I. General University Announcements
a. NIU internship and career fair
NIU host a fall internship fair on October, 8, 2008 and career fair on October 22, 2008. Both events will take place from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Convocation Center. Don't forgot to bring plenty of resumes to the event. For a list of companies that will be at the fairs check out NIU's career service's website at www.niu.edu./careerservices
b. Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry and Research Awards
The Committee on the Undergraduate Academic Environment (CUAE) is seeking proposals from undergraduate students for projects which will involved them in independent artistry or research, under the supervision of members of the faculty and staff at NIU. Funds may be requested to support independent artistry and research carried out during part or all of the period March 1, 2009 - February 28, 2010. The deadline for students to submit ten copies of their proposals to the appropriate college office is December 2, 2008. The CUAE will recommend funding of up to $2,500 for successful student proposals.
Workshops for interested students and their supervisors will be offered at the following times and locations (same presentation on both dates):
Wednesday, October 15, 2008: 7:00-8:00 p.m., Altgeld Hall Room 203
Thursday, October 16, 2008: 7:00-8:00 p.m., Altgeld Hall, Room 203
The proposal should have a 250 word or less overview, a project description up to three pages, and proposed budget, a statement of support from the faculty or staff supervisor and an unofficial copy of the student's current NIU transcript.
Questions concerning the nature or scope of the proposals may be directed to the Vice Provost (815-753-0494 or eseaver@niu.edu). The results will be announced in March 2009.
II. General Political Science Announcements
a. Phi Sigma Zeta meet the Faculty night
On Thursday October, 9 2008 Phi Sigma Zeta will host a meet the professor night at Pizza Pro's at 928 W. Lincoln HWY.
III. Upcoming Lectures and Speakers
a. Want to find out who is going to win this year's presidential election?
On Thursday, October 16th, nationally recognized presidential forecasting scholars Dr. Charles Franklin (Wisconsin) and Dr. Chris Wlezien (Temple) will talk about what we can expect on the night of November 4th. Dr. Franklin will provide extensive analysis of what the polls to date indicate about the outcome. Dr. Wlezien will present the result from his presidential forecasting model. For more information, contact Dr. Matt Streb (mstreb@niu.edu)
WHEN: October 16th, 6:00-7:30
WHERE: Campus Life Building 110
b. Ambassador Andreas Kakouris - Republic of Cyprus
Ambassador Andreas Kakouris, Republic of Cyprus, will speak at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 6, 2008 in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center on "The Cyprus Question: History, Diplomacy, and the Future of a Peaceful Resolution." The Ambassador will be addressing the ongoing negotiations, under the good offices of the United Nations, to find a solution to the ongoing division of Cyprus--a Mediterranean island nation that has been divided and militarized since 1974.
IV. Internships
a. Scott Harper (D) for Congress 13th District
Contact: Rich Capparell
Field Director
630-848-2111 – office
570-436-5592 – cell
rich@scottharperforcongress.org
b. Cook County State's Attorney
The Cook County State's Attorney Office is willing to take interns in their Victim-Witness Assistance Program. These internships are "hands-on" and intense. The Program provides services in fifteen different offices throughout Cook County. For more information, contact:
Ms. Karen McKenna, Deputy Director
Victim-Witness Assistance Program
Cook County State's Attorney
2650 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 869 7200
For information about other internship opportunities, contact:
Director of Personnel
Cook County State's Attorney
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington, Room 304
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 443-3030
For information about a highly competitive internship in criminal investigation, contact:
Supervisor of Staff Services
2650 S. California
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 890-6357
c. Democracy Matters
Democracy Matters is a national non-partisan organization that encourages student involvement in issues such as campaign finance reform, a reform that will change the way election campaigns are funded.
Democracy Matters presently has undergraduate interns working on 85 campuses nationwide. Our founder and President is Adonal Foyle, an NBA player, who believes that students should have more of a voice in our democracy. Our seven-year old program gives student interns a year of intense training and mentorship by our professional staff as they work to form a DM chapter on campus and promote outreach and activities that deepen democracy. Students also attend national DM conferences. The program is ideal for a rising sophomore or junior who is interested in politics, social change and/or political reform. The internship can be coordinated with your school's practicum or internship programs.
To apply, students should email a resume and cover letter to joanm@democracymatters.org and check out our website, www.democracymatters.org
d. Human Rights Documentation Exchange Internship
Interns at the Human Rights Documentation Exchange can expect to gain meaningful experience and insight into the issues of human rights and refugees. We will strive to create a respectful and positive learning experience for you. Internships require a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week (during office hours) for at least 8 consecutive weeks. Internships are available for the Fall, Spring, and Summer and are unpaid.
To be considered for an internship please provide a resume and cover letter explaining why you want to intern with the Human Rights Documentation Exchange, your background and experience, and any particular areas of interest such as women's rights, gay rights, international law, or refugee rights.
Attn: Internship Coordinator
Human Rights Documentation Exchange
PO Box 2327
Austin, Texas 78768
Telephone: 512/476-9841
Fax: 512/476-0130
mail@hrde.org
V. Scholarships
a. Boren Scholarship
Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
Boren Scholars study less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili.
Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Applicants should identify how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined. NSEP draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.
Applications and detailed information on the Boren Scholarships are now available at http://www.borenawards.org/ The application deadline is February 11, 2009. If you have any questions or comments please contact the IIE Boren Scholarships and Fellowships staff at boren@iie.org or 1-800-618-NSEP.
Professor Chris Jones has served on the selection committee for the past two years. If you have questions AFTER reviewing the web site and application requirements and procedures (including what makes a competitive application), please feel free to contact him cmjones@niu.edu. You can also contact Anne Seitzinger in the Study Abroad Office. She is the NIU advisor for the NSEP program and would be happy to help advise you too. Her direct line is 815-753-1988, and her e-mail is aseitz@niu.edu.
VI. Clubs and Meetings
a. Pre-Law Society
For information on the Pre-Law Society please contact Brad Broughton at brad.broughton@comcast.net
VI. Other Announcements
a. Study Abroad in Cyprus
NIU Study Abroad program in Cyprus, May 17-June 7, 2009. Undergraduate and SAL students can spend three weeks in Cyprus (in the northern, Turkish community) learning about the Cyprus problem and the US in the Middle East. Students can earn three history credits (HIST 498--Special Topics) and examine contemporary political questions of peace, security, nationalism, and the European Union, as well as ancient and modern history, literature, and more. Contact Dr. J.D. Bowers, jbowersi@niu.edu, for more information and details.