Life as Edward Jensen

[author's note: Yes, this is the third theme for the Blog of the Week series.  But whereas my colleagues, I'm sure, are going to interpret this prompt as what physical place makes Downtown Phoenix special, I'm taking it a bit more in the abstract.  How is this possible? Read on, friends; read on...]

There are hundreds and thousands of places in Downtown Phoenix that are intriguing.  The last time I was approached with this writing theme, I discussed the Phoenix Symphony and the amazing things that they do.  But this time around, I’m taking it from a different lens.  Downtown Phoenix is special because of the people of Downtown Phoenix.  It’s special because of the memories I have made in the area.  It’s special because as I have grown and learned more about myself, Downtown Phoenix has grown and learned more about itself.

Consider Fair Trade Café at the Civic Space.  It’s special not just because of the fact that they serve amazing coffee and have amazing food.  It’s special because of the people that are there behind the counter.  I know them, they know me, and they know what my favorite coffee drink is and that I always want a bit of room left in the cup for some cream.

Or consider the greater entity that is the Civic Space Park.  There are people from the community that sit and chat, there are students studying for classes, there are kids playing football (or football), and there are just people being there enjoying the park and its surrounding urban environment.

Or consider the people at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.  When I had to first talk to a staff person on the campus, I was immediately surprised at how friendly they are.  Coming from the sea of humanity that is the Tempe campus, where one is not a name but a number, this was a huge culture shock.  Stepping inside to a classroom, one would be surprised that it’s not a lecturer preaching from the altar in a lecture.  There’s discussion, discourse, and even disagreement happening in those classrooms.

What’s special about Downtown Phoenix?  It’s the people.  It’s the memories.  It’s what you make it to be.  Downtown Phoenix is that blank canvas on which one paints one’s memories.

-Edward Jensen

As preface, my fellow Student Ambassadors and I are, over the course of this term, having a “blog of the week” series of posts.  In essence, we are given a weekly theme on which to write and you’ll get six different perspectives on that theme.  In theory, it works well.  My colleagues have been fantastic.  Not so much for me, though.  With my apologies to them, to Kirsten Martin (the coordinator of the project) and to you, here’s a blog of the fortnight.

In no particular order, I’ll be talking about my hopes, dreams, and fears for my penultimate semester of my undergraduate career as well as some course highlights.  Enough preface. Here goes…

For this term, I have a lot on my plate.  Managing my time will be my highest priority because, as I’ve explored in an earlier post, the number of hours in the day remain fixed.   I’m working on three research projects:

1. Finishing out research on learning objectives for the twenty-first century student (technology in service to learning)
2. Working with the ASU Center for Urban Innovation on new trends in citizen engagement in governance on the different levels
3. Seeing how Social Network Analysis has evolved into the Social Media age (read: Web 2.0 and beyond) and how that is used to generate political and social capital

In conjunction with my College’s Spirit of Service Scholars initiative, I’m working (independently at the moment) on drafting a white paper that addresses the importance of theoretical IT (read: the research of emerging and emergent technologies) for the next generation of public service workers.  The College and its Dean, Dr. Debra Friedman, have correctly identified that there is a need for public servants to fill the shoes of those that will be retiring in the next decade or so.  The common criticisms of government are that it is ineffective and inefficient.  One could also argue that contemporary governance is based around 1960s-era technology.  Sure, governments have incorporated the Internet and computers into their daily operations; however, are these technologies truly embraced into governance’s day-to-day operations?  My research shall see…

Academically, I’m enrolled in six classes.  The most interesting is a graduate seminar on public art.  Taught by Dr. Betsy Fahlman, the course takes a look at the evolution of public art in the United States, especially looking at Phoenix and its metropolitan area.  It’s been a lot of work thus far: I’ve had to read four books and write a three-page précis on that book.  The last book will be read and the last précis will be written for Tuesday’s class, and then the fun begins.  There are field trips planned to see public art in situ in Downtown Phoenix (a walking tour led by Ed Lebow, the City of Phoenix’s director of public art is in order), Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe, and Scottsdale.  The course has been a blast and I certainly, as an Urban & Metropolitan Studies student albeit whose focus is on policy and governance, have enjoyed it immensely.

I’m one of those weird social scientists who likes the natural sciences.  I started off for a year in the Civil Engineering program, but as I’ll explore in a later post, my interest all along has been in policy and not actual construction.  I’m taking a chemistry course (because I want to!) and it’s been absolutely wonderful.  I took a couple chemistry classes on the Tempe campus but whereas those were the instructor preaching from the altar, this is completely not like that.  It might have to be that the Tempe campus courses had 120 students and on the Downtown Phoenix campus, there are only 35 or so.  And yes, I’m getting the content, too: win!

