GVPT Undergraduate Newsletter

9. The Hyman S & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival at the Washington DCJCC

10. St. Norbert College Cosponsoring the iOme Challenge on US Retirement Policy

1. Become a Counselor at the Help Center Hotline

Help Center volunteers have been helping fellow students talk about what’s on their mind since 1970. The Help Center is UMD’s Peer Counseling and Crisis Intervention hotline. The center's volunteers are trained to talk with students on the phone, and in person, about anything that’s troubling them, including homesickness, relationships, sexual assault, and suicide. Students interested in becoming a Help Center volunteer counselor should call 301-314-HELP by October 13th to set up an interview or ask for more details. Selected volunteers must be available October 20th from 8-10pm and October 24th & 25th from 9am-5pm.

2. Green Corps

Green Corps 2010-2011 Field School for Environmental Organizing

Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day. In Green Corps’ year-long paid program, you’ll get intensive training in the skills you’ll need to make a difference in the world. You’ll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems — global warming, deforestation, water pollution and many others — with groups such as Sierra Club and Greenpeace. And, when you graduate from Green Corps, we’ll help you find a career with one of the nation’s leading environmental and social change groups.

For more information, read below or visit our web site: www.greencorps.org. ** Applications due Oct. 18, 2009 – apply online today at http://www.greencorps.org **

3. MD Governors Internship

The Governor's Office of Policy is seeking an unpaid public policy intern for approximately 20hrs/week. The intern will report to the Director of Policy and provide assistance to the Director and other staff in researching, analyzing, and implementing policies related to the Governor's priorities: Security & Public Safety, Skills & Education, Sustainability, and Children & Health.

Responsibilities:

Assist in all aspects of policy development and implementation.
Research and develop policy proposals related to K-12 and higher education policy and finance, workforce development, alternative energy development, homeland security, economic development, and other state and regional objectives.
Prepare briefing materials for the Governor and the Director of Policy.
Provide general support to the Director of Policy, including: coordinating, staffing, and providing appropriate background information for policy meetings; assisting with the execution of decisions made at meetings; and drafting correspondence.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be pursuing a graduate degree in public policy, political science, or a related field of study. Highly qualified undergraduate students with faculty recommendations will also be considered.

Contact Adrea Turner (410) 260- 3961

4. Legal Aid Office Internship

The Undergraduate Student Legal Aid Office has begun to accept applications for the *Spring 2010 Internship Program*. The closing date for the acceptance of applications is *October 23, 2009*.

On *October 13 at 4:00 P.M.*, we will be holding an open Informational Meeting in the* Edgar Allen Poe Room in the Stamp Student Union* for students who want to learn more about the Internship Program.

The Internship has both an office work component and a classroom component. For the work done in both the classroom and in the office, the student gets 3 hours of graded credit (EDCP 386). Besides the office hours (6-7 hours per week), the classroom component is held on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:15 P. M. To be eligible, the student must have *completed 56 credit hours* by the time they begin the internship (12 of which must have been at UMCP). A minimum *GPA of 3.0* is recommended. After completing the Internship semester, the Intern can apply to be s Student Defender. Student Defenders are paid employees of the Office and are trained to advise and represent students who have been charged by the Office of Student Conduct for violations of the Code of Academic Integrity and the Code of Student Conduct. Applications for the Internship Program can either be obtained from the Student Legal Aid Office in Room 1235 of the Stamp Student Union, or downloaded from our website at: www.studentorg.umd.edu/legalaid/.

5. Japan Culture Center Internship

The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan, is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of Cultural Affairs Coordinator. Among other responsibilities, this position will be responsible for coordinating cultural events held at JICC. Please see below for a complete listing of responsibilities.

The Embassy offers group health insurance coverage, 15 days of paid vacation per year, a number of paid U.S./Japanese holidays, and sick leave. Working hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with weeknight and/or weekend events several times a month (paid overtime). Salary is commensurate with experience.

Please note: Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. green card holder. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Screening will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Responsibilities:

Assisting the JICC diplomats in coordinating cultural events, including lectures and performances.
Composing diplomatic correspondence in Japanese and English.
Translating reports of Japan-related lectures or panel discussions into Japanese.
Inventory and control of Public Relations materials.
Disseminating information on Japan to the public; responding to public inquiries on Japan
Assisting other JICC staff in the preparation of other projects besides cultural events

Requirements:

Bilingual in Japanese and English
Knowledge of Japanese culture
Flexibility and resourcefulness
Superior communication skills
Computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Team-oriented self-starter
Bachelor’s degree in related field

Only those with the authority to work in the United States will be considered. OPT does not qualify.

To apply: E-mail or mail your cover letter, resume (as Word attachments only), and a copy of university transcript to: jicchr@embjapan.org

6. Maryland Internship Program

If you are interested in working in government and politics, don’t miss out on a great opportunity to gain experience and skills in government, and make invaluable contacts with government and elected officials. The Maryland Internship Program is currently taking applications for the Spring ’09 semester, where you can intern for various officials in the Maryland state government, while earning course credit.

Possible internship placements include the Offices of the Governor and Lt. Governor, the MD Attorney General, the MD Department of Education, and members of the Maryland House of Delegates and State Senate. By interning 20 hours/week and attending a weekly seminar, you can earn nine credit hours.

Visit the Maryland Internship Program website at www.capc.umd.edu/MIP for more information or to apply online. Applications are due Friday, October 23, 2009.

7. University of Maryland Law School Fair

Students are invited to attend the University of Maryland's Law School Fair where more than 70 law schools from around the country will be available to answer questions and provide information about their programs. The University's Pre-Law Advising Office within Letters and Sciences is partnering with the University Career Center and The President's Promise to present the fair.

