Friday, March 30, 2007

Your Friday Roundup of Opportunities

Always a more on the university MonsterTrak (get the password from CES; it is available to students and alums). And don't forget that there are numerous local internship opportunities with elected officials, city government, and other agencies/non-profits. Ask me (Professor O'Neil) if you want to know more.

1. Grassroots Campaigns, Seattle
Grassroots Campaigns, a progressive political consulting firm, is hiring graduating seniors to join our campaign team working on the most pressing issues of today. Grassroots campaigning means reaching out to the public, engaging them on the issues, and getting them to take action. Policy might be written in DC, but change happens on the ground.

The positions we are hiring for will afford you the opportunity to impact the world around you, while learning invaluable skills. Our campaign staff is trained on all aspects of running a grassroots campaign - from recruiting, training, and managing staff/volunteers to overseeing the finances associated with running a local campaign office. Grassroots Campaigns' current and past clients include MoveOn.org, the Democratic National Committee, the ACLU, and the League of Conservation Voters.

If these opportunities sound exciting to you, please submit your resume to Seattle Director and UPS Alumn Patrick Sterns, at psterns@grassrootscampaigns.com. Upon receiving your resume you will be contacted by Patrick Sterns with more information about the specifics of the positions, and opportunities to interview.

Patrick will also be on campus holding an information session at 5:30 in the Howarth Career Center on April 11, and will be holding interviews on-campus April 12. For further questions, please call at 206-329-4416.

2. Internship, Senator Barbara Mikulski, DC
Senator Barbara Mikulski’s (D-Md.) press office is accepting applications for an unpaid summer intern. The intern will be responsible for answering press calls, maintaining clips, compiling media lists and contacts, writing some press materials, and assisting in the day-to-day tasks of the Senator’s press staff at her Capitol Hill office. This is a great opportunity for a junior or senior with an interest in media relations, journalism and/or politics. Please e-mail a resume and cover letter to: kateslusark@mikulski.senate.gov. Deadline to apply is May 11, 2007. No calls please.

3. Congressional Staff Assistant, DC
Florida Republican seeks a detail-oriented, self-motivated individual to fill a staff assistant vacancy in his Washington, DC office. Prospective candidates must be hard working and possess a high degree of professionalism and maturity. A good sense of humor along with a positive attitude, and the ability to work cooperatively and courteously with others is required. This position demands high efficiency and strong organizational skills. Duties include: overseeing the front office, answering telephone calls, coordinating constituent tours and flag requests, and managing office interns. This is a young and fun office. Hill experience and Florida ties are a plus! If you are interested in joining our team please send cover letter, resume to FLStaffAssistant@yahoo.com. Faxes are fine, but please no phone calls.

4. Internship: David Wu – Oregon House Democrat, DC
David Wu – Oregon House Democrat. Internships in this office include: providing constituent tours, administrative duties, office support, logging and drafting replies to constituent inquiries, and working with legislative staff on research. Ideal candidates can work three or more days a week. We accept students receiving school credit as well as graduates seeking work experience. Northwest background a plus. We value interns as an important part of our office. Please fax a resume and cover letter to (202) 225-9497 Attn: Scott Olson or e-mail scott.olson2@mail.house.gov.

5. Global Youth Village - Summer Positions with International Teens - Bedford, VA
Looking to develop your international appeal, or want an exciting professional development opportunity? Then join our international staff team at the Global Youth Village. Every summer since 1979, a dynamic learning environment is created that emphasizes experiential learning and challenges young people and staff to turn cross-cultural theory! and skills into practical action. This year 60 youths (ages 13-18) and 25 staff from around the world will participate. Workshops address issues concerning young people today, such as war and peace, distribution of world resources, prejudice, and the effects of media and other social pressures. Cultural programming and cooperative living help participants learn to respect differences and discover similarities that transcend cultural, religious, political, and language barriers.

The dates are July 5 - August 9, 2007.

Additional Qualifications:
Positions are open for trainers (international relations/political science, media literacy, conflict resolution/prejudice reduction, environmental education), cabin counselors, program specialists (arts & crafts, pool lifeguarding, rock climbing, computer lab management, etc.), health care, plus experienced and entry level food service staff.

How to Apply:
Visit our website at http://www.globalyouthvillage.org to read more and apply. Contact Leila Baz, Staff Di rector if you have further questions. Email: Staff@legacyintl.org; tel: 540 297 5982; fax: 540 297 1860

6. Internship. The Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), DC
The Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) is a policy research and strategic gaming organization within the National Defense University serving the U.S. Department of Defense, its components, and interagency partners. The Institute provides timely, objective analysis and gaming events to senior decision makers and supports NDU educational programs in the fields of international security and defense policy. Through an active outreach program, including conferences, international exchanges, and publications, the Institute seeks to promote wider understanding of emerging international security challenges and defense policy options.

Job Qualifications
INSS internships are available for graduate and undergraduate college students enrolled in accredited U.S. universities and colleges. Applicants must have excellent writing and research skills. Applicants from all fields of study who have these skills will be given equal consideration. These internship opportunities are particularly appropriate for students in the fields of International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, Publishing, Marketing, and History. The application should include a cover letter (the e-mail message itself will suffice), a resume, and a writing sample.

The cover letter should include any regional or topical areas of particular interest to the applicant, and applicants are encouraged to review the INSS web site http://www.ndu.edu/inss/insshp.html to gain familiarity with INSS's mission areas. The writing sample should be no more than three pages, and may be on any topic of the applicant's choice. Please use the following formats for the document names: Lastname_initial_resume.doc. Ex. smith_a_resume.doc; Lastname_initial_coverletter.doc; Lastname_ initial_sample.doc. Send applications to: INSS_Intern_Program@ndu.edu.

Job Description
Interns are generally assigned to one or two directorate teams, but have the opportunity to work on a number of projects as their time and skills allow. Interns provide support in the areas of research, gaming, publications, conferences, and communications. Research can include compiling and distilling journal articles, news, and other current literature. Gaming support can include researching scenario material and assisting in game logistics. Interns support NDU Press by editing article submissions, and providing publication market analysis and customer service. Interns research conference topics and presenters, and logistically support the Conference Directorate during symposia, as well as numerous conferences, round-tables, and colloquia. In the area of web communications, interns may be asked to assist with projects from web graphic design to site analysis. Interns are also enthusiastically encouraged to attend national security-related events at the university and in the Washington, DC area. INSS offers interns the opportunity to meet high-level governmental officials, hear them speak on current important issues, and interact with policy makers and academics. Learning about how the Department of Defense interacts with other government agencies, how these agencies work together to protect our national security, and the career possibilities that exist within government service are just a few benefits of interning at INSS.

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

Slate and Security Dilemmas

Once again (what is this, the third time? Geez!), Slate draws from Professor Weinberger's blog, Security Dilemmas, as part of their blog roundup:

University of Puget Sound professor Seth Weinberger, writing at Security Dilemmas, questions Congress' methods and commitment to leaving Iraq: "The spending bill as it stands represent a congressional abdication of the role it is all too quick to loudly proclaim for itself. It is not a serious attempt to check the president, to bring the troops home, or to enforce the will of the American public. The ultimate result of this will be nothing; until Congress grows a spine and refuses to appropriate funds for the war in Iraq, it will continue according to President Bush's plan."

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Talk: Think Globally, Act Ethically

From Colleen (Woodrow) Gause '06 who is currently working at the World Trade Center in Tacoma:

I wanted to let you know that next Friday (April 6) there is a breakfast event that the World Trade Center is hosting; we'd welcome students and any faculty and staff that are interested to attend. The event is called, "Think Globally, Act Ethically" and is being presented by Dr. Chris Gilbert from TCC and the author of the book, "There is No Right Way to do the Wrong Thing." There is more information about the event here: http://www.wtcta.org/index.php?CURRENT_PAGE_ID=626.

If you wouldn't mind passing this along to interested students, faculty and staff, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

New Alum Blog: Musings in Thailand

We've blogged before about Ashley Mills 05's adventures in Thailand and beyond, as part of her time with the Peace Corps. She has been sending out long letters on a regular basis, but has now succumbed to the blogosphere. So check out http://musingsinthailand.blogspot.com to read all about what she's up to.

