THE RECORD

MAY 17,1976

NO. 24

LYNDON B. JOHNSON SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

EDITOR Hoyt H. Purvis

RIVLIN WILL SPEAK AT COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

The fifth commencement ceremonies of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday May 22 in the East Campus Lecture Hall.

The 57 members of the School's fifth class will hear an address by Dr. Alice Rivlin, director of the Congressional Budget Office.

The first Emmette S. Redford Award for Outstanding Research will also be presented.

Taking part on the program in addition to Dr. Rivlin will be Kenneth W. Tolo, acting dean, and graduates Joseph J. Murphy and Melanie McCoy.

A reception on the eighth floor patio of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library will follow the ceremonies.

Rivlin, an economist, became the first director of the Congressional Budget Office, after having earlier served as an assistant secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and at the Brookings Institution, where she was recognized as one of the leading authorities on the federal budget.

Evening graduation ceremonies for the entire University will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the south terrace of the Main Building. Dr. Daniel J. Boorstin, the Librarian of Congress, will deliver the commencement address.

Members of the Class of 1976 are:

Robert K. Bartow, Bruce A. Broberg, Bruce B. Byron, Deborah S. Cartwright, Daniel T. Casey, Marshall D. Clark, Steven B. Cobble, Mary Ann Coursey, Sarah C. Cox., Norman S. Davis.

James B. Dear, Glenn E. Deck, Christopher P. Delker, Albert E. Donelan, Larry H. Eisenberg, William A. Emory, S. Michael Faubion, Daniel J. Friedhoff H. Richard Gentry, Alfred Giles, IV

Mark A. Hendrickson, Thomas J Howarth, Evelyn F. Ireland, Frank D Jefferis, Martha F. Katz, Christie A Kennedy, Kirk I. Kimball, Christine C Klauser, Debra D. Langford, Paul Lauder, Peter J. Lemonias, Linda Look, Katherine B. Love, Malcolm C. MacDonald, L. Melanie McCoy, Nan M. McRaven, Walter K. Moore, Joseph L. Motter, Joseph J. Murphy, Alice A. Myers, Phyllis A. Parker, Francine E. Pegues.

David Perry, Brian J. Petraitis, Barry P. Robinson, Gary R. Rose, Leilani S. Rose, Richard Rue, Herman M. Schwartz, John D. Shillingburg, Frank J. Sturzl, Peter C. Weingarten, Julius E. Whittier, Dale Whittington, Margaret A. Wilson, Gwen E. Winning, Frances E. Zorn.

MEALS FOR ELDERLY PROJECT REPORTS

The Policy Research Project on Meal Systems for the Elderly has issued a second progress report on its work. An earlier report dealt with the first two stages of the project while the current report deals with developments since that time.

The goal of the project is to provide an alternative meal service for the many elderly persons who cannot participate in current meals programs-either home-delivered or congregate -because they temporarily M, handicapped, immobile, or live in areas where no meals programs exist.

The participating organizations in addition to the LBJ School, include United Action for the Elderly, Texas Research Institute for Mental Sciences, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The project has sought to apply some of the space-age food technology developed by NASA.

Phase III of the project was a full-scale field demonstration. The seven areas of Bastrop, Houston, San Saba, Seguin5 County area, Travis, Waco-Falls County, and Lamar County were designated as sites for the demonstration. These sites represent a mix of urban, and rural or small-town characteristics with a representative elderly population.

Initially, 168 participants were taking part in the field demonstration, although 17 dropped out for various reasons.

Because some elderly persons cannot tolerate a normal diet, all potential participants went through a medical evaluation. At a minimum, potential participants were required to obtain certification from their personal physician that they could consume a regular diet. In addition, participants in most sites were offered a free medical-nutritional examination performed by doctors from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, headed by Dr. William McGanity. This medical screening had two purposes; to obtain medical certification that individuals could safely consume the NASA meals; and to obtain baseline information from which a medical and nutritional assessment of the program might be made. A second medical examination was scheduled at the completion of the program in order to assess any change in health status which might be attributable to participation in the program. Seventy-five persons participated in the first screening, and 61 went through the second screening. Comparative data on the medical-nutritional component are presently being evaluated.

Participants fell into three major groups: (1) 9-Week Program—those receiving 63 meals or 3 complete meal cycles for daily use; (2)15-Week Program—those receiving 105 meals or 5 complete meal cycles for daily use; (3) Weekend Supplement Program—those receiving 18 meals for use as a weekend supplement to an on-going hot meals program.

