relied on depth techniques to track and interpret my dreams, guide my active imaginations, and create spontaneous healing rituals. I made a pilgrimage to Montenegro to further assist my inquiries and overall depth experience. Findings: I found that healing occurs in the reflective process of sharing my journey of personal and cultural wounding. Healing is not a means to an end but is rather an ongoing process toward a quest to achieve wholeness. I found that my personal female individuation process is a continuous stream of engaging with the rhythms of life, death, and rebirth as a continuous cycle in my developmental pattern. My mother line wounds provided deep layers of meaningful experiences to happen that continue to offer value for me to expand my quest toward wholeness. Conclusions: Suffering from personal wounds affords the opportunity to examine the soul through a process of individuation. The connection with the motherline and one's cultural lineage is a way to further understand self and create wholeness. For women, the sacred feminine is a source for greater meaning. In the quest toward female individuation, a goddess-centered spirituality is an opening to assist the exploration of vast realms and qualities that lives inside every woman.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Sonoma
Department:: Psychology

30. An Analysis of the political discourse used by the proponents and opponents in the 2008 California Proposition 8 campaign

Creatore:: Cave, Justin L
Descrizione:: At the forefront of the American political debate today is the issue of same-sex marriage. The significance of this research is to analyze the political discourse used by the proponents and opponents in the 2008 State of California Proposition 8 or (California Marriage Protection Act) campaign. This paper utilizes Lakoff’s (2004) principles of debate framing to analyze the proponent and opponent’s sides to the 2008 Proposition 8 campaign. The Websites reviewed for this study were www.protectmarriage.com in opposition to same-sex marriage, and www.eqca.org in support of same-sex marriage. The discourse of the two Websites protectmarriage.com and eqca.org represented two very different perspectives on the same-sex marriage issue in California. The Protect Marriage Website billed itself as an organization that values the “traditional family” and is committed to providing a safe environment for children to grow up in, while the Equality California Website framed the issue in terms of “equality for all” and to be “tolerant” of all humans. The issue of choosing the correct discourse in the 2008 state of California same-sex marriage campaign was critical because the race was separated by an extremely small percentage of votes. As a result, carefully planned framing and proactive discourse ultimately led the opponents of same-sex marriage to prevail in the 2008 same-sex marriage campaign. Recommendations consist of reaching out to minorities, campaigning proactively by promoting positive campaigning strategies, and encouraging grassroots community volunteerism to generate media attention and allow volunteers to educate their own community on the issues.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

31. "Plague in the boomtowns: the Spanish influenza in Bakersfield, and Kern County, 1918-1920"

Creatore:: Milam, J. Garth
Descrizione:: Late in the summer of 1918, Bakersfield and Kern County was consumed by news of the war in Europe. Many hoped they were nearing the end of the deadliest war in history. But as one tragedy was ending another was just beginning. Today, ninety years after the Spanish Influenza epidemic swept the world, few are aware of the devastation it wrought. In fact, a sort of social amnesia enveloped much of the western world. Bakersfield was no exception. A present day resident of Kern County would not put the 1918 influenza on any list of local disasters. Though when the facts are examined, the Spanish Influenza mortality rate in Bakersfield exceeded every other major city in California. But even Bakersfield’s numbers were dwarfed by two regions of rural Kern County. The rapidly growing towns on the West Side and Oildale, just north of Bakersfield, were bustling, youthful, oil boomtowns. In little more than a decade these non-existent towns grew to contain a third of the county’s population. Sadly, the youth of the boomtowns made the Spanish Influenza even more devastating to these rural communities. In only four months of flu, these towns would loss many times more victims from plague than two years of war. How could such an event not be remembered, memorialized, and indelibly imprinted in our social consciousness? Yet, the influenza of 1918 proved to be much more than a forgotten tragedy in our collective past. It was a physical loss felt by nearly every family in the region. Globally, the effects of four years of war followed by a pandemic that took millions more lives, left twentieth-century society reeling. Kern County dealt with the great loss like the rest of the world; it tried to forget it.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: History

32. Prison overcrowding in California as a result of the Three strikes law

Creatore:: Wilcox, Nathan S
Descrizione:: Since 1994, California‟s three strikes law has been the most far-reaching of all the three strikes laws in the nation. While designed to incapacitate and deter violent habitual offenders from committing further violent crimes, the breadth of the law has led to more than that. It allows for third strike convictions for any of some 500 felonies, even offenses considered „wobblers‟ or offenses that could be charged as a felony or misdemeanor (Freedburg, 2004). Conviction of a second strike also allows for sentences which could be up to double what they would be if the offense was not considered as a strike. Oftentimes, these offenses counted as strikes are non-serious and non-violent. Convictions under this particular law have contributed heavily to California‟s current prison population crises. „Striker inmates‟ or those convicted under the „three strikes‟ law, make up one quarter (25%) of the total California prison population (California State Auditor, 2010). The costs associated with these incarcerations are continuing to cause tension when California is already in an uncertain financial situation. Reviewing the origins of the law to include the „tough on crime‟ approach to Proposition 184‟s passage and what has been done since then, provides some background leading to the current situation. An assessment of the three strikes law‟s current state gives support to the rationale that it should be changed. This is in order to both address the high number of incarcerated offenders convicted of non-violent, non-serious offenses and reduce the costs related to their incarceration. Three policy alternatives were examined; the ‘do nothing’ or no difference option, refining the definition of a strike to include only violent or serious offenses and the option of enhanced community supervision. After an analysis of the alternatives and application of criteria, the alternative of refining the definition of a strike to include only violent or serious offenses proved to be the most likely to succeed. This is because it met the criteria of effectiveness, feasibility, efficiency and adequacy.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

33. School gardens: a child's path to nature

Creatore:: Buzzell, Nancy S
Descrizione:: All children should be able to have opportunities for experiences and explorations with nature through their own discoveries. Involved in this process is the importance of children experiencing nature directly, through hands on experiences. The Children’s Center at California State University, Bakersfield, is the location for a proposed school garden. Its focus will be on providing direct contact with nature through hands-on experiences in the garden. The garden will be comprised of two areas, named The Kinder Garden and The Sensory Garden. One component of the paper is a garden design, specific to the needs and specifications of the actual site. Unique characteristics of the garden will be discussed including: accessibility, entrances and pathways, elevation, grass area on undulating hills, raised beds, fences and borders, water sources, gathering areas, aesthetic considerations, additional garden considerations, and a plant list.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Teacher Education

34. Implementation strategies for a public awareness plan for the City of Bakersfield Industrial Pretreatment Program

Creatore:: Murdock-Padley, Rosanne
Descrizione:: Federal, state and local environmental regulatory agencies guide the activities of the City of Bakersfield Wastewater Industrial Pretreatment Program. The goals of one of those agencies, the California State Water Resources Control Board is to educate the public about water quality issues. An evaluation of public awareness activities used by the City of Bakersfield Wastewater Industrial Pretreatment Program found that industrial waste inspectors would like to expand their public education and awareness efforts beyond commercial entities. Public education and awareness efforts can educate the public on the proper ways to dispose of pollutants and the effects of discarding pollutants down storm drains and sewers. The Wastewater Division currently does not have a public awareness plan to guide the public awareness effort. This study includes a literature review that examines the effectiveness of public awareness methods at changing behavior of the target audience in environmental matters. The review found public awareness and education alone may not change behavior of a target audience in matters of the environment. Implementation of a planned public awareness campaign is still recommended for the industrial pretreatment inspectors engaging in public awareness activities over the current ad hoc method because a planned campaign can serve as a blueprint and guide. Implementation strategies that industrial waste inspectors can use to create a public awareness plan are included in this report. Creating a public awareness plan that outlines what to do and how to do it is a major part of a public awareness plan. A public awareness plan can guide the efforts of public awareness efforts allowing for efficient and effective use of limited public resources.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

35. A Project plan for the Bakersfield Police Department report review process

Creatore:: Matson, Jason Wade
Descrizione:: Law enforcement agencies are encountering dire financial constraints as the depressed economy continues to exist. These agencies are working with significantly reduced staffing levels with no immediately relief anticipated. The current circumstances have created a need for revisions to existing procedures in order to increase efficiencies. This program proposal study is designed to evaluate how law enforcement agencies can increase the amount of time that a law enforcement supervisor can have available to devote to in-field supervision and to create a formalized process to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the process. The research also seeks to determine what unintended consequences might develop from a modified review and approval process, to provide recommendations for administrators to consider, and make recommendations on remedial options for non-reviewed reports should the investigation require such action. The knowledge gained from this study will help law enforcement administrators provide alternatives to workload adjustments during recessed economies and limited staffing levels when encountered in future similar situations.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

36. Late Miocene uplift at Wheeler Ridge, Kern County, California

Creatore:: Henley II, Gary
Descrizione:: A stratigraphic and structural study from the late Miocene to the present at Wheeler Ridge oil field, Kern County, CA gives new insight into the formation of the Wheeler Ridge anticline and refines previous interpretations. Well log correlations of the lower Fruitvale, upper Fruitvale, and Santa Margarita formations show evidence of at least two late Miocene compressional events. Both of these late Miocene events are associated with unconformities and folding within the lower and upper Fruitvale and suggest southwest to northeast shortening. The lower Santa Margarita sands terminate near the edge of the late Miocene Wheeler Ridge anticline. The upper Santa Margarita sands and Etchegoin, San Joaquin, Tulare (undifferentiated) sands overtop the late Miocene Wheeler Ridge anticline and are continuous throughout the study area, thus suggesting no uplift during the Pliocene. Quaternary uplift resulted in the currently observed Wheeler Ridge thrust fault and Wheeler Ridge anticline. The Wheeler Ridge thrust fault accommodates north to south shortening, strikes roughly east to west, dips to the south at approximately 30 degrees, is approximately 30,000 feet along strike, and has a maximum of 1,300 feet of throw. A model of the late Miocene to recent uplift, deposition, and erosion is put forward to explain stratigraphic thickness variation observed in the lower Fruitvale, upper Fruitvale, and Santa Margarita formations. The model explains the erosion patterns observed in the lower Fruitvale and upper Fruitvale formations. The model also explains why the lower Santa Margarita sands are not continuous throughout the area, due to uplift of the late Miocene Wheeler Ridge anticline. This new model does not require a wedge thrust or back thrust solution, used in previous interpretations, to explain the faulting and folding in the Wheeler Ridge area.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Geological Sciences

37. Major factors that influence state revenue forecasting: reducing the state of California's allocations & expenditures

Creatore:: Ryberg, Richard A.
Descrizione:: The state of California’s budget deficits have been a problem for decades. There are many signs and published reports demonstrating that financial stability is needed. The revenues for the state of California are volatile, the debt is growing out of control, and operational costs are on the rise. The allocations and expenditures in California’s budget need to be reduced in order to address this crisis. There are countless alternatives to consider in repairing these years of compounding deficits. There were four key alternatives that this study focused on. The four alternatives consist of improving operational process efficiency, setting a limit and requirements for new allocations, creating and promoting citizen engagement, and maintaining the status quo. This study identifies and applies the evaluative criteria of political feasibility, effectiveness, timeliness, and equity to the alternative selection process. The alternative that most productively and effectively meets the set criteria is improving operational process efficiency. This alternative has some short term consequences. They can be overcome by support from all individuals and departments of the state. There are also constraints which can be minimized. The state of California’s financial recovery requires immediate action. Reducing allocations and expenditures by improving operational process efficiency is a productive beginning. By setting limits and requirements for new allocations and increasing citizen engagement, the recovery can be ignited.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

38. Orientation during Post-Metamorphic Migration in an Endangered Population of the California Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma californiense

Creatore:: Lewis, Ryan D.
Descrizione:: Purpose of the Study: The endangered Sonoma County population of the California tiger salamander, Ambystoma californiense, undergoes migrations between breeding pools and upland dry-season refugia. Orientation in this species during breeding migrations has been addressed minimally in previous studies, and literature is particularly sparse concerning newly metamorphosed juveniles. Previous works have not addressed the ability of metamorphs to orient or the way in which they search for upland refugia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if California tiger salamander metamorphs can re-orient during initial migration and if search movements constitute a Correlated Random Walk. Procedure: We evaluated fine scale movements of newly metamorphosed California tiger salamanders as they moved away from breeding pools, by capturing salamanders with a drift fence. Metamorphs received different orientation treatments, and subsequent movement was tracked with fluorescent powder. We measured turning angles and step lengths at each segment of the tracks, and compared the effect of different treatments. Findings: Here we show that newly metamorphosed juveniles can re-orient to their upland migration path after being interrupted and disoriented. Further, we demonstrate that while searching for burrow refugia, metamorph movement is a correlated random walk. Conclusions: The initial migration from natal pools to uplands following metamorphosis has been identified as a crucial life history juncture for the persistence of this species. Our findings show that these migrations are directed by some orientation, and that these movements are not random. The presence of a Correlated Random Walk is consistent with search patterns in many vertebrates.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Sonoma
Department:: Biology

39. toogoodtobetrue

Creatore:: Wrisley, Brooke
Descrizione:: toogoodtobetrue is a fiction creative project containing a collection of queer short stories designed to examine the unifying and diverse experiences of a modern queer existence. Thematically, the collection seeks to create and explore the practical and affective possibilities of queer optimism, or optimism without futurity.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Sonoma
Department:: English

40. Investigating Student and Teacher Perspectives on Approaches toward Student Epistemic Agency through a Socioscientific Issue in Secondary Science Classrooms