What would be really nice would be for many of us to leave a comment--even if you don't know her personally. Show that UPS PG love that makes us the envy of all the land.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

A smattering of linkages

It seems like it's been a while since I've posted any randomness on our site, so here's some things of eclectic interest.

We're So Accessible

I was not aware of this, but alum Liz Perry '03 pointed me to the Princeton Review's ranking of colleges by faculty accessibility. As they put it, "good teachers are defined by more than simply the amount of classroom time they put in. The Princeton Review's annual survey of college kids reveals that the professors at these schools are those most willing to go that extra mile."

The Top Twenty:
1 United States Air Force Academy
2 United States Naval Academy
3 Wabash College
4 Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
5 Harvey Mudd College
6 Washington and Lee University
7 Sweet Briar College
8 College of the Atlantic
9 Ripon College
10 Wellesley College
11 Davidson College
12 Lawrence University
13 Cornell College
14 Hampden-Sydney College
15 Sewanee- University of the South
16 Whitman College
17 Claremont McKenna College
18 Hillsdale College
19 Hendrix College
20 University of Puget Sound

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to shut my door and take a nap, so please don't disturb me.

Oh, before I nap, a teaser that Liz will be heading to graduate school in the fall, and we are impressed by the academic offers and yes, very proud. More details to follow.

New STS Course: War, Technology and Society

Professor Taranovski in the History Department will be offering a new course in fall in the Science, Technology and Society program. It looks very interesting for PG majors in particular. Details below.

STS 322, War, Technology, and Society in the Modern World

Prof. T. Taranovski

The course will be not so much interdisciplinary as integral and integrative in scope and character. It takes as its point of departure the observation that what has been called “the Western way of war” has become global in character over the past couple of centuries and that it has shaped the way we live and, in turn, has been shaped by scientific, technological, and socio-economic developments on a global scale. In order to understand the full ramifications of this phenomenon, we need to approach it integrally through an analysis of history of international relations, modern political systems, social, economic, and demographic developments, and advances in scientific and technological innovation that are often neglected in discussion of how contemporary world functions. This is why I am proposing the course under the rubric of the STS program rather than as a regular departmental offering, especially since STS is the only academic program that provides place for discussion of technology as a subject matter.

The course will be organized chronologically and topically to cover the period from the 16th to the 21st century. It will emphasize the continuity and integrality of historical developments as well as the dramatic change that can occur as a result of scientific and technological innovation by focusing on warfare as a case-study of where such nexus is most readily and forcefully apparent. The course will strive to demonstrate that the history of the modern world since the beginning of the modern era, particularly in the West, has been characterized by an exponential increase in the scope and lethality of warfare, by growing involvement and participation of humanity as a whole in the conduct of war and exposure to its consequences, and by expanding integration and coordination of political and military activity with scientific and industrial aspects of modern society.

UW Summer Program to Vietnam: Last Call

This in from Christoph Giebel at UW. There are a number of interesting programs being run through UW: Former Yugoslavia, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Iceland, Brazil, India (in 2008) and Vietnam. Check them all out here.

Viet Nam Summer Study Abroad: a few places left

This June/July, I am offering a six-week joint academic learning and community volunteering program in Viet Nam in collaboration between CHID and PeaceTrees Viet Nam (see web link below). We're making a final recruitment push during the 1st week of the upcoming Spring quarter for this full-time summer study abroad program. There are a few slots left. Could I ask you please to use your "networks" to advertise this program, not only for the innovative approach it takes, but also for what a good deal it is: 10-12 academic credits in 6 weeks, UW tuition waived, plus foreign experience for a very competitive fee. CHID tells me that non-UW participants could still earn academic credits as non-matriculated students. So not being a UW student will pose no hurdle at all to participation! UPS participants would have to find out how these UW credits could be applied to their own studies. The application deadline is April 2.

Viet Nam: Building for Peace in the Wake of War
http://depts.washington.edu/chid/showprogram.php?id=50

This program will explore the legacy of war in Viet Nam and the ongoing rebuilding efforts there. In partnership with Peace Trees Vietnam, a Washington based organization that works with residents of Quang Tri Province on landmine clearance and environmental/community restoration, our group of 12-18 students will pursue historical studies in Ha Noi and Hue, and participate in a community-building project with local people in Dong Ha.

Ability to speak Vietnamese is not required, and students from all areas of study are encouraged to apply.

Program Director: Christoph Giebel giebel@u.washington.edu
CHID contact: Theron Paul Stevenson theron@u.washington.edu

Application deadline extended to April 2.

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Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Recap: Charles Sipos '94 Guantanamo Talk and our Alum-Student Gathering

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Yesterday was busy. In the afternoon we heard an excellent talk by Charles Sipos '94 and Joseph McMillan on the legal issues surrounding the detention and trial of individuals held at Guantanamo. Charles had just returned from Guantanamo, where they continue to represent Salim Hamdan following their victory Supreme Court. Interesting discussion regarding the laws of war and the Geneva Convention ensued.

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That's Charles in the back on the right talking to Professor Ross.

Then in the evening we had our PG Alum-Student gathering. Over a dozen alums came from as far away as Portland to share their experiences. And what a range: alums working in the media, going to graduate and law school, working in university admissions, grant writing, political consulting, in international trade, the military, state government and Congress, among others.

One comment I heard from some alums--they wish they had taken advantage of similar opportunities when they were on campus. So students, if you missed out, keep on top of the blog and make the most of the program we put together--it's for you, after all.

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More pics on our Flickr site.

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More Promotions: Kevin Billings '77, USAF Deputy Assistant Secretary

The word's finally official so Kevin let me spill the beans. If you want to know more about his background, find his alum profile here. Kevin's also been instrumental in creating an internship opportunity this summer for one of our majors; more on that later.


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AIR FORCE NAMES BILLINGS TO ENERGY OFFICE


WASHINGTON – The Air Force recently named Kevin W. Billings as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Environment, Safety and Occupational Health.
As deputy assistant secretary, Billings will lead the Air Force’s senior policy and oversight office for energy, environment, safety and occupational health issues. The department’s responsibilities include providing guidance, direction and oversight of all matters pertaining to formulation, review and execution of plans, policies, programs and budgets for energy, environment, safety, and occupational health programs world-wide.

Billings will oversee a robust energy program with a strategy that seeks to integrate demand-side energy efficiency measures with a long-term commitment to supply-side alternative energy sources. The Air Force’s energy program is also working to create a culture where all Airmen make energy a consideration in everything we do.

Billings is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and the Executive Development Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Immediately prior to his position in the Air Force, Billings served as Vice President of Business Development for Enterra Solutions, LLC in Washington D.C. where he was responsible for all federal business development, planning and strategic alliances for the emerging information technology company.

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The Internationalist, Reloaded

The Internationalist, a student-oriented international affairs magazine based in Seattle, has just done a major makeover of their website. Lots of content and eye candy and, as always, selected contributions from our own Professor Weinberger. Worth a gander.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Professor Weinberger: Back from Japan, off to Israel

Himeji 4
Professor Weinberger just returned from a quick visit to Japan. He was invited by Kobe University, to serve as an external evaluator of their proposed Advanced Education System on Maritime Security Management. Professor Weinberger says, "the program is intended to educate those involved with the merchant marine (on the ships, in the ports, insurers, etc.) on how to ensure security. It deals with how to anticipate terror attacks, what to do when terrorists/pirates attack ships, how to best secure ports, and so on."

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Rather than return with pictures of academics sitting in their conference rooms (always gripping photography), he brought back some nice shots of Hemeji Castle and the surrounds.

Professor Weinberger will be busy over the next couple of months. He's been chosen as an academic fellow by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy in DC, which means that in May he'll take part in a 10-day course on terrorism based in Israel. I took part a couple of years ago, and it's an incredible, if exhausting, experience. Look for more interesting photos from that event.

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Alum Update: Ron Davison '85 Moves Up

Ron Davison '85 has been an avid PG blog-alum enabler, helping to pull together our DC folks and improve our general networks out that way. When he's not busy helping us, he's been at SRA as Director of the Emergency Management and Crisis Communications. I am slowly realizing that disaster recovery/homeland security is an important job field for many of our alums (see, for example, Nick Lowe '02's recent email with job openings).

