Search Constraints
« Previous |
1 - 100 of 39,896
|
Next »
Number of results to display per page
Search Results
- Creator:
- Pervez, Sonia
- Description:
- Auto insurance fraud is the second largest white-collar crime in the United States, just after tax evasion (Boyd, 2000). The cost of this crime spills over to not just policy holders, but all tax payers as well. Automobile fraud adds to the overall cost of premiums annually. Although there are current measures in place by Department of Insurance, and Special Investigative units, they are not enough to elicit the needed results. There are many possible solutions to help gain control of the problem. These include updating legislation, policy holder awareness, and increased training of all claim handlers. The best chosen alternative consists of providing training and development of claim handlers. This was chosen among all other alternatives as it demonstrated the alternative most able to elicit any sort of change, one that will ideally affect status quo.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Pollack, Kellie
- Description:
- Since the first organization ventured onto social media, the median has proven to be a tour de force. According to Stone (2009), “The age of social media has empowered amateur journalists and fledgling presidents” through 140-character Tweets and “status updates” it has the power to “recruit volunteers, spread awareness, and solicit donations.” Many nonprofits have experienced huge successes utilizing social media for just these purposes. Unfortunately, for some, experiencing success on social media has been an elusive endeavor. The following thesis is an investigation of three nonprofits’ social media campaigns in order to identify essential elements needed to experience successful outcomes on social media. The study identified four capacity requirements to fully utilize all of social media’s potential: (1) understanding the varied platforms and its intended use, (2) planning events, (3) dedicated writers, and (4) having a strategy. The study also discovered seven elements that have deemed to be the precursors of success: (1) tell a story, (2) interact, (3) diversify, (4) make sharing easy, (5) make donating easy, (6) give a call to action, and (7) transparency.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Aguirre, Julieta
- Description:
- Educators today are responsible for student growth within the classroom atmosphere, just as they have been since the profession began. That has not change. What has changed is the attitude, the dedication, and the devotion that each individual gives to their teaching profession. As time passes, more and more young adults are discouraged from taking a profession in education as they feel that it is a lot of work for little pay. Work ethic in the young adult has seen a decrease over the years. This program proposal will help to understand why that is and what school districts can do to encourage employees to give only their best and keep the focus where it should always be, the children.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
4. A Policy analysis on electronic health records: meaningful use incentive for eligible professionals
- Creator:
- Ram, Pritika
- Description:
- Electronic health care systems have mainly been utilized in professions other than health care such as customer relationship management and resource planning. However, up until recently more health care systems are exploring the pros and cons of an electronic record keeping system. The HITECH Act under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, led by the CMS and ONC, proposes meaningful use among users of EHR systems in the U.S. health care delivery system as a critical national goal. In 2010, the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its EHR final rule regarding the incentive program for providers and eligible professionals. The CMS incentive program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospital (CAHs) or acute care hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade, and demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Health information technology (health IT) will make it possible for health care providers to better manage patient care through secure use and sharing of health information including using EHR instead of paper based medical records (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2011). The certification process also helps providers and patients be confident that the electronic health information technology products and systems they use are secure, can maintain data confidentially, and can work with other systems to share information. This study intends to understand the significance of implementing health information technology and EHR systems policy in health care to further understand the basis of the CMS incentive programs for providers and groups. The goals of this policy analysis are to assess current status of information technology adoption, estimate EHR system market penetration, and evaluate the barriers to EHR implementation and the economic impacts of EHR implementation. The objective of this study is to improve quality of care and patient information sharing while lowering long term costs and errors among providers and health care organizations. Additionally, this study will identify measures to determine if current or future policies are appropriate in the adoption and implementation of EHRs throughout health care delivery systems and among types of care settings.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Quintana, Diana
- Description:
- The use of medical marijuana in the United States is a debatable issue due to the different perceptions the public holds. At the state and federal level, controversies also exist on marijuana’s therapeutic value. Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), marijuana is classified as schedule I drug; meaning it may be highly abusive and has no connection with medical treatment. While the law has been in effect since 1970, sixteen states have passed medical marijuana laws allowing patients to consume the substance for certain medical illnesses. States have the power to execute these laws through the 10th Amendment. Consequently, the inconsistency of the laws has created issues between some states and the federal government. The federal government can interfere at any time with medical marijuana laws and prosecute anyone who is affiliated with the substance. In order to find a solution to this problem, the researcher has conducted in depth analysis of the existing laws and how they relate to the theory of federalism. In addition, the researcher has analyzed three alternatives and the status quo to find the most effective solution. Based on the alternatives, the researcher has selected the reclassification of marijuana to a schedule II drug as the best option. The alternative has been selected because it will create a uniform policy with the existing laws. In order for this alternative to be effective, the researcher suggests eight recommendations. The recommendations range from educating children and patients of the risks and benefits of the substance to prohibiting medically ill children from consuming the substance until more research is acquired. Additionally, the researcher advises that more research needs to be conducted on the potential effects of recreational use. This is because states may want to pass these laws in the future as it was seen in the state of California.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Moorhead, Margaret
- Description:
- School vouchers promise to improve parental choice in offering a higher quality education for their child. The primary effect of school vouchers or school choice is its tendency to increase the educational gap between the middle and upper-income and the low-income students. This policy analysis describes how the voucher system was intended to work and what is known about their actual effects on students, parents, and public schools in various areas. Research of literature regarding various implemented voucher programs in the United States and two other nations was conducted. The main purpose of this analysis was to determine if students who utilized school vouchers showed improved student achievement outcomes. The research also covers how data from the voucher programs was analyzed along with controversial analysis on the original findings. To conduct the analysis for this paper, I accessed third party information from scholarly journal articles after receiving approval from California State University, Bakersfield Instructional Review Board (IRB). The information gathered was from research articles on various voucher programs and analysis of those programs. The literature I studied revealed small but inconsistent effects of school vouchers. The programs varied by ethnicity, program structure and incentives. The research did not produce evidence that students’ achievements increased over a long-term. Recommendations developed from the analysis include: 1) changing the curriculum of the public schools or developing new academic programs; 2) getting back to basics; 3) lower the student-teacher ratio; and 4) target more resources toward states with a higher proportion of minority and disadvantaged students.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Bradford, Tanya
- Description:
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is infinite problem throughout the world. Women more so than men endure brutal assault by the men they love, trust and depend on. With regard to race in research of Intimate Partner Violence, African American women are under represented. Although findings suggest that African American women suffer higher rates of intimate partner violence over Caucasian women, African American women are more prone to the risk of violence than Caucasian Women due to many factors. Research fails to present the true extent of this serious threat and the leading factors such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, no education, no outreach programs and societal stress that allows IPV to run rampant in the African American Communities. Much more research is needed to reveal the depth of African American women experiences with intimate partner violence. IPV is a threatening problem that passes down to generation to generation. Beating women is an acceptable practice in the African American community that is over looked by many. African American women believe that they are powerless and thus do not seek help do to many reasons; racism lack of trust, undeserving, have low self esteem, are feeble, come from poor communities, have low or no education, and intergenerational effect, and shame. Although it is a crime to intentionally cause harm to another individual, African American women suffer needlessly by the hands of men they love. Society, the African American community, and the family fail to conceive that women of color are in danger from violent men by turning from the truth that IPV is a real threat. To remedy IPV, perpetrators ought to be accountable for their crimes against women by applying harsher punishment. Much more research is indeed a need to address the indisputable factors in regards to the different factors in the African American Communities that cause IPV and to reveal the true extent of IPV against African American Women.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Sweat, Hilary (Hilary L.)