Creatore:: Boylen, Sarah C.
Descrizione:: Purpose of the Study: This research study hopes to address the negotiation of important aspects in teaching such as how to foster inquiry and literacy while adhering to standards, specifically the Next Generation Science Standards, and if those standards allow for student epistemic agency in secondary science classrooms. The future of science education lies in teachers instilling in their students the skills that will help them gain scientific literacy and student agency in the classroom, and beyond. For the purposes of this study, a framework was developed around scientific inquiry and literacy, while negotiating varying pedagogical approaches, along a theorized spectrum of increasing student agency. The framework is a tool to help educators visualize a variety of pedagogies as they relate to important characteristics of stages of inquiry that could offer increasing epistemic agency for their students. This research study intends to shed light on the perspectives and opinions of a selected group of high school life science teachers and some of their students in regards to these approaches to teaching a controversial, or Socioscientific Issue (SSI), in the science classroom. The student outcome goals that were considered were critical thinking, personal decision making, ethical questioning, outreach and “social justice” as activism. The three classrooms include one Sheltered Learning biology class and one Advanced Placement biology, both at the same high school, and one Integrated 3-4 biology class in a neighboring County. Within and across the three different classrooms, how do participating teachers, and their students’ perceive, or view, (a) varying approaches toward using a controversial, or Socioscientific Issue (SSI), such as GMOs, in secondary science classroom, and (b) activities designed for the science classroom that have the end goals of outreach, social justice or activism, on or off campus? Finally, how does student preference compare to the proposed theoretical framework set forth in this study? Procedure: This mixed-method study is a one-phase embedded design approach; where quantitative data is the secondary data that was collected while qualitative data was being audio recorded during teacher and student interviews. Four activity “scenarios” were designed, along with interview questionnaires, and used as tools and guides during teacher and student interviews. Three high school life science teachers and 13 of their students were interviewed to investigate their perspectives on using the four different activity scenarios which would explore the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as food. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. Findings: Overall, two classes preferred Activity 1; critical thinking in the lab, whereas one classroom preferred Activities 3; outreach and 4; activism, although students had a variety of responses as to why. All three teachers and many students agreed that outreach and activism are important. However, teachers believed that activities that stayed in the classroom were more feasible that activities that left the classroom. Teachers were fairly accurate when predicting their students preferred activity scenario. All the participants said that GMOs as food would be a good topic for learning science in the classroom. Teachers and students felt that activities that are controversial, or that might cause conflict in the classroom, are acceptable for learning at school. Those who were asked felt that conflict can be managed and usually does not leave the classroom. When the varying perspectives within classrooms were reflected on the spectrum, new ideas about what student epistemic agency and scientific literacy are emerged. Conclusions: Student epistemic agency can be defined in many ways, including what the students want to do most. However, agency through varying teaching approaches and a variety of student outcome goals can bring different forms of agency to students while doing inquiry in the science classroom. Finally, students may come into the classroom with prior experiences that give them a different “position” when negotiating a controversial, or socioscientific, type issue. Implications for teaching practice involve balancing factors that are within our control, such as activity planning and pedagogical approach, with factors that are out of teachers control, such as the starting point of a student’s position when they enter the classroom for learning. This starting point position can have large impacts on a student’s perceptions, and willingness, to “like” activities Finally, teachers play a large role in how learning can happen in the classroom, as well the school and society that they lie within.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Sonoma
Department:: Education

41. Children of Immigrants

Creatore:: Soto, Erik M.
Descrizione:: Statement of Intent: The intent behind Children of Immigrants is to give a voice to people who are Latinx, Chicanx, or Mexican in a country which constantly shapes our narratives to benefit the Anglo-American narrative. By writing about the culture, religion, relationship dynamics, and the clash of between Mexican and American societies, I hope to give the reader an authentic perspective of the Mexican/Latinx/Chicanx experience. Scope: The scope of Children of Immigrants is always through the eyes of someone who is Mexican/Latinx/Chicanx. Everything about the characters in these poems is a reflection of the Mexican/Latinx/Chicanx and, by extension, people who interact with this identity. Approach: Because the purpose of Children of Immigrants is to illustrate an authentic Mexican/Latinx/Chicanx experience, my approach was to mimic and write about situations and locations that helped build a foundation to this experience. This included incorporating the Spanish language, including real locations, and writing with politically charged themes. Many of the experiences I wrote about come from my personal life or tales told by friends, family members or the news.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Sonoma
Department:: English

42. The Distribution of sexes across a rainfall gradient in a subdioecious southern California chaparral shrub Rhus ovata S. Watson (Anacardiaceae)

Creatore:: Keldgord, Heather Elayne
Descrizione:: Rhus ovata is an evergreen shrub species that is common to low elevations in southern California. This species is subdioecious, i.e. some individuals are functionally females and produce fruit while others are functionally male and produce flowers with pollen. I hypothesized that because female plants allocate greater resources to reproduction through the formation of both flowers and fruit, female plants have fewer resources available for vegetative growth, survival, and defense. Therefore, I predicted that female plants would be smaller and less competitive. I sampled Rhus ovata populations at six sites across a rainfall gradient (221mm/yr to 701 mm/yr) and predicted that populations would be male dominated at drier sites because of their greater stress tolerance. At each site I measured the ratio of male to female plants within the sampled population. For a subset of individuals at each site, I measured crown size, stem tissue density, specific leaf area, reproductive investment, and distance to the nearest neighbor. As expected, female plants had greater total reproductive investment although the amount of investment was highly variable and females exhibited more variability than males. However, this differential reproductive investment did not lead to sexual size dimorphism. Ratios of functional male plants to functionally female plants differed among sites, but these differences were not correlated with rainfall and across sites the ratio of males to females did not significantly differ from a one to one. Plasticity in allocation to reproduction among females in this long-lived woody species may mitigate reproductive costs and reduce sexual dimorphism.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Biology

43. Sweethawt loans, sugah bowls, & non-profit reforms: a case study of the Bowl Championship Series' (BCS') abuses of non-profit status

Creatore:: Webb, Josh
Descrizione:: This study of the BCS is an evaluation of the current policies and guidelines’ governing collegiate football’s post-season. By focusing specifically on tax-exempt status bowls, this study highlights a disturbing trend among the individuals in charge of operating the bowls and their foundations. Rooted in non-profit literature, this study examines the Bowl Championship Series’ misappropriation of tax payer’s funds, by the participating organizations, under tax-exempt status. Reforms have been suggested based on the model provided by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. This unique study provides an in-depth examination of non-profit mismanagement, negligent spending, and legal violations as they pertain to the world of collegiate sports’ highest grossing sport. The purpose of this report is to establish a set of rules and regulations by which the bowls and their directors must abide. The tax-payers of many communities have footed the bill for far too many unrelated business items. The time has come for the government to establish boundaries for this type of non-profit and hold them to their sworn congressional testimony. Furthermore, this paper will explore the literature of the non-profit world and how it directly relates to the conduct of the BCS.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

44. Program evaluation of Associated Students Incorporated at CSU-Bakersfield: assessing the effectiveness of student governments in the CSU system

Creatore:: Perez, Jesus Roberto
Descrizione:: Summary Associated Students Incorporated at California State University Bakersfield is the student government on campus. ASI not only represents the students of CSUB, but also is a nonprofit organization 501(c) 3 corporation. ASI has never had program evaluation done, since ASI is a nonprofit organization it important for one to be done, so the organization is aware of any issues that they are not addressing. Discussion ASI in 2010, created a five-year strategic plan for where the organization is going. ASI has four areas that are elements that make up ASI. Those areas are: -Finance, which funds events/ programs; -programming which hosts events; -Internal affairs that deal with the inner workings of ASI; and, -External affairs that deal with student advocacy. The reason for this study is to review the documents of ASI and the business they currently conduct to see if the organization is achieving their goals. Finally, ASI has been looking to grow as an organization. Certain programs looking into are sustainability projects, internship opportunities, grant writing, and community outreach. With the current funding model of ASI and the recession is it feasible for ASI to be able to reach these goals. As well as if, ASI is even meeting their current goals and objectives with the current funding model.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

45. Completion of advanced high school mathematics courses as a predictor of graduation rates among first-time freshmen at CSU Bakersfield

Creatore:: Holsonbake, Cheryl Ann
Descrizione:: Public institutions of all kinds are being subjected to more accountability by legislators, educators, the media, and taxpayers. But, U.S. colleges and universities that once enjoyed relative freedom from accountability have been increasingly in the spotlight. In light of the recent nationwide recession and painfully slow recovery, college graduation rates are being heavily scrutinized, especially among public community colleges and universities. This study focused on graduates of Kern High School District who enrolled at CSU Bakersfield as first-time freshmen and whether taking advanced mathematics courses improved their odds of completing a college diploma. Binary logistical regression results indicated an overall model including the rigor of students’ last high school mathematics class was reliable in distinguishing between those who graduated with a bachelor’s degree and those who did not. Holding all other variables constant, KHSD students taking any course(s) above Algebra 2 were 3.2 times more likely to complete college in four years. The findings held for five-and six-year college graduation rates as well. Students taking more rigorous mathematics courses were 2.2 times more likely to finish their degree in five years and 1.8 times more likely to finish their degree in six years.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

46. A Content analysis study to determine: Telemedicine: the future of health care delivery systems?

Creatore:: Costelloe, Melissa D
Descrizione:: Healthcare in rural locations in America continues to draw disparities due to a myriad of issues including access issues, lack of physicians, and lack of facilities in rural locations. It is a pivotal time in the healthcare industry to ensure that these health disparities do not continue. According to U.S. census data, approximately 21% of the U.S. population lives in rural or medically undeserved locations. Physician shortage, poor access to care, and rural–urban disparities in availability of subspecialty care are important issues that require the attention of health care providers and health policy makers (Raza, Joshi, Schapira, & Agha, 2009). As advances in technology have come to light, what are the impacts of Telemedicine in rural communities in America? This research paper will attempt to answer this hypothesis. The methods used for this research paper are non-experimental research design based on qualitative information using a content analysis method. The limitations to this research project include time available to complete the study. The results based on this research include confirmation that Telemedicine provides more timely access for populations living in both rural and urban locations in America. Other results include better health outcomes and comfort for families and caregivers who can travel less due to Telemedicine access. The three recommendations include healthcare providers creating mandatory Telemedicine access; additional training and education to those who help deliver Telemedicine and create grants or subsidies for healthcare providers to offset startup costs.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

47. Best practices of public health departments in controlling chlamydia infection in the United States

Creatore:: Nkwonta, Nkem O
Descrizione:: Chlamydia trachomatis is an intracellular bacterium that causes Chlamydia infections. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease, and is the most preventable cause of infertility in the United States. Since 1994, it has had the highest incidence of any sexually transmitted disease in the United States, and is acquired through sexual intercourse, which could be anal, vaginal or oral. The individuals most affected by the infection are aged 20-24, and females are far more affected by the infection than males. Chlamydia trachomatis is associated with the following infections namely—ocular infection, lymphogranuloma venereum and genitourinary infection. While the incidence rate of the infection in United States is 456.7/100,000 of the population that of Kern County is 706.4/100,000 of the population, which is much higher than the national average. It is estimated that about 2.8 million people are affected in the United States, and the average yearly cost of treatment for the infection is about $4.2 billion. Symptoms of Chlamydia infection vary from asymptomatic (mostly in males) to vaginal, urethral and rectal discharge, pelvic inflammatory pain, upper abdominal pain due to perihepatitis, pharyngeal infection, and Reiter’s syndrome. Some of the practices that help in Chlamydia control are free yearly screening, use of barrier contraception, motivational behavioral interventions (health promotion and organizational developmental theories), partner therapy, and home-based screening. The mainstay of Chlamydia control is increased screening since it is estimated that about 70% of individuals who have the infection are asymptomatic. Also, included in this paper are the core functions of Public Health Departments, which are policy development, health assessment and quality assurance, and their importance in the control of Chlamydia infection. Five county public health departments were selected at random from the four regional areas of the United States — West, South, Northeast and Midwest. The criteria that was used for the selection is population size greater than 500,000 and an incidence rate of Chlamydia infection <320/100,000 of the population. In addition, the study addressed the effects of demographics — gender, ethnicity, educational status, age of the population, percentage of the population that are females on the prevalence of Chlamydia in the community. The county public health departments used for the study are: Orange County in California, San Mateo County in California, Santa Clara County in California, Ventura County in California, and Westchester County in New York. The ultimate goal of the study is to come up with recommendations that can be implemented in Kern County, which would help in reducing the exponential rise in the incidence rate of the infection within the county. Data analysis was done using qualitative comparative methods — descriptive statistics, and recommendations were made based on the best practices of the five sample counties. Also discussed was the likelihood of Kern County Public Health Department accepting the recommendations, and lastly, identifying some of the setbacks hindering the control of Chlamydia infection in the county.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

48. A Proposal for ensuring quality through continued monitoring of patient wait times

Creatore:: Sorenson, Scott Thomas
Descrizione:: This organization currently operates numerous Patient Service Centers where specimens are collected for clinical testing. Many times these sites are failing to meet the corporate standard of 15 minute patient wait times. The organization currently has many quality initiatives that help ensure accurate patient results, but they are not as focused on patient wait times. This program proposes a continuous quality improvement process that will allow the organization to identify areas of weakness, and make the necessary changes needed to ensure patient waits are kept to a minimum. The proposed program will require an initial baseline assessment of all sites, and further analysis of those that are underperforming. This analysis will lead to operational changes and efficiencies being implemented to help raise the performance of the site. The changes will be unique to each site, and based on the operational analysis the program will provide. There will be an ongoing performance evaluation to ensure that the program is successful at achieving its goal of reducing patient wait times. Ultimately, the program will help raise awareness of the importance of patient wait times within the organization. It is recommended that focusing on patient waits will not only improve patient satisfaction with the service the company provides, but also help identify operational efficiencies that may lead to cost savings. It is also recommended that the corporation require affiliated laboratories to report patient wait times as a quality indicator that their performance is measured on.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