Ron now has moved onward and upward. I'll let the recent press release do the praising. We plan to have Ron out this way in April, so students who are interested in meeting him, let me know, and we'll put something together.


Beck Disaster Recovery Hires Kim Fletcher and
Ron Davison to Expand D.C. Presence

ORLANDO, FLA. — March 1, 2007 — Beck Disaster Recovery, Inc., has announced the hiring of Kim Fletcher as Executive Vice President of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Programs and Ron Davison as Vice President of Emergency Management Program Development. Ms. Fletcher and Mr. Davison, who will officially begin their new roles this month, will work out of the firm’s new Washington D.C. office to expand its presence in Federal programs and the Mid-Atlantic region of the country...

...Ron Davison has more than 20 years of professional experience in the emergency management arena, including homeland security, training and program management. In addition to supporting government planning, response and recovery efforts for federal, state and local programs, he has been directly involved in the response to such nationally significant events as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Davison has also participated in the development of numerous emergency response plans (including the Federal and National Response Plans), the development of training and exercise programs, and the design of outreach and communication programs for governmental organizations at all levels.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Davison was Director of the Emergency Management and Crisis Communications Group for SRA International, where he oversaw a team of more than 60 professionals and more than $14 million annually in services to government organizations.

“As stand-out leaders in their field, Ron and Kim will no doubt be tremendously successful in helping us to expand our services to clients not only in the Washington D.C. area, but nationally. The breadth and depth of their emergency preparedness and homeland security knowledge will be of great value to many of our clients” says Beck Disaster Recovery CEO, Jonathan Burgiel. “We are very proud and excited to add their extensive experience, accomplishments and expertise to our fast-growing team.”

Beck Disaster Recovery, Inc. (www.beckdr.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of R. W. Beck Group, Inc., is a leading provider of program management services for hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness/planning, response and recovery.

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Recap: Professor Hansen Talk

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Just before Spring Break Professors Hansen and Weinberger gave talks on the Middle East. Students commented that it made for an excellent contrast, with Professor Weinberger providing a security-oriented view focused on US foreign policy, while Professor Hansen provided the European perspective on international security and their views of the US role in the Middle East. We are fortunate to have such excellent scholars and teachers in our midst, and I want to begin to spread my displeasure that Professor Hansen will be leaving us in May to return to Germany. He will be missed!

There's just too much going on...

Except a blog crazy with stuff this week. Lots of events and accolades that need to get their fifteen pixels of blog fame. Whew.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Reminder: Charles Sipos '94 Talk on Guantanamo

2007 mar_guantanamo
A talk you won't want to miss. Charles Sipos '94 will speak on developments regarding this case and its implications for the detention of individuals at Guantanamo. Read more about the case in the last issue of Arches.

Charles will be joining us directly from Guantanamo, where he has been this week. "History in the making" seems cliche but seems appropriate here.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Your Friday Roundup of Opportunities

1. Internships. World Trade Center, Tacoma
There are internships available at the WTC in Tacoma throughout the year. PG alum Colleen (Woodrow) Gause '06 has recently joined them as the publications and operations coordinator and will be at the PG Alum-Student gathering Monday evening. Colleen writes: "I would be glad to chat with students interested in the non-profit side of employment. I’ve spent the year working at a smattering of internships in the non-profit sector and state government, and would be happy to share the experiences."

2. Transparency International-USA - Summer Internship - Washington, DC
Transparency International-USA (TI-USA) seeks interns to support the efforts of our office in Washington, D.C. Both part-time and full-time unpaid positions are available. Successful candidates will perform a range of duties depending upon their experience and ability. In the past, they have been asked to complete tasks involving research, correspondence, meeting/hearing attendance, media coverage, and general administration. In reviewing applicants, we emphasize strong wri! ting, creative problem solving, and thorough research skills. A background in international affairs and experience/interest in issues of corruption and accountability are preferred. Foreign language skills, particularly Spanish, are a plus. TI-USA is the US chapter of Transparency International, the leading non-profit organization committed solely to curbing bribery and extortion in international business and development. TI-USA works alongside the TI network of over 90 other national chapters to raise awareness about the cost of corruption and to promote comprehensive and effective institutional and legal reforms. They do this by collaborating with multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, OAS, and OECD to encourage government and business to implement effective anti-corruption measures. Interested candidates should send a resume, one-page writing sample, list of references, and cover letter detailing availability by email to administration@transparency-usa.org by! April 15th, 2007.

3. The National Endowment for Democracy - International Forum for Democratic Studies Internship - Washington, DC
The International Forum for Democratic Studies, the research arm of the National Endowment for Democracy, is a leading center for analysis of the theory and practice of democratic development worldwide. It is also a clearinghouse for information on the varied activities and experiences of groups and institutions working to achieve and maintain democracy around the world.

The International Forum offers internships to advanced undergraduate and graduate students during the fall and spring semesters and during the summer. Forum internships, which are unpaid, provide students an excellent opportunity to improve their knowledge of democratization and international affairs and to develop and improve their research, writing, and computer skills.

To Apply for a Forum Internship
Please send a cover letter, resume, two references, and brief writing sample to the contact below.
Deadline for Summer 2007: March 15
Deadline for Fall 2007: July 15
Deadline for Spring 2008: November 15

Intern Coordinator
International Forum for Democratic Studies
National Endowment for Democracy
1025 F Street, NW, Suite 800,
Washington, DC 20004
Fax: 202-378-9704
Forum@ned.org

4. Associate Editor, Democracy: A Journal of Ideas, Washington, DC
Democracy, the progressive quarterly journal, seeks a talented, motivated person interested in policy and politics and with writing experience for the post of
Associate Editor. The Associate Editor will participate in the editing process; conduct research projects on potential article topics and authors; manage the journal's book review section and website, as well as the fact-checking and copy-editing for each issue; and perform administrative duties as they occur. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree; experience writing and/or editing; broad interests in and knowledge of foreign and domestic policy; a commitment to
progressive politics; a desire to deepen their exposure to a wide range of issues and interact with the most cutting-edge progressive thinkers across a variety of fields. The position will serve as a unique and unparalleled career springboard into the world of government, politics, and ideas. Salary is competitive. Position is based in our Washington, D.C., headquarters. Send resume and writing samples to
crisen@democracyjournal.org. No phone calls please.

5. Potomac Institute, International Center for Terrorism Studies Interns, Washington DC
The International Center for Terrorism Studies (ICTS) is an independent, not-for-profit policy research institute associated with the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, located in Arlington, Virginia. Established in 1994, the activities of ICTS are guided by an International Research Council that offers recommendations for study on different aspects of terrorism, both conventional and unconventional. ICTS is also affiliated with: the Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies; the Inter-University Center for Information Warfare and Cyber-Terrorism Studies; the Inter-University Center for Science and Technology Studies; and the Inter-University Center for Legal Studies (International Law Institute, Washington, D.C.).

Call for Students

ICTS Internship Description: Internship responsibilities include research assistance and administrative support, conference coordination, editorial and publication assistance, and database development.

Duties include: monitoring developments and conducting research on terrorism and counterterrorism over the past two decades, peace processes, regional insurgencies and ethnic conflicts, terrorism and law, etc., developing and maintaining a database on terrorism and regional developments; compiling bibliographies and chronologies, and summarizing research materials as directed; collecting and assembling data; copy editing and proofreading; providing a full range of administrative support of the terrorism center.

Requirements: Students, with a 3.0 or higher GPA, and with a background or interest in terrorism, ethnic conflict, political violence, international affairs, history, public policy, computer science and law are preferred, though others accepted. Seeking candidates with relevant research experience, writing and editing experience, good database skills, excellent organization and communication skills mandatory, strong MS Office skills and Internet research skills, and the ability to prioritize a heavy workload. Professional attire is preferred/expected. Interns are expected to work 15 to 25 hours a week during the summer semester.

Contact
For more information contact Andrew Fulton or to apply, please send a complete package to Andrew Fulton via email at ICTS[at]potomacinstitute[dot]org that includes:

1. A letter of interest;
2. Current resume;
3. 3-4 page writing sample;
4. Official transcript; and
5. Two letters of recommendation.

