GVPT Undergraduate Newsletter

May 7, 2008

 

In this issue:

1. Advising Updates

2. Federal Semester

3. Job Opportunity

4. US Model Congress

5. Chinese Government Scholarship

6. Job Opportunity

7. DAAD Young Ambassador

8. Law Firm Seeking Help

9. RA Position Available

10. Snack Pack Attack

11. Internship Opportunities   


1. Advising Updates

 

If you have 75 credits or above, you will be required to complete an audit with GVPT Advising before you can register for Fall 2008 classes. You can check to see if you have a mandatory advising block by checking your registration time on www.testudo.umd.edu.

 

The advising office is now accepting applications for the Fall Capitol Hill Internship Program and the Summer and Fall Public Policy Internship Program. You can pick up applications in the advising office, 3104 Tydings, or on our website www.bsos.umd.edu/gvpt.

 

  Walk-in Hours for Spring Semester

  Walk in hours will be held this semester every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-5pm and every Tuesday from 1-3pm. Students can schedule

   appointments every Monday-Thursday from 9:00-11:30am and every Friday from 9:00-4:30pm. Please keep in mind that appointments are NOT scheduled during

   walk-in hours.


2. Federal Semester

 

The Federal Semester Program, completing its second year, is for rising juniors and seniors in any major interested in gaining first hand experience with federal health policy.  Students participate in a 3 credit seminar course in the fall semester and a 3 credit internship in the spring.  Students have interned for senators on Capitol Hill, worked on policy at the FDA, NIH and CDC,  and lobbied on health issues through the DC Department of Health and organizations like population council. The 2008-2009 theme will again be federal health policy.  Each year students from all majors have participated.  A flyer is attached. The website, www.federalsemester.umd.edu, has more detailed information.


3. Job Opportunity

 

The Radical Information Project is looking to hire a part-time assistant for both data coding and administrative work for Spring 2008.  This position will work on projects dealing with Black Nationalism, African politics and Human Rights.  A 10-15 hour per week time commitment is preferred.  Hourly wage is based on experience.  GVPT students are preferred.  Please contact Cyanne Loyle at cloyle@gvpt.umd.edu.


4. US Model Congress

 

Once a year, college students are invited to participate in the U.S. Model Congress Program, held May 27-31 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.  Given the intricate nature and complex structure of Congress, one of the best ways to learn more about this legislative body is to participate in this first-hand learning experience.

 

In the U.S. Model Congress, held in congressional committee rooms, students serve as a member of a House Committee.  They are led in committee proceedings, reviewing student-drafted legislation, by former members of Congress, American Political Science Association Congressional Fellows, and congressional staff, who provide a unique and valuable education and share stories of their time in Congress, building upon the student’s knowledge. 

 

In addition to a unique and high-quality education on Congress, students are given the opportunity to interact with their like-minded peers from around the country.  Through experiences like this, students are able to gain leadership skills that they can apply to numerous ventures in the future.

 

Applications, registration information, and a short informational video can be found online at www.modelcongress.org, and a news clip on the program can be found at http://youtube.com/watch?v=vqPQTD6M99A


5. Chinese Government Scholarship

The Chinese government is offering a new scholarship program, to be carried out in partnership with AAU, which will provide ten to fifteen scholarships to students at AAU universities for study in China. The program is being offered this year as a pilot program, which we hope to expand into an annual program over time. The program is intended to be a flexible program designed to meet students' needs and interests. Scholarships will be awarded competitively for one or more years of study at a Chinese university at the bachelor's. Master's, or doctoral level. In addition to one or more years of study available for undergraduate study, scholarships are available for up to two years of Master's study, and up to three years of doctoral study for students with a Master's degree or equivalent. Student proposals leading to the completion of a degree are encouraged but not required. Before beginning their academic programs, students may be provided one to two years of remedial Chinese language studies in China, depending on the initial language ability of the student. The scholarship program will cover tuition and fees, provide dormitory housing and a living allowance. Scholarship students will be required to meet the cost of travel to and from China.

The China Scholarship Council will select scholarship recipients from the pool of applicants from AAU universities. Applicants can name three institutions as their preferred institutions for their program of study. Applications should be submitted to AAU. We will in turn transmit the applications to the Chinese embassy, which will review the applications to see that eligibility requirements are met. The Embassy will then transmit the applications to the China Scholarship Council, which will carry out the selection process.

The deadline for applying for Chinese government scholarships is April 30. Because this is a new pilot program starting late in the application cycle, the deadline for the program has been extended to May 20.

Additional information about the Chinese Government Scholarship Program may be accessed by going to www.csc.edu.cn , clicking on the English version, then selecting "Study in China" in the heading, and then selecting the fifth bullet in the options displayed, APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR CHINESE GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP.

Specific questions about the program should be directed to Mr. Jiangyi Liu at jiangyiliu@yahoo.com.cn or 202-328-2535.


6. Job Opportunity

 

Abt Associates Inc., a public-sector consulting firm, is hiring entry-level research assistants in its Environment and Resources Division. These are full-time permanent positions with salary and benefits. Research assistants perform a wide variety of substantive tasks relating to virtually every aspect of domestic environmental issues.

For more details, or to view positions in our other divisions (including Domestic and International Health, Social and Economic Policy, and International Development), see: http://www.abtassociates.com/Page.cfm?PageID=14200 . For questions regarding positions within the Environment and Resources Division, or if you intend to apply in the division, please contact nathan_frey@abtassoc.com .