49. Bootleggers, booze, and busts: prohibition in Kern County, 1919-1933

Creatore:: Roux II, Richard James
Descrizione:: Located at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley of California, Kern County is comprised of over 8000 square miles of desert, mountains, foothills, river and creek bottoms, lakes marsh, and reclaimed land. During the time period of this study- the 1910s to the early 1930s- the economy was largely based on agriculture and the oil industry, drawing a wide variety of people from around the United States, and the world to Kern County for economic opportunities. This study focuses on Prohibition.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: History

50. Sexual predator laws: effective or appeasement

Creatore:: Freeley, Ryan
Descrizione:: In an effort to reduce sexual offenses against minors, the community, political leaders and the media have pushed for new measures and laws. In the process, laws such as Jessica's Law and Megan's Law have been produced, funneling hundreds of millions of dollars to deter repeat and future offences. By searching and using existing data, this study attempts to determine if there has been a reduction of sex crimes against children due to the advent of these recent laws. The study uses data provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Report in the United States 2004 to determine if the number of arrests for sexual offenses has dropped due to laws against sexual predators. The analysis examines three different regions of arrest data including 1995-2004, 2000-2004, and 20032004. Using the program outcome method, the study finds that arrests against sexual predators went down 15.5% over a nine-year period, and per capita arrests decreased from .0249% to .0187% from 1995 (Study 1) year to 2004 (Study 3) year, indicating there is a correlation between the creation of Megan’s Law and the drop in sexually based arrests against children since 1995. Based on the results, this study recommends stronger sentences against first time offenders; educating the youth of the dangers sex offenders pose; and better monitoring of sex offenders.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

51. Mitochondrial DNA variation among populations of Megaselia sulphurizona Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae): evidence for a cryptic species complex

Creatore:: Duquette, Marc Roland
Descrizione:: With over 1,300 known species, the genus Megaselia Rondani is the largest phorid genus, largely the result of high cryptic diversity and a past tendency for researchers to lump species into the genus that defied convenient classification. For many of these species, little information is available beyond one or two morphological characters. The first molecular study of such a species, Megaselia sulphurizona Borgmeier, is presented here. New sequence data from two mitochondrial loci (cytochrome oxidase, COI; NADH 1 dehydrogenase, ND1) for a total of 792 bp were obtained from 22 M. sulphurizona specimens collected from four populations in California, plus 12 other phorid taxa using standard DNA extraction and PCR techniques. Neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony analyses revealed M. sulphurizona to be a cryptic species complex, constituting three distinct species in the Riverside, Monrovia, and Bakersfield/Tehachapi areas. These findings suggest greater cryptic diversity within M. sulphurizona, and have broader implications for phorid biodiversity.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Biology

52. Latest Pleistocene through Holocene lake levels from the TL05-4 cores, Tulare Lake, CA

Creatore:: Blunt, Ashleigh B.
Descrizione:: Geochemical and geophysical proxy data from the TL05-4A lake plain cores of Tulare Lake, California extends the previously published record for this lake back to 19,000 cal yr B.P. The new Tulare Lake record principally consists of carbon/nitrogen ratios (CN), total inorganic carbon (TIC), grain size, and magnetic susceptibility analyses from samples taken at 1-cm intervals. These data combine with 22 new radiocarbon dates and limited paleontological analyses to provide a higher resolution and longer duration record than previous works. Where time intervals overlap, the proxies from these cores systematically vary as predicted by the earlier published results, from this basin and other California lakes. Additionally, Tulare Lake levels, thus Sierran River runoff, vary in conjunction with sea surface temperature (SST) records from the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) 1017 core located off the coast of central California, which suggests SSTs are driving lake level and runoff changes. The oldest part of the record (~19,000-18,000 cal yr BP) is an interval of elevated sand and silt percentages and slightly higher CN ratios that are interpreted to collectively indicate runoff including fluvially transported organic matter during the recession of Sierran glaciers. Increasing clay content from 18,000-14,500 cal yr BP suggests a steadily increasing lake. Inorganic carbon was undetectable and no ostracodes were found in this interval suggesting a freshwater lake. From 14,500-10,300 cal yr BP, lake conditions were stable including deposition of sediments with a grain size distribution consisting of equal parts (50%) clay and silt-sized grains. Both inorganic and organic carbon were below detection limits in this interval. From 10,300-9000 cal yr BP the clay/silt ratio increased after an initial pulse of fine sand, suggesting a highstand of the lake more or less coincident with the deep water event found in previous published records of Tulare Lake and two other lakes from southern California. Two spikes in inorganic carbon separating an interval of undetectable TIC between 8,000 and 6,300 cal yr BP are suggestive of shallow evaporative lake conditions before and after a lake highstand at ~7,500-6,500 cal yr BP that is again consistent in age with previously published results. Tulare Lake is generally relatively low from 8,000-3,000 cal yr BP and experienced moderately fluctuating lake levels until 3,000 cal yr BP. Significant fluctuation in lake-level occurs through 1,800 cal yr BP where the record ends. For the entire interval of the record reported on here, Tulare Lake level, as represented by clay percent, correlates to a first order with sea-surface temperature reconstructions associated with a nearby offshore ODP core. Since historic lake-level histories have been shown to be directly related to Sierran stream discharge, this observation will be integral in forecasting future century-scale changes in southern San Joaquin Valley water supply due to anticipated climate change.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Geological Sciences

53. Identifying strategies of individual development account programs: what policies build strong IDAs?

Creatore:: Rutherford, Benjamin Lewis II
Descrizione:: As of May 2013, the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) operates an Individual Development Account (IDA) program called Kern IDA in Bakersfield, California, alongside several partner organizations. Unfortunately, Kern IDA has suffered several challenges: it is losing clients, failing to recruit new clients, and struggling to acquire new and continued funding. Furthermore, CAPK would like to begin its own IDA program in the near future. While CAPK knows the problems Kern IDA faces, it does not have any empirical data to suggest the best methods of addressing its challenges. Therefore, Ben Rutherford, a student researcher at California State University, Bakersfield, has conducted a program evaluation in order to address these problems. During the conduction of the evaluation, the student researcher interviewed all 64 IDA programs throughout California in order to gather the most up-to-date strategies and policies IDA directors, managers, and employees use to operate their programs. While only 30% of the subjects responded to the full evaluation, the researcher discovered many strategies that may help CAPK improve Kern IDA and perhaps begin its own IDA program. These results offer CAPK many ways to move ahead in its strategic planning process. Additionally, they may help other IDA programs in California improve, as well.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

54. Evaluability assessment of Assembly Bill 109 and its effect on recidivism

Creatore:: Thomas, Shunnon B.
Descrizione:: This thesis is an evaluability assessment of the Public Safety Realignment Program (AB109) and its potential effect on recidivism. It is anticipated that given the absence of specific language on recidivism reduction in the overall program that the effect will be minimal. The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that the California prison system is overcrowded and that the overcrowding in and of itself is a violation of the prisoners’ 8th amendments rights.AB109 was designed to reduce the inmate population to 137.5% of design capacity. California decided to revamp its criminal justice system by limiting the type of crimes that qualify for state prison. Those crimes that no longer qualified for state prison would be the responsibility of the county and local governments. Now offenders can be sentenced up to 3 years in the county jail. The California prison system did not become overcrowded overnight. With the introduction of cocaine in the late 1970’s and crack cocaine in the 1980’s, the entire country would become part of “The War on Drugs” campaign ushered in by President Ronald Reagan. Those in possession of cocaine and crack were arrested on a massive scale plus with addition of mandatory minimum sentencing, prisons and jails quickly filled to capacity. California got into the prison building business and would go from 12to 33 correctional facilities in less than 20 years. Those arrested with possession of crack cocaine would be sentenced up to 100 times those who got busted with cocaine. This sentence disparity ensured that the prisons would be filled with people of color, the indigent, the uneducated, and the mentally ill. AB109 is currently in full swing and as expected has its challenges with public fear, budgets and overcrowding in the county and local jail systems. California has one of the highest recidivism rates in the nation. Offenders aren’t going back to prison because of overcrowding; they are returning to prison in spite of it. They go back to prison at such alarming rates because the system does not prepare them for anything else. California should consider adopting some policies that have proven to provide lower recidivism rates as with programs that have the potential to empower the individual. Prison exit exams, sentencing and system reform, treatment programs, and increased funding for mental health services all have the potential to empower positive change in the individual which is the first step towards rehabilitation of the offender.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

55. The Politics of cultural trauma and violence in Junot Díaz's The Brief wondrous life of Oscar Wao

Creatore:: Wong, Jana Lee
Descrizione:: This thesis, entitled “The Politics of Cultural Trauma and Violence in Junot Díaz’s The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” asserts that transgenerational trauma takes place in the aftermath of the 1930-1961 reign of Dominican president Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. A history of genocide, highlighted by Diaz’s book, is also closely linked to American politics. As the main character, Oscar Cabral de León , tries to reclaim his Dominican past from his place of exile, the United States , he tries to blunt the spell of his family’s curse. This process compels him to tell his family history as part of a strategy of providing testimony. Through the recording of stories of many voiceless victims, Oscar reclaims their lost culture and lost power. Once in America, where Oscar’s family is forced to assimilate and work under extreme conditions to survive, they must find their collective history in order to face the injustices of the past and the present. This thesis also juxtaposes the fictional and historical narratives and motifs of Diaz’s novel with psychological studies that demonstrate that personal and political violence shape racist discrimination and that violent politics disrupt positive notions of self and cultural community.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: English

56. Exploring the relationship between declared contents and actual contents in packaged foods

Creatore:: Smith, Sara Michelle
Descrizione:: Since the turn of the century, the U.S. has become proactive in addressing the obesity epidemic that affects more than two-thirds of the adult population and 17% of children between the ages of two and nineteen (U.S. Dept. of HHS, 2013). However, as proactive as these attempts have been, no research has been performed to analyze the correlation between the overfilling of packaged food products and obesity rates. The lack of research in this area is attributable to the notion that competition between packaged food manufacturers will minimize the overfilling of food products to gain the most profit (U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 2012). As a result, this research study sought to identify the true prevalence of packaged food overfilling by experimentally testing five of the most widely consumed packaged food commodities. By applying the appropriate methods of net content testing described in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Handbook 133 entitled Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods, the net content values of sixty samples were measured and compared to the declared net content values found on each product’s label. These methods revealed that 73% of the samples tested were overfilled and sample groups exhibited average percent overfills as high as 6%. The average percent overfill values for each of the five products were then used to adjust the nutritional label to the correct nutrient concentrations based on the presence of this excess product. These adjusted values exhibited significant implications for diabetic and hypertensive consumers trying to consume the recommended daily values of calories, carbohydrates, and sodium. However, an analysis of the historical and existing legislation, the capitalistic nature of the packaged food industry, and the Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of net content in this industry indicates that the recommendations for addressing this problem must be multifaceted and politically sensitive. By suggesting voluntary implementation of net content testing procedures throughout food production, the FDA can appeal to the cost-cutting mindset of the packaged food industry. Voluntary implementation suggestions will also save the FDA money and resources that have hindered the agency’s ability to regulate this industry in the past.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

57. The N-word: it doesn't mean THAT anymore ... or does it?

Creatore:: Ramussen, Dahana Leigh
Descrizione:: The N-word, a linguistic tool of racism, has been historically used, by primarily White Americans, to demean and degrade Black Americans, and since slavery ended it continues to be used in a derogatory manner by both Blacks and Whites in the present day American lexicon. Ironically, however, in addition to the typical use of the N-word, a contemporary variant of the term, “nigga”, has been used by people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds, including Black Americans, as a term of endearment towards friends, family, and acquaintances; consequently, this apparent contradiction may cause inter-racial confusion and miscommunication. It is this duality that I will explore while attempting to answer the following research questions: 1) In the 21st century does the N-word have multiple meanings among young people? 2) What does it mean to young people who do use the word in their everyday discourse? 3) Is pronunciation a factor for young people when interpreting the meaning of the N-word? and 4) What are the characteristics of people that use the N-Word and its different variants? This research provides an empirically grounded assessment of current patterns of use and meaning of the N-word
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Sociology

58. Aesthetic humanism: the radical romantic vision of Blake and Byron

Creatore:: Davies, John William
Descrizione:: If Shakespeare “invented the human,” a claim made rather spectacularly by the critic Harold Bloom in a 1998 book, then the six British poets who comprised what was to become known as the Romantic Period perfected the mode. Shakespeare, in Bloom’s terms, depicted interiority in a unique way, allowing his characters to “overhear” themselves, to be self-reflective and existential (or proto-existential). Existentialism proper, along with the whole modern conception of self, has been merely catching up. It is my contention that the Romantics accelerated this paradigm shift by making the figure of The Poet highly subjective in a way it had not been before. Byron is the archetype. The “Byronic Hero” inaugurated in “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,” and perfected in “Manfred” and “Don Juan,” is subjectivity (at least male subjectivity) personified, a titillating amalgam of ambition, weakness, androgyny, power, lust; mortality and immortality in locked combat like Jacob and the angel. Only Jacob is not an abstract, allegorical figure here. These characters are Byron, by his own admission “such a strange mélange of good and evil that it would be difficult to describe me". We have another name for this and it is “human nature.”
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: English

59. Engagement and instructional strategies: a study of the impact of specific strategies on behavior

Creatore:: Byrom, Tonja M.
Descrizione:: This study investigates whether the use of engagement and instructional strategies studied by Robert Marzano can reduce student behavior problems in primary grades. The strategies for engagement include two categories: daily strategies and opportunistic strategies. There are also nine instructional strategies included in this research that have been extensively studied by Marzano and his researchers, but not with regard to their impact on behavior. The strategies are discussed in further detail in this document. In the study, research-based strategies are compared to surveys and behavior problems in order to investigate a connection between the use of specific strategies and student behavior. An integral part of this study includes literature pertaining to research on behavior, teacher effectiveness and research-based strategies to improve student achievement. The study has two research goals. The first goal is to add to the field of knowledge on the connection between instruction and behavior in primary grades. The second goal of the research is to use observations and teacher input to evaluate possible areas of training for teachers, specifically in primary grades. Methods of data analysis include the comparison of observations and surveys to behaviors reported by teachers in primary grades. Limitations to this study and research results are discussed. Further large-scale research findings pertaining to the relationships found in this study could effect change regarding teacher training programs, student identification for special education, and district resources.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Advanced Educational Studies

