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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University will host this year's University Symposium on central banking sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to be held Tuesday, Nov. 8, at LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU campus.

The daylong event aims to introduce students to the function and purpose of the Federal Reserve System and demonstrate how monetary policy is conducted by means of a mock Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, says Bruce McGough, assistant professor of Economics, who is coordinating the event for OSU. "It is an honor for OSU to host this year's University Symposium on Central Banking," McGough says.

Morning sessions include presentations by Federal Reserve representatives on banking conditions, risks, regulations, and monetary policy.

In the afternoon, pre-selected student teams representing Federal Reserve Governors or Presidents, including a team representing Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, will debate monetary policy in a mock FOMC meeting.

The teams will give presentations analyzing current economic conditions and potential risks and offer policy prescriptions. After they vote establishing a policy directive, the audience will be able to question the teams.

The event is free and open to the public. McGough encourages all OSU faculty and students to attend as members of the audience. Students interested in participating in the mock FOMC meeting can learn more at http://oregonstate.edu/dept/econ/research/symposium.php.