51st ANNUAL REGULATORY STUDIES PROGRAM: "CAMP"
August 3-14.2009 | Kellogg Center | East Lansing, MI
About the Program
The Institute’s 51st Annual Regulatory Studies Program is set for August 3-14 2009. This essential two-week program, known as “Camp NARUC” and NARUC endorsed, is designed specifically and exclusively to meet the needs of public-sector regulatory professionals, particularly members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. ▪ With more than 1,000 years of experience, the Institute’s diverse program faculty is drawn from various academic, governmental, and other organizations. Presentations cover all aspects of the regulatory process, as applied generally and particularly to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications sectors. ▪ Methods of instruction provide opportunities for exploration and interaction, and concurrent and bonus sessions allow participants to tailor the program to their particular needs and areas of interest and responsibility. Attendees receive a certificate of completion from Michigan State University and the program is consistently eligible for CLE and CPE credits in most jurisdictions.
Program Benefits
The Annual Regulatory Studies Program:Program Format
The Annual Regulatory Studies Program is grounded in sound regulatory theory and established practices. The curriculum is comprehensive and intensive and includes general sessions, topical workshops, and sector-specific tracks on the electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications sectors.Week One focuses on the foundations and fundamentals of utility regulation. The program emphasizes the disciplines and skills essential for participating in an increasingly demanding and complex regulatory process. Core economic, legal, accounting, finance, and policy theories and concepts are introduced. Week One is especially suited to attendees relatively new to utility regulation.
Week Two concentrates on dynamic structural and regulatory issues, including emerging methods, issues, and sector-specific market concerns. Week Two will be of interest to both new and seasoned regulatory personnel. Multiple tracks allow participants to explore various areas of interest. Interactive instruction emphasizes applied technical knowledge.
The Institute offers special orientation sessions for international regulators and consumer advocates on the Sunday afternoon preceding Week One. These informal sessions are designed to provide attendees with supplementary instruction and opportunities for networking and interaction.
Who Should Attend
The Camp program is designed specifically for personnel of local, state, and federal agencies involved in utility industry regulation. Participation is open only to individuals working for governmental and public-sector organizations. Eligible attendees include new commissioners, professional commission staff, consumer advocates, legislators and legislative staff, attorneys general and their staff, and international regulators. ▪ The format and content of the program can accommodate the needs of regulatory professionals based on their professional development needs, job responsibilities, work experience, and level of expertise. Discipline-based sessions, sector-based tracks, and special workshops allow attendees to focus on distinct areas of interest. ▪ New personnel will benefit from attending either Week One or the entire two-week program. Seasoned professionals - including former attendees - are welcome to return regularly for Week Two. The program can also provide an educational retreat for groups of commissioners or staff members from a regulatory agency. Public-sector oriented consultants and attorneys may inquire about eligibility.
Come Back to Camp!
As a leading provider of continuing education in our field, IPU welcomes new and "experienced" campers. The Camp program builds on a tradition of knowledge while incorporating the most current issues and methods of regulation. Week One can be used to revisit the fundamentals—the basic "why and how" of economic regulation—in the contemporary context. Week Two stands alone as a short course for new and experienced professionals who need timely information to meet the challenges of modern regulation.Concurrent tracks in the industry sectors and special workshops provide opportunities for immersion in new areas. Daytime and evening sessions, along with networking breaks, encourage interaction among attendees and program faculty.
Even for those who attended IPU programs in the past, almost everyone will find that coming back to Camp will be a professionally enjoyable and beneficial experience.
Fees
The fee for the full two-week program is $2,100. For either one-week session, the fee is $1,150. The fee covers tuition, materials, certificate of completion, support for CLE/CPE credit application (upon request), breakfast and lunch (Monday through Friday), refreshment breaks, graduation party, and a barbecue dinner each week. For daily rates, group rates, and other special accomodations please contact IPU Staff at 517.355.1876. When processing payments, the Institute of Public Utilities abides by Michigan State University's security policies for information collected to process payments.Accommodations and Dress Code
You will enjoy the great location, remodeled rooms, internet access, and campus recreational facilities. For rooms at the special group rate contact the Kellogg Center at 800.875.5090. International guests should call 517.432.4000. If you require disability-related accommodations to participate in this program, please inform the hotel and IPU by July 10, 2009. Requests received after this date will be honored as possible. The dress code is comfortable campus casual for the entire program. Room rates have been lowered for 2009!
Discounts, cancellations, and refunds
Returning Campers are eligible for a 10% discount. Organizations registering large groups may be eligible for a discount, please contact for more information. Cancellations may result in a forfeiture of the group discount. Cancellations received after July 17, 2009 are subject to a $150 fee. Cancellations received after the start of the program will be invoiced at full cost. Substitutions are accepted at any time.Continuing Education Credits
The Institute of Public Utilities is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to ethe National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37210-2417. Website: www.nasba.org. CLE credits are also available. IPU-MSU will apply for accreditation or registration of the program. Application does not guarantee approval.Annual Regulatory Studies Program-“Camp" [MSU]
Camp Program Archives
What people are saying...
- “I am very pleased with the knowledge base that I have gained through Camp”
- "I was long on good intentions, but short on technical details and knowledge when appointed as a Commissioner to serve my home State. Thank goodness MSU's Institute of Public Utilities provides their amazing two week course, covering every topic that I am now responsible for knowing. MSU filled my head and built my passion for these issues and I am a better public servant today because of their great courses."
- “The best thing about Camp has been the many different perspectives on regulatory policy”
- “The best thing about Camp has been the excellent quality of the wide variety of lecturers, and the depth of their knowledge and experience”
- Speakers were... “informative”,
“engaging”,
“interesting”,
“exceptional”,
“inspiring”,
“intriguing”,
“brilliant!”
- "The sessions last summer really helped in fast-forwarding me into the regulatory business, and the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't really understand."
- “Thanks for the outstanding week….I have learned so much and will now feel more confident in my regulatory role”
- “The week was packed with valuable information”
- “Thank you for a wonderful learning experience.”
- “The bikes made available and stretching/yoga class were fabulous!”
- “The seminars exceeded my expectations”
- "Camp was a life changing experience for me."
- The courses and instruction were superb and your efforts were greatly appreciated by all!
- "Excellent information…very up-to-date."
- "...an overall GREAT program"
- "The IPU staff is OUTSTANDING – helpful, intelligent, friendly – absolutely a first rate conference put on by real professionals"