Two kind of meal delivery were tested—personal and impersonal. All initial deliveries were done by a volunteer who explained and demonstrated meal preparation techniquest to the participants. After that time, volunteer contact was minimal for those on an impersonal delivery system, while contact continued for those on a personal delivery system.

Evaluation: Preliminary Findings

The evaluation of the field demonstration relied on three central instruments—individual meal evaluation cards supplied to each participant, a drop-out questionnaire administered to participants who dropped out before the program's end, and a post-demonstration interview. In addition, student site coordinators maintained weekly contact with personnel in the field, and received information on reactions to the program.

Participants' response to the program, on the basis of information provided in the post-demonstration questionnaire, was quite favorable. Seventy-five percent liked the program and would like to continue it. When asked what they liked the most about the program, more than half cited the food itself. Others liked the ease of food preparation, and the lack of expense associated with the program.

Puddings and drinks were the favorite items of participants. Boned turkey, chicken a la king, and mixed vegetables were also well received. Eighty percent said the NASA food was similar to the food they usually ate. Nearly half of the participants preferred canned over freeze-dried items, but only 8 percent expressed unwillingness to eat freeze-dried items occasionally.

Participants reported little difficulty in opening the 7 day meal boxes or individual meal boxes, or in preparing individual food items. Twelve percent of the elderly participants did experience some trouble in opening individual food items. Nearly all of the participants found the instructions on the individual food items clear and easy to understand.

Most participants found that each meal provided them with enough to eat, and 46 percent felt each meal gave them more than enough to eat. Some 40 percent indicated that their eating habits changed while on the program. Of this number, most reportedly they were eating both a greater amount and a greater variety of food than before.

The great majority of participants indicated a preference for home delivery of meals. More than 50 percent said they would not be able to pick up meals from a central location. Volunteer delivery (with the attendant social contact) was preferred. But 15 participants receiving meals through the mail found this delivery method quite acceptable. Therefore an impersonal delivery system is a practical alternative.

Perhaps most indicative of the overall favorable response is the finding that over 80 percent of all participants reported they would like to purchase the meals in the grocery store if their cost were about the same as the cost of the groceries they usually bought. Food stamps recipients also indicated a willingness to use their stamps to purchase the meals. The majority of participants indicated they would buy between 1 and 4 meals per week.

Those with very limited financial resources tended to respond most favorably to the program. For many, receiving the food gratis represented a savings in cash outlay and permitted them to eat a greater variety and an increased amount of food.

Looking Ahead...

Project members are in the process of analyzing evaluation materials in preparation for a comprehensive final report. The report will describe the objectives, program and design, and implementation of the Food for the Elderly Project, as well as present conclusions, and will offer policy recommendations. The report will also include a discussion of the potential user populations, rationale for an additional follow-up field demonstration, target groups for such a follow-up, and mechanisms and barriers to widespread implementation.

One additional food technology—the thermostabilized flexible pouch—was not available for Phase III field testing due to a temporary hold by the Food and Drug Administration. That hold is expected to be lifted in the near future, and a small demonstration utilizing flex pouches has been planned.

Several post-program workshops and briefings will be held this summer and fall. The School will coordinate these programs, which will involve state and federal officials and agencies who may utilize the findings of the Project.

Professor Jurgen Schmandt is project director, with Professors David Warner and Lodis Rhodes also participating. Ruth Roth is project coordinator. Student participants are Deborah Beckett, Dan Casey, Barbara Dydek, Hannah Eisner, Al Giles, John Hunt, Stan Kaplan, Thomas Martin, Joe Motter, Francine Pegues, Rita Seymour, Julius Whittier, and Peggy Wilson.

Invitations have been received to present briefings about Project results to the U.S. Senate Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, the Health, Education, and Welfare Administration on Aging, and the Veterans Administration.

ANDERSON HONORED

Lynn F. Anderson, director of conferences and training and associate professor, has received an award for "outstanding achievement" from the Austin Society for Public Administration.

Anderson, a former president of the Austin society, was cited for his work in continuing and pre-service education programs for public administrators and for his contributions in public service at the state and local levels.

He has been a consultant to various governmental jurisdictions, agencies, commissions, and other organizations concerned with public affairs.

An authority on governmental finance and financial management, Anderson is one of two academic representatives serving on the National Council on Governmental Accounting.

He has been associated with UT Austin since 1946 and was acting director of the Institute of Public Affairs before it became part of the LBJ School.

Anderson was also honored recently by the University for his 30 years of service to the institution. He was presented an engraved paper weight and a scroll commemorating his lengthy service.