60. A Preliminary molecular phylogeny of the ant-decapitating flies, genus Apocephalus (Diptera: Phoridae)

Creatore:: Hayes, Christine C.
Descrizione:: The phorid fly genus Apocephalus is the largest assemblage of ant-parasitizing Phoridae. Apocephalus is currently organized into two subgenera: A. (Apocephalus) and A. (Mesophora). The species of A. (Mesophora) attack a wide variety of non-ant hosts including stingless bees, spiders, wasps, bumble bees, and cantharoid beetles. The species of A. (Apocephalus) are the true “ant-decapitating flies” and are divided into six species groups: the A. attophilus group (parasitoids of attine leaf-cutting ants), “A. miricauda group” (parasitoids of ponerine ants), A. pergandei group (parasitoids of Camponotus carpenter ants), A. mucronatus group, A. feeneri group, and A. grandipalpus group. Here I report on a preliminary molecular phylogenetic study of Apocephalus, including representatives of both subgenera and exemplars of five currently recognized species groups. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian phylogenies were inferred using four nuclear (AK, TPI, CAD, 28S) and four mitochondrial (12S, 16S, COI, ND1) gene fragments (4284 bp total). For all analyses Apocephalus was recovered as a monophyletic group relative to the outgroup taxa included in the study. In addition, subgenus A. (Mesophora) was recovered as a monophyletic group, but was not a sister group to the subgenus A. (Apocephalus).A phylogenetic hypothesis for exemplars of five Apocephalus species groups is presented and compared to hypotheses based on morphology.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Biology

61. The Narcocorrido and the construction of a transnational identity

Creatore:: Pena, Ana Luisa
Descrizione:: The narcocorrido or drug ballad is a subgenre of the traditional Mexican corrido. Characterized as a violent and drug themed music, the narcocorrido is often criticized for its glorification of the narcolifestyle as it often depicts stories related to the narco-subcultural activities of Mexico such as the feats of infamous drug lords, criminal organizations, drug trafficking, drug production, coercion, confrontations with the law, murder, torture, and violent territory conflict. However, this research study argues that the narcocorrido is more than a glorification of the narcolifestyle. Rather, the narcocorrido has the potential to configure a sense of transnational identity among Mexican American youth in the United States, functioning as a significant site and source for the construction and articulation of Mexican cultural identity. Through a qualitative content analysis, this research examined the lyrics of 198 narcocorridos between 1990 and 2012 which expressed the presence of a cultural model with distinctive and valued traits such as bravery, determination, loyalty, intelligence and diligence while also articulating a strong Mexican identity. This cultural persona along with the affirmations of Mexican identity carries with it the potential to inform youth of a Mexican cultural identity and provide an opportunity to construct a sense of transnationality. Additional findings of the analysis also expressed a decrease in the presence of drugs and an increase in violence overtime.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Sociology

62. Are the Hazara an indigenous population of Gilgit-Baltistan: an odontometric examination of their origins and interactions using modern and archaeological samples

Creatore:: Camp, Amanda M.
Descrizione:: The primary goal of this research is to test four current models for South Asian population history with tooth-size allocation analyses and assess the degree and patterning of sex dimorphism based on tooth size among the Hazara. Odontometric data collected from a sample (n=202) of the Hazara population residing in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan is compared to samples of 27 living and prehistoric populations from Central Asia, the Indus Valley, northern Pakistan and peninsular India to test biological origin theories of the Hazara and to further elucidate the events surrounding the peopling of the Indian subcontinent. Maximum mesiodistal and buccolingual measurements were obtained for all permanent teeth except third molars in accordance with standardized methods. Statistical techniques were employed to measure the degree of both inter- and intra-observer error, assess the potential influence of dental asymmetry and the degree of sex dimorphism. For comparative purposes individual measurements were scaled against the geometric mean to control for sex dimorphism and evolutionary tooth size reduction. Inter-sample differences in tooth size allocation was assessed using pairwise squared Euclidian distances. These distances were used as the basis for determining the patterning of phenetic affinities among samples through hierarchical cluster analysis, neighbor-joining tree cluster analysis, multidimensional scaling using both Guttman’s (1968) and Kruskal’s (1964) methods, and principal co-ordinates analysis. Results of the assessment of inter- and intra-observer error indicate minimal influence, rendering few variables statistically significantly different at an alpha level of 0.05. Three of 28 variables (lower second molar in the mesiodistal dimension, upper first molar in the mesiodistal dimension, and the lower first molar in the buccolingual dimension) were found to differ significantly in the inter-observer error tests, while four variables (lower second molar in the buccolingual dimension, lower first molar in the buccolingual dimension, upper first molar in the buccolingual dimension, and the upper third premolar in the buccolingual dimension) were found to differ significantly in the intra-observer error tests. Results also indicate a low occurrence of bilateral asymmetry among the Hazara that does not preferentially affect either sex. Assessment of sexual dimorphism indicates male Hazara posterior dentition is significantly larger in the buccolingual dimension for both dental arcades and the mesiodistal dimension of all canines. Furthermore, results of the statistical analyses employed to assess biological affinity identify the Hazara as outliers to all other samples. Therefore, the Hazara do not appear to be biologically related to any of the comparative samples included in this study. Such results corroborate genetic studies which indicate that the Hazara are an intrusive non-South Asian population living among other Pakistani highlanders in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Anthropology

63. Recommendations for decreasing minority suspension/expulsion rates in Kern County high schools

Creatore:: McNeill, Kevin Franklin
Descrizione:: California schools are suspending and expelling student at rates unprecedented in recent history, and Kern County is leading the way. During the 2010-2011 school year, Kern County averaged thirty-one suspensions for every one hundred students, and their rate of expulsions was 400% above the state average. There is a large body of research documenting both the ineffectiveness of exclusionary discipline in reducing undesired behaviors, and its association to additional negative consequences for the students receiving it. Despite this, exclusionary discipline (i.e., suspension and expulsion) continues to be a mainstay of public education, with a documented history dating back to the 1950s. Further, the use of exclusionary discipline is completely contrary to the doctrine of education. Something must be done. The quality of education received by students significantly impacts their future, as well as the communities they live in by extension. Alternatives to exclusionary discipline are necessary. A comprehensive literature review revealed three possible alternatives: Restorative Justice, PBIS, and Peer Mediation. A Restorative Justice (RJ) framework views social engagement as the key element for repairing bonds. Behaviors having negative results are considered in a broad context, and reparations often include a consideration harm done to the larger community. Justice is marked by a return to homeostasis and well-being for the community – as well as offender and victim. A PBIS Model utilizes a system wide tiered framework focused on the expectation, shaping, and support of agreed upon behavioral expectations. Using this framework, behaviors having positive results are rewarded, with the expectation that this will reinforce and encourage these behaviors in the future. Proactive in focus, PBIS aims primarily to prevent the occurrence of problem behaviors all together, while also having mechanisms to reduce the incidence and minimize the severity of current problem behaviors. Finally, Peer mediation begins with the premise that conflict is a natural component of social interaction. As such, this framework seeks to address and resolve conflicts as they arise and, ideally, before they escalate. What distinguishes peer mediation from similar approaches is that, aside from initial training and periodic follow-up and support, the mediation process is entirely carried out by students and for students. This slight difference, however, could be crucial in encouraging an otherwise reluctant student to participate Each of the three interventions presented is supported by a body of research attesting to its potential for improving important educational outcomes for students. Research also suggests that replacing the punitive model with any one of the proposals could reasonably be expected to be followed by a dramatic decrease in suspensions rather quickly (50-80% decrease within approximately one month to a school year) Differences in how these approaches target undesired behavior suggest that the application of selected portions of each is worth serious consideration.. It is important that schools retain a mechanism for removing students that are a real threat to the academic environment. However, the vast majority of infractions do not meet the criteria for such a harsh consequence. In these situations, it is important to consider options that serve the intended purpose of discipline, encourage and maintain high attendance, and also allow the student to receive an education. Interventions such as the one proposed accomplish this. Students need to remain in school to achieve academic success. California schools have reduced suspension rates in recent years, and KUHS graduation rates are above state averages. They are to be commended for these accomplishments, but more needs to be done.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

64. The Making of a policy: a case study of SB 863

Creatore:: Hyatt, Rebecca
Descrizione:: California has one of the most expensive workers compensation systems in the nation. Employers pay a high premium to carry a workers compensation policy. In California, if employers do not carry any workers compensation they can be subject to high fines, prosecution of a misdemeanor, a suit from the injured worker, or jail time. Many employers have no choice but to pay the high premiums in California. Premiums have continued to increase overtime and unless something changes employers will no longer be willing to do business in California because it may be more economical for them to move their business to a more employer-friendly state. Senate Bill (SB) 863 was created and enacted by the legislation to help injured workers receive the benefits they need and help lower the cost of workers compensation all together. A few of the highlights of SB 863 are that it has increased the amount an injured worker receives in permanent disability and has established a new way of reviewing treatment requests by creating an Independent Medical Review (IMR). IMR is made up of licensed physicians who review requests on treatments from the injured worker’s medical provider. This may help the injured worker to receive the treatment he/she is wanting or needing and avoid unnecessary treatment. Studies have found that in order to lower the cost of workers compensation, employers must have more medical control. Fraud in workers compensation is another factor that does not have a substantial method of being measured and it cannot be determined if the current methods that are used to combat fraud are actually working. This study makes the recommendation that with more restriction on medical treatment and by having in place efficient fraud prevention goals, the cost of workers compensation may be lowered.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

65. Crime vs law: a policy evaluation on the preliminary effects of AB109 on Crime

Creatore:: Cervantes Lancaster, Irma
Descrizione:: In October 2011, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 109. The law mandates that individuals sentenced to non-serious, non-violent or non-sex offenses serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. Since its implementation, California State Prisons have seen a 17 percent reduction in their inmate population. The significance of this research is to analyze crime rate data for 2012, and determine if there has been an increase in crime in California since the implementation of AB 109. The author focuses on studies on the crime rate data that have been released by the public safety agencies in the top ten cities with the highest populations in California. The author compares the crime rate data for 2012, the first complete year after AB 109 went into effect, with data from the previous year, 2011, and to the crime rate trend from the 10 years prior. This comparison is done with crime defined as total crimes reported, and in categories of offenses under violent and non-violent crimes; this effort is to determine what types of crimes were being reported, if indeed there was a crime increase. As a result, the author found that the data available to date indicate that there has been a crime increase in cities across California since the implementation of AB 109. The research also shows that cities with active recidivism plans are being more successful at keeping crime rates low. Therefore, recommendations include changing legislation to address the issue of when prisoners are sent to local jails, having the state provide more guidance and funding for officials at local levels, and having the cities themselves come up with their own plan of action to combat crime rates and recidivism.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

66. Organizational program design for Family Justice Center in the County of Kern

Creatore:: Oropeza, Kristy
Descrizione:: The needs of victims of family violence are more than often unmet. Victims of abuse require a skill set, programming, and help from many individuals to overcome the struggles abuse has caused. They live a constant life of struggle, trauma, and physiological issues and lack of attention to necessary services. Victims do not have enough options and do not have enough help in this county. Kern County currently has only two agencies that provide services to victims but neither agency provides all that is necessary to adequately meet the needs of those in need. The purpose of this is review and organizational design is to propose a nonprofit organization that fits the needs of family violence victims by providing adequate programming and services. The organization proposed would be established in a central location accessible to victims. The organization would empower victims through providing personal, educational, and job trainings opportunities. Such an organization would contribute to and enhance the development of families and the County of Kern.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

67. A Research study for increasing understanding of the thriving informal economic sector in Kern County and Kern County's Environmental Health Services Department's involvement

Creatore:: Garcia, Maria G.
Descrizione:: Kern County, particularly Bakersfield, is experiencing an influx of participants in the underground economy. The underground economy encompasses, for purposes of this study, street vendors of food whose earnings go unregulated. Agencies such as the Kern County Environmental Health Services Department (EHSD) rigorously work toward targeting the street vendors of food who have not obtained a permit from their office before selling to the public. The large number of street vendors goes unrecognized in government statistics as these strive to survive partially due to the structurally damaged United States (US) economy that has left many without an occupation. This study will focus on the underground economy in locations throughout the state of California that resemble the Kern County community by ethnic group and by the ‘entrepreneur street food vendors’ as members of the underground economy. This study will also serve the purpose of understanding the thriving street food vendor economy in Kern County as similarly reflected in the Oakland and Los Angeles areas. This study will further analyze the EHSD’s involvement in addressing food vendor permit issuance and compliance in order to assess how the department is addressing sanitary conditions of foods sold to the public and how the conditions may elicit foodborne illnesses.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

68. A Project plan for instilling a lifelong commitment to physical activity: Project iPAL

Creatore:: Farewell, Chad
Descrizione:: There is an epidemic facing today’s youth, that if not acted upon could cause today’s youth to be the first generation to be the first generation to lot out live the previous generation. The epidemic that is facing today’s youth is childhood obesity. Communities need to take action and join together in fighting childhood obesity and getting children the needed amounts of physical activity that are recommended nation wide. The purpose of this study is to propose a program that is designed to provide children with proper physical education classes, proper health and nutrition classes, and focuses on instilling physically active lifestyles in children. The program would be set up as a local nonprofit organization in the community of Tehachapi, Ca. The organization would serve the local kids of Tehachapi ranging from grades K-12. The organization would offer programs to all kids in the community that want to participate. The programs would consist of physical education classes that have kids be active for at least 60 minutes a day. The programs would teach and guide children in doing exercises correctly with proper supervision, and encourages and motivates participants to try their hardest and do their absolute best. The programs would make physical fitness fun and exciting for kids and encourage them to commit to living physically active lifestyles. The organization would also offer nutritional programs that teach participants healthy and proper eating habits, as well as the importance of a proper, healthy diet and how it coincides with a good exercise program. The organization would be dedicated to helping and guiding the children of the community and providing the kids with the tools to living healthy, physically active lifestyles.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

69. Tracing Shina and Wakhi origins: are ethnic classifications commonly used in demographic studies biologically meaningful?