- Description:
- Significant changes are coming to the United States military. The repeal of DADT would call for the elimination of the military‘s ―Don‘t Ask, Don‘t Tell‖ policy and an official normalization of homosexuality within the U.S. armed forces, persons found to have a homosexual orientation will no longer be discharged from the military. The greatest challenge posed by the normalization of homosexuality within the armed forces is not the fact that homosexual persons will serve in uniform. Given the distribution of homosexuality within the population, courageous service of homosexual persons has been the case from the beginning. Successful implementation requires strong leadership, a clear message, and proactive training and education. The repeal of DADT will introduce conflicts and concerns. The purpose of this study is to do a policy analysis of the current policy and Repeal Act of 2010 to identify the issues the Leadership will be faced with and evaluate alternatives to investigate the best possible choice for the Leadership to effectively implement normalization of sexuality in the military. It is clearly going to be a major mission for leadership to implement this change in the military, whatever the change may be. However, by keeping the military a nonsexual zone, keeping sexual orientation as personal and private matter the implementation of normalization of sexuality in the military will prove to be a safe and fair option. By comparing consequences and looking at what constraints the future may hold along with the feasibility of each alternative the best decision can be made for the armed forces. The leadership will be able to educate and train all personnel in order for an effective implementation.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Blaylock, Theresa
- Description:
- The problem is the effectiveness of youth-offender programs. To gain consistent program outcomes that reduce recidivism rates there, the criminal justice system needs accurate measures of successful rehabilitation. Today youth-offender programs are not all effective in their treatment of youth offenders. When a youth comes in to the juvenile system, it is an opportunity to effect change and proactively prevent recidivism. Youth-offender programs that are not effective are causing harm to both the youth-offender and to the government or financial backer of that program to effect a decrease in youth-offender recidivism. The harm poor-quality youth-offender programs cause is in the youth-offender’s giving up on the idea of a life free of criminal activity. Further harm is in government budgeted funding to programs that are not producing a reduction in recidivism. This includes nonprofit agencies taking donated money for the benefit of youth offenders. Programs not reducing recidivism are causing further harm to the public perception of the troubled youth that are in these programs.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Archuleta, Samantha
- Description:
- America’s future rests in the hands of juveniles. It is important to put a stop to the number of crimes being committed by juveniles and effectively rehabilitate them. Recidivism rates of juveniles released from detentions centers continues to remain high throughout the state suggesting rehabilitation programs are not working. Many juvenile institutions have been kept at maximum capacity forcing them to release detained juveniles early when they receive a new juvenile that has committed a serious crime. Many institutions currently have programs in place that attempt to provide positive reinforcements and intervention, but have failed to make a significant difference. Many of the programs that have failed to make an impact and are still in place. There are many juveniles sent back to James G. Bowels Juvenile Hall to await another conviction and possibly another commitment program. The current programs at Juvenile Hall have kept juveniles busy during their time served, but the programs currently implemented have not rehabilitated juveniles. The increasing rate of juveniles returning to Juvenile Hall suggests that implementing other programs may be what is needed to increase the number of juveniles that leave rehabilitated and reduce recidivism rates. The purpose of this policy analysis is to present alternative programs focused on recidivism rates of juveniles being re-booked in Juvenile Hall and what is causing these juvenile offenders to recidivate. These alternative programs will help to identify beneficial programs and reduce the recidivism rate of juveniles returning to Juvenile Hall. If an alternative program succeeds then Juvenile Hall will be able to effectively rehabilitate more juveniles and start reducing the currently growing percentage of juvenile recidivism rates.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- North, LaToya
- Description:
- The role of child welfare workers has been complicated with the task of treating juvenile sex offenders. With an increase in the number of juvenile sex offenders, this has become a specialty area and effective treatment requires focus beyond traditional counseling skills. This problem has been complicated since it has been challenging to find a consistent definition of juvenile sex offender. “There is not an accepted term or definition that is widely used to describe or refer to this population” (Moore, Franey, & Geffner, 2004, p.1). How can a worker learn evidenced-based treatment interventions when there is no clarity in the definition. This study reviewed the literature and developed preliminary resources for social workers and other professionals who will be working with clients who are juvenile sex offenders.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Carlile, Julie A
- Description:
- According to Wyler (2008), weak and failing states are often in conflict, at risk of conflict, or newly emerging from conflict. Poor governance, corruption, and lack of basic public services impede their stability. They do not have effective control of their territory, military, or law enforcement. In addition, weak states are unable to achieve lasting economic development. As a result, weak and failing states become safe havens for terrorist and international crime organizations. They cause regional instability and facilitate those seeking Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). These threats pose a danger to the United States and its national interests. Protecting the United States from these threats requires conducting successful nation-building operations. Nation building is critical to “winning the peace” and denying safe havens and networks to terrorists and insurgents. This is a means of integrating war and policy. According to Cohen (2005), there is reluctance to establishing stabilization and reconstruction metrics in order to measure nation-building progress. The concern is that the metrics will be manipulated to push political agenda. As a result, objective metrics for measuring the outcomes of nation building efforts in the Middle East have not been established. This study applies Cohen‟s (2006) proposed cascading model for measuring nation-building progress in the Middle East. Using this method, the metrics are linked to stabilization outcomes providing objective feedback on stabilization progress so mission planners can make better decisions. The metrics developed indicate the situation close to ground truth as possible. Additionally, this study recommends: that metrics be developed for the Transformation and Fostering phases; that outside auditors collect metric data; that metrics be critically analyzed; and that these analyses be used by decision-makers to determine nation-building progress and whether the current strategy is working.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Martinez, Priscilla
- Description:
- Because foundations have tax-exemption from the IRS, it is expected that they will meet a need that is not being met by the government. However, there are many who believe that there is a discrepancy in foundational giving in California because the perception is that foundational giving goes to select counties and others, especially those in the Central Valley, do not receive a fair amount of funding when considering similar populations and needs of the counties. To test this hypothesis, data on giving from four of the largest foundations in California for one year were gathered along with data on social needs indicators for every county in California to test whether there is a correlation between foundational giving and social needs.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Tate, Rachel
- Description:
- The purpose of this project was to provide members of the California Senior Legislature information relevant to end-of-life services in correctional institutions. This information will be used to shape policies that ensure correctional end-of-life care is commiserate with community standards as mandated by the 1996 American Correctional Association. Integration of community standards in program design ensures protection of fundamental human rights. A thorough review and analysis of current policies and services areas requiring further development were identified and recommendations offered.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Social Work
