LHC 688: WASHINGTON CAMPUS
Business and the Public Policy Process: How Washington Works and What Issues Matter    www.washcampus.edu

(Updated November 2009)

IMPORTANT NOTES!
     Effective January, 2010:

~ Washington Campus will be designated as LHC 688, rather than BA 688.
~ Course grading will change from mandatory Pass/Fail to the standard grading scale (EX, GD, PS, LP, F).
~ A public policy analysis paper will be added to the mandatory course requirements.
 

INFORMATION SESSION

Please join us if you are interested in attending Washington Campus the week of March 1-5, 2010.  Prof. George Siedel will discuss the program and answer questions.

November 9, 2009

5:30 - 6:00 pm

R0210

WHAT IS WASHINGTON CAMPUS?

The Washington Campus is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that offers educational programs on public policy issues and political processes.  The Ross School of Business is one of 16 Business Schools nationwide that provide its MBA students with the opportunity to earn 3 credits toward their degree (as course LHC 688) by attending an intensive, one-week course in Washington, D.C.  Through lectures, panel discussions, computer simulations and guided site visits, students are given first-hand exposure to the decision-making processes in federal government and an understanding of how they impact business.

HOW CAN YOU BENEFIT FROM TAKING THIS COURSE?

It is now more obvious than ever that legislative and regulatory decisions made in Washington can have a tremendous impact on business.  Yet few business leaders understand the policy process well enough to adequately anticipate policy or regulatory changes in advance, to fully understand the various perspectives and constituencies that seek to influence policy decisions, or to ethically and effectively represent their interests in the policy making process. 

Participating in the Washington Campus program will give you the opportunity to learn directly from Washington insiders such practical knowledge as:   
      ●  How the policy making process really works
      ●  Who holds the power
      ●  What issues matter
      ●  How to effectively communicate and promote your interests
      ●  How to develop sound business strategies that take into account and influence potential policy changes

What have Ross students who attended past sessions thought of the Washington Campus program?  Their comments are available in a program evaluation summary in order to help you decide whether this program is right for you!

SESSION INFORMATION

Sessions of the Washington Campus program are offered several times throughout the year and run for five full days, from Monday through Friday.  Each day begins at 8:00 am and concludes by 6:30 pm, except for an early, mid-afternoon dismissal on Friday.  Very little time is built into the week for independent sight-seeing; if you would like additional time to explore and enjoy the nation's capital, plan to extend your trip by either arriving early or staying later when that is possible.

We are pleased to point out some particularly unique opportunities available to Ross students this year.  George Siedel, Williamson Family Professor of Business Administration & Thurnau Professor of Business Law at Ross, will be Faculty Director for the March 1-5 session.  Additionally, two of the upcoming sessions (January 4-8 and March 1-5) will be held during University of Michigan breaks, and therefore do not conflict with other regularly scheduled courses.  As a result, we expect these two sessions to be in high demand by Ross students and may fill quickly. 

A complete list of upcoming session dates, eligibility information and registration deadlines is noted below.  Please review this information carefully; although the Washington Campus program is offered several times throughout the year, not all students are eligible for each session.  When considering your options, please keep the following in mind:

→  Washington Campus registration is available on a first come, first served basis until the published deadlines.
→  Your seat is not guaranteed until both registration and payment are complete, therefore finalize these steps as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
¹January 4-8, 2010 session:
         ^● Occurs before Winter term classes begin. 
         ^● International MBA2 students who need to earn enough credits in order to apply for an H1-b visa in 2010 may benefit
            from the timing of this session.
          UPDATE:  The January 4-8 session has filled to capacity and is not open to further registration. 

         There are available seats in the March 1-5 session for students interested in attending.
²March 1-5, 2010 session: 
         ^● Specifically targeted to Ross students. 
         ^● Occurs during the University of Michigan Winter break.
         ^● George Siedel, who is a Ross LHC faculty member, will be the Washington Campus resident faculty director. 
         ^● International MBA1 students who plan to earn enough credits in order to apply for an H1-b visa in 2011 may benefit
            from the timing of this session.
^*MBA 1 students are eligible only if these session dates do not conflict with an internship commitment.
^**MBA 2 and Eve MBA students are eligible only if not enrolled in any other UM courses during these session dates.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Students who wish to enroll in LHC 688 must meet the following criteria:

