UNIVERSITY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WORK RESPONSIBILITIES For the twelve month duration of a UYA exper ence, the student is expected to be a full-time staff mem ber at the agency with whom he has chosen to do his internship. Because of the service-learning nature of this program, the student will be a participant in events, not merely an observer. He will become a vital and integral part of the organization, relied upon to provide important services to the agency's clients, and to contribute new ideas and fresh input into the agency's ongoing tasks The University Year for ACTION Program generally includes a $2500 living allowance for each intern per year. The program is funded jointly by the sponsoring agency and the University of Vermont. Students receive their stipend by check at the Center for Service-Learning every two weeks for the duration of the internship. Pre-planning and preparation are extremely important. The application process is thorough and designed to ensure the success of the UYA Program. The potential intern first meets with a member of the CSL staff; specific academic and career goals are identified. The student and staff member then select internships that may be appropriate, considering the needs of both the individual and the organization. After this initial contact, the student meets with his academic advisor to determine if an internship can be incorporated into his degree program. An academic credit plan is completed at this time. Following the completion and submission of the application materials, which include the academic credit plan, interviews are scheduled with community organizations. Following the agency interviews, the student prioritizes his choices of organizations; the organization prioritizes their choice of interns. CSL communicates this information to the respective individuals, and serves as the liaison in the matching process. The ultimate decision, however, lies with the intern and the organization. The final step in the process is a group interview with members of the CSL staff and the intern. Final questions with regard to the specific position and the UYA program are clarified. ⚫ A formal letter of acceptance from the intern as well as a letter of acceptance from the organization, completes the process. CORE SEMINAR The Core Seminar is an eighteen-credit program offered through the Center for Service-Learning and is required of all UYA interns. The seminar begins with a several day pre-service training session, after which it meets every two weeks for the entire twelve months of the internship; a mid-year retreat is generally scheduled. The Core Seminar is a support group which provides continuing guidance to the UYA intern. The seminar serves as a forum for developing a conceptual framework which combines the practical with the theoretical aspects of their experience. Interns and staff respond to individual needs and problems that may develop. Skills training workshops in such areas as planning, decisionmaking, problem solving, etc., are scheduled; guest speakers are invited to provide skill and knowledge in their area of expertise. RELATED COURSEWORK In order to continue normal progress toward a degree, UYA interns are encouraged to pursue additional coursework related to their field experience. These credits usually take the form of independent study, special readings and research, or a class which meets at a time that does not conflict with the student's work schedule. It is important that the potential UYA intern discuss this matter carefully with his faculty advisor. The student is then assured that he is earning enough credit to satisfy his degree requirements as well as pursuing subject matter which will best enhance his field experience. |