6. Summer Student Employment Program - Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC
The Office of Research and Development’s mission is to conduct leading-edge research and foster the sound use of science and technology to fullfill EPA’s mission to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment.
* Office of Research and Development Web Site
The National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) is a part of the U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development located in Washington, DC. Its staff is responsible for developing the Request for Research Proposals (RFP) which eventually fund private environmental research at various American colleges, universities and private businesses. In addition, the members of the NCER staff manage the EPA’s Environmental Fellowship program. Once these Fellowships and Research grants are awarded, the members of this office monitor the progress and disseminate the final results.

Overall Function: Under general supervision, the Summer Intern will provide staff support to various research grant project officers, will assist with the management of the existing computer programs used to monitor the projects, and will participate in the planning of events set up to either monitor or /and manage the various research and fellowship grants that have been awarded.

Key Responsibilities:
* Maintain positive working relationships with grantees and NCER staffers.
* Coordinate information gathering and respond to requests as appropriate.
* Assist in developing and implementing programmatic strategies and materials.
* Draft correspondence in response to requests and disseminate them in a timely manner to meet deadlines.
* Schedule and organize meetings.
* Type and design general reports, memos, charts, tables, graphs, etc. using the latest versions of Microsoft Office software.
* Prepare PowerPoint presentations as assigned.
* Maintain databases, including media lists, press clips, data inventories, etc.
* Act as a liaison with other departments and outside organizations. Handle confidential and non-routine information and explain policies when necessary.
* Coordinate information requests from programs and/or departments to ensure requests are met according to deadlines.

Qualifications:

* At least 18 to 20 months of college training in any planned academic curriculum.
* Excellent telephone, oral communication and presentation skills.
* Excellent writing, proofing and editing skills.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Project.
* Ability to handle pressure and multi-task in a fast-paced environment driven by deadlines and changing schedules.
* Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, and organize diversified workload.
* High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential information and situations. Position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy.

Please submit your cover letter and resume electronically to:
Ted Just and Nina Zheng
National Center for Environmental Research
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
Fax: (202) 233-0677
Email: Ted Just - just.ted@epa.gov and Nina Zheng - zheng.nina@epa.gov
Web: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/

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Thursday, March 22, 2007

The Revolution Will Be YouTubed?

We blogged in past about YouTube as a new instrument of political activity, and we're starting to see this emerge as recent videos have appeared mocking various presidential candidates. Closer to home, a recent protest at the Port of Tacoma against the deployment of Strykers from Fort Lewis to Iraq was videotaped and uploaded to YouTube, with accusations that the police acted inappropriately toward the demonstrators (which included some UPS students, including one who videotaped the incident and was briefly arrested). You can read an article about the event in The Nation, which has links to the videos and local coverage.

Alum Gets Promoted = Job Opening

This in from Andrea Tull '02 regarding the good fortunes of Matt Perry '06

I wanted to email you to let you know that another UPS P&G alumni is moving up in the [Congressman] Adam Smith world! Matt probably didn't tell you because he is so humble, but I can proudly say that he has recently been promoted within the Adam Smith organization! He is the Congressman's new Political Director for his campaign, so not only will he manage his campaign, but he will help coordinate efforts for other campaigns that the Congressman will be supporting in 2008, including Sen. Obama for President, Calvin Goings for Pierce County Executive, and Governor Christine Gregoire. This is a great leadership opportunity for Matt and he will get some management experience and have the chance to hire UPS graduates and students for field organizers and interns!

And as Matt moves up, his position comes open:


Job Description
Office Assistant (full-time), Tacoma District Office of U.S. Congressman Adam Smith
Letters of interest & resumes with references must be received by March 30th Attn: Linda Danforth
* faxed to 253.896.3789
* mailed to: U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road, Suite 106, Tacoma, WA 98424
* emailed to: Linda.Danforth@mail.house.gov

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Answer calls and greet visitors; open, code, and route incoming mail and email correspondence; clip newspapers; answer constituent requests for general information; draft letters to constituents; assist with intern supervision; monitor deliveries to/from the office; and assist with other various duties and office projects including coordinating the Bringing Congress to Your Door program.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Professional manner; excellent communication and organization skills; ability to use computer, photocopier, facsimile and other office equipment; ability to work cooperatively and courteously with others; knowledge of the political process; and compassion and commitment to public service and customer service.

Salary range
$26,000+ depending on qualifications and experience, with Federal employee benefits.
[This can include assistance repaying student loans; see here--Prof. O'Neil]

U.S. Rep Smith's Office is an equal opportunity employer.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Nick Brown '06: State Department Beckons...

This great news in from Nick Brown '06, and good advice for anyone interested in a State Department career. Good luck, Nick! Read on...

Hello! I few weeks ago, I passed the Foreign Service Oral Assessment: the final test administered by the US Department of State in admitting applicants to the Foreign Service. I began this process in February of my senior year at UPS, and I am still several months out from getting “the call” to join our diplomatic corps.

Throughout the application process, some of the best advice I received was directly from people who had successfully gone through it before, and so I am happy to extend that same offer of advice or information to any UPS students who are looking into a career with the Foreign Service. So for anyone who is interested, here is a brief timeline of the application process, including some helpful information for prospective applicants.

Please also feel free to contact me should you have any questions regarding the application process or the Foreign Service in general, and I will do my best to answer them myself or find someone who can. From what I’ve learned, a career as a Foreign Service Officer is one that comes with many benefits, and the State Department invests significant resources into its diplomatic corps. Becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) is also a very competitive and at times trying process, so prospective candidates who have prepared and who understand how and why the process works the way it does will be at a significant advantage.

March, 2006

I took the Foreign Service Written Exam (FSWE) at Tacoma Community College on a Saturday morning. I signed up not at all expecting to pass, and I was pleased to see at least three other UPS students taking the test on the same day. There were about sixty people taking the FSWE on that day, and it looked to be a very diverse group of people. The test was long, (approximately 4 hours) but not nearly as grueling as I had expected, and I would imagine that the average UPS student having gone through a few finals weeks in their time would be well-prepared. The test was comprised of several multiple choice sections: a general background section, a section specific to the applicant’s chosen career track, and an autobiographical section. Lastly, there was an essay section. It is difficult to do much to prepare specifically for this exam, although I’d say that the classes I took in the P&G department in addition to countless hours spent listening to NPR over the course of my life were the two most significant contributing knowledge bases from which I drew during the exam.

That said, State is currently in the midst of changing the FSWE significantly, so anyone applying to be a FSO in the future will go through the new process. The new test will be geared more toward measuring candidates’ experiences and backgrounds as a factor, although it is unclear if this means candidates’ job-related knowledge will play a less significant role. Any FSO you talk to will undoubtedly have a strong opinion on this change, although one of my favorite responses was from an assessor: “We could be administering the LSAT for all it matters. All we really need in the initial phase is a way of weeding 17,000 people down to a manageable group that we can pass on to the Oral Assessment.”

July, 2006

I received an email from State notifying me that I had passed the FSWE, and inviting me to participate in the Oral Assessment phase. The Foreign Service Oral Assessment (FSOA) is typically conducted at major cities throughout the country between October and April of every year. I scheduled mine for San Francisco on February 12, 2007.

January, 2007

I spent the month of January working on the obscene amount of paperwork required of candidates at the FSOA: an extensive background form (mine ended up being 50 plus pages), the traditional job application form, and a statement of interest. I met a couple times with a small group of people up in Seattle who were also preparing for the FSOA. Our group formed through the Yahoo FSOA user group, which was a great source of information for me (although the group members tend to be of the highly “Type 1” persuasion) and I would recommend it to any prospective FSO candidates. We also attended an information session by a Diplomat in Residence (DIR) and the University of Washington. This was a great chance to pick the brain of a Senior FSO on an entire host of issues, and to get a better idea of what to expect on the exam day. We also got to watch a wonderfully cheesy video acted out by real FSOs of what occurs during a typical FSOA, along with several examples of how to make an ass of oneself and how not to pass the Oral Assessment.

February 12, 2007 (The big day!!)