"On the Record"

. Two LBJ School students, Rick Gentry and Debbie Cartwright, have been elected as delegates to the Democratic National Convention in New York in July. Both were elected as Jimmy Carter delegates in the May 1 Texas Democratic primary. Gentry was elected from the 14th State Senatorial District, which is the Austin area. Cartwright was elected from Elgin in the 18th District. A third student, Joe Lopez, was on the ballot as a Fred Harris delegate, but was unsuccessful.

. Seven students have been awarded Moody Foundation Fellowships for the 1976-77 academic year. The new Moody Fellows are Cloteal Davis, Robert Farley, Terry Grogan, John Kamensky, Tom Martin, Sarah Smith, and Bonnie Young.

. Professors Jurgen Schmandt has been invited to serve as a consultant to the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment. He will participate in a major assessment of U.S. research and development policies which was approved recently by the OTA Advisory Council.

. Among the recent guest speakers in the topical seminar on Electoral Politics taught by Professor John Gronouski were Norman Bishop, communications director of the Republican National Committee, and Mark Segal, director of the Democratic National Committee.

TRANSPORTATION PROJECT PRESENTS BRIEFING

The Policy Research Project on Transportation presented a briefing on its work to the Transportation Committee of the Texas House of Representatives on May 11.

Dr. G.M. Williams, Jr., director of the Project, and Representative James Nugent of Kerrville, chairman of the Transportation Committee, made introductory remarks and then student participants in the Project briefed the legislators.

Topics covered in the briefing were:

. Governmental Organization for Transportation Services: State Government and Regional Districts

. Transportation Finance in Texas

. Transportation Regulation in Texas

. Freight Transportation Issues in Economic Development of South Texas

. Urban Transportation Problems in Texas

In addition to Professor Williams, faculty members involved in the Project are Dr. John Gronouski, Colonel James Record, and Kent Talbot.

Student participants in the Project are Roberta Bartow, Sheila Beckett, Bruce Byron, Sarah Cox, Nancy Davis, Chris Delker, James Dodds, Albert Donelan, Donna Nilsen, Herb Rubenstein, Barry Robinson, and Peter Weingarten.

SMOLEN ELECTED REP

Paul Smolen has been elected by the Graduate Student Council as a graduate student representative to the University Graduate Assembly.

Smolen was one of six graduate students elected as voting representatives to the Assembly. The six are the first student members of the Assembly, since membership in the past was limited to graduate faculty elected from their respective divisions. Smolen will assume office in September, 1976, for a one-year term.

There are two representatives from each of the three divisions in the Graduate Assembly. Smolen will serve as representative of the division which includes Social and Behavioral Sciences, Education, Business, Social Work, American Studies, and Public Affairs.

POWER GENERATION REPORT PUBLISHED

A major report on electric-power generation in Texas has been published by the LBJ School of Public Affairs.

The report, Energy in Texas, Volume I. Electric-Power Generation, grew out of a Policy Research Project during the academic year 1972-73 on State Planning for Electric Power. Eleven students and three faculty members participated in that project. Further research on electric power development was completed during the summer of 1975 and additional and more current data was integrated into the report.

The report is a companion volume to Energy in Texas, Volume II. Policy Alternatives, prepared by a 1973-74 Policy Research Project.

The study which resulted in the publication of Volume I was initiated in response to a public need for information about power-system planning in Texas and an assessment of the risks and benefits of alternative forms of power generation. The report is divided into six sections:

. Structure of the Texas Electric-Power Industry

. Electricity-Demand Analyses

. Fuels, Reserves, and Future Prospects

. Environmental Considerations of Electric-Power Generation

. Government Involvement in Power-Plant Siting

. Public Participation in the Siting of Power-Generating Facilities

Current changes in fuel prices and regulatory policies are also included.

The report makes a series of recommendations on such subjects as energy conservation; increased generation capacity (as opposed to regional interconnections); diversifying the use of boiler fuels; coal slurry pipelines; assessing environmental costs; administrative procedures for power-plant siting; and striking a proper balance between public interest and utility expertise in power system planning.

Volume II, which surveys a broader energy spectrum and develops a number of state policy alternatives for coping with immediate and long-range energy demands, has received widespread attention and Volume I is already attracting considerable notice.

Both reports were prepared under the direction of Professor Marlan Blissett. Professors Kingsley Haynes and Kenneth Tolo also took part in the Project which produced Volume I.

Copies of the 125-page publication, which includes extensive tabular and illustrative material, are available in the Office of Publications for $3.50 plus tax.

AUDITORS MEET HERE

The 18th County Auditors' Institute was held May 13-14 at the Thompson Conference Center.