- Creator:
- Jacinto, Sarai
- Description:
- This case study analyzes the 2010 scandal in the Bell, CA regarding government salaries, property tax rates, and revenue collection practices. With an extensive literature review on transparency, accountability and access to public information, this study compares Bell’s administrators’ salaries to other cities in LA County. The case study explores tactics used by city administration to facilitate their ability to embezzle more than $5.6 million in public funds. The research indicated that residents in Bell did not act on their right to public documents that allowed city officials to operate Bell for personal gain. The City currently does not have enough money to cover core services. Recommendations that provide short and long term goals for the City of Bell are explored. The research also indicated that there is a need for a system of checks and balances at all government levels that would help reduce corruption in charter cities. Greater involvement from constituents in government affairs would be the best method to reduce corruption.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Snyder, Victoria
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Amborn, Saxon James
- Description:
- The novel coronavirus (SARs-COV or COVID-19) pandemic was an unprecedented event in recent human history. Communities, schools, and businesses were forced to make rapid large scale changes in action and policy with little direction or empirical data to rely on. Institutions for mental diseases (IMDs), which provide inpatient care to people with serious mental illnesses, were also forced to make large scale changes to their treatment policies. This natural experiment assessed the effects of changes in treatment policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at Merced Behavioral Center (MBC), a locked IMD, on resident’s showering practices. Resident’s showering practices are an important aspect MBC’s treatment planning; therefore assessing the effects of large scale policy changes on resident’s showering practices may provide useful insights to administrative staff. The results of this natural experiment show that changes in treatment policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic at MBC did impact resident’s showering practices, but only for resident’s who smoked cigarettes. It was also found that residents on lower functioning levels showered less when compared to residents on higher functioning levels. No other significant differences were found in the showering practices of any other demographic at MBC.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Stanislaus
- Department:
- Department of Psychology and Child Development
- Creator:
- Munoz, Candace Evette
- Description:
- In Law enforcement, there are dangers that police officers face on a daily basis. One stressor in particular, is an officer-involved shooting, also known as a critical incident. Currently, many law enforcement agencies are using a technique called Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). However, there have been many studies showing the ineffectiveness of CISD, and despite these findings, law enforcement agencies are continuing its use. The research shows that many police officers manifest a slew of psychological and physical problems from the stress of law enforcement and, most importantly, an officer-involved shooting. There is an alternative to using CISD, which is called Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), which is a more intensive recovery process. This paper will propose a program plan for the Bakersfield Police Department on how to implement a CISM program into the current CISD program it currently has in place.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Thompson, Natalie H
- Description:
- The Diamond Divas are an all-female roller derby team from Bakersfield, California. Established approximately in 2009, the Divas are composed of a diverse group of women from a variety of class, educational, and professional backgrounds; however, these women are united by their participation in this sport and the culture that revolves around it. Previous research has been primarily performed in the fields of sociology and philosophy, for only recently has much attention been paid to women's roller derby as an area of anthropological study, particularly in terms of gender, with little emphasis on the culture of roller derby itself. The present study examines the construction of the “roller girl” identity, a complex, and often contradictory, negotiation of more traditional conceptions of femininity, aggressive competition, and exaggerated expressions of sexuality. Some Divas function within the constraints of femininity (Hauser 2011), others actively challenge hegemonic femininity (Finley 2010), while still others are somewhere in the middle as suggest by Williams (2002) or fluctuate between these two realms depending on the situation at hand. Additionally, identity construction is also informed by the adherence, or lack thereof, to the socio-cultural norms and values of the specific geocultural context of Bakersfield. This research seeks to illuminate a growing subculture found in many cities and towns throughout the United States and documents a cultural movement that is quite active within this particular community. More importantly, it contributes to the rapidly accumulating pool of current cumulative research by presenting information from an anthropological perspective, widening our understanding of roller derby by contextualizing this specific team and these specific women, adding their voices to the ongoing dialogue concerning women and sports. 3
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Anthropology
- Creator:
- Glasco, Misty
- Description:
- Tourism is a significant, sometimes vital part of a destination’s economy. Tourist spending supports jobs and helps cities thrive. For many years destination marketing and tourism promotion by Convention and Visitors Bureaus has been funded primarily through the collection of Transient Occupancy Tax. In recent years, the wavering economics of California has forced cities to explore different ways to fund Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Tourism Business Improvement Districts have become a key method of providing stable funding for destination marketing and promotion. The Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau’s budget is currently funded by TOT, allocated by the city, and is not guaranteed. Fresno and Stockton are two of Bakersfield largest competitors. The cities of Fresno and Stockton have had success enacting TBIDs in recent years. This paper will look closely at the data from Fresno and Stockton to see if Bakersfield should consider implementing a TBID as the funding source for the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of Fresno and Stockton’s TBIDs to better understand the district formation process, and to understand the challenges and opportunities in forming a TBID. This data may serve as a general frame to determine what lessons these cities can offer Bakersfield and other cities considering a TBID funded CVB. TBID’s for Fresno and Stockton are providing a stable funding source for the cities CVBs free from political circumstances. A TBID funded budget gives relief to local government by providing a funding source that does not come from city collected taxes or general fund revenues. Bakersfield’s hotel revenue assessed for a TBID indicates that the Bakersfield CVB would have an average budget of $1.4 million. Stable funding of this amount would allow the Bakersfield CVB to market its destination and provides more exposure to its target audience. This would increase local events, meetings and tourism, leading to increased occupancy, TOT and sales taxes. This increase provides an overall better economic situation for the Bakersfield CVB, the City of Bakersfield and its residents.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Hughes, Jina D'Ann
- Description:
- Underrepresentation of African-American males as grade level rises is a major concern in education (Duggins & Acosta, 2017; Howard, 2010; Husband, 2012; Tatum, 2006; Washington, Patton-Terry, & Siedenberg, 2013). Prior studies have placed the blame on African-American males in grades k-12 for their lack of academic progress. In an effort to understand why slow achievement still exists with this subgroup, research on the struggle experienced by African American male students lacks a critical analysis of the quality of educational practices and the perceptions of teachers. Teacher expectations and perceptions can shape the engagement and self-esteem of students. Many African-American male students have been negatively impacted by unjust criticism and treatment based on teacher biases and assumed stereotypes. This case study utilized qualitative methods to examine the relationship between teacher and administrator perceptions and the performance and well-being of African-American males in third through eighth grade in a suburban school district. The goal of this study was to encourage educators in this small, southwestern school district to make well-informed decisions that promote academic growth by recognizing perceived factors that may impact overall student performance and well-being. Triangulation of participant interviews, survey results, and archival data was accompanied by a six-phase analysis method. The results of this study revealed a possible relationship between educator perceptions and the performance and well-being of African-American males in third through eighth grade in this suburban district.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Educational Leadership (DPEL)