Creatore:: O'Neil, Patrick W.
Descrizione:: The primary goal of this research is to determine whether highland Pakistani populations share close biological affinities to one another, or if they represent phenetically distant groups. This research is undertaken in order to: 1. Test models of dental inheritance and patterns of sex dimorphism based on tooth size; 2. Assess the reliability of linguistic, archaeological, and historically based classification of ethnic groups commonly employed in demographic studies; and 3. Test four current models for South Asian population history with tooth-size allocation analysis. It is important to consider phenetic affinities based on tooth size to develop a more complete understanding of biological relationships and general patterns of microevolution among living Pakistani populations. Additionally, understanding patterns of phenetic affinities between groups in these regions allows important questions posed by linguists, archaeologists, geneticists and historians to be addressed scientifically. This study is significant because very little work has been accomplished in Pakistan by bioanthropologists and human biologists. Further, teeth provide a unique opportunity to compare living and archaeological populations, so that population affinities and possible patterns of migration may be traced both geographically and temporally. Phenetic affinities between populations are assessed via tooth-size allocation analysis. The samples that form the basis of this study include 14 archaeologically derived samples from Central Asia, the Indus Valley and west-central peninsular India, as well as samples of 18 living groups from northern Pakistan and peninsular India. This thesis introduces samples from two previously uninvestigated ethno-linguistic groups, the Wakhi (n=326) and the Shin (n = 280)of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan. Maximum mesiodistal and buccolingual measurements were obtained for all permanent teeth except third molars in accordance with standardized methods. Individual measurements were scaled against the geometric mean to control for sex dimorphism and evolutionary tooth size reduction. Inter-sample differences in tooth size allocation is assessed with pairwise squared Euclidian distances and the patterning of phenetic affinities among samples is assessed with hierarchical cluster analysis, neighbor-joining cluster analysis, multidimensional scaling, and principal coordinates analysis. The inability to identify consistent aggregates encompassing Pakistani highland ethnic groups suggests that significant population movements into this region have occurred over the last 1000 years, a phenomenon that has intensified, according to many historical sources, over the past 300 years (see for example Dani 2006). On the other hand, consistent identification of close phenetic affinities among Shina and Wakhi samples from Gilgit-Baltistan suggest that populations in this region are potentially of indigenous origin, but it must be remembered that the boundaries between Central Asia and northern South Asia are blurred, especially from a biological perspective. Overall, it appears that Gilgit-Baltistanis and highland populations from Chitral do not share common origins, nor is it likely that a “Dardic” biological ethnicity can be accurately applied to all northern Pakistani ethnic groups that speak Indo-Aryan languages. This may be a result of marriages between proximal groups such as the Wakhi and the Shina who must seek marital partners outside of their villages in order to avoid incest taboos. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the fact that neither the small dialectical differences nor the occupation of different geographic locations between the two Shina groups considered in this study appears to have had any effect upon their biological affinities. Therefore, it appears that ethnic classifications based on linguistic familiarity have biological meaning, and are appropriate and meaningful when used properly in demographic studies.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Anthropology

70. Public Pension Reform: Are Defined Contributions and Hybrids the Answer?

Creatore:: McKeegan, Randy
Descrizione:: Public pensions in the United States have faced unprecedented reforms in recent years. From the smallest special district to the largest states in the union, from the state of Florida all the way to Alaska, public entities across the county have made changes to the pensions they offer to their employees. These reforms have been driven by more attention being focused on the performance and costs of these plans. For the most part, government employees are enrolled in Defined Benefit (DB) plan that provides a fixed amount of income to a retiree every year until death. Most employees in private industry, if enrolled in a pension plan, receive a Defined Contribution (DC) plan which provides a fixed pool of funds at retirement that is drawn upon by a retiree until death (or until it runs out). The DB plans are more costly to maintain and studies have found that they have created a large unfunded pension liability (the amount owed when calculating the costs of all future payments) that continues to grow. One estimate calculates that the DB plans are short over $4 trillion. When reforms are implemented it is usually with the intent of reducing these growing liabilities and costs. This study will examine the reforms to public pensions that have taken place in recent years, specifically those that were put in place by the County of Kern and the State of Michigan. The review of financial data from these two entities will identify the annual costs paid to fund the plan and the related calculated unfunded liability in each plan. The results will show how these costs saving measures have fared for these two public entities and whether more far reaching reforms would be needed to address this growing pension problem. The study will also look at legal decisions that have been made with regards to pension reforms implemented by other public agencies and examine the legal challenges inherent in changing these important benefits for both new participants in a plan and existing enrollees. The study will conclude with recommendations on ways to move forward with pension reforms and possible options for changes to pension plans that reduce costs and unfunded liabilities in a timelier manner.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

71. Indicators that Lead to Job Burnout for 911 Dispatchers

Creatore:: Underwood, Stephanie Ann
Descrizione:: The purpose of this research project is to examine the different stressors or indicators of burnout for 911 dispatchers working for both law enforcement organizations as well as fire personnel in the County of Kern. This is a master’s thesis applied research project completed by voluntary participants who utilized the Copenhagen Inventory Burnout (CBI) which identified three types of burnout: personal, work related, and client related burnout. This was then coupled with the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) used to measure other psychosocial properties. Lastly asked were some basic socio-demographic questions used to identify general properties. This study had a sample size of 58 participants. Results of the study indicated that among the three different types of burnout experienced, work related burnout was greatest. Regression analysis findings showed the greatest correlation or greatest indicator of burnout for both work and client related burnout were stressors of emotional demands and a dispatchers’ commitment to the workplace. Somewhat surprising, were results that did not indicate that a specific agency experienced more or less work related or client related burnout than that of other agencies in this study. In other words, there was no distinction in burnout levels across 4 different agencies.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

72. Program Proposal to Combat Cyberbullying

Creatore:: Silvia, Sonia Sybol
Descrizione:: The purpose of this research is to recommend a program proposal to combat cyberbullying. Bullying in school used to end when the bell rang. Now, with the advancements in technology, comes instantaneous and anonymous ways for cyberbullies to torment their victims. Unlike when traditional bullying ended at school, cyberbullying never ends. There is an urgency to take action because research has demonstrated that adolescents that are victims of cyberbullying are missing school, suffering from depression, and sometimes take their own life. Suicide due to cyberbullying is known as cyberbullicide. The program proposal recommends a model program be implemented by the key stakeholders. The key stakeholders are parents, teens, schools, law enforcement, and the government. It is important for parents to be involved in their child’s online and cellular phone activities. Teens need to comprehend what cyberbullying is and strategies to not become a victim. It is recommended that schools implement honor codes to discipline a student who is a cyberbully. Schools need to understand when an incident needs to be referred law enforcement. Law enforcement should be trained on how to obtain virtual evidence against a cyberbully. Lastly, it is recommended that the government pass laws to combat cyberbullying. There are currently no federal laws against bullying or cyberbullying. There are only 16 states that include cyberbullying as a part of their law, and only 12 states laws include a criminal sanction for bullying. It is recommended that states and the federal government propose “bullying laws” that incorporate criminal sanctions in their verbiage. Implementation of the proposed model program is of integral importance because precious lives are at stake.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

73. A Policy Analysis of the New USDA School Meal Guidelines

Creatore:: Rico, Randy, E.
Descrizione:: The two main causes of childhood obesity consuming more refined, high-calorie foods and being less physically active. Research has found contributing factors that cause lower rates of physical activity are excessive video games and television, unsafe neighborhoods, sedentary parents, and a lack of school physical activities. As the convenience of foods and high fat, sugar, and salt increase, the levels of consumption also increase. According to Guthrie et al. (2009), “Several studies that made simple comparisons of the weight status of National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participants and nonparticipants have found NSLP participants more likely to be overweight. However, in most studies that attempted to account for characteristics associated with likelihood of participating in the NSLP, such as income, age, gender, and ethnicity, those differences disappeared and NSLP participants were no more likely to be overweight than nonparticipants” (p. 4). In other research, the School Breakfast Program (SBP) is believed to actually reduce obesity risk, which appeared to increase the likelihood of eating breakfast. Participating in the SBP is believed to aid in spreading calories throughout a typical day, which can help maintain a healthy body weight. It has been found that adult obesity has been linked directly to childhood obesity. As a result, children and adults are more prone to having adverse health effects, such as heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Studies have found when unhealthy competitive foods are not sold at school, students tend to have better diets. The research also suggests students will purchase and consume more fruits and vegetables when more are provided. In creating a program policy, I would incorporate multiple changes, which consider all stakeholders, cost, political feasibility, and the possible outcomes (reduction in obesity rates). The policy alternatives I would incorporate would include meal servings changes, lunch scheduling, addressing plate waste issues, creating more wholesome meals, targeting competitive foods, awarding garden grants, offering meal reimbursement incentives, and implementing the new USDA meal standards. I would recommend that the USDA and U.S. Congress work together to establish a national nutrition policy that fosters a healthier school nutrition environment in communities across America. I would recommend continuing any and all efforts by local, state, and federal levels to support the development of more healthful eating patterns for adolescents and children. I would recommend that school personnel and health professionals must work together to enforce and formulate wellness policies that regulate competitive foods in schools. I would recommend school superintendents collaborate with local governments to implement innovative programs and policies that will prevent and reduce childhood obesity. Lastly, I would recommend all stakeholders continue to work together for the betterment of the common good of the children of America. The decisions made by decision makers and policy makers will have an everlasting effect on the health and wellbeing of the children of America. Decision makers and policy makers should put aside their hidden agendas and focus on what can be done to improve the wellbeing of the children of America, most notably on school meals.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

74. A Research study to identify factors influencing career selection among CSUB MPA students

Creatore:: Jimenez, Maria T.
Descrizione:: “In pursuit of CSUB’s vision and our commitment to serve the Southern San Joaquin Valley, individuals enrolled in our Department of Public Policy, and Administration (PPA) programs engage in learning experiences to develop new skills and expertise that prepare them for positions with government agencies at all levels; nonprofit organizations; hospitals and health care agencies; and private organizations with significant government interactions. The Department has a strong commitment to professional development among public and non-profit professionals. The faculty is also committed to scholarship. In addition to the affirmative recruitment of women, ethnic minorities and the disabled, the department strongly encourage the enrollment of practitioners in the undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs” (NASPAA, 2007). The purpose of this study is to identify what drives MPA students to select their careers in public or private organizations. Identification of the factors that drive the MPA students to their careers it is essential to the career planning of future MPA students. For this research, I will use peer review articles to identify what other researchers/scholars have analyzed regarding the factors that lead MPA students to choose their careers during and after graduating from a Masters of Public Administration program. In addition, I will analyze what motivates MPA students from CSUB to choose their careers. In order for me to analyze what motivates MPA students at CSUB to choose their careers in the public, nonprofit or private organizations, I will conduct a survey of 106 MPA students who are currently enrolled in the program. The main topics in this survey are as follows: employment advancement, organizational reputation, enhancement of growth, and personal benefits. I will use the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) to analyze all data. The data that I collect from the surveys will be put into tables to show what motivates CSUB MPA students to choose their careers in public or private organizations. I will also compare my findings to those of other research regarding MPA students’ career choices. Hypotheses: It is hypothesized that there is no difference base on gender while students choose a career in an organization where they have employment benefits. It is further hypothesized that there is not a difference between males and females who want to work for an organization in which they have an opportunity to develop and also has opportunities for women and minorities. It is also hypothesized there is not a difference between genders while choosing a career due to an organization’s good reputation, less bureaucratic red tape, and maintenance of a low conflict workplace. All three hypotheses were rejected; there is a difference of opinion among males and females during the process of choosing a career. Recommendation 1: Public Administration Departments In order to have a bigger pool of MPA student respondents, the Department of Public Administration should do a survey every year from the beginning with the undergraduate PA program until students finish the Master of Public Administration program. This would give the department a bigger pool and more data to analyze what is attracting PA or MPA students to choose a career in Public, Private, or Non-profit organizations. The department will also have to consider other departments to see is there is a pattern between undergraduates and master's students while choosing a career. The surveys can be done by MPA students in the program evaluation class. This will save the department money and time. Recommendation 2: Timing The surveys will need to be given to students in early January of every year. This will keep track of all those students who have continued the program and those that have dropped from the program. In addition, giving the surveys early to students will give the researchers enough time to work on the data and compare previous year’s results to the current year. Moreover, professors will need to be informed at least a week in advance before passing out surveys during their class time. Recommendation 3: Survey The Department of Public Administration or student researchers will need to include more factors that they believe to be influential during the process of choosing a career. One example can be the influence students have from family members that work in the public or private sector. Conclusion: It is very important to know what factors are motivating CSUB MPA student to choose a career in any organization. As the research shows, students decide to choose a career within an organization that provides them with training and career development. This shows that they want to grow within the organization and if the organization doesn’t provide them with this factor, they are more likely to go with another organization. With the changes of economics and the long process of getting hired in the public sector, there can be a big shift of MPA students getting jobs in the private sector. Moreover, there needs to be more investigation on why only 37.7 percent of CSUB MPA students are influenced to choose a career in an organization where there is the ability to serve the public. Students need to be reminded of the purpose of Public Administration and the duty to help the public.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