I have no idea what Kirsten’s going to pick for the next topic. We shall see…

-Edward Jensen

Dear fellow Barrett Downtown students:

As most of you are aware, last week, I stepped down as the President of BLAST’D, the Barrett Leadership and Service Team on our campus.  It was not an easy decision to realize that I had to make, nor was it a decision that I took lightly.

Being that I never had a chance in which to say farewell and thank you in person, I’m hoping that this open letter in this public forum will suffice just as well.

Let me be clear: My departure had nothing to do with the people that were serving alongside me.  I have tremendous admiration and respect for the Executive Committee and the staff of Barrett Downtown.  These individuals–volunteer and professional staff alike–tirelessly have advocated for us all and have worked to promote Barrett Downtown to the other ASU campuses.  None of our events since Barrett Downtown’s inception would have been nearly as successful as they have been if our staff was not involved in the process.

Why, then, did I step down?  It boils down to that the number of hours in the day remain fixed.  My commitments–academic, professional, and service–keep growing.  I cannot be all things to all people, and I quickly came to the realization that I needed to take an honest and objective look at all of my commitments.  I have a lot on my plate with three simultaneous large-scale research projects, a continually-evolving job with the Dean’s Office for my College, the College of Public Programs, and the requisite coursework so I may graduate in December 2010.  In addition, I’m starting to create my graduate school application for the Master of Public Administration program at ASU’s School of Public Affairs, where I’ll start in August 2011.

I think that the first thing that we, as students, forget is that we are students first when we’re in college.  We try–and especially we as honors students–to do so much résumé-building that we truly forget why we’re here in the first place: to go and learn things so that we may become successful in whatever we choose to do.  And especially as honors students, we have even more on our plate.  Yes, résumé-building is good, but as the number of hours in the day remain fixed, we need to have our priorities.

For the club going forward: Give Caroline Porter her due respect.  Ms. Porter is a wonderful person and she is equally committed to this club’s success.  My decision to leave was made easier because I know that the club would be in capable hands.

Finally, I finish with these words: Thank you all so much for the support that you have given to me, to the club, and to the Barrett Downtown community.  Keep that spirit alive as your relationship with Barrett Downtown continues to grow. Keep your support and enthusiasm for BLAST’D as alive as ever.

Oh, and by the way, this isn’t my goodbye from Barrett Downtown.  Far from it.  I’ll still be at some of the events and I’ll still be helping Jill, Jenn, and Dr. Peck on some projects and initiatives, still advocating and fighting for BLAST’D’s success and due recognition along the way.  Consider me the new Goodwill Ambassador for Barrett Downtown.

And I’ll still see you around the campus.

-Edward Jensen

[source: Corey Schubert, media manager, ASU College of Public Programs] ASU’s College of Public Programs is accepting applications from ASU undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in any field of study dedicated to careers in the public and nonprofit sectors who want to join the Spirit of Service Scholars program.

The program addresses the present and future workforce needs in the public and nonprofit sectors by awarding prestigious $5,000 scholarships to 15 outstanding students, and providing them with extraordinary intellectual and practice experiences, a lifelong interdisciplinary network, and committed, effective mentors.

More information is available at http://spiritofservicescholars.asu.edu/; contact soss.info@asu.edu.

The deadline for applications is April 2 for the Fall 2010 semester. Applicants need not demonstrate financial need, but must show seriousness of purpose.

From the Downtown Phoenix Partnership:

The National Weather Service is predicting a large storm to descend into the valley tomorrow, 1-21-10, bringing up to 5″ of rain, possible thunderstorms and gusty winds. The prediction calls for light rain to begin to fall after 11pm tonight and pick up around 11am tomorrow. The Downtown Phoenix Partnership is working closely with police and city staff, and will provide current information throughout the day based on the severity of the storm.

Please be aware of unscheduled road closures put in place due to flooding, debris in the roadway, and traffic signals that may be out due to a power outage.

Contact the Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors at 602-495-1500 to report power outages or debris – we will contact the correct department at the City. Also – call if you have questions about travel conditions in the downtown area – they are your Go-To-Resource!! Remember – the Ambassadors provide Umbrella Escorts – so if you need to go out during the day…they are equipped with large umbrellas and can escort you to your destination.

Stay Dry!

Terry

More forecast info: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=85003

Stay safe and stay dry!

-Edward Jensen

Well, the Spring 2010 semester begins next week for ASU students. The winter break was far too short but hey, I’ll take it.

In preparation for the start of the semester on Tuesday January 19, please note the following hours for services on the Downtown Phoenix campus:

• Enrollment Services (off UCENT lobby): open Jan 19, 20, 25, and 26 until 6pm
• Parking and Transit (off UCENT elevators, 1st floor): regular hours (8a-4.30p)
• Bookstore (UCENT, near Polk St entrance): visit the ASU Bookstore website]
• Academic advising: contact your advisor
• Library (UCENT basement): resumes regular hours Jan 19
• ASU Health Center (NHI 1 building): regular hours (8a-5p)
• Fair Trade Cafe at the Civic Space: always open Monday-Saturday 7a-10p, closed Sunday

For all of the semester’s deadlines (including drop/add periods, withdrawal deadlines, etc.), check out the ASU Academic Calendar. To get an idea of when your final exams will be (exams week is May 6-12), check the University Final Exam Schedule.