- Creator:
- Wright, Jamal Tyrone
- Description:
- This study focused on the policy impact of SB 1456 (2012) on students enrolled in rural community colleges in California. SB 1456 (2012) was signed into law with the intent to increase student success rates that ultimately resulted in the completion of educational goals for students in California Community Colleges (CCC). In order to examine the implications of this measure, the following research questions were utilized to guide this study: 1) Is there a statistically significant interaction between race and academic year for school belonging? 2) Is there a statistically significant interaction between race and academic year for campus support? This pre-experimental study used data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) to assess SB 1456 (2012). The analyses of the data were structured using a cohort model to evaluate variances in response between the 2011 and 2014 academic years. Furthermore, the data were disaggregated by race to identify whether African-American and Latinx student responses varied from their White counterparts. As a result, race and academic year were the two factors which were considered in this study. The two outcomes for the study, support for learners and sense of belonging, were two of the five benchmarks that CCSSE measures for. To determine if there were significant interactions between the factors and outcomes, a two-way ANOVA (2 X 2) was used. Along with a two-way ANOVA (2 X 2), the researcher incorporated the Crtitical Race Theory to effectively interpet the responses of minority students. Upon running the tests, the results concluded that there were no statistically significant interaction effects between cohort years and school belonging or between race and academic year. These findings suggest that the programs, workshops, and initiatives funded by SB 1456 (2012) did not increase minority students’ sense of belonging on campus. Additionally, the results show that the programs implemented in 2012 did not lead to more minority students utilizing support services. The data also revealed that there is still a significant gap between how White students view their campus and how minority students feel on campus. However, noteworthy differences were observed in student-faculty interactions. In contrast to current literature, the data showed that minority students had enriching and constructive relationships with faculty members. Nevertheless, a greater emphasis on high-touch interaction must be included into the marrow of SB 1456 (2012). In doing so, more minority students will utilize the resources which they desperately need, which will, in turn, lead to a reduction in educational and emotional achievement gaps.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Educational Leadership (DPEL)
- Creator:
- Campos-Hughes, Laura
- Description:
- There is an average of 6500 active cases which California Children’s Services (CCS) case manages for medical processing. CCS continues to use traditional paper charts and there is no tracking system to show which one of the over 50 staff members may have the chart or if the chart has been filed in the chart room. On a daily basis CCS may receive at least 125 faxes requesting medical authorizations ranging from procedures, medication or equipment. There are four Office Services Technicians who process all faxes, locate the paper chart and forward to the correct staff for review. The current system of receiving and processing faxes often causes delays in processing as the charts cannot be found. In addition, CCS spends 42% of their yearly office supply allocated budget on paper and toner. CCS has acknowledges the need to transition into a paperless system is important and has spent over $76,000 towards implementation but has fallen short of completing the transition. After reviewing literature regarding implementation of a paperless system, expenses which CCS has incurred and estimating cost of office supplies as well as staff loss of productivity it is recommended CCS immediately restore implementation process of transitioning from the current paper chart to a paperless system.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- LaPierre, Kish
- Description:
- This thesis describes and interprets a large rock feature complex and associated artifact caches from the Mirror Point site (CA-SBR-12134/H) located on the east side of Searles Lake within the boundaries of the South Range, Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, California. The objectives of this investigation: to access the lifeways of the inhabitants that once occupied this site; activities of the occupants at this site; time period(s) when this site was occupied; and purpose or function of rock features and associated artifact caches. Archaeological investigations of CA-SBR-12134/H included four surface scrapes and the excavation of eight test units, mapping of the overall site surface, and analysis of recovered materials. Artifacts recovered from this site include large obsidian bifaces, glass, silver, and shell beads, a bow fragment, pottery, debitage, historic bottles, mining debris, and several types of projectile points. Because the rock features and artifacts seem to serve no utilitarian purpose it is assumed that this site was visited for ideological reasons. Diagnostic artifacts span from the Early Period (before 6600 BP) to Historic times (circa 1900). It is possible if not likely that these artifacts were collected from other sites and brought to CA-SBR-12134/H as part of a ritual offering and that the site was visited from prehistoric to historic times.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Anthropology
- Creator:
- Lorenzi, Georgina
- Description:
- Government agencies throughout California face complicated issues with public employee defined benefit pension plans. Market earnings on pension investments have plummeted with the decline of the U.S. economy. This market downturn increases pension costs for governmental agencies. As pension costs continue to command a significant allocation of governmental funding, services offered to citizens may decline to levels unsatisfactory to various stakeholders – citizens, elected officials, government agencies, private sector, and employees of these government agencies. However, salaries and benefits not comparable with the private sector and other governmental agencies may fail to attract qualified personnel to provide these very same services to citizens and the community. Public employee pension plans create political and emotional arguments by a myriad of stakeholders that may compromise and inhibit objective decision-making. Therefore, unbiased and objective analysis and interpretation is required even more with the politics and emotions inherent with this issue. This study explores pension costs, as reported within the General Fund, for the City of Bakersfield. The City of Bakersfield’s pension costs increased from a low of $3.7 Million in Fiscal Year 2000/01 to a high of $24.7 Million in Fiscal Year 2011/12 – a 562% increase. In addition, the actuarial value of the City of Bakersfield’s PERS plan assets, inclusive of all funding sources, over the accrued liability was $94 Million to the good in Fiscal Year 1998/99. For Fiscal Year 2009/10, the accrued liabilities exceeded plan assets by approximately $149 Million. Literary review of issues impacting public employee pension plans is also included in this study. Recommendations to curb public sector pension costs abound. This study focuses on recommendations offered by the Little Hoover Commission and Governor Brown’s “Twelve Point Pension Reform Plan.” This study then concludes with suggestions dealing specifically with rising costs for the City of Bakersfield’s defined benefit pension plans. At this point, a disclosure is necessary to address potential bias on the author’s part. The author of this study is currently a 26-year employee with the City of Bakersfield and is a participant in the Miscellaneous defined benefit pension plan.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Chaves, Lisa
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Shahrokhshahi, Rita
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Bynum, Steven Lance
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Guest, Suzanne B
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Hernandez, Jaime
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Saso, Morgan
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Love, Wenzel Deseen
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Anderson, Ian J
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Padron, Magda
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Barajas, Daniel E.
