Role of a KPFC Faculty Research Associate
A Faculty Research Associate has a continuing personal research agenda in public finance and an interest in engaging periodically with like-minded colleagues in an interactive forum. That is the extent of the obligation.

Research Study Group Activities
During the Fall of 1995 a study group on Kansas tax policy was convened and held meetings in Topeka and Overland Park. As was practiced in that group activity, the KPFC study group will decide its operating rules but will respect each individual's own research agenda. The goal is to enhance the research of individual members by offering a supportive and engaging series of gatherings to exchange ideas, gain reactions to current research, and generate research ideas that one or more members might decide to pursue. It is anticipated that one or more presentations of ongoing research results will be presented at each meeting. Appointments as Research Associates, and other affiliate memberships, are made by the KPFC director.

External Funding Not Required
The KPFC study group can help individual members improve their own external funding proposals, but the KPFC is not a grant- seeking organization. The study group could establish a research agenda that it might use to seek a portfolio of funding around a broad theme to support individual grants. An example is the funded research during Fall 1995 on Kansas tax policy that involved Research Associates here and at other Kansas universities.

KPFC Mission and Objectives
The mission of the KPFC is to develop and help implement public strategies that will promote economic vitality in Kansas and to advance the study of applied public finance at WSU. Achievement of this mission will be measured by the following objectives:

1. Expand scholarly research on the theory and practice of public finance, including public budgeting, financial management, and economic development.
2. Provide WSU with a "think tank" or research study group for the ongoing study of public finance.
3. Strengthen the ability of university faculty to provide specific advice to private and public policy-makers about economic vitality and public finance.
4. Position the university and its faculty as central actors in promoting excellence in public finance and budgeting by all public organizations.
5. Develop and disseminate financial analysis methodologies and techniques that are appropriate for the public sector based, in part, on private sector practices.
6. Gain recognition as a center for research and education in municipal securities and the role such financing has in economic vitality.
7. Enhance the marketing of WSU's public administration program by producing students with a competitive advantage through advanced public budgeting and financial management skills and perspectives.

Board of Visitors
Plans call for establishing advisory boards of prominent business and government executives to provide the KPFC and the study group with suggestions, responses, and support.

Working Paper Series
Research Associates can use a Working Paper Series for early dissemination of research. A specialized working paper series allows an author to distribute systematically a preliminary manuscript or a forthcoming article to gain early reactions and comments. This is an especially useful service given the time lag associated with formal publication outlets.

Journal Editorial Offices
The KPFC houses the editorial office of the Municipal Finance Journal, the only quarterly journal specializing in the municipal securities market for state and local financing. The editor-in-chief is Dr. Bart Hildreth.

Regional Public Finance Conference
An annual public finance conference for state and local government finance officials was initiated in 1996.