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Venue: Colony Ballroom, Stamp Student Union

For a list of participating schools, directions to campus, fair tips, and other information, please visit:
http://www.careercenter.umd.edu/LawFairPrep. Business casual attire is suggested, and no advance registration is necessary.

8. African American Studies 40th Anniversary

The African American Studies Department (AASD) at the University of Maryland, College Park will be hosting a two-day 40^th anniversary celebration on Friday, October 9th and 10th.

The events will kick off with the Mary Frances Berry Scholars’ Colloquium, which features nine of the nation’s leading scholars in African American history and culture. The colloquium, whose theme will be: “African American Scholarship in the 21^st Century,” will be held from 2:00-5:00PM in the Lucille Maurer Library, 1126 Taliaferro Hall. A jazz reception will take place in the evening of October 9th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the African Diaspora.

On October 10th, there will be an African American Studies Founders’ Forum featuring founders/long-term chairs of AAS programs in the 1960s and 1970s. The event will be held in the Multipurpose Room in the Nyumburu Cultural Center from 10:00AM – Noon. The anniversary will conclude with a luncheon.

Registration information and forms can be found online at: http://www.bsos.umd.edu/aasp/40_anniv/registration.htm and in the African American Studies Department (2169 LeFrak Hall) or can be mailed upon request. For further information please visit http://www.bsos.umd.edu/aasp/40_anniv/index.html or contact Beck Krefting at rkrefting@aasp.umd.edu or 301-405-4470.

9. The Hyman S & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival at the Washington DCJCC

The Hyman S & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival, October 18-28, presents the year's best in Jewish writing by both emerging and established authors from across the globe. A celebration of Jewish literature, the Festival features engaging author panels, readings, films and talks for lovers of fiction, poetry, history, humor, children's stories and much more. This year's Festival includes acclaimed novelists Zoë Heller, Binnie Kirshenbaum and Dara Horn and groundbreaking books on Louis D. Brandeis and the capture of Adolf Eichmann. Don't miss opening night; Literary Confessions: An Evening of Philip Roth, and the closing night Gerald L. Bernstein Memorial Lecture given by historian Howard M. Sachar, Current Israeli Myths and Realities: The Way to Peace.

For more information and to purchase discounted student tickets go to www.washingtondcjcc.org/litfest or call (202) 777-3251.

10. St. Norbert College iOme Challenge

St. Norbert College is cosponsoring a contest for students to help influence U.S. retirement policy. The contest is called "The iOme Challenge" and it asks students to write an essay and develop a short video that illustrates some of the economic issues associated with U.S. retirement policy. The Blue Ribbon panel that will judge the finalists includes James Choi, a finance professor at Yale University; John List, an economics professor at the University of Chicago; Don Kettl, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy; Laura Schwartz, The White House Director of Events for President Clinton and principal at White House Strategies; Martin Merzer, a long-time journalist at the Miami Hearld and principal at Creative Services; and Aaron Hall, CEO of Borrego Solar Systems and #1 on Inc. Magazine’s "Top 30 Under 30" entrepreneurs.

The top prize is $15,000 to the winning student team and $1,000 to that team's faculty advisor. The winning team also will win a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with policymakers during the week following President Obama's State of the Union address in January. There will be four honorable mention prizes of $2,500 each for runner-up teams and their faculty advisors. More details and specific rules are available at the contest’s website, www.iomechallenge.org. The deadline for teams to file their "Intent to Submit" is October 15, 2009, with final entries due by December 31, 2009.

11. Boren Scholarship

The National Security Education Program's Boren Scholarship is aimed at undergraduate students interested in studying abroad for one or two semesters in 2010-11 in non-traditional regions and countries, and in learning the languages of those areas. The Boren Scholarship provides up to $20,000 for two semester of study abroad, and up to $10,000 for one semester. Eligible regions include Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. (Proposals for study in the countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.) The Boren Scholarship is a U.S. Government-funded award thatapplicants who have a strong interest in future Government service ;the award carries a one-year service expectation. A representative from the Boren Scholarship Program will be on campus Tuesday, October 6, 2009 to present an overview of the Boren Scholarship and answer your questions:

BOREN SCHOLARSHIP REPRESENTATIVE - Tuesday, October 6 at 2:00 pm - Language House Multipurpose Room (0105 St. Mary's Hall) - RSVP to nsepboren@umd.edu If you are interested but cannot attend please write to the same address to receive more information.)

Refreshments Provided!!!

All Maryland applicants for the Boren Scholarship must take part in a campus review process which is designed to help you strengthen your application. The deadline for Maryland's review process is JANUARY 25, 2010. If you are interested in learning more about the Maryland review process for the Boren Scholarship, please contact the National Scholarships Office at: nsepboren@umd.edu

12. Students for Justice in Palestine

UMD Students for Justice in Palestine, a student activist group whose goal is to promote justice and provide a voice for the Palestinian people, will hold its first major event of the semester "Why We Refuse To Serve In The IDF" and is hosting Maya Wind and Netta Mishly, two young Israeli girls as part of the Shministim Tour. They will speak about their refusal to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), why they refused, and the consequences of their refusal. You can visit www.whywerefuse.org for more information.

This event is co sponsored by Jewish Voices for Peace, CODEPINK Women for Peace, Organization of Arab Students, Muslim Students Association, Muslim Women of Maryland, and Students for a Democratic Society. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=146293649800&ref=ts

WHAT: Why We Refuse to Serve in the IDF

WHEN: Thursday, October 8, 2009 6 PM - 8 PM

WHERE: UMD Jimenez Hall 0220