Having arrived in San Francisco two days earlier, I was prepared for a long day. I walked the route from my friend’s apartment to the testing center the day before the exam, and then I spent the rest of the day hanging out in the sun and eating Mexican food. A lot of candidates over-prepared and psyched themselves out on the test day, and much like the FSWE, the FSOA is a difficult test to prepare for. The test day began at 7 AM sharp with – big surprise – an hour or so of filling out forms and listening to a lengthy script of directions. The rest of the day was comparatively fun. The FSOA is comprised of three main sections: a group simulation, a personal interview, and an individual memo-writing session. The entire day is structured around testing the “13 Dimensions:” qualities that State has judged to be the most important in determining successful FSOs.

Again, here, a UPS education does a good job preparing candidates for the FSOA: oral communication and presentation skills, group mediation and compromise, analytical writing, and critical reading (with a strong emphasis on prioritizing information given limited amounts of time and resources), and knowing how to think on one’s feet are some of the most crucial skills to being successful in the FSOA. On my test day, there were 12 candidates and 6 assessors. To my knowledge, two of us passed that day. The FSOA is a non-competitive examination: candidates are not judged at all relative to their peers, and on many days no one passes, and there have been at least a few instances of all candidates passing on a given test day.

February and Beyond…

For candidates who successfully pass the FSOA, more waiting is in store! You leave the FSOA with a large packet of information, and also your overall score which determines a candidate’s place on “the register:” a constantly-updating list of all eligible candidates in each of the five career cones (Consular, Management, Economic, Public Diplomacy, and Political). After the Orals, candidates can improve their scores, and therefore their probability of being offered a spot in the A100 class (the quarterly class of incoming FSOs) by passing a language proficiency exam or if they are a qualified Veteran. Depending on one’s score, the period between passing the FSOA and getting “the call” can take between a few months up to 2 years: all depending on how quickly a candidate’s medical and security clearances are processed, and how high on the register a candidate ranks within his or her given cone. After 18 months of being on the register, candidacy expires, and hopeful applicants must start the process all over again in order to improve their relative score.

Helpful Resources:

Department of State Careers Website:
http://careers.state.gov/

FSWE Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fswe/

FSOA Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fsoa/

A100 Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-100-2002/

American Foreign Service Association:
http://www.afsa.org/

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Seniors and Recent Graduates: Job Openings NOW

An opportunity for a senior or recent graduate in what looks like a great career opportunity. Thanks to PG Alum Nick Lowe '02 for passing this on:

I am a 2002 graduate of the P&G and BPA departments and am hoping that with graduation nearing you might be able to help in my search to hire junior staff to support our operations in the Los Angeles area. I’ve posted information to the ASK network, but that has not led anywhere. I would love to offer a UPS graduate a career opportunity if any of them are interested in the Los Angeles area. My need is immediate, so I will not be able to hold positions for UPS applicants if they don’t get back to me immediately.

Currently I am looking to hire 1 or 2 staff, but am always open to considering great candidates. I am primarily in search of recent graduates or individuals soon to graduate (at the undergraduate level) that have an interest in emergency management or homeland security lines of work. A degree in a directly related field is not required, but a passion for the subject matter is. My Los Angeles offices are in Sherman Oaks (where my most critical need is), but we will also entertain positions in our San Francisco and Fairfax, VA offices if the candidate is right. I would greatly appreciate it if you could circulate this email or my contact information to those students that you feel represent your brightest and most ambitious. Please encourage them to first review ICF International’s website at www.icfi.com where they can find specific information on our lines of business, clients, and projects. Please have interested candidates email me directly (nlowe@icfi.com) with a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. Below I have included some brief prerequisite statements for their reference.

I sincerely appreciate any assistance you can provide in reaching out to qualified candidates.

Regards,

Nick Lowe
ICF International
Emergency Management & Homeland Security Practice
14724 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1001
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 325-3124
(818) 325-3137 - fax

Research Assistant (entry-level):

Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree and an interest in emergency management and homeland security. Candidates must have exceptional written and oral communication skills (writing samples will be required). The candidate should thrive on working in a fast paced environment as an integral member of a diverse team or autonomously. Due to the cutting-edge/first-of-its-kind nature of the work, the candidate should be a fast learner and creative thinker. Excellent time management and interpersonal skills are a must.

Analyst/Associate:

In addition to the Research Assistant prerequisites described above; Candidates should have 1) a graduate degree in a directly related field of study, or 2) a graduate degree in any field with at least one year of work experience in a directly related field, or 3) a bachelor’s degree with two to three years of work experience in a directly related field. Candidates should be familiar with emergency management and/or homeland security concepts and the emergency management framework in the United States. Additionally, they should be familiar with Federal emergency management and homeland security standards such as the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program methodology, the National Response Plan, the National Incident Management System, etc. Candidates with specialized experience in a particular niche field of emergency management/homeland security such as continuity of operations/government, critical infrastructure protection, intelligence/counterterrorism, exercise development, policy/program syntheses, EOC operations, public health emergency preparedness, CBRNE, etc. are encouraged to apply.

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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Monday Monday Monday!

2007 march_alum psa gathering3

PG Alums: Are You Local? Can you join us?

Politics and Government Alums:

You may have noticed that Monday we are holding a gathering for students to meet alums on campus and think about life and opportunities outside of the university and after the degree. I've already twisted the arms of a number of alums asking for them to join us, but would like to extend that offer more widely.

In short, we'd love to have you. If you're free on Monday and can spare some time, please join us! We start at 5:30 pm in the Murray Boardroom at the SUB. Come see your old faculty, meet current students and other alums, and share your experiences. If you plan or hope to attend and we haven't spoken, would you send me an email? Many thanks.

More Accolades: Zorba Leslie '07 Wins the Watson Fellowship

Congratulations to Zorba Leslie '07, who is one of three UPS seniors who have been awarded the prestigious Watson Fellowship. Zorba's project is entitled "Finding Justice: Learning to Reconcile the Past to Live the Present." During the fellowship period Zorba will visit Chile, South Africa, Rwanda and Cambodia in order "to assess the effectiveness of the retributive and restorative methods of securing justice available to post-conflict societies as they attempt to strike a balance between forgiveness and vengeance."

We are proud of Zorba's success and wish him well on his journey. If you are interested in applying for the Watson, you can find out more details here. If you will be a senior next year, now is the time to start thinking about a Watson proposal; deadline for the application will be early next fall. Come see me if you are thinking about applying.

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Monday, March 19, 2007

Hart Edmonson '08: Hail to the Chief

Congrats to Hart Edmonson '08, who won the recent elections for ASUPS president. As always, the PG department continues to be a hotbed for those craving power--I can think of at least three former student body presidents from our department off the top of my head, and suspect the number is far, far higher...

So former presidents, if you're out there and reading this, any advice for our future head of state?

Student Alum Faculty Gathering Next Monday!

It's been on the calendar for a while, but time to announce this with great fanfare. Next week we'll have a number of PG alums here to meet with students to talk about life after school.

When? Monday, March 26th, 5:30 pm
Where? Murray Board Room in the SUB
Why? Because it's good to meet alums and learn from them, and we're going to have a mess of food.


In addition, the student Political Science Association is encouraging current and potential majors or minors to join us to find out more about the department and what we offer. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Julia Becker '05 in Town

Welcome back, students!

On several occasions I've mentioned Julia Becker '05, who after graduation worked in Americorps and is now in a graduate program at Cornell. As part of her graduate training she'll be doing an internship this summer at the State Department in their Office of International Religious Freedom. Julia is going to be in town this week, and available to talk to any students who'd like to know more about Americorps or graduate school. If you'd like to meet her, drop me an email soon.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Spring Break


UPS has gone on Spring Break and so will the blog. We'll be back in action after next week with all the flotsam and jetsam you're accustomed to. Have a great week, wherever you are, and we hope that whatever the weather you are seeing some signs of spring.

Your Friday Roundup of Opportunities

Summer Internships, Tacoma City Council Races
There are several highly contested City Council races shaping up for fall, and campaigns are looking for interns. This may include Katie Rose '05, who has been named campaign manager for incumbent Councilmember Julie Anderson, and for candidate Marilyn Strickland (see below), among others. If you want to be directly involved in a local campaign, these races are a great opportunity. If you want to know more, drop me (Professor O'Neil) a note.

Campaign Coordinator, Tacoma City Council Campaign
Campaign Coordinator needed to manage the daily details of what will be a competitive and lively race for Tacoma City Council. Responsibilities include scheduling/coordinating fundraising events and socials, maintaining and updating donor communication, managing the production and distribution of campaign marketing material. Participate in strategic planning and voter analysis with senior campaign staff, recruit and schedule volunteers.
Manage communication with campaign team.