- Description:
- Continuation high schools serve students for multiple reasons. Among them are low credit attainment, excessive absences, probation status, and discipline problems. Students in these programs often have many educational gaps. In the state of California, continuation high schools have been an educational option for this vulnerable student population since 1919. This segment of the school system seeks to offer students with diverse educational challenges and obstacles a second opportunity to complete their education. Presently, there is little research connected to the success of continuation high school graduates’ level of persistence in any type of higher education. This study examined the influence teacher-student relationships had on a particular group of continuation high school students who, in spite of challenges associated with continuation-education deficit mindset, were able to attain academic success in higher education. The study sought to explore how the practices of comprehensive high school sites intersected with those of a specific continuation high school. Social Capital and Critical Race Theory provided the conceptual lens to analyze teacher–student relationships. The researcher captured students’ and teachers’ perceptions in order to analyze how their interactions and relationships could be strengthened to ensure student academic success and provide continuation high school students with options upon high school graduation.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- San Marcos
- Department:
- Education
- Creator:
- Grimm-Hager, Margaret
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Pitcher, Jenifer Mikel
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Alexander, Jacen Rynae
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Iverson, Rebecca Anne
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Stock Stotler, Darlene
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Sergi, Stephanie Lynne
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Martinez, Lauren Elizabeth
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Hernandez, Trang Manny
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Kroll, Rebecca
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Leif Basilio, Jonathan
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- McCuan, Daniel Thomas
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Rasmussen, Cody W
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Lewis, Ryan D.
- Description:
- 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
49. toogoodtobetrue
- Creator:
- Wrisley, Brooke
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Boylen, Sarah C.
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Soto, Erik M.
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Valencia, Alphonso
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Grimes, Adam John
- Description:
- 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
54. Implementing an intergenerational program at an adult day health care center in southern California
- Creator:
- Smith, Jessica R
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Tennant, Erin Nicole
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Cave, Justin L
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Jones, Kerri L.
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Wilcox, Nathan S
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Buzzell, Nancy S
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Murdock-Padley, Rosanne
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Varela, Steven Robert
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Matson, Jason Wade
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Paul, Rohit
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Henley II, Gary
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Ryberg, Richard A.
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Milam, J. Garth
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Keldgord, Heather Elayne
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Webb, Josh
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Perez, Jesus Roberto
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Holsonbake, Cheryl Ann
- Description:
- 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
71. A Content analysis study to determine: Telemedicine: the future of health care delivery systems?
- Creator:
- Costelloe, Melissa D
- Description:
- 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
72. Best practices of public health departments in controlling chlamydia infection in the United States
- Creator:
- Nkwonta, Nkem O
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Sorenson, Scott Thomas
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Day, Emily
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Taylor, Mary
- Description:
- This study focused on both the voice and experience of successful Black students in higher education as well as the factors, both internal and institutional that they perceive as contributors to their success. This research is important because while a breadth of research exists that examines Black students and their relationship to higher education, much of it is framed in a deficit-based line of inquiry. As a response, and inspired by critical race theory (CRT) and Harper’s (2012) anti-deficit achievement framework (ADAF), this study focused on successful Black college students’ stories and what might be learned from them. The literature shows that Black students bring a variety of strengths and abilities to their higher education experience that merit further attention by both researchers and educators especially since these students achieve in spite of the challenges so widely documented in the deficit-based literature. Using a narrative research approach, this study identified eight high-achieving students and explored their experiences, their success, and the factors they perceived as contributors to their achievement. Additionally, this study sought to highlight the students’ experiences as a counternarrative to the existing discourse, add to the existing body of asset-based research and inquiry, enlist study participants as partners in the research process, facilitate their storytelling and amplify their voices. Data collected from eight semi-structured interviews and photojournal entries was restoried and coded for themes that yielded rich and meaningful insight into the strengths successful Black students bring to research and practice. The findings of this study reinforced those of the other asset-based researchers highlighted within this study and strengthen the need for more studies of this type. Study findings also included stories that were the result of the collaboration between researcher and participant as well as the themes that provided insight into their perceptions of the factors contributing to their success. Lastly, participants showed themselves to be willing and capable partners in the research process and offered a wealth of information that informed assertions relevant to research and practice. Among these were the importance of early influences, the students’ strengths, the importance of their peers, and the ways that their lived experiences can inform a higher standard of research inquiry and care in the higher education setting.