75. Strengthening the health care workforce for older adults: an exploration of models and funding for social work

Creatore:: Rodriguez Salinas, Evette
Descrizione:: The purpose of this study was to explore training models and funding related to the health care workforce needs of those who serve an older adult population. Three main questions were addressed: What methods of training a health care workforce focused on serving older adults have been developed and implemented successfully?; How is workforce training funded?; and Is there a model of training and funding that is more successful in addressing the shortage of competent health care professionals that serve the older adult population? This research explored four training and funding models that were developed to increase workforce training in geriatrics. Data consisted of the narratives of key informants who provided in-depth descriptions of each program. Content analysis was used as the method using manifest content of the narratives. Categories and themes were pulled and compared to a successful program (Council on Medicine Education) and put in the context of social work. Federal policy such as Social Security Title XIX and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are discussed as they apply to the results.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Social Work

76. How passing the Dream Act will impact the United States: the political feasibility of the Dream Act

Creatore:: Sixtos, Adriana
Descrizione:: The DREAM Act has endured a tumultuous journey since its introduction in 2001. The bill has survived multiple revisions, additions to other bills and finally stands alone, as a bill that was a few votes shy of becoming a reality for the Dreamers. Many have supported the Dreamers in their decade long fight for a moral right to pursue their dreams, create a life, and live for their future in the only place they call home. The U.S. has always been a nation welcoming to immigrants and supported their integration into the U.S. culture. However, the current state of the U.S is a reflection of the chaotic immigration system and agencies that have failed to enforce immigration laws. The nation at this point can no longer be that welcoming entity, the refuge, or saving grace. The goal behind the DREAM Act is to provide equality to undocumented children who are presently here. There is a moral regard to protect these innocent children from deportation and grant them an opportunity to access higher education and a pathway to citizenship. The purpose of this policy analysis to determine the DREAM Act’s political feasibility using the court case Plyler v. Doe as a precedent that has politically set the stage for The DREAM Act and the Dreamers. After evaluation of possible alternatives and their respective impact; the DREAM Act remains the key to alleviating the current immigration issues the U.S. is currently facing. Critical recommendations were made to solidify a re-introduction of the bill as it relates to the bill’s evident weaknesses.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

77. Hemp: a policy analysis on the legalization of Marijuana

Creatore:: Marion, Todd Quin Jr.
Descrizione:: Today there is a great debate on the legalization of marijuana. Although the legalization of marijuana is of great importance, this paper is not an argument for the legalization of marijuana. This paper is simply an analysis of the current policies regarding marijuana. This paper discusses the contradictory policies the United States has adopted. The federal government has made marijuana illegal due to the fact that marijuana can be easily abused and it does not have any medical value whereas 14 states in the United States have legalized marijuana for its medicinal purposes. It is clear that the states and the federal government have two compelling arguments in regards to their decision for their policy, but their policies are contradictory. This paper attempts to define which policy is the most valid to end the debate on the legalization of marijuana. The methods used to conduct were non-experimental and only reviewed materials discussing American drug policy. All materials reviewed were from reputable organizations and educational institutions to make certain the materials were reliable and factual to eliminate bias. There is not a specific law criminalizing marijuana so the CSA (Controlled Substance Act) was examined. Amendments in the CSA made it more punitive leading it to go astray from its initial function. The government’s attempt to control and decrease illicit drug use has created a taxation problem because of this hardening. Also, illicit drug use has steadily increased since the inception of the CSA in 1970. A change in American drug policy is needed because current policy is not acting as a deterrent. Marijuana may need to be decriminalized to have better control of its trafficking.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

78. Evaluation of the 2011 Air & Water Management Association--Golden Empire Chapter Technical Conference

Creatore:: Lauro, Frank J.
Descrizione:: The Golden Empire Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA) is a professional organization that provides a continuing education and networking forum for environmental professionals in Kern County. Its goals are to promote environmental responsibility by providing grants for K-12 education, award college scholarships, and bring together diverse stakeholders to openly communicate with one another about the challenges they are facing. The AWMA’s primary fundraising event each year is their annual technical conference. This conference began in 1990 and was initially a two day conference with separate air, water, and waste tracks and was attended by over 200 people. Currently this conference is a one day event attended by less than 100 people with joint tracks for air and waste. Possible reasons the conference has evolved in this fashion is due to insufficient time for conference planning activities, a reduction in challenges facing the environmental community, or due to the conflict that exists between Board member’s employment responsibilities and their duties to the organization. The goal of this research study was to provide recommendations for the AWMA to improve their technical conference and make it more meaningful for attendees by performing a summative evaluation. This evaluation reviewed the program theory and performed an implementation assessment. An on-line survey was developed and emailed to the 200 person email list provided by the AWMA. Past technical conference chairs were interviewed with the goal of gaining an understanding of why the conference has evolved and learn about any best practices that may have been previously implemented. From the study it was learned that the technical conference has evolved over the years due to a decline in the environmental challenges facing stakeholders. This decline in challenges had a domino effect, which led to less stakeholder support, a reduced membership roster, greater responsibilities for the AWMA Board Members, and less time to plan the technical conference. The organization has a loyal following of approximately 30 members that regularly attend events and are satisfied with the Chapter. However, potential areas of improvement are increasing the participation from regulators and focusing presentation topics on areas of most interest to attendees (i.e., new technology, legislation, and regulations). Based on the results of the study it is recommended that the AWMA increase the amount of time available to plan the technical conference, incorporate feedback into the planning process, and increase participation from researchers and regulators. It is the author’s belief that by implementing these recommendations the AWMA will improve their technical conference, make it more meaningful for attendees, and be more successful of encouraging environmental responsibility in Kern County.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

79. Hydraulic fracturing

Creatore:: Holder, Crystal Dawn
Descrizione:: Hydraulic Fracturing has been around for over a hundred years and practiced in the oil field industry. It wasn’t until recently with the big boom in hydraulic fracturing that raised controversy over the regulations involved in fracturing. Part of the controversy is due to the past ten years of concerns about the environment, citizen’s health, land rights, waste disposal, and water quality stemming from the migration of chemicals to nearby aquifers as well as the large amounts of water required to fracture a well. Regulators feel that oil field companies should disclose the ingredients in the chemicals being used to hydraulic fracture, however industry officials do not feel that it is necessary and say that the material used to hydraulic fracture deserves secrecy as a trade secret. In an effort to minimize new bills being passed by legislature without the Federal Government getting involved in passing new laws that pertain to hydraulic fracturing in California I will provide documentation of studies that prove hydraulic fracturing is safe and that there is minimal chance that the air and water will be contaminated. It is important to examine currents methods and their effectiveness. Considering the purposed regulations that DOGGR has came out with gives everyone a chance to voice their opinion and also gives DOGGR the opportunity to put on workshops to go into further detail with the regulations. This allows for changes to be considered and made if need be. A crucial indicator to measure the effectiveness is to reevaluate the goal and take these new purposed regulations and consider those that would be most feasible and realistic for everyone involved.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

80. A Policy analysis on the decline of the United States middle class

Creatore:: Arredondo, Claudia Lizeth
Descrizione:: America’s middle class has been shrinking in size and median income due to decades of income inequalities and financial discrepancies. Median-income households have been earning less due to income inequalities that have led to exceeding debt levels and bankruptcies’ lead by the rising costs of health care and higher education. In order to restore America’s economy, the middle class needs to be at a better economic standing. America’s deteriorating federal minimum wage and increasing healthcare and higher education costs could be reformed to better meet the needs of many middle class Americans. • Increasing the federal minimum wage could increase incomes and increase the amount of money people have in their pockets to drive demand back into the economy to create jobs. However, increasing the minimum wage will not directly affect many middle-income workers and a rise in demand can lead to a rise in prices. • Reducing health care costs through a tax incentive program (funded by the collection of tax penalties) can help to reduce health care costs by rewarding health insurance companies for reducing health care costs. However a tax incentive program does not prevent other expected taxes that health insurance companies will face and it will cut expected funding streams from the Medicaid expansion program that can affect lower-income Americans. • Reducing higher education costs by increasing state funding levels through the collection of tax revenues will better meet the needs of the increasing number of student enrollments. However lowering higher education costs does not guarantee a decrease in underemployment amongst young college graduates but it can be expected that more occupations in the future will need postsecondary education at entry level (Bls.gov, 2012). A more competitive workforce needs to be skilled and educated due to the growing needs of society. A renewed commitment to higher education can restore the future of America’s middle class by creating a more skilled workforce. In order to invest in the future of America’s middle class, steps towards improving college graduation rates and the academic quality of higher institutions will most effectively preserve the economic future of both future workers and states (Oliff, Palacios, Johnson, Leachman, 2013). Higher Education needs to be restored in order to invest in the future of America.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

81. A Program proposal for Kern Medical Center's Program to Decrease Trauma Caused by Distracted Driving

Creatore:: Carrillo, Jose
Descrizione:: Cases of trauma being caused by distracted driving are increasing. The following is a sample of plans that can be used to end this problem and the rationale for implementing these plans. While conducting presentations at local area schools, KMC can enlist the help of parents. This enlistment would be conducted by inviting parents to any school presentations and encouraging parents to sign a pledge (along with students) to not text and drive. Since KMC does not have the budget or staff to reach out to all local area high schools, KMC could partner with local area school districts to form volunteer student/parent groups at local schools that continually re-enforce the message of not using a phone while driving. These groups would be structured in the same manner as booster clubs which involve parent and student participation. For students, KMC can encourage the formation of scholastic clubs that would continue to spread the message about not being a distracted driver. Developing a partnership with willing companies would be beneficial to KMC and those partnering companies. Whereas funding is an issue, KMC can apply for grants with The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration using their online tool located at FedBizopps.gov. KMC can also explore the possibility of using social media as a revenue source. Rationale: The cases of trauma caused by distracted driving are increasing and it is imperative that something be done. The preceding recommendations are a sample of ideas that can be put into play. The tradeoff for doing nothing will be an increase in trauma patients at local area hospitals that will increase the strain on an overworked staff, potentially more unsafe drivers on our local roads, which is a danger to us all, and most importantly increase the potential for loss of life.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

82. Gun control policy analysis

Creatore:: Arredondo Gomez, Jessica
Descrizione:: Within recent years, there has been a significant increase in shootings throughout the United States of America. In an effort to prevent the next shooting from occurring, and to keep the United States of America a safer place to live, a policy proposal should be developed. There need to be more restrictive rights for individuals having access to firearms. The following paper will outline the significant issues with the current gun laws, possible new gun laws with a policy proposal, and alternatives to this issue.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

83. Illegal immigration in the United States

Creatore:: Garcia, Erica
Descrizione:: In the United States there are millions of illegal immigrants apprehended each year at the border. There are three borders through which immigrants try to enter this country and they are the Coastal Border, Northern Border, and Southwest Border. Over the years the border with the largest number of apprehensions is the Southwest Border. The Southwest Border is California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. The high number of illegal immigrants entering this country is a problem because of the costs it brings. This study examines the effects of illegal immigration by reviewing the costs for border security, costs of technology utilized to detect and stop illegal immigration, costs and benefits of illegal immigrants, immigration policies, and the advantages and disadvantages of the past Immigration Policies that have been implemented. Furthermore, the possible alternatives to the problem that this country is facing and has been trying to solve for many years.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

84. Blueridge Corridos

Creatore:: White, Emilie Caroline
Descrizione:: This thesis consists of creative fiction by the author.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: East Bay
Department:: English

85. Is marital satisfaction a moderator in the relation between developmental risk and child behavior problems?

Creatore:: Day, Emily
Descrizione:: Children with developmental delays have been found to be at higher risk for behavior problems. Marital satisfaction has been found to have strong correlations with child behavior problems. Based on existing research, it is not yet clear whether marital satisfaction plays a role in the development of child behavior problems for families of children with developmental delays. The purpose of this study was to examine marital satisfaction as a moderator in the relation between developmental risk group (children with or without developmental delays) and child behavior problems. Participants included 58 families with a focal child aged 3-5 years of which 29 were children with developmental delays and 29 were children who were typically developing. Children completed a developmental assessment of intelligence, and parents completed questionnaires regarding marital satisfaction and child behavior problems. Results indicated that mothers’ marital satisfaction was found to significantly moderate the relation between developmental risk group and mothers’ ratings of child behavior problems; specifically, children’s internalizing and total behavior problems. When mothers’ marital satisfaction was low, child behavior problems were similar across developmental risk groups. Yet, when mothers’ marital satisfaction was high, mothers rated their typically developing children as having significantly fewer behavior problems than mothers of children with developmental delays. Fathers’ marital satisfaction was not found to moderate the relation between child developmental risk and child behavior problems. No significant differences were found in regard to mother and father marital satisfaction. Fathers of children with developmental delays, as compared to fathers of children who were typically developing, were found to rate their child as having significantly more internalizing behavior problems. Ultimately, the inclusion of fathers’ unique perspectives proved worthwhile in the current study. In addition, marital satisfaction plays an important role in mothers’ ratings of internalizing and total behavior problems.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Stanislaus
Department:: Department of Psychology and Child Development

86. Students as stakeholders: a more sustainable approach to education

Creatore:: Chance-Dominguez, Renae
Descrizione:: This qualitative research study focused on students as stakeholders. The research question consisted of how do students benefit from their participation as stakeholders in the school context? The ultimate goal in asking questions regarding students’ influence as stakeholder is to work to empower students to form and shape their civic voices to uphold the future of democracy. Seven former student leaders from Omega High School’s Leadership class were interviewed. Data analysis highlighted three key themes: student leaders’ experiences as student leaders, the importance of community and communication, and importance of the Leadership class’ purposeful structure. Findings from the study suggest that by incorporating students as stakeholders in the Leadership class, students had an increased connection to their schools, and continued to be involved in their communities after high school. Recommendations for schools seeking to increase student voice are made.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Stanislaus
Department:: Department of Advanced Studies in Education