Qualifications:
Applicants must be organized, energetic, and have strong communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to follow through. Passion for local politics and knowledge of Tacoma's neighborhoods ideal. Prior campaign experience a plus. Sense of humor required. Seven month commitment needed. Start date May 2007 (or earlier if available), end date November 2007.

Benefits:
You will make career-enhancing contacts with influential people in local and regional governent, large and small businesses, the media and the non-profit sector. You will have the opportunity to work with the most culturally diverse and experienced campaign team in the city. Position includes stipend.

Please send your letter of interest and resume by 3/24/07 to:
strickland4tacoma@hotmail.com Read about the candidate here.


Congressional Scheduler/Personal Assistant, Congressman Adam Smith's Office, Washington DC.

Moderate Northwest Democrat seeks Scheduler/Personal Assistant. Ideal applicant will have no less than two years of professional experience. This position manages and maintains the Member's DC schedule and travel plans; manages the Internship program for the office; manages office IT and technology systems; monitors compliance with House rules and polices. Must have great attention to detail, be friendly, have a good sense of humor and enjoy working in a fast paced office. Washington State or Northwest ties are a plus. Please email your resume and cover letter to: smithscheduler@mail.house.gov.


Social Venture Partners Paid Internship, Seattle
Social Venture Partners (SVP) is a network of engaged donors that brings together nonprofits and philanthropists to learn from each other and build capacity for positive community impact. SVP welcomes Partners from diverse backgrounds who want to pool financial contributions and skills to provide more resources to nonprofits and produce greater results. Partners currently support programs in K-12, early childhood, out-of-school time and environment.
For more information visit www.svpseattle.org.

The intern will have the opportunity to learn about and gain experience in engaged grantmaking, nonprofit capacity building, philanthropy development, and program evaluation. SVP Seattle has five full-time staff and is located at 1601 Second Avenue (near Pike Place Market) in downtown Seattle.

Qualifications
Detail-oriented, strong research, verbal and written communication skills. Experience with program evaluation and outcomes frameworks, surveys, interviewing, data analysis, and presentation of findings. Familiarity with nonprofit sector, nonprofit capacity building, nonprofit management, and philanthropic development helpful. Interest in both the theory and practice of the above. Familiarity with Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint or the ability to quickly learn new software a plus.

Compensation
This is a contract position. Stipend is $4,500 for Summer 2007 (approx 12 weeks / 30 hours per week). Exact dates are flexible.

Application Procedures
Please submit a cover letter, resume and two references via email to aaronj@svpseattle.org by March 23, 2007.


Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice University of San Diego
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 30
Dates: The Summer 2007 internship will begin June 6, and end August 17.
Intern Responsibilities:
. Assist with the development of IPJ projects & events, including research
assistance, support to events, and a small amount of administrative support.

Qualifications:
. Enrollment, with senior status, in an ! undergraduate program; or enrollment in a
graduate program; or a r ecent degree in a field related to peace studies, human
rights, or international relations.
. GPA of 2.75 or higher.
. Excellent writing skills.
. Minimum of 15, and preferably up to 20, hours per week.

To Apply: Please visit our website at http://peace.sandiego.edu and click on
"Programs," then "Internship Opportunities," to download an application form and
view other requirements. If you have additional questions, please call (619) 260-7573 or emccollim@sandiego.edu. The internship is unpaid.

Global Witness - US Summer Intern (Stipend) - Washington, DC

Global Witness' office in Washington, DC is seeking a summer intern, to start mid-May 2007, for a 2-6 month stay. GW - U.S. office internships are geared towards current undergraduates, recent university graduates, and graduate students with a significant background in international relations, particularly in Washington, DC advocacy and research on resource and conflict issues including diamonds and oil and gas. In order to support our general advocacy efforts, GW also looks for candidates with an interest and experience in tracking Congressional developments (e.g. congressional calendars, legislation, hearings, committee assignments) and media cover! age. Hill or other office experience and language skills are a plus, but not a necessity. Washington-based interns interact with Global Witness staff and have the opportunity for in-depth learning in particular areas, as well as broad exposure to the DC policy community.

Although each internship is slightly different, the following assignments are typical of a GW - U.S. office internship:

* Finding out about, attending, and reporting back on relevant Washington events and symposia related to GW issues, including Congressional hearings, policy dialogues, the Great Lakes policy forum, and others.
* U.S. legislative advocacy, including drafting and disseminating documents, preparing for and attending Congressional staff meetings
* Tracking media developments
* Assisting with sector-related research, including oil and mining industry publications and international affairs-related articles related to GW work.
* Conducting more in-depth research on a topic that is mutually agreed upon between GW and the intern.
* Administrative work such as developing contact databases, handling communications logistics, etc.

Please note that applicants should either be U.S. citizens or have a valid U.S. visa.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Sasha Lezhnev, Policy Adviser, at sasha@globalwitness.org The cover letter should include dates of availability. Deadline: March 31, 2007. Length of internship: 2-6 months. Stipend provided.


The Development Gateway Foundation - Internship - Washington, DC

The Development Gateway Foundation's internship program offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates, recent graduates and graduate/professional students who have course work, professional or personal experience, and career interests related to our programs

We offer both full-time and part-time internships at our Washington, DC location, as well as "virtual internships" for interns residing outside of the Washington area. Internships vary in duration and duties/content; currently only unpaid internships are offered. For more information, or to apply for an internship, please contact Human Resources at 202-572-9200 or hr@dgfoundation.org


Project on Middle East Democracy - Summer Policy Intern - Washington, DC
The Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) seeks to organize and support a constituency in favor of a more co! nsistent US democracy promotion policy in the Middle East. To pursue this goal, POMED provides timely policy briefs for Members of Congress and their staff, forums for constructive dialogue, and a monthly newsletter highlighting trends in the region and in US policy.

An internship with POMED offers a unique opportunity to not just observe what happens on the Hill, but to take part. You will not be answering phones or sorting mail. As a Policy Intern you will play a critical role in supporting our work by tracking legislation and member votes, reporting on congressional hearings, adding content to POMED's website, assisting with events, and conducting research. Policy Interns may also be invited to publish articles in POMED's monthly newsletter or to contribute to the drafting of policy papers.

Qualification:
Successful applicants will be bright, highly motivated individuals with strong academic records and an interest in foreign policy and/o! r the Middle East. Candidates should be committed to POMED's mission a nd principles (www.pomed.org) and have excellent communication skills. Extra consideration will be given to candidates with experience in online organizing and/or website construction. The internship is unpaid.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to andrew.albertson@pomed.org. Be sure to indicate your availability in the cover letter. Short writing samples are also welcome. Although it is not required, we recommend that you send all application materials no later than March 23.

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Thursday, March 08, 2007

Recap and Reminder: Talks on the Middle East

DSC00055

Last Tuesday Professor Weinberger spoke with students about the Middle East and the role of the US at present and in future. Good turnout and discussion. And a reminder that tonight Professor Hansen will discuss the Iraq War from a European perspective; Wyatt 313, 5 pm. Sponsored by the Political Science Students Association.

Farewell to Lords?

From Professor Share in London:

Farewell to the Lords was Thursday’s headline in the Times of London, as the lower house of Parliament voted to alter fundamentally the composition of the House of Lords, the UK’s largely perfunctory upper house. This week’s advisory vote instructed the government to draw up legislation to make the upper house an entirely elected body (at present the body contains mostly appointed members).

Parliament from South Side of Thames, 3

There are too many ironies and paradoxes surrounding this vote to describe here, so I’ll highlight just a few. First, Labour included reform of the Lords as part of its ambitious (and largely achieved) set of constitutional reforms. After all, the Lords was long a redoubt of the Conservatives, and was viewed by Labour as an anachronistic vestige of upper class privilege. However, once in power Blair backed away from an elected upper house, fearing that it could weaken the power of the Commons (and its massive Labour majority). He also may have realized that his power to appoint Peers (members of the Lords) gave him powerful and relatively cost-free patronage opportunities. Blair’s government came to favor an upper house with some elected members and some appointed ones (Blair favored and voted yesterday for a 50/50 split), but with the erosion of support for the government, Blair lost control over the reform agenda. The opposition Liberal Democrats, and increasingly even the Conservative Party, tried to outflank and embarrass Labour by calling for either a mostly or an entirely elected upper house. They were supported by many Labourites who favored an all or mostly-elected body. An earlier government attempt to pass a Lords reform failed when members of the Commons split among the various options (all appointed, various mixtures, all elected).

