Life Under the Sea

Undergraduate 2-

First Time Underwater: The Impact of the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit

One of the items that Congress added to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, President Obama's stimulus package, was a first-time homebuyer tax credit. The tax credit gave people buying their first home, or who had not been homeowners for at least three years, a tax credit equal to 10 percent of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000. The intention was to spur home buying and put an end to the plunge in home prices, which were dropping at an annual rate of close to 20 percent at the time. According to the Government Accountability Office, 2.3 million people took advantage of the credit, at a cost to the government of$16.2 billion

The Impact of Exempting the Pharmaceutical Industry from Patent Reviews

This paper analyzes the impact of an amendment to Senate Bill 1137, offered by Senator Thomas Tillis, which would exempt patents related to pharmaceuticals and biological products from the Inter Partes Review (IPR) process. The IPR process was established in the America Invents Act, which was passed and signed into law in 2012. The process is intended to provide a quick and low-cost way in which dubious patent claims can be challenged by those who might be affected. In the first two years in which it was in place, almost one-third of challenged claims were canceled or removed according to data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).Based on this data, the paper argues that the IPR process appears to be an effective mechanism for quickly removing dubious patent claims before they impose major costs on the economy

Acquiring skills and attributes necessary for employment in junior administrative roles : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in Adult Education at Massey University

Tertiary pre-employment skills based programmes are designed to assist students in gaining the skills and academic qualifications needed to gain employment. This study explores the skills and attributes needed to gain employment in the business administration field. It explored this from the perspective of students and also from prospective employers' points of view. This research included a review of literature within the field of study and also focused on the delivery, material and outcomes of some business administration programmes. The teaching rationale of one polytechnic was also included as it showed how the way students learn and the desired outcomes have influenced the method of delivery. Integral to this study was the use of questionnaires that students and prospective employers filled out, and interviews with three employers and three students. This brought to light their views on skills and attributes, along with what they perceived as being important in gaining and giving employment opportunities. The research makes recommendations, from an educator's perspective, on what is required to enhance students' opportunities for employment within this field, and how programmes can be developed to allow opportunities for students to develop skills and attributes valued in business occupations

Rethinking the State-Local Relationship: Corrections

Examines issues for shifting correctional responsibilities for lower-level felons from the state to counties, including funding, jail time and early release, alternative sanctions, post-release community supervision, and coordination of social services