Data Matters

Hairbraiding is a skill passed down from generation to generation, yet under current regulations, Camillya Taylor of Johnstown needed to pay for 300 hours of training to be able to be licensed as a hairbraider.

Data Matters

The Knee Center for the Study of Occupational

STORY AND PHOTOS BY / Kara Illig, SFU Communications Specialist

Regulation, affectionately known as CSOR, may only be two years old, but it’s already made a big impact in the lives of working Americans.

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In Pennsylvania, 29 professional boards and commissions regulate 255 licensure types, and just over 1 million licenses. Dr. Timmons and his students are working with the state to lead a 3-year Department of Labor project, permitting CSOR to spearhead the research of military spouse portability, skill set transferring, and the demographic data of PA licenses.

THE MISSION

Occupational regulations influence the financial lives of millions of Americans. From workers pursuing trade jobs to veterans and military spouses reentering the workforce, often the most financially vulnerable Americans are affected by regulations. The requirements to obtain specific licenses can be costly and timeconsuming, and are often a deterrent for those looking to start a small business.

That’s where the Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation (Knee CSOR) comes in. Established in 2016 with a grant from the Charles Koch Foundation, and a vision from Economics professor Dr. Edward Timmons, CSOR’s mission is to research regulations as they affect every occupation, in every state. Housed at Schwab Hall with the Shields School of Business, the CSOR staff—consisting of four full-time staffers and 4-5 fellowship students—sends the extensive data they collect to legislators, who then use the information to write informed legislation.

“Our small team is committed to educating citizens, policy makers, and academics on the scope and effects occupational regulations have in every industry,” said Director Dr. Edward Timmons.

“Our small team is committed to educating citizens, policy makers, and academics on the scope and effects occupational regulations have in every industry.”

— Dr. Edward Timmons CSOR Director

“Our projects allow us the opportunity to provide our services in a way that will significantly benefit working Americans.”

A GENEROUS DONATION

CSOR’s work caught the attention of alumni Kevin and Joan (Morris) Knee of Indian Wells, CA. 1982 graduates of Saint Francis—Kevin with a B.S. degree in Accounting and Joan with a B.A. degree in Sociology—the couple expressed enthusiasm for the Center’s mission, and saw great potential in their work.

That interest, combined with the Knee’s affection for their alma mater, led to a generous donation of $1 million to CSOR from the Knee Family Foundation.

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IS YOUR OCCUPATION ON THE LIST?

Along with a new, user-friendly website, CSOR has developed an occupations database—the first of its kind in the nation—that allows anyone, in any state to look up the requirements for their profession. It includes information on education and exam requirements, licensing and renewal fees, amount of required training hours, and whether you need to be licensed, certified, or registered for your particular occupation. There are also links to licensure applications and your local government’s laws, so you can find answers to all your questions in one place.

CsorSFU.com

“When we heard Saint Francis University was putting together a center to provide information to citizens, policy makers, and other researchers about the effects of occupational regulation, we were proud to contribute,” said Kevin. “Joan and I are extremely grateful for the education and experiences we received at Saint Francis, and are excited to see the University take on projects that are a concern to us.”

With the Knee’s extraordinary donation, CSOR has proudly been renamed The Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation.

“I appreciate the generous gift from the Knee Family Foundation.” Dr. Edward Timmons, Director of CSOR stated. “With this support, CSOR will continue to be a leader in generating data on the scope of occupational regulation and serving as a valuable resource to the public.”

USING DATA FOR GOOD

Since its inception, CSOR has launched a national all-encompassing database that documents and tracks the occupational licensing regulations of thousands of professions across the fifty states and the District of Columbia. The database is free and openly accessible to the public at csorsfu.com.

CSOR’s groundbreaking database and extensive regulation research has led to state and federal recognition. Most recently, the CSOR team worked closely with the Pennsylvania Department of

State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs to compare Pennsylvania’s licensure regulations with those of other regional states. The results were published in a final report, which Governor Tom Wolf cited as a key factor in his decision to fight for licensing reforms.

The Hill TV recently sent film crews to The Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation at Saint Francis University, where they interviewed Dr. Edward Timmons for a feature on licensing and regulations. The Hill, a reputable newspaper and website published in Washington D.C., covers politics, policy and elections. View the video: francis.edu/CSORvideo/

That project has paved the way for others, including a 3-year Department of Labor project, in which CSOR will spearhead the research of military spouse portability, skillset transferring, and the demographic data of PA licenses.

Aside from their many projects, members of the CSOR team are making a name for themselves in the media world. Dr. Ed Timmons was recently published in Harvard Business Review, and Director of Public Relations Alanna Wilson and Assistant Director Emily Vargo have written for various publications and economic journals. Additionally, The Hill, renowned political newspaper and website published in Washington D.C., sent film crews to Loretto to interview Dr. Timmons for a feature on CSOR’s accomplishments.

“I appreciate the generous gift from the Knee Family Foundation.”

— Dr. Edward Timmons CSOR Director

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

CSOR’s economics-driven research combined with its conveniently-located office on the 3rd floor of Schwab Hall make it an ideal internship opportunity for students interested in economics and public policy. CSOR provides Shields students a substantial scholarship offering while introducing them to real-world, resumebuilding experiences.

Student fellows’ main tasks include conducting and analyzing research for CSOR’s national database, and traveling with the staff to international and national conferences and colloquiums. Students have presented their research findings at conferences in New York, Chicago, Italy, Hawaii, and other locations around the world. Those experiences have provided students with invaluable networking opportunities and have led to multiple job offers.

Saint Francis University / MAGAZINE

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