On 07 February 2012, the MA program in Public Policy and Administration hosted a symposium that explored a series of important questions:

• What are the top challenges facing policy makers and analysts when the economy takes a downturn and budgets are extremely tight?
• How differently do civil servants, political staff/ political decision makers, and the public see these challenges?
• Are innovative policies possible?
• Where are the openings for new initiatives?
• What is the direction of policy in a tight fiscal climate?
• What are the policy opportunities?