scholarly journals Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 on College Campuses: Initial Efforts, Lessons Learned, and Research Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4455
Author(s):  
Sasha Harris-Lovett ◽  
Kara L. Nelson ◽  
Paloma Beamer ◽  
Heather N. Bischel ◽  
Aaron Bivins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Private Institutions ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
College And University ◽  
University Systems

Wastewater surveillance for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging approach to help identify the risk of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. This tool can contribute to public health surveillance at both community (wastewater treatment system) and institutional (e.g., colleges, prisons, and nursing homes) scales. This paper explores the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from initial wastewater surveillance efforts at colleges and university systems to inform future research, development and implementation. We present the experiences of 25 college and university systems in the United States that monitored campus wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 during the fall 2020 academic period. We describe the broad range of approaches, findings, resources, and impacts from these initial efforts. These institutions range in size, social and political geographies, and include both public and private institutions. Our analysis suggests that wastewater monitoring at colleges requires consideration of local information needs, sewage infrastructure, resources for sampling and analysis, college and community dynamics, approaches to interpretation and communication of results, and follow-up actions. Most colleges reported that a learning process of experimentation, evaluation, and adaptation was key to progress. This process requires ongoing collaboration among diverse stakeholders including decision-makers, researchers, faculty, facilities staff, students, and community members.

scholarly journals Wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 on college campuses: Initial efforts, lessons learned and research needs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Harris-Lovett ◽  
Kara Nelson ◽  
Paloma Beamer ◽  
Heather N. Bischel ◽  
Aaron Bivins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
College And University ◽  
Resource Needs ◽  
University Systems

AbstractBackgroundWastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging approach to help identify the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. This tool can contribute to public health surveillance at both community (wastewater treatment system) and institutional (e.g., colleges, prisons, nursing homes) scales.ObjectivesThis research aims to understand the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from initial wastewater surveillance efforts at colleges and university systems to inform future research, development and implementation.MethodsThis paper presents the experiences of 25 college and university systems in the United States that monitored campus wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 during the fall 2020 academic period. We describe the broad range of approaches, findings, resource needs, and lessons learned from these initial efforts. These institutions range in size, social and political geographies, and include both public and private institutions.DiscussionOur analysis suggests that wastewater monitoring at colleges requires consideration of information needs, local sewage infrastructure, resources for sampling and analysis, college and community dynamics, approaches to interpretation and communication of results, and follow-up actions. Most colleges reported that a learning process of experimentation, evaluation, and adaptation was key to progress. This process requires ongoing collaboration among diverse stakeholders including decision-makers, researchers, faculty, facilities staff, students, and community members.

scholarly journals Comprehending the Cost

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. W. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Postsecondary Institutions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Postsecondary Students ◽  
Private Institutions ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Academic Year

As the cost of college rises, students and their families seek new ways to save money. Application fee waivers are offered by many postsecondary institutions in the United States, but higher education as a field has not examined whether or not the application fee waiver statement published on each institution’s website is readable. This study examined the readability of application fee waiver statements of the public and private institutions charging the highest undergraduate application fees for the 2015-2016 academic year (n = 39). The results suggest that the majority of application fee waiver statements are unreadable by prospective postsecondary students, and no statements were translated into a language other than English. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are addressed.

scholarly journals Bringing Older Adults to the Table: Opportunities for Consumer Engagement in Planning and Policy Making

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 102-102
Author(s):  
Alice Prendergast ◽  
Kristi Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Design Data

Abstract Efforts to include community voice in health policy and service planning are gaining recognition and support in the United States. Findings suggest community involvement can contribute to a better understanding of systems and factors that impact health, and, subsequently, more effective and sustainable policy and program design. Additionally, engagement can increase community buy-in, and community members can gain a greater awareness of services; increased confidence navigating systems; feelings of social connectedness; and capacity to advocate around issues through participation. Despite these findings, the extent to which community members are engaged in planning and decision-making varies considerably. Researchers from Georgia State University conducted a review of state plans on aging using the Person-Centered Outcomes Research Initiative (PCORI) Engagement Principles and the Health Research & Educational Trust’s Community and Patient Engagement Spectrum as frameworks to assess evidence of community engagement. The frameworks recognize engagement throughout the planning process, including design, data collection and interpretation, and dissemination. The review revealed that few planning processes described significant engagement, but rather met the minimal requirements established by federal policy. Federal guidance on community-informed planning practices is sparse, as are resources to support states in adopting these processes. To address this gap, the research team drew on the frameworks and other promising practices to design two community engagement projects, both in partnership with Georgia’s Division of Aging Services. Methods for participant engagement, data collection, interpretation and application of results, and lessons learned through both projects will be discussed, as well as potential implications.

