The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

University Symposium

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

   

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.

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
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
Arizona State University Tempe, AZ
Boise State University Boise, ID
Brigham Young University – Idaho Rexburg, ID
California Polytechnic State University – Pomona Pomona, CA
California State University – Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
California State University – East Bay Hayward, CA
California State University – Fresno Fresno, CA
California State University – Long Beach Long Beach, CA
California State University – Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
California State University – Sacramento Sacramento, CA
California Baptist University Riverside, CA
Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
Humboldt State University Arcata, CA
Idaho State University Pocatello, ID
Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
Pacific Lutheran University Parkland, WA
Pomona College Pomona, CA
Portland State University Portland, OR
Reed College Portland, OR
Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA
San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
Seattle University Seattle, WA
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
University of Alaska – Anchorage Anchorage, AK
University of Hawaii – Hilo Hilo, HI
University of Hawaii – Manoa Honolulu, HI
University of Idaho Moscow, ID
University of Nevada – Reno Reno, NV
University of Nevada – Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
University of Washington – Tacoma Tacoma, WA
Utah State University Logan, UT
Washington State University Pullman, WA
Western Washington University Bellingham, 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) 977-3599

Idaho and Utah: (801) 322-7926

Oregon: (503) 276-3012
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