- Resource Type:
- Dissertation
- Campus Tesim:
- San Marcos
- Department:
- Education
- Creator:
- Jeffrey P. Reiner
- Description:
- Suspended sediment was investigated above and below beaver ponds in the Beaver Creek drainage in the south central mountains of Idaho near Idaho City from March 1979 through September 1979. The study was to identify the potential for beaver ponds as settling basins for suspended sediment in wildland watersheds. Two sampling stations were established above and below a beaver colony. The parameters measured included suspended sediment, stream discharge, and water temperature. Also, the beaver pond volumes and surface areas and beaver dam lengths and heights were measured. The data were collected weekly from March through September, except during May and June when sampling was more frequent to bracket the peak flow period. The data demonstrated that suspended sediment was deposited in the beaver ponds. The proportion of suspended sediment deposited in the beaver ponds averaged about 38 percent on the rising limb, 10 percent during the peak flow period, and 65 percent on the falling limb. The suspended sediment ratio was negatively correlated with stream discharge and positively correlated with water temperature. The relationship between the suspended sediment ratio and the stream discharge and water temperature was significant at the 0.05 level. The quantity of suspended sediment deposited in the beaver ponds during the study period was 78.2 tons, which was approximately 25 percent of the suspended sediment load transported through the above sampling station.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Environmental Science & Management
- Creator:
- J. Lincoln Freese
- Description:
- The abundance, seasonal distribution, holding habitat and behavior of adult summer steelhead were studied during the summers of 1979-1981 in the Trinity River system, California. The North Fork Trinity River and New River were the only streams in the drainage harboring significant numbers of steelhead during the summer months. Estimated combined run size for both streams ranged from a maximum of 776 fish in 1980 to a minimum of 455 fish in 1981. Summer steelhead began entering the tributaries in early June; entry peaked during mid-July. Steelhead numbers and distribution had substantially stabilized by early August. Summer steelhead were tagged in a single holding pool in the North Fork Trinity River during September 1981. Subsequent surveys revealed that they remained in that pool until the first storm fronts had passed through the area in early October, at which time small groups of fish rapidly migrated upstream. However, some tagged fish were still present at the tagging site in early November. High stream discharge precluded further survey work after that time. Holding pools do not appear to be a limiting factor for adult summer steelhead in either tributary. During the study period, the percentage of pools harboring one or more adult summer steelhead ranged from a minimum of 14 percent to a maximum of 36 percent in the North Fork; corresponding values for the New River were 27 percent and 31 percent. Twenty-seven pools in the New River were surveyed periodically during the summer of 1980. Factor analysis suggested a relationship between steelhead numbers in pools and available cover and shade, but failed to show a relationship between steelhead numbers, pool dimensions, upstream gradient, downstream gradient or distance to first downstream pool. Although no statistical analysis of steelhead numbers and other pool variables was performed for the North Fork Trinity River, observations indicate a high correlation between steelhead numbers and pool dimensions in that stream. Gold-dredging activity was heavy in the New River watershed, and appeared to have had an effect upon steelhead distribution among holding pools in that stream. Heavy poaching activity is a significant threat to the continued survival of the summer steelhead run in the New River drainage. U.S. Forest Service barrier modification efforts in the North Fork Trinity River appeared to have had an effect upon summer steelhead distribution. Steelhead were observed in greater numbers in upstream areas, and were concentrated in a fewer numbers of pools, after barriers were modified. Analysis of scales taken from North Fork Trinity River summer steelhead revealed that 95 percent of returnees smolted at age 2, 44 percent of returnees made their initial upstream migration as "halfpounders", and 42 percent of returnees were repeat spawners.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Humboldt
- Department:
- Fisheries
- Creator:
- Atwood, Robert Christopher
- Description:
- Opuntia basilaris Engelm. & Bigelow var. treleasei (J.M. Coult.) Toumey (OBT), commonly known as Bakersfield cactus, is endemic to parts of Kern County, California. O. b. var. treleasei is one of four varieties of Opuntia basilaris and is state and federally listed as endangered (USFWS 1990). The purpose of this study was to assess the genetic differentiation between OBT and Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris (OBB), and within and among populations of OBT throughout its range. Samples were collected from 200 individual plants representing 32 populations of OBT and one population of OBB and were analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). The AFLP protocol was successfully used to differentiate between an outgroup population of OBB and the great majority of the sampled populations of OBT using 195 polymorphic fragments. Two dendrograms were created using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA); one for all individuals and the other where each population was treated as a discreet unit. In the dendrogram based on all individuals, most samples did not cluster as distinct geographic populations, suggesting little genetic differentiation, due to a partial or complete restriction of gene flow, among the majority of OBT populations. Extensive genetic variation was found within and among OBT populations based on an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Twenty three percent of the genetic differentiation was found among fragmented populations and 77%from within individuals of OBT populations suggesting that genetic variation exists between individuals within the OBT populations analyzed. In the UPGMA diagram by population, all five of the Wheeler Ridge populations clustered together. Moreover, three of the Wheeler Ridge populations formed a distinct cluster in a principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) suggesting some level of genetic structure among OBT populations. The only population with a large sample size where virtually all representative samples grouped together was for ‘OEO2’, which is located in the eastern portion of the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The results of this population genetics study will likely be useful in the conservation management of this endangered taxon.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Biology
- Creator:
- Samarin, Andrew
- Description:
- nderground water storage has now beco m e an essential element in meeting C alifornia’s future water needs. The traditiona l method to capture and store water for later u se was to simply dam a river. However, for C alifornia the days of damming a major river t o procure a new source of fresh water are in t he past. Dams have become cost prohibitive i n their construction as well as in their pot ential for negative environmental impact. Nor are inexpensive water sources a vailable in quanti ties large enough to sup port California’s f uture needs; this has resulted in rapidly rising water cost s (Saliba, 1987). C alifornia’s water purveyors are now i mplementing large-scale groundwater projects to meet their customers’ needs at t he lowest possible cost. This technique for storing water is still in its infancy, and Calif ornia is in the forefront in developing such projects. Like other Western states, Califor nia’s development depends on two sources of w ater: surface (I.e. streams, rivers, and lakes), and groundwater. At the beginning of the 2 0 t h century, California’s groundwater basins were abundant and widespread. The ease of a vailability to groundwater was the forerunner t o establishing California’s agriculture and urban growth. Its dependence on potable groundwa t er has grown ever since. Unfortunately, C alifornians pump more water annually than can be replenished naturally. For Californians t o have sustainable sources of both ground an d surface water, the time has come for new w ater polices to be considered (Associat i on of California Water Agencies, [ACWA], 2 011). The importation of surface water to sustain groundwater supplies is not a new w ater management tool in California. In t he late 1920s, the Santa Clara Valley Water District adopted one of the first conjunctiv e management programs (ACWA, 2011). H owever, what has recently changed is th e size of groundwater banking programs. The S emitropic Water Storage Dist ricts (SWSD) groundwater bankin g program is an example of the growth in this area of conjunctive use. Created in t he 1990s, SWSD can store a total of 2.15 million acre feet (MAF), one of the largest, groundwater banking programs in the w orld. (SWSD, Groundwater Banking, para.1). For most Californians this growth has g one unnoticed. T his policy analysis will examine the ever increasing interdependence between C alifornia’s limited surface a n d ground water supply. A critical element to sustaining C alifornia’s future water need s will come through conjuncti v e use. Conjunctive use is a p olicy implementation which calls for the in t egrated use of both imported surface and groundwater resources to maximi z e the availability and reliab ility of water supplies in a s pecific region (ACWA, 2011).