scholarly journals Nonprofits and the Promotion of Civic Engagement: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding the "Civic Footprint" of Nonprofits within Local Communities

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Micheal L. Shier ◽  
Lindsey McDougle ◽  
Femida Handy
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Community Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Education And Awareness

ABSTRACT   The literature suggests that nonprofit organizations provide civic benefits by promoting engagement within local communities. However, there exists minimal empirical evidence describing the ways in which nonprofits actually undertake this role. In order to address this omission, we conducted interviews with personnel of nonprofit organizations in one rural community in the United States. Our preliminary findings indicate that nonprofit organizations promote civic engagement through programs and activities that: 1) engage volunteers and donors; 2) bring community members together; 3) collaborate with organizations within and beyond the community; and 4) promote community education and awareness. Together, these findings help to develop a working model to understand the civic footprint of nonprofit organizations with methodological implications for future research that would seek to measure the extent to which nonprofits promote civic engagement. Il est normal de supposer que les associations à but non lucratif favorisent l’engagement du citoyen dans les communautés locales. Cependant, il existe peu de données empiriques sur la manière dont ces associations assument véritablement ce rôle. Pour combler ce manque, nous avons mené des entretiens semi-directifs approfondis auprès du personnel d’associations à but non lucratif dans une petite communauté rurale aux États-Unis. Nos résultats préliminaires indiquent que ces associations motivent les citoyens à s’impliquer quand elles offrent des programmes et des activités qui : 1) intéressent les bénévoles et les donateurs; 2) rassemblent directement ou indirectement les membres de la communauté; 3) collaborent avec d’autres associations tant au sein de la communauté qu’au-delà de celle-ci; et 4) encouragent l’éducation et la conscientisation communautaires. Ces constats aident à établir un modèle pour mieux comprendre la présence civique des associations à but non lucratif dans les communautés et indiquent une piste à suivre pour des recherches futures qui examineraient l’influence de ces associations sur le niveau de participation civique.

Mural Painting to Collect Sensitizing Data and Encourage Research Participation Among U.S. Latinos

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110389
Author(s):  
Adrienne Martinez-Hollingsworth ◽  
Jacqueline Hernández ◽  
Cristina Edwards ◽  
Keosha Partlow
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mural Painting ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Research Partnerships ◽  
Traditional Art ◽  
Implementation Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Approach

Purpose To describe a mural-based intervention that can be implemented in partnership with community members in Latino neighborhoods in order to improve awareness of barriers to recruitment/retention of U.S. Latinos in clinical research, while augmenting researchers’ access to sensitizing concepts critical for rigorous study design. Background Latinos in the United States suffer disproportionately from several chronic illnesses but are underrepresented as researchers and participants in National Institutes of Health–funded research. This lack of representation inhibits a nuanced awareness of the health needs of U.S. Latinos and hampers efforts to address a persistent lack of health equity among U.S. Latinos and other communities of color. Art-based interventions implemented in Latino communities are increasingly being recognized for their ability to bridge this gap and positively affect the quality and quantity of research partnerships between clinical researchers and U.S. Latinos. Method This article describes a mural-based intervention piloted in two predominantly Latino neighborhoods between 2016 and 2020. The design of this method was guided by community partnered participatory research practices and involved an Assessment–Diagnosis–Planning–Implementation–Evaluation approach. Results Mural painting addressed many of the participation challenges often associated with underrepresentation of Latinos in academic research and allowed for sensitizing interviews with key community members surrounding topics of interest to the research team. Conclusion Research methods that acknowledge traditional art forms, such as mural painting, create a space for building trust and spark interest in future research participation, while augmenting researchers’ access to sensitizing concepts that may improve the cultural competence of future studies, projects, and interventions.

Tackling the Emerging New Norms in Higher Education in Post-Recession America

2017 ◽  
pp. 46-62
Author(s):  
Wayne Perry Webster ◽  
Zach P. Messitte
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Private Institutions ◽  
Prospective Students ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Cost Structures ◽  
Education Leaders ◽  
Higher Education Leaders ◽  
New Situation

This chapter will examine emerging new norms across higher education in the United States following the recession of 2008-09. Colleges and universities face an environment increasingly made up of prospective students and their families shopping and bargaining for the best college deal; institutions are struggling to control student costs by raising discount rates; administrators are seeking to find new sources of revenue and programmatic niches; and faculty are increasingly focused on how to make their curriculum more unique and relevant. Finally, higher education leaders should closely examine long-held recruitment and financial aid strategies, cost structures, academic calendars and mission to meet the new situation. This chapter will summarize the development of the new landscape in public and private higher education, including the growing similarities facing public and private institutions including their common efforts to keep higher education affordable and accessible, and conclude with recommendations for administrators as they navigate their way through the new norm.