• Active degree candidacy and good academic standing at the time of your chosen session.  Alumni are not eligible to participate in LHC 688.
• Prior completion of some core coursework at Ross.
  • FULL-TIME MBA students must have completed their Year One Fall core courses.
  • EVENING MBA students should have a minimum of 15 earned credits.
• Room in your schedule to register for LHC 688, a 3 credit course, during the appropriate term.
  • FULL-TIME MBA students are eligible to attend the January, March, May or June sessions only, and will register for LHC 688 in the Winter term.  LHC 688 is included in the 18-credit hour term limit for full-time students; we do not raise credit limits above 18.00 in order to accommodate this course.  First year students typically have 12 credits of core and up to 3 credits of a Winter A elective during this term, thus allowing space for this 3 credit class if selected.
  • EVENING MBA students will register for LHC 688 in the term during which their session occurs.  This means that those attending the January or March sessions will register in the Winter term, participants in the May or June sessions will register in the Spring term, and September attendees will register in the Fall term.
• No conflicts with other commitments at the time of your chosen session.
  • Students should be careful to avoid overlap between summer internships and the May or June sessions.
  • Students may not be enrolled in any other courses that would conflict with the dates of their chosen session.  This is due to our commitment to faculty to preserve the integrity of student class participation.

COURSE EXPENSES

³Please note that Washington Campus tuition and fees are separate from, and in addition to, University of Michigan tuition.

Financial Aid is available to assist in covering program expenses.  Email rossfinaid@umich.edu for more information.

HOW TO REGISTER

Two separate registrations are required for Washington Campus.  The first is directly through Washington Campus and reserves your space in the program, while the second, which is through UM's Wolverine Access, allows you to receive academic credit on your UM transcript following successful completion of the program.

If you have any questions about either the program or your eligibility status, please contact Sarah Powers at rossacadservices@umich.edu before registering.  Please follow the steps below if you wish to register.

1. Review the critical information above
   Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with:
   • Session Information
   • Eligibility Criteria
   • Course Expenses
2. Read more about the Washington Campus program
   Visit their website at www.washcampus.edu to decide whether or not you can commit to attending and paying the required fees.  Ask questions if necessary (contact Sarah Powers at rossacadservices@umich.edu).  If you choose to participate, proceed promptly with the following steps.
3. Register for your desired session on the Washington Campus website
   Go directly to www.washcampus.edu to register and pay your Washington Campus tuition and non-refundable registration/activity fee before the corresponding deadline.  Step-by-step registration instructions are available to assist you.  Please keep in mind that space is available on a first come, first served basis until the published deadlines.  Your seat is not guaranteed until your Washington Campus registration and payment are complete, therefore do these two steps as soon as possible.
4. Notify Ross Academic Services
   Submit the following to Ross Academic Services at rossacadservices@umich.edu:
   • A forwarded copy of the registration confirmation email that you receive from the Washington Campus.
   • An email, preferably from your UMICH account, indicating the following:
     • Name
     • UMID Number
     • Uniqname
     • Academic Program (MBA1, MBA2 or Eve MBA)
     • Dates of chosen Washington Campus session
     • "I have read and agree to abide by the session information, eligibility criteria, registration information and course expense information contained on Ross Academic Services' Washington Campus website.  I wish to be enrolled in LHC 688 in order to earn 3 academic credits for successful completion of this course." 
5. Register for LHC 688 on Wolverine Access. 
   Directions for how and when to do so will be provided by Academic Services at the appropriate time.  Depending on the session, different course registration processes may apply.

Be sure to check your UMICH email account and the Washington Campus website regularly for additional information and directions that will help you finalize plans and be prepared to attend the program.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What topics are covered?

Every session will cover basic topic such as the structure and function of federal government, decision-making, advocacy and lobbying, and federal regulations.  Other areas discussed will differ in order to be topical in terms of current events, and may address current high-priority issues related to the economy and financial markets, the housing crunch, the 2009 bailout package or foreign policy.

What is a typical session like?

View the agenda from the September 2009 session for an idea of what to expect.

Who conducts the lectures and participates in the policy discussions?

Attendees benefit from the expertise of a wide variety of Washington insiders from diverse public, private and non-profit sector backgrounds that may include: current and former Directors, Commissioners, Deputy Assistants, Assistant Secretaries, Chiefs of Staff, a member of Congress or a Congressional staff person, consultants, executives, lawyers, lobbyists and industry experts.

How is the course graded?

Starting in January, 2010, course grading will change from mandatory Pass/Fail to the standard MBA five-level grading scale (EX, GD, PS, LP, F).  The student's final grade will be based on a short exam and group project administered during their week in Washington, D.C., as well as a public policy analysis paper to be completed after the session and graded by a Ross instructor.

Can I miss just one day of the program?

No, punctuality and attendance at all sessions is mandatory due to the condensed nature of the course.

OTHER QUESTIONS?

Additional information can be found on the Washington Campus website. If you have further questions regarding this program, please contact Sarah Powers with Ross Academic Services at rossacadservices@umich.edu or 734-647-4933.