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Castaneda, Alejandro Realivazquez
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of genetic divergence among populations of Vaejovis confusus in the southern San Joaquin Valley and across the state of California. Although there has been considerable research to measure genetic variation among and within scorpion species, little work has been done to investigate the impact of anthropogenic factors on genetic variation within populations. Anthropogenic factors such as man-made barriers can fragment populations and may serve as mechanisms of reproductive isolation. Particularly in the southern San Joaquin Valley, vast arrays of canals and artificial channels have been constructed to divert water from the Kern River for agricultural purposes. In the southern San Joaquin study, the level of genetic divergence is examined in a fragmented population as a result of an anthropogenic barrier, the California Aqueduct, at Coles Levee Ecosystem Preserve. Sequencing of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene in 20 Vaejovis confusus individuals of each fragmented population was performed. Neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony analysis of DNA sequences elucidated the level of genetic divergence. For comparison, an identical analysis was performed across a natural barrier, the Kern River at the Panorama Vista Preserve, which has separated Vaejovis confusus populations for a much longer period of time. The results of this study showed the presence of five haplotypes at the Coles Levee Ecosystem Preserve, with three haplotypes common to both sides of the California Aqueduct. Similarly at Panorama Vista Preserve, five haplotypes were found, with two haplotypes shared at both field sites across the Kern River. These results indicate that scorpion populations across the California Aqueduct and Kern River are not genetically partitioned, despite the isolating effect of these barriers. The existence of the California Aqueduct for over 50 years is not enough time to cause genetic divergence among fragmented populations. The occasional drying of the Kern River may promote gene flow between the populations or amount of time after reproductive isolation may be insufficient to cause evolutionary divergence between the two populations. In the California analysis the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene is examined in 22 individuals from 9 counties to determine the effects of isolation by distance on the geographic-genetic structure of Vaejovis confusus populations. Scorpions were obtained from a collection of samples from the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco. Neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony analyses were used to resolve the level of evolutionary relatedness among the populations of Vaejovis confusus throughout California. Fourteen haplotypes were found in this analysis. Eleven haplotypes were unique to their field site, whereas three were common across the state across large geographic distances (approximately 350 miles). Mitochondrial markers found high genetic variation (9.6%) in this species. Nearly half (154/325) of pairwise distance comparisons showed a 2.0% or higher sequence divergence and supported an overall isolation by distance effect. The occurrence of three haplotypes across the state results in a weak association between geography and genetic structure of V. confusus. Notably however, there is some geographic partitioning between haplotype D common in western California and haplotypes A and C common in eastern California. However, the overall lack of genetic partitioning with respect to geography among the California populations is likely due to an insufficient amount of elapsed time to promote genetic differentiation.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Biology
- Creator:
- Harvey, Victoria
- Description:
- Fort Tejon State Historic Park (CA-KER-2848/H) is what remains of the historic post located in Canada de las Uvas, Grapevine Canyon, in Kern County, California. The fort was occupied by the U.S. Army from 1854 to 1864. The focus of this work is the remains of the hospital/commissary building located on the north side of the parade grounds. The two-story building measured approximately 133 feet east-west and 33 feet north-south. In preparation to rebuild the hospital/commissary as an interpretive center, State Parks contracted for a cultural resource evaluation in 1980. No report of this project was ever generated and most of the artifacts and all of the field notes are missing. In 2005 work was begun to complete analysis of the 1980 data and a permit was granted to excavate three test units to determine information regarding construction of the building foundations and extent of the cultural deposit. Prior to subsurface testing a magnetometer survey was conducted and test units were placed on an exterior foundation wall, an interior wall, and outside the fence line. This project successfully completed the 1980 work and was able to obtain information on the foundation’s construction. Although the 2005 sample size is small both historic and aboriginal artifacts were recovered that pinpointed occupation of this area from the late prehistoric period, through the army occupation, and into modern times, as documented by a 1979 penny. Plans for rebuilding the hospital/commissary building should include an architectural historian and archaeologist to guide reconstruction and evaluate cultural deposits uncovered during all ground breaking activities.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Anthropology
- Creator:
- Ziegler, Karen L.
- Description:
- International student offices are created at university campuses around the U.S, which comes with an incredible responsibility. The International Students and Programs (ISP) department at California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) is a small department staffed by one full-time staff member and one student assistant. This department is governed by extensive and detailed rules that must be followed. Responsibilities of the department include but are not limited to assisting and communicating with students during the admission process, issuing immigration documents on behalf of ICE, confirming students are in compliance with immigration regulations each quarter, and assisting students with various work authorizations. The purpose of this study was to find out the perceptions and experiences that international students have with the ISP office at CSUB. International students CSUB were invited to participate in a survey, and were given five weeks to respond. The 26 students who participated in this survey represent a very diverse population. Overall, the department and ISP Advisor both received positive results. Most students felt the department had sufficient office hours and that they had easy access to the ISP Advisor. Nearly one-third of participants did not know to find the ISP Advisor on Facebook, and a small handful of students expressed concerns about the Advisors workload, accessible time, and access to answers regarding complicated immigration issues. Four recommendations resulted from this survey. The first recommendation is to inform all current and incoming students that the ISP Advisor is accessible via Facebook. The second recommendation is to organize monthly workshops for international students. Third is to collaborate with various graduate programs at CSUB, and finally to add an additional full-time staff position to the ISP department.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Guzman, Abel
- Description:
- The lack of pre-college preparation programs aimed at serving foster youth has led to low postsecondary degree attainment rates among this population. This thesis evaluates current programs that serve the foster youth population, such as the Independent Living Program. By evaluating the programs that currently serve foster youth in regards to their education, one is able to see what is working and what is not. Although the main problem is that not enough foster youth are going to college and attaining a postsecondary degree, there are other problems in the foster care and education systems that need to be addressed in order to solve the issue. In developing the proposal for a new program that focuses its services specifically on getting foster youth to college, the main idea was that there is a great need for early intervention. Foster youth in general have to deal with unstable living situations, which can force them to turn their focus away from excelling in their academics. Constant placement changes are a main factor in the achievement gap among foster youth. However, recent research conducted reveals that foster youth that are introduced to an academic program early on in a consistent manner, have a greater likelihood of pursing a college education compared to their counterparts who are not exposed to an intervention program. Target Population The initial target population for the program will include foster children in Kern County enrolled in the 6th through the 12th grades. The cohort will include 500 foster youth that have the potential to succeed academically, but can only do so with the right guidance. Recommendations The ultimate purpose of this thesis is to propose a program that works to prepare foster youth for a postsecondary education. The particular program being proposed is the Fostering Higher Education (FHE) program. The FHE program will become one of the Federal TRIO programs that work to get historically disadvantaged students a college education. The program will be successful if and only it follows the recommendations below: • Selecting the right leadership to advocate for cause. • Engage the community to create a network of support for the participants. • Secure funding for the program through the U.S. Department of Education, and other sources. • Ensure that program services remain consistent regardless of constant placement changes.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Guerra, Maricela
- Description:
- This paper’s goal was to determine whether certain variables predict a student’s attainment of skills and knowledge and their engagement in classroom activities using a multivariate regression analysis. Identifying predictor variables for these two models was important because they affect the academic and social adjustment of students, which is believed to increase their retention rate. The predictor variables were students who began CSUB as first-time freshman, 18-23 year olds, and students who plan to pursue additional higher education after graduation. Moreover, data was obtained from a graduating student survey that was originally developed to determine whether a student’s educational experiences affect their retention rate. Both undergraduate and graduate students who applied for graduation took this survey, but only the responses of 93 undergraduate Hispanic students were analyzed. Lastly, results for first model indicate that a relationship does not exist between predictor variables and a student’s attainment of skills and knowledge; on the other hand, results for the second model indicate that only a relationship exists between students who plan to pursue additional higher education and their engagement in classroom activities. A discussion of these findings implications and suggestions for future research are included in this paper.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Agbonkonkon, Eki A.
