Students should be aware of these fifteen key points when deciding whether or not to apply for the Program; and in deciding whether or not to accept the offer to be an intern if chosen for the Program.

1.  The Legislative Internship Program is an Academic Program NOT a Work-Study Program

This Program is not a work-study Program, where students earn credits for working but have no related academic course work.  The Internship is a demanding academic program at the 400 level (600 for grad students) and not simply a way to gain credits through a practical experience.  Only students who are very serious about their academic studies are chosen for the Program as a major emphasis is placed upon participation and performance in the Internship Seminar.    

2.  This is a Full-Time Internship Program Requiring Students to Work in their Legislative Office Each Weekday

Interns must be available to work in their legislative office on a more or less full-time basis on each weekday.  This means that they cannot have a part-time job during the day Monday thru Friday.  Students not working full-time in their legislative office or not working five days per week will be dropped from the Program.  This does not mean that students cannot have a part-time job during the evenings or on weekends, though this is strongly discouraged given the intensity of the placement and academic work for the Program.

3.  A Passing Grade is Required in the Seminar to Receive Any Credits for the Program

A student must earn a passing grade (at least a D-) in the Internship Seminar in order to receive any of the 12 credits (9 for grad students) for the Program.  Thus, an “F” grade for the Seminar will result in the 9 hours for the placement (6 for grad students) also being graded as “F.”         

4.  Latest Date to be in Juneau

Interns must be in Juneau by Thursday evening, January 3, 2008 at the very latest for the 2008 Program.

5.  Interns Cannot Miss Any Part of the Pre-orientation Session

If, for any reason, a student misses any part of the three and a half day pre-orientation Program they will be dropped from the Internship Program.  For the 2008 Program, this pre-orientation will take place on Friday, January 4, and on January 10-12.  If a student cannot attend all four days they should not apply for the Program.  Or, once admitted to the Program, if they are out-of-town students and realize that they cannot attend all of this pre-orientation, they should not travel to Juneau.  

6.  Transfer of Financial Aid

Students from UAA, UAF, APU and UU receiving financial aid must arrange with their campus Financial Aid Office to have their checks mailed to the UAS Financial Aid Office for pick-up.  Checks will not be sent to UAS without making prior arrangements.  

7.  Sufficient Funds for Relocation

As it will be early February before interns receive their first stipend check, and mid-January before UAA, UAF, APU and UU interns receive their relocation allowance, interns need to bring sufficient funds to tide them over for the first few weeks of the Program.

8.  Rental Rates in Juneau

Currently, rental property in Juneau is scarce (less than 2% vacancy rate) and rents are higher than in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Salt Lake City.   

9.  All Credits are from UAS

All Program credits are granted by UAS, not by UAA, UAF, APU or UU.  However, the credits are fully transferable.  The transfer of credits must be requested by the student -- it will not take place automatically.

10.  Attendance at the Internship Seminar is Required

Points will be deducted for absences.  An absence is considered to be missing more than 15 minutes of a class session.  More than two absences will result in being dropped from the Program, with a resultant 12 hours of grade “F” (9 hours of “F” for graduate students).

11.  Securing Grade Points in the Internship Seminar

Twenty (20) points of the final grade in this Seminar are allocated for class participation.  To obtain the most points possible in this Seminar a student must clearly demonstrate that they can: (1) reflect on their experiences and lessons in learning about politics and its juncture with the academic perspective; (2) demonstrate clear evidence of being able to relate the course readings to their experiences (pro or con); and (3) place the Alaska legislative process in comparison with other states and with Washington, D.C.   

12.  Use of Social Science Method in Writing Papers

This Seminar is at the 400 level (600 level for grad students).  It requires papers based on social science research method.  Students not familiar with this method should acquaint themselves with it before taking up their internship.

13.  Deadline Dates for Submission of Course Papers

The dates for the submission of papers are those indicated on the Internship Seminar course syllabus.  Papers must be submitted on or before that date.  No late papers will be accepted.  This means that late papers will receive zero points.

14.  Stipulation About Continuing to Receive the Internship Stipend

In order to continue receiving their Internship stipend, a student must make satisfactory progress in their office assignment as well as in the Internship Seminar.  Indications of satisfactory progress in the Seminar include: no absences; active participation in discussions; evidence of completing class reading assignments; submitting all papers on time, etc.   

15.  No Incompletes or Extra Credit in the Internship Seminar

There are no incompletes allowed in the Seminar and no extra credit is available.