Governmental Service Transformation through Cost Scenarios Simulation

2012 ◽  
pp. 791-805
Author(s):  
Yannis Charalabidis
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Based Costing ◽  
Cost Calculations ◽  
System Interoperability ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Office System

Formal methods for measuring the impact of interoperability on digital public services is emerging as an important research challenge in electronic government. The eGOVSIM model that is described in this chapter aims to provide administrations with a tool to calculate the gains from digitising and making interoperable services for citizens and businesses. The chapter presents existing methods for calculating the cost of services for the administration and the service consumers, such as the Standard Cost Model (SCM) and the Activity Based Costing (ABC). Then it goes on presenting a toolset for analytical cost calculations based on the various process steps and the information needs of each governmental service. The eGOVSIM toolset supports the definition of several service provision scenarios, such as front/back office system interoperability, cross-system or cross-organisational interoperability allowing the calculation of time, effort and cost elements, and relevant gains from the application of each scenario. Application results for two cases / scenarios are also presented, so that the reader can see the applicability and overall value of the approach. Lessons learned and future research directions for service cost estimation are also described.

Navigating the Academic Developmental Maze

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Kathleen P. King ◽  
Lu Norstrand ◽  
Julie A. Leos
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
College And University ◽  
The Past ◽  
International Graduates ◽  
International Doctoral Students ◽  
Faculty Mentors ◽  
University Classrooms ◽  
Research Recommendations

As an increased number of international students join College and University classrooms across the United States, their transition and acclimation to campuses has received attention over the past few years, particularly, in the areas of preparation and acculturation. This topic is important because faculty mentors can play a pivotal role in the professional development of international doctoral students. This article addresses these needs with a model which integrates adult learning and mentoring strategies to support international doctoral students. The model includes developing the skills which not only international graduates, but all graduates will benefit from in the 21st century. The significance of this model is its contribution to develop the valuable capabilities of proactive, problem solving, self-directed learners/academics able to self-reflect and navigate different cultural environments than their own. The discussion also provides future research recommendations.

Running With Your Hair on Fire: Lessons Learned From Transitioning a National University Sales Competition From Face-to-Face to Virtual in 16 Days

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-271
Author(s):  
Scott Inks ◽  
Kenyatta Barber ◽  
Terry W. Loe ◽  
Lukas P. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Past ◽  
National University ◽  
Virtual Sales

Since their inception, university sales competitions have been key learning and educational components of university sales education. Over the past two decades, the oldest and one of the largest sales competitions in the United States has been held in a face-to-face format. However, due to the educational environment created from the COVID-19 pandemic, this competition was forced to convert to a virtual format over a 16-day period. This research outlines the steps taken to convert this event to virtual format and presents insights for other universities endeavoring to produce virtual sales competition events. Finally, research implications and direction for future research are presented.

scholarly journals Advancing the application of remote sensing for forest information needs in Canada: Lessons learned from a national collaboration of university, industrial and government stakeholders

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Nicholas C. Coops ◽  
Alexis Achim ◽  
Paul Arp ◽  
Christopher W. Bater ◽  
John P. Caspersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Inventory Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Forest Sector ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
For Profit

The Canadian forest sector requires detailed information regarding the amount and characteristics of the forest resource. To address these needs, inventory systems that spatially quantify timber and other forest related ecosystem services are required, that are accurate, comprehensive and timely. The Assessment of Wood properties using Remote Sensing (AWARE) was a five-year project involving collaboration between seven Canadian universities, and seven forest companies with support provided by provincial and federal forestry agencies and other non-for-profit forestry focused organisations. AWARE provided methods and tools to enhance the characterization of forests at national, landscape and individual tree scales. The project supported 24 post-doctoral fellows, PhD and MSc students that examined the roles that advanced three-dimensional remote sensing technologies can play in the development of accurate forest inventory systems across Canada. In this review we examine the AWARE research project, review research highlights, key outcomes, future research needs, and provide an assessment of successes and challenges the project faced over its five-year lifetime.

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