Yesterday’s vote for an entirely elected upper house was entirely unexpected. The size of the majority (337-224) makes it virtually certain that legislation on Lords reform will pass relatively soon, especially since the measure was supported by members of all parties. The Labour leadership first asked Commons members whether they wanted to keep the upper house at all (they did, overwhelmingly), whether they wanted a variety of mixtures of appointed and elected (80/20, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60), all of which were rejected. The members then approved a measure that would produce an upper house with 80% of the seats elected, seemingly backed by the Labour leadership (though Labour members were given a “free vote” on this issue). The shocker was that a majority then passed a measure to create an entirely elected upper house, followed by measures to immediately eliminate the 92 remaining hereditary peers (the bulk of the hereditary peers were eliminated under an earlier Blair reform). The House of Lords will likely use its limited power to delay the bill for a year, but it can’t stop it, and the UK has no supreme court to overturn the measure.

What may not be evident from news coverage in the US is that Labour plans to use proportional representation for elections to the Lords, with elections being held at the same time as European Parliament elections. That will greatly favor the Liberal Democratic Party, the UK’s third party that has long been punished by single-member district voting. However, the unexpected outcome of an entirely elected House of Lords (it will have about 540 members) combined with PR voting means that the upper house will now be far more representative than the lower house! Will it be possible to keep an elected and more representative upper house subservient to a less representative lower house? In most parliamentary democracies the more powerful house is the most representative one.

Of course, the government can continue to name Lords, but they will no longer automatically get seats in the upper house (the name of the upper house will almost certainly be changed).

In the UK simple majorities in the lower house can carry out major constitutional changes with relatively few checks. However, many fear that the creation of an elected upper house may actually endanger the House of Commons’ supremacy within the UK political system.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Seema Sueko '94: Politics to Arts and Back to Campus

Seema Sueko '94 took her degree in Politics and Government to graduate work and from there to the theater. She's coming back on campus next month, so add it to your calendar. She writes:

I graduated from UPS in 1994, received my MA in International Relations at the University of Chicago in 1995, and promptly began putting those degrees to work in the theater. I worked as an actor in Chicago, Seattle and New York. When my husband, Troy (UPS '94), and I moved to San Diego, the lack of professional theater work here provided the right opportunity for me to co-found a theater, Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company, www.moolelo.net. Our work is politically- and socially-conscious, a perfect blend of my politics and theater passions.

I'm returning to campus in April as Geoff Proehl's World Drama Class will be reading my play, "remains," which is based on experiences I had traveling in Israel/Palestine during my junior year at UPS. I'll be participating in a Langlow Tea on April 24, a reading of the play on April 25, and a class visit on April 26.

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Clark Yerrington '82: Sixth Avenue, Then and Now

Some time back Clark Yerrington '82 commented on a blog post about some old pictures of Tacoma from the 1970s. He has his own "then and now collection" that focuses closer to campus. As he writes on his Flickr site:

"in april 1982 when i was a student at the university of puget sound i took a bike ride down 6th avenue toward downtown, and shot a few slides along the way with my konica autoreflex TC. i did a similar trek on foot on 12-31-06. this time i was shooting C-41 black and white with a leica CL and canon AT-1 [cameras made well before '82]."

Check out his pictures here. He also has pictures of Sitka, Juneau, and roadside Alaska that I enjoyed perusing. Thanks, Clark, for sharing with us.

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

What are you going to do this summer?

A couple of days of nice weather may have turned your thoughts to summer. Yes, before you know it school will be out and summer will stretch before you. You may have plans or grand schemes. But if not, here are some thoughts. Go to our department delicious site:
http://del.icio.us/upspolitics/summerprograms
There you will find nearly thirty conferences, workshops, programs, and other summer opportunities. Some deadlines have passed; others are still a ways out. Some cost; others are free. But there's a range of topics, dates, lengths that are worth considering, and could be done alongside a summer job, an internship, or summer school. Take a look.

National Education for Women Leadership Institute

NEW (National Education for Women's) Leadership Puget Sound is an intensive six-day institute to be held June 11-16, 2007 at the Talaris Conference Center in Seattle.

The NEW Leadership curriculum is designed to:
* Cultivate leadership skills
* Connect participants with women leaders who make a difference in civic life and the public sphere
* Help students explore the demands and rewards of leadership in a diverse society
* Empower students to practice leadership through action

During the institute students will:
* Meet with interesting and active women who are leaders in their communities, non-profit organizations, local and state government, and businesses
* Receive interactive skills training on public speaking, fundraising, negotiation & conflict resolution, diversity and networking
* Develop valuable social networks with peers and mentors
Graduates of the institute will be eligible to receive information and assistance to help them continue to grow as leaders through involvement with the NEW Leadership Alumnae Association.

Click here to download our pamphlet for applicants.

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Congrats Bill Bockman '06!

Bill Bockman '06 writes to Professor Sousa:

I recieved a letter from the UW Jackson School stating that I will be recommended admission for next fall's Japan Studies program. I am ecstatic. Thank you very much for writing on my behalf.

In the meantime I will continue my job on the Boeing Paint Hangar Upgrade Project in Everett. It should finish up around the time school starts next year. I'm also reading James Fallow's blog and some of his books, trying to keep informed on the Japanese economy.

Congrats to Bill and we look forward to his keeping us posted on graduate school and all things Japan.

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Monday, March 05, 2007

Summer Programs, Geneva

Summer Programme on International Affairs and Multilateral Governance

Welcome from Director of Programme, Prof. Cédric Dupont
At the beginning of the 21st century, international discussions and actions play an important part in public and private policy-making. Our new programme in international affairs and multilateral governance take you to the heart of international policy-making: it provides participants with a unique combination of academic expertise and practical experience on issues of economic integration, human security and conflict resolution, and health and environment. Do not miss this new opportunity that HEI offers from the summer 2007 onwards.

Programme
One to three weeks intensive programme
To improve and update your knowledge, the programme will focus on fast-changing and complex transnational issues such as:
Exchange ideas with peers within a cosmopolitan student and professional body
The programme is open to senior undergraduates, students at MA level and young professionals with a strong interest in international affairs. A unique opportunity to network and create sustainable bonds!

Geneva, a perfect place to meet experts and visit international organisations
HEI is located at the heart of International Affairs in Geneva, Switzerland. Participants will therefore get a privileged access to international negotiations, UN conferences and experts training.

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Senior Gift--Match This! Update

PG senior Linz Heppe is volunteering on the Senior Class Gift Campaign, and upon hearing of her work, we thought it might be appropriate that we faculty step up to the plate. The information about the campaign below. And on our end? If you commit, we'll match your five buck for each and every one of our PG seniors. Make that commitment and make us pay up!

The campaign is asking all 2007 seniors (defined by those who are walking in May or have applied for graduation this May) for a five year pledge with a first year gift. We’re asking for $5 this year and a $5 increase for each year through 2011 (totaling $75). The money will go to the Puget Sound Alumni Fund and will be ear-marked for financial aid. This means the money will provide both need-based and merit-based aid. Since 83% of our undergraduate students are receiving financial aid directly from the university, we hope that this case will hit home for the student body.

Our goal is to exemplify the value of feasible annual gifts. We want the students to know that giving is about the act and not the amount. Alumni Participation rates are crucial to the fiscal health of this university, and also for the overall value of a Puget Sound diploma. Large foundations and corporations use the Alumni Participation rate as a deciding factor when awarding grants. Essentially our message to students is “you carry it with you”— we want young alumni to know that the University of Puget Sound will be on their resume 50 years from now, and future employers are going to be more interested in the current reputation of the university than that of the past. Many students are not aware of our tuition price and cost gap—tuition, fees, room, board and auxiliary income only cover 80% of the cost Puget Sound incurs when admitting a student. The other 20% is made up by charitable giving. The tuition cost/price gap is a standard for all institutions of higher education, and has been so since the university’s beginnings. In more candid language: we’re asking our students and alumni to ensure a strong future for Puget Sound, just as Puget Sound has ensured a strong future for them.