From myself and from my colleagues in the Dean’s Office of the College of Public Programs, we wish you a successful, productive, and engaging Spring 2010 semester.

-Edward Jensen

Last week, retired US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor stopped by KAET’s public affairs program Horizon to talk about what she’s been doing since she retired from the high court, civility in government, and her O’Connor House Project.

Justice O’Connor’s confirmation created the Horizon program back in 1981 and it’s apropos that she was the first guest in Horizon’s new set in the Cronkite School building on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.

if you can’t see the video, click here

-Edward Jensen

Well, we’re at that point of the year wherein everyone is taking a look back at the year that will be ending tomorrow.

To commemorate the year, here’s a look back at the major themes of posts I’ve written.  Links will open in a new window.

January (see all posts)
Happy New Year 2009! The new Valley METRO light rail system began revenue operations after five free-ride days and ASU Downtown Phoenix campus students were figuring out how to leverage the system in their transportation arsenal.  There were two “miracles“: the Miracle on the Hudson and the Miracle at University of Phoenix Stadium sending the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl.  Obama was sworn into office (twice!) to become this nation’s first African-American president.  The Spring 2009 semester started sending me to the sea of humanity that is the ASU Tempe campus (meh…).

February (see all posts)
There was the Barrett Honors College Light Rail Party on the 6th, and I’d like to think it was the first major non-METRO-sponsored event to occur on the then five-week-old system.  Our patience was rewarded as Janet Echelman revealed the name of the public art piece suspended above the then soon-to-open Civic Space Park: “Her Secret is Patience.”  And we learned that installation of Ms. Echelman’s work would begin on 9th March, though it didn’t quite take the first time.  I moved this blog from Blogger to Wordpress and haven’t looked back.  Constructive arguments win, and this post demonstrated how. Then, upon learning that Glendale wanted to route its share of the light rail mainly through Phoenix (viz. I-10 and the Loop 101) to Westgate, I proposed using Grand Avenue as an alternative.

March (see all posts)
I went on a writing terror in March, penning 43 posts.  I evaluated a thoughtful sustainability curriculum in response to two sustainability classes I was taking at the time, and then evaluated (the lack of) academic integrity demonstrated by a student. Her Secret is Patience, the artwork at the Civic Space was set to be installed during the spring recess, then was delayed because of fabrication errors, then installed, then taken down.  The great Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach was fêted in JS Bach Week with six unique pieces leading up to the 324th anniversary of his birth.  Keeping with the music theme, I shamelessly promoted Cantemus’s performances of The Salzburg Mozart, with me playing tympani in the orchestra.

April (see all posts)
Janet Echelman’s Her Secret is Patience was finally corrected and reinstalled on a rainy Saturday morning.  And the Civic Space Park opened on the 16th!  SNL’s parody of Barack Obama found that ASU was better than the University of Arizona.  I thought (and still think) that the DASH Downtown Loop was made redundant by the light rail and proposed a free-ride zone that should save the City some money.  The Phoenix Symphony performed Carmina Burana on the 23rd and I reviewed it.

May (see all posts)
Final examinations and writer’s block were not my friends in May.  The Class of 2009 graduated and President Obama spoke.  The posts were of a light-hearted nature to make people not think of exams.

June (see all posts)
With ASU’s semester finished, Valley METRO light rail started running silly-looking one-car trains on the line, even during rush hours, causing the line’s many fans to wonder what was going on.  ASU Parking & Transit announced that the free U-Pass program would be going away leaving students to pay $40 each semester.  A new series on ASU Downtown Phoenix campus adventures was born…and quickly died. But in good news: Segways are allowed on the light rail!

July (see all posts)
The world was still lamenting the death of Michael Jackson and at Trinity Church on Wall Street, the most appropriate tribute was performed.  Answers were attempted at questions concerning the ASU on Facebook application, but even to this day, nobody really knows what’s going on with it. Walter Cronkite died.  Pi Approximation Day was celebrated on the 22nd with an approximation of success.

August (see all posts)
Most of the month was spent answering the question, “Is Phoenix a place that is suitable to raise – and sustain – a family?” in the Policy, Family, Future four-part series. The Camerata Singers performed and made my summer one of the best I’ve had.  ASU relaunched its Facebook application.  The College of Public Programs reevaluated why it’s using social media.  Twitter robots failed Turing tests.  Edward Kennedy passed away.

