Missouri State University’s Public Affairs Conference has convened in the month of April for the past fourteen years. Beginning in 2018, the Public Affairs Conference (PAC) will move from spring to the fall semester.  Therefore, two distinct conferences will be held on April 10-12 and September 25-27, 2018.

The decision to move the conference came about after discussions regarding avenues to increase awareness, access, attendance and other factors.  By moving the conference toward the beginning of the academic year it is expected to increase exposure and excitement for the public affairs mission and the introduction to the year’s public affairs theme. Other advantages include:

• increased conference opportunities for students in the GEP 101 courses
• increased attendance opportunities for both the PAC and the Diversity Conference by offering in different semesters
• reduce competing logistical efforts that occur during the spring semester on campus.

Due to the shift in timing of the Conference, Public Affairs Week (PAW) will change from its current format and be renamed.  That week will continue to host several events that meet mandated guidelines to recognize Constitution Day. Select PAW events will now be scheduled throughout the academic year.