- Description:
- Hospice provides comfort care services for dying patients and support for the patients’ families and/or caregivers. The research for this program evaluation is focused on two issues. The first issue is the underutilization of hospice due to a lack of clear awareness of hospice quality care services; most of the people who are aware of the program do not have proper understanding of its purpose and expected outcomes – rather, they believe myths about hospice care. The second issue is the need to eradicate myths about hospice and increase civic awareness of hospice services. Hence, this study investigates both the internal and external operations of hospice organizations, agencies, activities, and how to better manage the problem of the lack of hospice awareness. This study therefore concludes its goal by suggesting strategic recommendations that could help improve public awareness and utilization of hospice program.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Neal, Starr
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to determine what the best practices are for adults with autism. The idea behind the research was to find scientific research that showed the best practices for caring for adults with autism, from services offered in day programs, at home services, and employment services. What I found was there has been no evidence based research done to support the assumptions or recommendations people and programs have used to educating and providing for adults with autism. This is a major concern because we a high prevalence in cases of autism in young children who will soon be reaching their adolescent years and then become adults. If we can figure out the best way to serve adults with autism now the future the transition into adulthood with autism will be better prepared and more effective. This paper will focus on what services are available for autistic adults now and describe a model that is widely used throughout the United States and then concludes with recommendations on fixing the problem.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Invina, Maridelle Joy
- Description:
- The purpose of this paper was to create an action plan to help improve HCBB develop a donor recruitment plan. The focus was to revise HCBB’s communication strategies to blood donors by creating a strategic marketing plan that may help yield meaningful improvements in effectiveness, capacity and relevance. The research addressed two key areas to improve: • Donor recruitment • Blood type education Methods and Procedures In order to create a HCBB’s strategic marketing plan for HCBB to improve their donor recruitment, a quantitative analysis was be used. Data was be collected through a trend analysis of HCBB’s current donor recruitment data. The trend analysis helped identify factors predicting frequency of blood donation. Also, a comparison between various non-profit organizations’ strategic recruitment plans with HCBB’s current recruitment plan helped provide a better understanding of what strategies to use for improvement. Once data was gathered, narrative analysis methods were employed to interpret the findings. Importance of the Study
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- McLeod, Dusty
- Description:
- This research project was based on creating a non-medical home healthcare business to serve the residents of Bakersfield, California, and the surrounding areas of Kern County. The business will begin as a home-based business, but as revenue and client demands increase, the business will be relocated to a commercial setting. Additionally, the home care business will begin by offering only non-medical home care, but as demand for services increases, combined with an increase in staffing, the offering of skilled care services will be considered. As the material presented in this research project will clearly demonstrate, the uniqueness of the business model show’s tremendous potential for quick growth and continued success.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Ramos, Marisol
- Description:
- Nonprofit organizations face considerable challenges related to managing and collecting data. Among the challenges that nonprofits face is the lack of resources to perform such methods as collecting, managing and analyzing data. The information gathered has a direct impact on the organization’s ability to demonstrate accountability and program effectiveness and to secure future funding. But in order to manage such information, a systematic method for collecting data is needed. MOVE International (Mobility Opportunities Via Education/Experience) is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for children and adults with severe disabilities to improve skills (and independence) to sit, stand, walk and transition while participating in everyday activities of daily living in classrooms, care facilities and homes. The nonprofit is an evidence-based program that relies on the collection of individuals’ outcome data to show improvement in functional mobility. MOVE did not have a systematic process in place to collect and centralize their data data. The lack of a comprehensive data collection system was impeding the organization from using the information to further develop its program for future financial support of grant funders. In order for MOVE to continue and grow as an evidence-based organization, the proposal presented a review of the literature of gathered research to support the planning, designing, and implementation of a management information system. The literature recommended designing a system that would adapt to the growing need of the organization as well as the surrounding community. The theory of strategic information systems planning was introduced to assist MOVE with the various options for a management information system. The theory took into consideration the internal and external environment that were identified as important variables impacting the decision making as well as the design. There were seven additional constructs to the theory that were also helpful to consider when designing or selecting a management information system. The proposal also included methods to collecting outcome data. Preparing and planning is key to not only to outcome measurement process bur for selecting the most appropriate management information system. The information provided will not only help to become more informed decision makers but create organizational change.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Williams, Chad Alexander
- Description:
- The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between culture and treatment compliance among Latina woman in both urban and rural settings. The Latina population, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as an ethnic group, “refers to a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish Culture or origin regardless of race.” The Latina group will be studied to further understand how health care agencies can better reach this population and provide more compressive and culturally sensitive health care treatment.
- Resource Type:
- Masters Thesis
- Campus Tesim:
- Bakersfield
- Department:
- Public Policy and Administration
- Creator:
- Barrera, Grecia Jasmin
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Govindan, Mohanapriya
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Butler-Ribaudo, Sarah
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Racca, Lily Ann B.
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Goodman, Mary Colleen
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Hilderbrand, Patricia A.
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Wattenbarger, Joseph C.
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- McDonald, Shannon Renee
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Quiring, Krista Kay
- Description:
- 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
- Creator:
- Llanes, Consepcion
- Description:
- 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