The annual program, sponsored by the LBJ School helps county auditors, treasurers, and clerks keep abreast of new developments in county financial management. Assisting in the planning of the institute is the County Auditors' Association of Texas.

Speakers included:

—Rayburn MacNelly of Brownsville, Cameron County auditor, "Effective Budget Techniques and Procedures for Texas Counties."

—A. J. Hollas of Houston, first assistant county auditor for Harris County, "Federal Grants Management."

—Dr. Jerry D. Todd, UT Austin associate professor of insurance, "Effective Insurance and Risk Management for Texas Counties."

—Randall B. Wood, deputy comptroller of public accounts, "Current and Future Relationships of the State Comptroller's Office to County Finance in Texas."

—David Kendall, first assistant attorney general, "Texas Public Disclosure Laws and Their Impact on County Government and Financial Management."

—W. E. Tinsley of Austin, vice president of Underwood, Neuhaus and Company, investment bankers, "Emerging Financial Disclosure Requirements for Local Governments."

—Elizabeth Levatino, assistant attorney general, "Current Legal Aspects of County Government and Finance."

DAVID PARTICIPATES IN EUROPE MEETINGS

Dr. Henry David has been invited to participate in the Conference of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, which is being held in Vienna and Luxemburg, Austria, May 10-13.

The IIASA is a private, international research organization performing applied research in systems analysis. The National Academy of Sciences is the United States member of IIASA.

Following the conference, he will remain at the Institute for a month as a consultant to its director, Roger Levien.

During the last two weeks of June, David will conduct seminars on Social Research and Development in the United States, first in Oslo, Norway, for the Central Committee on Science Policy and the Norwegian Council for Science and the Humanities, and then in Lund, Sweden, for the Research Policy Program of the University of Lund.

CONFERENCE CONSIDERS CITZEN INVOLVEMENT

How citizen groups—without taking to the streets or resorting to the politics of confrontation—can participate more effectively in city and county government decisions was the focus of a conference at the LBJ School May 6-7.

The conference on "Citizens and Local Government," was held in the East Campus Lecture Hall.

Through speeches and round-table discussions, the conference fostered an exchange of ideas about how citizens can improve their input into the policy and electoral processes.

Topics and speakers included:

. "Citizen Participation in the New Federalism," Peter Petkas, director of the Governmental Monitoring Project of the Southern Regional Council, Atlanta, Ga.

. "Organizing Citizens for Effective Influence," Ernie Cortez, executive director of a San Antonio citizens' lobby, Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS).

. "Improving the Electoral Process in Texas," Mark White, Texas Secretary of State.

Panelist Hortense Dixon, executive assistant to the Mayor of Houston, said citizens need to take a greater interest in how their tax dollars are spent by local and state governments.

"It's hard to get citizens to understand that their taxes generate money spent at the state and local level," Dixon said.

Katy Davis, state administrator for Common Cause, said "Citizens are scared off by the bigness of even local government and the fact that it is so difficult to understand."

A first step toward increasing citizen participation, she said, would be an effort to make governmental workings easily understandable.

"You've got to put things in terms they understand so that they can see how decisions will really affect them," Davis said.

One issue that Common Cause supports, for example, is a "regional hearing" type of budget-making procedure for the state.

"Right now, the budget-making is a kind of closed-door, private act in which few citizens really have any real input," she said. "But through hearings held throughout the state, these items could be put in the realm of understanding for the voters...."

While few organizations could have any real effect on state or local governments, "there is a common assumption that that also applies to the local level," and that is not true, Davis contended.

"If people don't understand all the politics and workings, they just give up. They just leave it for someone else to do," she said.

Petkas commented that the electoral group should not be viewed as a substitute for citizen participation. He said whether citizens can participate effectively in the decision-making process of government depends to a great extent on whether they know how certain programs work.

He added that the press has a responsibility to pass such knowledge on to the public.

Cortez told the conference that minorities and poor people often have "no power base when a block grant comes down the line."

"People have got to have some kind of power and be able to use it in such a way as to force reactions to their actions... Without such basic powers, citizen participation is empty," said Cortez, executive director of a citizens action group in San Antonio.

Communities Organized for Public Service, Cortez said, had gone from pushing successfully for capital improvements in San Antonio's low income areas to dealing with more complicated issues that affect the entire city.

"Not because we're good guys, its just that people in the organization have begun to understand the relationship between the survival of their neighborhoods and what happens with city policies on utilities or growth," he said.

Serving as moderators for discussions at the conference were Professors Victor Bach and Beryl Radin of the LBJ School, and Robert Macdonald, associate director of the Office of Conferences and Training.

Kenneth W. Tolo, acting dean of the School, welcomed the participants.