September (see all posts)
ASU’s Online Applications service was evaluated and given a thumbs-up, and the University’s student-run newspaper gave a cursory look to online learning.   Google Docs was demystified.  A new “Did You Know” video surfaced causing heads to turn (again).  The Phoenix Symphony performed Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony meriting a review from me and also the Maestro himself, Michael Christie, chimed in (see the comments).  And the Symphony’s College Club Card lets students see the Symphony for cheap.  We said farewell to the Mountain Bell Building, imploded on the 27th.  We also said farewell to reasons why Downtown Phoenix isn’t scary.

October (see all posts)
Phoenix-area policymakers forecast growth for the area calling for 400 miles of new freeways to be built, making me wonder if Phoenix still doesn’t get it.   I wanted METRO light rail tchotchkes but nobody was selling them.  Phoenix selected David Cavazos as its new city manager, replacing the retiring Frank Fairbanks.  ASU’s Elinor Ostrom became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Economics.  Finally, and sadly, the composer Paul Manz died, leaving a void in contemporary sacred music.

November (see all posts)
With Frank Fairbanks and all his amassed experience gone, from where will the next generation of public servants come?  The New York Yankees won the World Series and Carl Kasell (of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!) had a great quip worth posting.  Mayor Phil Gordon gave his State of Downtown Phoenix address and it went over like a lead balloon.  This set off a debate on how to fix Downtown Phoenix.  And the Muppets gave the world the best rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

December (see all posts)
The Fall 2009 semester ended.  Same-sex marriage was again a hot topic, this time in New York.  METRO light rail celebrated its first birthday, even though the celebrations were a week early.  Mike Rowe celebrated the spirit of dirty jobs.  And then it was Christmas.

So…from here, where do we go?  That’s for tomorrow.

-Edward Jensen

[source: METRO light rail/17 December 2009] Take a trip on light rail this Saturday for your chance to receive a “golden” transit pass, discover new and interesting retailers offering discounts to transit riders and be generally rewarded for your support of METRO in its first year.  Here’s the inside scoop:

GOLDEN PASS PROMOTION

Ala Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, METRO will specially mark “golden” transit passes in station fare vending machines along the line.  With more than 100 machines, METRO wants to help increase your odds.  Visit any or all of the following stations and their on-platform fare vending machines for your pass purchase and chance to win.

• Montebello/19^th Avenue
• Central Avenue/Camelback
• Roosevelt/Central Avenue
• Van Buren/Central Avenue and Van Buren/1^st Avenue
• Mill Avenue/3^rd Street
• Veterans Way/College Avenue
• Price-101 Freeway/Apache Boulevard
• Sycamore/Main Street

The 50 “golden” transit pass recipients will be entered into a raffle to receive one of 30 pairs of US Airways Center event tickets – either to a regular season Phoenix Suns home game or a family-friendly event, Disney on Ice or Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus – or one of two “Grand Golden VIP Experiences” that include:

• Four lower-level tickets to a Phoenix Suns home game
• Seats on the Suns bench during pre-game warm-ups
• Suns locker room tour
• Suns autographed memorabilia

For additional information, including rules, regulations and eligibility details, visit www.metrolightrail.org.   Platinum Pass and U-Pass cardholders have also been integrated into this program.

RIDER APPRECIATION DISCOUNTS

To sweeten the anniversary celebration, more than 45 gracious retailers along the line will offer special discounts or deals to anyone who presents a valid transit pass on December 19.  Riders will enjoy substantial savings such as two-for-one deals or as much as 30% off at these one-of-a-kind businesses.

The Suns are also offering a great deal extended through the holiday season. Present a valid transit pass at the US Airways Center ticket office between December 19 – 31 and receive $20 off lower level tickets or $10 off upper level tickets for any January 2010 game.  Great seats are still available.  Give a gift that will make your favorite Suns fan cheer!  The offer may be redeemed at the US Airways Center ticket office during normal business hours while supplies last.

For a complete list of businesses and their discounts, visit www.metrolightrail.org.

About METRO

METRO is celebrating it first year of operation having served more than 10.3 million riders through November 2009.  With the community’s support, METRO’s weekday ridership is 34 percent greater than projected, with Saturdays and Sundays fairing even better.  METRO will continue to look for ways to refine its 20-mile operation and level of customer service, while also planning for 37 miles of future extensions. Go to the www.metrolightrail.org site and click on Metro Turns One.  At Events to Enjoy there are lists of activities in the areas around Metro stations.

Whew. That semester is finished.  In addition to the one requisite in-class final, it also had quite the writing project, too. I took a graduate-level program evaluation class and the personal culmination was a 15-page paper on evaluation methods.  Woot.

Seven (semesters) down, two to go. Yay!

Now to celebrate, join me on Facebook: fb.edwardjensen.net.

-Edward Jensen