Gifts to the campaign can be made online at www.giveto.ups.edu, but seniors must remember to include a comment regarding the associated four years of pledging. Students can also call 1-866-GO-LOGGERS or 253-879-3502 to make their gift on the phone. Gifts can be mailed to CMB 1056, or dropped by the Office Annual Giving on the 3rd floor of Jones Hall.

Mentor an International Student

An opportunity to do a good turn on campus:

Hello,

I am writing to you on behalf of the International Student Mentoring Program (ISM). The mission of ISM is to provide more individualized support for new international students. New international students are paired with volunteer student mentors and have the opportunity to correspond and work with their mentor both before arriving at school and during the school year. This is a fun way to help others and learn from wonderful people!

This was our first year of the program and we are now starting the process of looking for mentors and coordinators for next year. Interest meetings will be held on March 8th and March 21st at 8:00 p.m. in the Student Diversity Center (3211 N.15th, the house across the street from Diversions Café). Applications can be picked up at and turned in to the International Programs Office (Howarth 215). Applications are due on March 26th. Questions can be directed to Shannon Forbes (sforbes@ups.edu).

Could you please send this information to the rest of your department and encourage professors to spread the word and announce this to their classes?

Thank you for your support!
Shannon Forbes
ISM Coordinator 2006-07

Friday, March 02, 2007

Professor Weinberger and Hansen: Talks on the Middle East


2007 mar_middle east_poster

Certain to be interesting and worth attending. Sponsored by the Political Science Association student group. Thanks to them for putting this together and to Professors Weinberger and Hansen for giving their time to these important issues.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Your Friday Roundup of Opportunities

1. Nixon Presidential Materials Internship, Yorba Linda, CA
This could be particularly interesting for students in IR; the director, Dr, Naftali, has written on the Cold War--Prof. O'Neil UPDATE: The folks at NPM informed me that the federal Nixon Presidential Materials Staff, which is part of the National Archives is a federal, nonpartisan body separate from the Private Nixon Library and Foundation. The link I provided earlier was to the Nixon Library, not the Nixon Presidential Materials.

The California office of the federal Nixon Presidential Materials Staff, which will soon become the nonpartisan Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, is seeking talented and energetic college students and recent graduates to work as interns between June 4 and August 6, 2007.

Interns will assist with substantial and meaningful projects, such as planning and organizing public lectures and talks, researching the Nixon administration and contemporaneous events, and creating content for our Web site and museum exhibitions. Interns will also participate in discussions with experts in fields such as the Cold War, espionage, presidential history, and museum administration.

These interns will contribute to the creation of a major national center for the study of the presidency, American history, and the life and times of Richard Nixon. We are seeking mature, driven candidates with a demonstrated record of accomplishment. In choosing interns, we are not guided by an applicant's major field of study but by his or her commitment to creating a serious and impartial national institution. We welcome applications from students majoring not only in history, political science, and international relations but also in other fields, such as business, marketing, public history, museum studies, Asian studies, African-American studies, economics, journalism, and communications (particularly new media).

To apply, please send a current resume, one or two letters of recommendation, a current transcript (a photocopy or other informal versionis acceptable), and a cover letter explaining why you would like to be an intern at the Nixon to:
Dr. Timothy J. Naftali
Director, Nixon Presidential Materials Staff
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Applications must be postmarked or emailed no later than April 2. Late applications will not be considered. Finalists will be interviewed in person or by telephone. Please direct any questions to paul.musgrave@nara.gov.


2. SEN. PATTY MURRAY - OUTREACH STAFF, CENTRAL WA
This position will open on or around March 1. The successful candidate will be a member of Senator Murray's official outreach staff. The position is in Yakima, and the territory covers Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Grant, Yakima, Klickitat, Benton and parts of Franklin counties. The Central WA Director splits time between operating this one person office and traveling the 4th Congressional District for meetings and public events. This is a one-person office.

To be considered, candidates should have a BA, share Senator Murray's political philosophy, and be willing to commit to live in or around Yakima. This position requires a self-starter, willing to take on projects with minimal supervision. Salary DOE. Please forward resumes and cover letters to Shawn Bills (preferably via email) to shawn_bills@murray.senate.gov


3. Congressman Leonard Boswell seeks Staff Assistant. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, answering telephones, processing mail, greeting visitors, coordinating tours, and managing the office intern program. Iowa ties are preferred. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Resumes.IA03@mail.house.gov . Deadline for applications is March 6, 2007.


4. Rep. Tom Lantos (CA-12) seeks a Staff Assistant to handle front office responsibilities. Ideal candidate will have previous exposure to Capitol Hill and will have demonstrated experience multi-tasking in a high pressure environment. California ties a plus. Salary commensurate with experience. Please email resume and cover letter to LantosJobs@mail.house.gov. No phone calls.


5. Staff Assistant: Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez seeks a Staff Assistant with a teamwork attitude and good sense of humor for front office duties. Primary responsibilities include answering phones, greeting visitors, sorting mail and faxes, conducting tours of the Capitol, hiring and supervising interns, and assisting the Member and staff with various projects. Applicants need to be very organized, responsible and able to perform many tasks simultaneously. California ties and Spanish language skills are a plus, but not required. Please e-mail résumé and cover letter to CA39jobs@mail.house.gov


6. STAFF ASSISTANT POSITION - Southeast Texas Democrat is looking to fill a Staff Assistant position in the DC office. Seeking a dependable and attentive individual to staff the front desk; receive and route calls and other incoming materials appropriately; provide Capitol tours and fill orders for constituent tours and other services; and support office administration. E-mail resume and desired salary to TXJobOpening@mail.house.gov.


7. The Genocide Intervention Network - Advocacy Intern - Washington, DC
Description:
The Genocide Intervention Network seeks a highly motivated and independent college student to assist with advocacy initiatives. The advocacy internship require at least 30 hours per week, and will take place through May 2007. Start and end dates can be negotiated.

Job Description
Advocacy interns will assist in the production of advocacy materials an d development of programs with the goal of providing concerned individuals and communities the opportunity to influence U.S. and international response to the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
Specific duties will include:

* Updating the advocacy section of the website
* Updating the Darfur Scores website
* Communicating with STAND students, GI-Net members and concerned individuals on advocacy matters
* Developing materials for specific advocacy campaigns
* Distribution of materials/programs to other organizations
* Recruiting possible constituent leaders in key districts/states
* Recruiting possible media contacts in key districts/states
* Making appointments on Capitol Hill

Benefits

Interns will receive $70 per month in SmartBenefits to cover local transportation costs. Lectures, panel discussions and other events are also frequently made available through allied organizations in the! Darfur and anti-genocide movements.

How to Apply
Please apply immediately by sending a résumé, cover letter, and preferably two short non-academic writing samples to Greg Kuo at Jobs@GenocideIntervention.net. In your cover letter, please specify your preferred start and end dates for the internship, and the hours and times each week that you are available for the internship. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For questions about this position, please contact Greg Kuo at the e-mail address above.


8. Global Impact - Internship - Alexandria, VA
A Global Impact internship provides you with the opportunity to learn about development and fundraising techniques in a friendly and professional environment. You will be introduced to the leading not-for-profit U.S.-based international relief and development organizations and gain exposure to issues such as poverty, hunger, HIV/AIDS and refugees and their global impact.

Global Impact is based in Alexandria, Virginia, along the Potomac River and metro accessible to the District of Columbia.

Opportunities to interns may include one or more of the following assignments:

* Assist the communications and corporate development departments in researching, writing and/or editing communications tools.
* Develop informational databases.
* Assist regional director with campaign events, charity fairs, etc.
* Assist in researching new development opportunities.

The following qualifications are required for consideration:

* Education: Course work towards a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in international studies but not required.
* Experience: Efficiently use the Internet for research purposes; effective writing and editing skills; strong attention to detail; and proficiency in Mi crosoft Word and Excel.

Although the position will be unpaid, Global Impact will provide a local transportation stipend for travel to and from work. Global Impact does not place interns overseas.

Interested parties should e-mail intern@charity.org. Include a copy of your resumé and a letter of interest.

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