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University Symposium

University Symposium photoHave you ever wondered what it is like to be
Chairman of the Federal Reserve?

Learn more about the Federal Reserve System and
how our nation’s central bank influences the
U.S. economic and business climate.

Program Highlights

Purposes & Functions of the Federal Reserve
Challenges and trends in the banking industry
Current economic forecast presented by a Fed economist
The Fed’s role in setting monetary policy
The effect of monetary policy decisions on the U.S. economy
FOMC simulation, where students take on the role of Fed policy makers

What is the University Symposium?
The University Symposium is a program that utilizes dynamic exercises and student involvement to educate undergraduate students about the functions of the Federal Reserve System.

This program is a half-day event held on your campus, at no cost to participants. Representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco will be in attendance to conduct the Symposium, which includes engaging presentations from Fed staff on the Purposes & Functions of the Federal Reserve System, Banking Supervision and Regulation, and the conduct of monetary policy. The University Symposium concludes with a current economic outlook presented by a Fed economist, followed by a real-time Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) simulation, with university students taking on the role of FOMC members and voting on monetary policy and the target federal funds interest rates.

University Symposium speakers Federal Reserve representatives work with students and university staff for several weeks prior to the Symposium to answer questions about economic resources and offer direction on preparing student presentations. Faculty and students are provided with an easy-to-follow guide to the Symposium, and students are provided with a wealth of information on current economic conditions that will help introduce them to current debates on the economy and monetary policy.

University Symposium Participants
California State University- Hayward Hayward, CA
Boise State University Boise, ID
Idaho State University Pocatello, ID
Cal Poly - Pomona Pomona, CA
University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
University of Alaska - Anchorage Anchorage, AK
Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID
California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA

Utah State University Logan, UT
Washington State University Pullman, WA
California Baptist University Riverside, CA
St. Martin's College Lacey, WA
University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
University of Washington - Tacoma Tacoma, WA
San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
California State University Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA

University Symposium Materials

How do I get involved?
For more information regarding the University Symposium, please contact the Federal Reserve Public Information representative for your state listed below:

Alaska and Washington: (206) 343-3747

Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada: (415) 974-2720

Idaho and Utah: (801) 322-7926

Oregon: (503) 276-3012