87. Immigration policy reform for international students: global perspectives

Creatore:: Laksmono, Anisa I.
Descrizione:: Immigration had become the culture of America. American history mainly builds by the diversity of immigrants from different places around the world. The first immigrant groups came from Europe which later expanded to immigrants from different continents including some immigrants who are brought to the U.S. by the previous immigrants. Immigration policy had been changed over time due to different circumstances. In the beginning it was easier to obtain permanent residency and work permits to attract more immigrants to live and work in the U.S. However, the immigration policy in the U.S. is changing and resulting in a less welcoming place for immigrants since the immigration rules becoming more restricted and specific. America originally was built on immigration since all of our ancestors were travelers who made their way to a new continent and developed communities around the area. Currently, immigration is one of the major issues in the U.S. concerning the rights to live in the land that most think is their home. There are different perspectives of immigration from different parties and the ways they view immigration policy are mainly based on what affects them the most. This thesis will focus specifically on the immigration policy for international students. International students legally came to the U.S. to study and pursue their degree, yet international students have the least opportunity to stay in the U.S. The thesis will explore the rules and regulations which restricted international students to take part in the work force and/or to build life in the U.S. The thesis will also consider the benefits that the U.S. will acquire if the immigration policy for international students is reformed.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

88. Program evaluation on the Parent Engagement Education Program at Parent Institute for Quality Education

Creatore:: Guerra, Nancy Nereida
Descrizione:: After more than a decade, the United States is still struggling to address the academic achievement gap between Hispanic and White students. Addressing this issue is critical considering that a large number of Hispanic college graduates will be needed to stimulate economic growth in the near future. Hispanics are now the largest minority population in the United States, which is why community organizations, educators and parents, must work together to increase the academic achievement of Hispanic students. Parents and teachers play an important role in a student’s education, which makes the collaboration between parents and teachers crucial. One organization that strongly advocates parent engagement is the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) in partnership with local k-12 schools and CSU campuses. The Parent Institute for Quality Educations is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the education of students by encouraging parent involvement among low-income and ethnically diverse families. This supports PIQE’s Mission-“To connect families, schools and community as partners to advance the education of every child through parent engagement”. The purpose of this program evaluation is to assess the effectiveness of the “Parent Engagement Education Program” in increasing the understanding of the educational system among parents. Results from this study will indicate which specific factors parents are incorporating into their daily lives and which factors parents are not incorporating into their daily lives. This data will let PIQE administrators know if there are areas of the program that need to be emphasized or modified. The results from this evaluation indicate that the Parent Engagement Education Program increased parent involvement and/or understanding in the following areas: 1. Communication between teachers and/or counselors 2. Creation of learning environment for their child 3. Childs’ academic support 4. Understanding of the school system The results also indicated that parents rated the program extremely well, which speaks volumes of the Parent Engagement Education Program. Additionally, results also demonstrate the importance of parent engagement and parent encouragement at school and home. Thus, it is recommended that PIQE update the current surveys to reflect factors affecting parents in our community. By doing so, it will allow PIQE administrators to address underlying factors that prevent parents from fully engaging in school and home.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

89. A Policy analysis of transitional Kindergarten

Creatore:: Castro, Norma
Descrizione:: California Department of Education’s (CDE) mission is to “provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a highly connected world” (CDE website). Early childhood education is available for a select few children in California. Children who are from low-income families qualify for subsidized preschool and those children who are from high income families can afford private schooling. The gap continues to widen for children having equal access to early childhood education. Recently, the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 and Senate Bill (SB) 1381 amended the California Education Code to change the required birthday for admission to kindergarten and first grade and establish a transitional kindergarten program to provide education to children affected by the change. This study is important because it will analyze Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 and Senate Bill (SB) 1381 and the effect on children who will not be admitted to kindergarten based on the changes. The literature reviewed for this study includes early childhood education, economic benefits of transitional programs in California and existing transitional kindergarten programs. An analysis of alternatives with recommendations will also be discussed. Recommendations will be made for CDE to convert transitional kindergarten program into a preschool grade in public schools. Also will recommend extending participation to include all four-year olds whose birthdates are from January 1st to September 1st. These recommendations will help improve Kindergarten Readiness as a result of Senate Bill 1381 while the achievement gap will narrow providing high-quality early childhood education.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

90. Drug trafficking at U.S. border

Creatore:: Garcia, Laura
Descrizione:: For the past several years, the United States has had an issue with drug trafficking. Drug smugglers continue to make persistent efforts to get supply Americans with illicit drugs. They conceal drugs in cargo shipments, vehicles, and hidden compartments in an attempt to pass drugs across the southern border. Customs and Border Protection agents, in conjunction with the Border Patrol, use numerous tactics to reduce the amount of drugs smuggled. To help with the detection of drugs and drug smugglers, agents use canine dogs, random road checkpoints, inspection and surveillance technology, secondary inspections, air and marine systems, among others. After analyzing the performance and details of canine dogs, inspection and surveillance technologies, and the air and marine system, several advantages and flaws were discovered for each tactic. Overall, all of these measures are effective in the detection of drugs and drug smugglers at the border. Recommendations include continuing the use of each, yet several improvements must be made to increase effectiveness. Improvements include purchasing new ground sensors that can tell the difference between a possible suspect and animals, and placing portable tents for canines along the inspection areas of the border. Future research should examine other issues that can have an impact on drug trafficking, such as the demand for drugs in the United States. Implementing the recommendations mentioned can help the country’s drug trafficking problem.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

91. A Program evaluation of the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline

Creatore:: Llanes, Consepcion
Descrizione:: Domestic violence has been a social issue for many years and response to this problem the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault (AAFVSA) was founded by a group of volunteers. The AAFVSA is a nonprofit organization that began by operating a 24-hour hotline for battered women to provide numerous services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Now it offers numerous services to victims. The purpose of this program evaluation is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault hotline by determining what percentage of callers completed the service they requested. This evaluation also collects data about the service requested the most, the gender of callers, and whether the victim went to the outreach center after calling the hotline. The results show the AAFVSA hotline is not very effective because only eleven percent (11%) of the callers completed the service they requested when they called the hotline. In addition, the majority of callers were females and the service requested most often was case management. Also, only twenty-two percent (22%) of the callers went to the outreach to seek services. In order to increase the effectiveness of the AAFVSA hotline and assist more victims, I recommend that the clinical services manager do the following: (1) better train the hotline staff, (2) hire more hotline staff, and (3) encourage staff to correctly mark the data forms after any contact with a caller. Moreover, for future research I recommend the researcher to interview the callers whose data are being analyzed and also review their actual file rather than just the printout of the file. Important information that can benefit the evaluation may be disclosed during interviews and/or be found in the files.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

92. A Program evaluation of the tele-recruiting process at Houchin Community Blood Bank

Creatore:: Quiring, Krista Kay
Descrizione:: At this time, hospitals and other health care facilities are only able to transfuse the gift of life to a patient in need with the help of voluntary blood donors. However, the number of eligible blood donors was significantly reduced after efforts were made to ensure that the recipient of blood would not be subjected to additional illnesses, diseases, or other adverse health outcomes as a result of the transfusion. Therefore, it is crucial that blood banks effectively retain and recruit eligible, voluntary donors in order to adequately maintain the blood supply. Houchin Community Blood Bank (HCBB) is one such organization that relies upon volunteer blood donors to maintain the blood supply for the residents of Kern County. HCBB’s tele-recruiting department is responsible for contacting previous donors by telephone to confirm appointments, remind donors of their eligibility, schedule appointments, and thank donors for giving blood. The ultimate goal of the tele-recruiting department is to effectively recruit donors to encourage them to make subsequent donations at HCBB. The purpose of this research study was to determine whether the tele-recruiting process effectively brought donors through the doors of HCBB to make a blood donation. To assist in this determination, a program evaluation of the tele-recruiting process was conducted. This evaluation reviewed the program theory and performed an outcome assessment. In addition, the following summary data from January 2009 to December 2012 (which was provided by the supervisor of the tele-recruiting department) was analyzed using a time regression series: number of telephone calls made by tele-recruiters, number of donor appointments made by tele-recruiters, number of donors who kept their appointments, and the number of blood donations collected. This data analysis was completed to determine which factor had a significant impact on the number of donations collected by HCBB. The results of this study found that the only factor directly associated with the tele-recruiting process that had a significant effect on the number of donations collected was number of appointments. For example, for each additional appointment a tele-recruiter made, approximately one-third of a pint of blood per month was collected at HCBB’s fixed site. Consequently, more whole blood appointments increased the number of whole blood donations collected at HCBB. Therefore, it is recommended that HCBB focus on tele-recruiting methods that will increase the number of whole blood appointments, such as making Celebration calls (which informs donors of where their blood was sent) and using the latest technology to effectively recruit donors (such as e-mail and text messaging). It is the author’s belief that by implementing these recommendations, Houchin Community Blood Bank will further its mission of maintaining a safe, adequate blood supply for the residents of the growing Kern County community.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

93. Bullying and its relationship to child-age suicide

Creatore:: McDonald, Shannon Renee
Descrizione:: Children all over the world are victims of bullying each year, and although bullying is thought to have been a normal part of growing up in the past, children are more often suffering from depression and are at higher risk of contemplating suicide (bullycide) as a result of bullying than those children who are not bullied. Researchers agree that the issue of bullying must be addressed by policy makers because suicide is the third leading cause of death among children between the ages of 12-18 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007), and children account for approximately 4,400 deaths per year by way of suicide, according to the CDC. Bullycide is the killing of oneself as the result of bullying or the killing of the perpetrator (the bully). In the research obtained for this study, girls between the ages of 10-14 are at a greater risk of committing suicide than boys within the same age group (CDC, 2011), and chronic bullying has long-term effects on suicidal risk and mental health that can thrive into adulthood (Arseneault et al., 2010). Defining bullying has proven to be problematic as well, because states, cities, and counties have different definitions for what bullying behavior consist of. While analyzing the documents for the research, I found that there is consensus among experts in regards to the element of depression as it is associated with bullying. Implementing school counselors not only assists victims of bullying, but also provides an excellent alternative for bullies and the negative behavior as well. By preventing bullies from getting suspended or expelled for behavior, they can have evaluations and further guidance that serves as a deterrent from further bullying behavior. Further recommendations for the minimizing of bullying and suicide as a result stem from educating mental health counselors in assessing risk factors such as suicidal ideation and depression because depression is a major risk factor in the contemplation of suicide as the result of bullying. Programs aimed at minimizing negative behavior allow students to experience alternative solutions in handling conflict and the social isolation caused by bullying among peers. Dr. Dan Olweus initiated a bullying prevention (OBPP) strategy for schools to utilize in an effort to combat bullying. The tools for assisting schools in the prevention of bullying are effective, when consistently applied according to the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which was implemented in the United States in the early 1990’s. There are only about 1,000 schools that have utilized the OBPP throughout the U.S., but with over 132,000 K-12 public schools nationwide the Olweus method must reach further if solving bullying is to be the ultimate goal. However, according to Annette Fuentes, author of Rethinking Schools (2012), a zero-tolerance policy is another alternative to bullying prevention that has already been implemented within schools but has proven to be ineffective for its lack of fairness pertaining to minorities. Consequences for violations regarding zero tolerance policies are much more severe for African-American as well as Latino (a) students at higher rates than any other ethnic group; and often result in long-term suspensions and expulsion, even when the violations are minor. In conclusion, the majority of the research gathered for this study notes depression as the major risk factor and determinant in whether children decide to commit suicide as a result of bullying. Although, not all children who are bullied will commit suicide, there is an obvious link between those who choose to commit suicide and the reason children who are depressed are far more likely to commit suicide.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

94. Program proposal: OSHA's impact on smaller businesses

Creatore:: Wattenbarger, Joseph C.
Descrizione:: Regulatory safety guidelines are arising to be more present in work environments. With hazards increasing and work hours climbing, organizations of all sizes are faced with compliance issues related to the protection of life and the environment. With these increased factors, someone has to be responsible for mandating policies and procedures outside of individual organizations on a national level. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a national organization responsible for ensuring and enforcing safety regulations on a national level for employers. Cal/OSHA is a branch division of OSHA which regulates and enforces OSHA’s policies and procedures for the state of California. However, with such a complex and successful organization, OSHA has its issues which need to be recognized and discussed. In this paper I will be discussing the topic regarding the imbalance issue of citations towards smaller businesses and its contributing effect of hurting small business owners. With the OSHA regulations in place and newer regulations being implemented nationwide, small business owners are forced to shut down their organization following expensive fines. Regulations implemented into the field by OSHA are affecting normal business practices by employers who own smaller businesses between 5-60 employees. Small business owners are faced with new OSHA laws and forced to implement or face the consequences of paying large fines. OSHA enforcing unbiased tactics towards small business owners have become noticeable and need to be discussed. Within this paper I have presented policy and program change proposals. The first proposal will discuss implementation of a new business sector in favor of the public. Provided by OSHA, personal courses at any private or public organization on any specific OSHA policy or procedure will be readily available upon scheduling. With hands on activities and allocated time to questioning and answers, OSHA specialists will provide all the information regarding any policy or procedure. With a different approach, the next proposal will suggest an increase in OSHA OTI workshops. Increasing additional OSHA Training Institutes (OTI) nationwide, the nation’s public and private sector organizations will have the luxury of sending either safety professionals and/or employees to learn and gain knowledge on specific current and new regulations in the field at any OSHA OTI workshop facility. With this tool available to the public, employers will ensure confidence when faced with a local Cal/OSHA safety compliance audit. With the fear of feeling left out in the OSHA compliance sector, employers can sign up employees to attend these workshops and gain knowledge to benefit themselves and to share to others within the organization. Additionally, I have provided a program change within OSHA’s 24-hour hotline phone service. I propose a program change, from its current status of only dialing the hotline if employees suspect a hazardous work environment, to alternatively providing an additional service allowing the public to dial for compliance and policy general questions. When individuals call about the proposed change, they are prompted to state their policy question. Following the policy question, the automated computer service will provide the policy requested. Any additional questions that cannot be handled by the computer service will be directed to a safety professional for further assistance. OSHA has a power that cannot be touched; they implement laws and expect employers to follow compliance. With the main focus on helping small businesses succeed with OSHA compliance, this paper is intended to provide program proposals to ensure guidance is provided from OSHA to ensure total compliance with OSHA regulations.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