Nate Frey
Environment and Resources Division
Abt Associates Inc.
4550 Montgomery Lane, Suite 800
Bethesda, MD 20814


7. DAAD Young Ambassador

The 2008/9 academic year isn't far down the road. Looking for an innovative way to inform and advise new student groups about opportunities for study in Germany? This is a great program for helping returning study abroad students put their newfound knowledge and experience to good use. Nominate a DAAD Young Ambassador on your campus!

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German national agency for the support of international academic cooperation, is excited to announce the latest call for applications for its Young Ambassadors Program. DAAD Young Ambassadors are undergraduate students from North America who have recently studied in Germany and are interested in promoting study in Germany at their home institutions. This year, DAAD has available spots for 20 students from all over the US and Canada to help demonstrate to their peers what makes Germany such a unique and attractive destination for study abroad.

DAAD Young Ambassadors are responsible for organizing at least one event per semester on their campuses to promote study in Germany. Additionally, they will collaborate with their universities' study abroad offices and other German institutions in their areas to inform their fellow students on educational and research opportunities in the Germany. There are short profiles of the Young Ambassadors on the DAAD website <
http://www.daad.org/page/109507/> , and they are available for email inquiries about their respective German host universities, study abroad programs or about life as a student in Germany as general.

Applications must be received by May 23, 2008.  Although students may apply directly to DAAD to become a Young Ambassador, special preference will be given to candidates nominated by their university's study abroad office. (Only one student should be nominated per college or university.)

Complete program information, including application and nomination forms, is available at:
www.daad.org/?p=ambassadors  <http://r.vresp.com/?DAADNewYork/fc9e21f94e/910364/TEST/TEST

If you have any additional questions about the program or application process, please contact Nina Wegscheider at
ambassadors@daad.org or (212) 758-3223 x219.


8. Law Firm Seeking Help

 

Law firm located in Beltsville seeking an upperclass GVPT student who is interested in law to work part time at my office, helping with legal memoranda, general communications, and compiling and organizing medical records and bills for lawsuits.  Hours are flexible (late afternoons, evenings, and weekends will be the target work times).  Basically looking for a Type-A personality who is not afraid to tackle new and unfamiliar tasks.

 

Contact:

Brian R. Bregman

Bascietto & Bregman, LLC

 

4741 Sellman Road

Beltsville, MD 20705-2573

Ph.:  301-937-3300

Fax: 301-937-2710


9. RA Position Available

 

Two PhD students in Political Science at Yale University are currently working on a project on the Korean War at the National Archives (on Adelphi Road) and are in need of some research assistance. We are looking for a student to photograph archival documents for/with us between May 22 and 29 (both dates inclusive). This is a full time project for the duration of these days. The pay is $10/hour--the work is very straightforward and doesn't require much intellectual effort but a student with an interest in military history and US foreign policy might find it illuminating. Please contact: leonid.peisakhin@yale.edu and paul.pinto@yale.edu.

10. Snack Pack Attack

JSAC's Annual Snack Pack Attack: Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Location: Ritchie Coliseum

Help feed DC's homeless by making 5,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and 3,000 bags of trail mix with over 500 of your fellow students.  There will be a DJ so come and enjoy a great time with all of your friends while making a difference!

Cosponsored by: Pepsi, JSU, Hillel's Programming Organization, Koach, Kedma, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Sigma Delta Tau, Zeta Tau Alpha, Tau Epsilon Phi, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Lambda, Alpha Omicron Pi, Phi Gamma Delta, Zeta Psi, Tzedek, Hillel, Campus Entrepreneurs Initiative.


11. Internship Opportunities

 

Congressman Chet Edwards

 

 If you are interested in interning on Capitol Hill for Congressman Chet Edwards, please email Scott M.R. Baker at scott.baker@mail.house.gov with the subject line text "Terp follow-up re:internships." If you are interested in scheduling either a phone conversation or a face-to-face site down, please email any preferences on dates and times.

 

Connecticut Congressional Delegation Internship

Seeking outgoing and responsible legislative interns for the Summer semester! This unique experience affords students the opportunity to gain an understanding of the workings of the federal government, as well as the relationship between federal and state government. As a small yet active office, we offer interns the opportunity to actively participate in all aspects of the governor’s office operation, ranging from the tracking of legislative issues to the performance of routine administrative tasks.

Interns should expect to monitor issues for the duration of their internship and will attend House and Senate committee hearings; write summaries of committee hearings and briefings; conduct research on legislation; track bills; and deliver information to members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation. Interns will also be called on to assist with administrative procedures. Preference will be given to applicants from Connecticut.

This is an Equal Employment Opportunity

Contact:
Adam Kowalsky
Federal Affairs Assistant
akowalsky@sso.org
202-347-4535

 

 


Rules for the GVPT Newsletter

The newsletter is sent out each Friday before 12 pm to all current University of Maryland students who have declared and been accepted into the GVPT major. Only information relevant to academic and extra-curricular opportunities for these students will be sent through the newsletter. The government advising office reserves the right to edit and review all submissions to the GVPT newsletter and deny any submissions at their sole discretion. 
 

If you would like to submit information or announcements, please email ADVISING@gvpt.umd.edu. Only those submissions which are denied or delayed will be contacted further.