The second Symposium on Life in the San Joaquin Valley will bring together scholars from numerous disciplines at California State University, Fresno and members of the community for a daylong dialogue on many of the region’s most-critical quality of life challenges.

The symposium is composed of presentations on recent research findings by scholars, question-and-answer sessions and time for general discussion among the participants on economics, health and social concerns, environmental issues and the impact of technology.

“It is an opportunity to demonstrate to the community how scholarship and social research expertise can be a resource in powering the New California,” said symposium coordinator Dr. Robert S. Palacio, chair of Fresno State’s Department of Sociology and director of the university-based Center for the Study of Social Life in the San Joaquin Valley.

Fresno Bee columnist Bill McEwen and Fresno State and community benefactor Coke Hallowell also will address the symposium.

At 9 a.m., McEwen will begin the event talking about “Choosing Our Future, Preserving Our Beauty.” His columns frequently challenge the community on environmental issues, the shape of development and leadership on preservation of resources.

Hallowell will speak at 12:20 p.m., about “A Bundle of Wishes for OUR SPACE.” She has long been actively involved in community projects from education to environment and was appointed by Gov. Schwarzenegger to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.

The symposium begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. in the Alice Peters Auditorium (Room 191) at the University Business Center. Parking will be relaxed in the UBC lot on the east side of campus. There is no admission charge; morning refreshments and lunch are included. Because of limited seating, reservations are required by March 28.

The event is sponsored by the Center for Economic Research and Education for Central California, Center for the Study of Social Life in the San Joaquin Valley, Central California Social Welfare, Research, Training and Evaluation Center, Institute for Public Anthropology, Social Science Research Laboratory and Urban Planning and Environmental Research Laboratories. The College of Social Sciences also supports the symposium.
The times, topics and presenters (all from Fresno State unless noted) are:

9:30 a.m. – “Quality of Life in the Central San Joaquin Valley: 2001 through 2007,” Dr. Edward Nelson, Department of Sociology and director, Social Research Laboratory.

9:55 – “Observing Quality of Life in the Great Valley: Initial Findings of the Partnership for Assessment of Communities,” Dr. Robin Maria DeLugan, Department of Anthropology, and Dr. Simon Weffer-Elizondo, Department of Sociology, both University of California, Merced.
10:20 – “Air Quality Measurements in Fresno,” Dr. Segun Ogunjemiyo, Dr. Sam Omolayo, Dr. Stuart McFeeters, Erika Antonio and Michelle Himden, all Department of Geography, San Joaquin Valley Environmental Research Laboratory and Urban Planning /GIS Lab.

11 – “Responding to the Needs of Mothers and Children Affected by Methamphetamine Abuse in the San Joaquin Valley,” Dr. Virginia Rondero Hernandez, Department of Social Work Education.

1 p.m. – “The Determinants of Income among Hispanics in California’s Central Valley: A Survey,” Dr. Antonio Avalos, Department of Economics and research director, Center for Economic Research and Education for Central California.

1:25 – “Housing in the Central San Joaquin Valley and Community Organizing,” Dr. Matthew Jendian, Department of Sociology and director, American Humanics Program.

1:50 – “Poverty, Technology, and the Prospect of a Future: Crossing the Rural Digital Divide in the San Joaquin Valley,” Dr. James Mullooly, Department of Anthropology and co-director, Institute of Public Anthropology, and Jason Scroggins, Master of Arts candidate.

For reservations and additional information, e-mail bobp@csufresno.edu <mailto:Robert_Palacio@csufresno.edu> or call 559.278.2234.