95. Policy alternatives for using nurses to close the primary care gap in California

Creatore:: Hilderbrand, Patricia A.
Descrizione:: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has initiated the reshaping of America’s healthcare industry. The new law enacted in March of 2010 recognizes the shortage of primary care providers and has provided incentive funds to increase the number of nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), in an effort to close the gap between the number of presently practicing primary care providers and future demands. The implementation of the PPACA and its plan for the increased use of NPs and other nurses will be explored throughout this study. Each state regulates the nursing practice, and policy changes may be required before NPs can provide primary care duties. The State of California is presently considering policy changes to allow NPs to practice without the oversight of a doctor in Senate Bill 493. It was determined that nearly 50,000 qualified nursing school applicants have been denied entry into nursing programs annually for the past few years, citing a lack of nursing faculty and teaching facilities available to educate these applicants. This analysis will demonstrate the need to use the educational funding allocated in the PPACA throughout California for training nurses of all levels, to include educational loan programs and recruitment of baccalaureate degree nurses (BSNs), the pre-requisite for both clinical and faculty APRN master and doctoral degrees. BSN educated nurses will also play an important role in the PPACA plan to improve public health and increase preventive services in California. BSNs are also public health nurses and will be in high demand in the future. Additionally, funding should be allocated as incentives for APRN candidates to pursue careers as nurse educators. Nurse faculty are salary deprived in comparison to their clinical nurse counterparts, which is a huge deterrent to this career path. The lack of nursing faculty is perhaps the largest obstacle in the nation’s ability to adequately address nursing shortages. Further, funding should be allocated for public outreach to promote nursing education as a viable career option and provide incentives to entering the faculty nursing career to fill the pipeline of candidates to care for an aging insured population in California.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

96. The Evidence is in: building consensus for patient centered blood management at Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield

Creatore:: Goodman, Mary Colleen
Descrizione:: In 2012, the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) published updated clinical practice guidelines for transfusions that are significantly more restrictive than those previously released in 2001. The more restrictive guidelines were developed in response to the release of several multi-centered randomized clinical trials in multiple disciplines of medicine establishing correlation with lower rates of infection, morbidity, and mortality with the more restrictive guidelines. Acknowledging that barriers to change exist is important when challenging long standing traditional medicine. Building consensus for change with clinicians requires that the scientific evidence behind the more restrictive guidelines be tactfully, persistently, and consistently communicated. The cornerstone to establishing Patient Blood Management is the adoption of evidence-based guidelines for transfusions in formal policy. Supporting tools must provide physicians with reasonable processes for ordering and documenting indications for transfusion. A Clinical Opportunity Initiative -Focus Group for Patient Blood Management was established to plan for quality improvement. Using William Shewart’s P.D.S.A. model for continuous quality improvement, the group mined data to examine current status. A cost benefit analysis was performed that identified savings of 1 to 2 million dollars annually. The focus group’s primary recommendation is that Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield should add Patient Blood Management as a standing agenda item of the Utilization Review Committee in order to define and sustain processes for continuous quality improvement.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

97. Is there a relationship between the trends of adult obesity and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants in California?

Creatore:: Racca, Lily Ann B.
Descrizione:: This research study explores the relationship between adult obesity and adult Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in California. The State has been experiencing fast growing rates of increase in adult obesity. SNAP participation also grew which makes California the second state in the nation with most participants. This researcher reviewed literatures to have a better understanding of the correlation between adult obese and SNAP participants. According to the literature reviews, age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status were factors that link obesity and participants of SNAP. Applying the concept of the reviews, this researcher focused the study to California due to the current status of obesity rate and SNAP participation. The yearly percentage rates of each factor were plotted and observed. In doing so, this researcher observed the behavior of trend whether the rates were increasing or decreasing. The results were unfounded; therefore, the study was inconclusive. This researcher recommended to do more advance research in finding a relationship between adult obesity and adult SNAP participant
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

98. A Policy analysis of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Medicare and Medicaid Expansion Project and how that will affect the citizens and healthcare system of Kern County

Creatore:: Butler-Ribaudo, Sarah
Descrizione:: On March 23, 2010, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was enacted into Federal law, thereby requiring many changes to the current healthcare system in the United States. A major portion of PPACA is the expansion to Medicare and Medicaid. The Medicare and Medicaid expansion is intended to increase the access to health care coverage; however if a community, for example Kern County, is not equipped to provide that care, at some point in the near future, how will it be able to successfully provide quality services to the people of its community? The purpose of this policy analysis was to examine which of the four policy alternatives and five healthcare managerial solutions could best prepare Kern County’s healthcare delivery system for the increased population with access to health insurance. Choosing the best alternatives will have a significant impact on the way healthcare will be delivered in Kern County after the implementation of the PPACA’s Medicare and Medicaid expansion. The recommendation of this policy analysis is to increase the number of mid-level practitioners in the healthcare field in conjunction with the implementation of telemedicine to help local physicians and hospitals in serving the newly insured population of Kern County. The implementation of both strategies are determined to be preferred ways of assisting and delivering healthcare in Kern County and will prevent primary care physicians from being overloaded and assist with treating the population of Kern County more efficiently and effectively. The process of choosing the best alternatives and management strategies was based on making sure the final selection met the criteria of efficiency, effectiveness and feasibility.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

99. A Program evaluation of Clinica Sierra Vista's Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program

Creatore:: Govindan, Mohanapriya
Descrizione:: The study was initiated in the spring of 2013. The study was conducted on five days in May 2013 and one day was spent at each clinic site. A pilot project was conducted at Central Clinic on May 7th, 2013 and four other CSV clinics were surveyed on May 8-10 and 13th, 2013. The total number of subjects who participated in the survey was 105. The survey consisted of two sets of questions, including 9 close-ended questions and 3 open-ended questions. The response rate for the survey was 98%.The results showed that majority of the subjects responded that the WIC program at CSV was performing at a satisfactory level in terms of service delivery. Fifty subjects responded to the open-ended questions. While the response rate to the open-ended questions was 57.8%, only 34% of the responses suggested improvements in the program. The study was conducted on five days in May 2013 and one day was spent at each clinic site.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

100. An Assessment of Hispanics access to healthcare over the last 40 years

Creatore:: Barrera, Grecia Jasmin
Descrizione:: The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority group in the United States (U.S.). Although the U.S. has a Gross Domestic Product of $13.2 trillion and spends 17.6 percent over a year in healthcare, health care is not available or easily accessible to some of the overall US population, especially many in the Hispanic community. This research study’s purpose was to determine if access to health care for Hispanics has improved in the last four decades based on a trend analysis. The literature revealed that federal health policies such as Medicaid, Medicare, and SCHIPS have significantly assisted Hispanics in accessing health care. In addition, the new health reform act coming into effect in 2014 is estimated to help even more Hispanics access healthcare in the future. The access related variables identified through the literature review that affect Hispanics’ access to health care were income, health insurance coverage, legal status, employment and culture. The findings also revealed that Hispanics have obtained greater access to health care in the last four decades and have more favorable health care outcomes than their counterparts despite lower health care utilization. In addition, overall health care coverage has declined and a changing pattern of coverage has emerged, a shift from private to government insurance. The last section concludes by offering recommendations to improve health care access for Hispanics in the future.
Resource Type:: Masters Thesis
Campus Tesim:: Bakersfield
Department:: Public Policy and Administration

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1. Secondary school administrators' perceptions and opinions regarding the implementation of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)

2. Westside Housing Consortium: a program proposal

3. Utilizing social media to increase student engagement: a study of Kern County public schools

4. Transforming Kern's relationship with unwanted animals: are programs operated by county animal control effective in reducing the rate of animals euthanized?

5. A Policy analysis to maintain or reduce inmate costs

6. Why fundraisers are needed for children who are at-risk

7. Ban the use of cell phones while driving

8. Volunteer foster youth education liaison program proposal

9. Bridges Academy's ability to reduce truancy

10. A Comparison of the fiscal strategies and outlooks of the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster

11. Gender stereotypes and their effects on Kern County political candidates

12. Check and mate: Chaucer's clerical tale of oppression, submission, and obligation

13. Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and nineteenth-century Christianity

14. "Against either scale": analyzing Jesuitical equivocation in the porter scene in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

15. The Role of Tiresias in T. S. Eliot's The Waste land

16. Style, rhetoric, and ambiguity in Henry James's The Turn of the screw

17. Identification of cutaneous bacterial species with anti-dermatophyte properties from Rana catesbeiana, the North American bullfrog

18. Perspective made visible: the intellectual relationship of Ralph Ellison and Kenneth Burke

19. Becoming an atheist minister: identity formation and impression management

20. Late Pleistocene geomagnetic field recorded in sediments from the depocenter of Pluvial Lake Chewaucan, Lake County, OR

21. A Program proposal for an assisted living facility in Mexico

22. A Policy analysis on banning competitive food and beverages in California public schools to reduce childhood obesity

23. Molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic analysis of the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Gambelia sila

24. Conservation of Tipton kangaroo rats (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides): effects of competition and potential for translocation

25. Implementing an intergenerational program at an adult day health care center in southern California

26. A Policy analysis of California's subsidized child care system

27. Program proposal for a drinking license in California

28. Policy analysis of California Workers' Compensation claim costs

29. Remembering the Sacred Feminine through the Motherline: A Quest toward Wholeness

30. An Analysis of the political discourse used by the proponents and opponents in the 2008 California Proposition 8 campaign

31. "Plague in the boomtowns: the Spanish influenza in Bakersfield, and Kern County, 1918-1920"

32. Prison overcrowding in California as a result of the Three strikes law

33. School gardens: a child's path to nature

34. Implementation strategies for a public awareness plan for the City of Bakersfield Industrial Pretreatment Program

35. A Project plan for the Bakersfield Police Department report review process

36. Late Miocene uplift at Wheeler Ridge, Kern County, California

37. Major factors that influence state revenue forecasting: reducing the state of California's allocations & expenditures

38. Orientation during Post-Metamorphic Migration in an Endangered Population of the California Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma californiense

39. toogoodtobetrue

40. Investigating Student and Teacher Perspectives on Approaches toward Student Epistemic Agency through a Socioscientific Issue in Secondary Science Classrooms

41. Children of Immigrants

42. The Distribution of sexes across a rainfall gradient in a subdioecious southern California chaparral shrub Rhus ovata S. Watson (Anacardiaceae)

43. Sweethawt loans, sugah bowls, & non-profit reforms: a case study of the Bowl Championship Series' (BCS') abuses of non-profit status

44. Program evaluation of Associated Students Incorporated at CSU-Bakersfield: assessing the effectiveness of student governments in the CSU system

45. Completion of advanced high school mathematics courses as a predictor of graduation rates among first-time freshmen at CSU Bakersfield

46. A Content analysis study to determine: Telemedicine: the future of health care delivery systems?

47. Best practices of public health departments in controlling chlamydia infection in the United States

48. A Proposal for ensuring quality through continued monitoring of patient wait times

49. Bootleggers, booze, and busts: prohibition in Kern County, 1919-1933

50. Sexual predator laws: effective or appeasement

51. Mitochondrial DNA variation among populations of Megaselia sulphurizona Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae): evidence for a cryptic species complex

52. Latest Pleistocene through Holocene lake levels from the TL05-4 cores, Tulare Lake, CA

53. Identifying strategies of individual development account programs: what policies build strong IDAs?

54. Evaluability assessment of Assembly Bill 109 and its effect on recidivism

55. The Politics of cultural trauma and violence in Junot Díaz's The Brief wondrous life of Oscar Wao

56. Exploring the relationship between declared contents and actual contents in packaged foods

57. The N-word: it doesn't mean THAT anymore ... or does it?

58. Aesthetic humanism: the radical romantic vision of Blake and Byron

59. Engagement and instructional strategies: a study of the impact of specific strategies on behavior

60. A Preliminary molecular phylogeny of the ant-decapitating flies, genus Apocephalus (Diptera: Phoridae)

61. The Narcocorrido and the construction of a transnational identity

62. Are the Hazara an indigenous population of Gilgit-Baltistan: an odontometric examination of their origins and interactions using modern and archaeological samples

63. Recommendations for decreasing minority suspension/expulsion rates in Kern County high schools

64. The Making of a policy: a case study of SB 863

65. Crime vs law: a policy evaluation on the preliminary effects of AB109 on Crime

66. Organizational program design for Family Justice Center in the County of Kern

67. A Research study for increasing understanding of the thriving informal economic sector in Kern County and Kern County's Environmental Health Services Department's involvement

68. A Project plan for instilling a lifelong commitment to physical activity: Project iPAL

69. Tracing Shina and Wakhi origins: are ethnic classifications commonly used in demographic studies biologically meaningful?

70. Public Pension Reform: Are Defined Contributions and Hybrids the Answer?

71. Indicators that Lead to Job Burnout for 911 Dispatchers

72. Program Proposal to Combat Cyberbullying

73. A Policy Analysis of the New USDA School Meal Guidelines