Wednesday, April 30, 2008

A random nice picture of campus

IMG_0026
Let's face it--it's just nice here when the weather cooperates.

PG Graduation Brunch May 17: See you there--

pg grad invitation 08_blog

Red Cross Professionals in Action

From alum Melissa Hopkins '04:

We have started a new and exclusive initiative for young professionals at the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties. It is called Professionals in Action (PiA) and it strives to cultivate tomorrow’s leaders by leveraging the energy and enthusiasm of young professionals (ages 24 – 40) in the greater Seattle area.

It provides members with creative and flexible opportunities to have an impact on their world while providing personal and professional growth through networking in the community with others who are near their first decade of their career and also share a passion for community involvement.

PiA is giving $100 in start-up money for teams of young professionals to hold an auction, throw a dinner party, run a race or fundraise in the best way you know how. The campaign is called Up the Ante, and the teams that raise the most money can win awesome prizes like a vacation through Doug Fox Travel & Cruise, a brand new Dolphin E sea kayak or two airline tickets to wherever Alaska Airlines flies…and much more! We’re looking for the types of young professionals who have the capacity to turn their $100 start up funds into $500 or even $1,000. This campaign runs between May 1 and May 31.

This is an easy way to make a difference! Attached are the invitation and more event specific information. If you’re interested or want more info to bring this idea to a group for consideration, please email or give me a call.

I thank you for your time and look forward to your response. Make it a great day.


Regards,
Melissa Hopkins
Development Specialist
American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties
PO Box 3097, Seattle, WA 98114
Tel: (206) 726-3543 or (360) 377-3761 x13102
Fax: (206) 726-3527
melissa.hopkins@seattleredcross.org
www.seattleredcross.org

Absolutely incredible job opportunities in DC

Is that enough hyperbole for you? From Kari Manlove '06:

I just thought I'd send you an e-mail to point out two of the entry-level job openings here at CAP (with graduation in a few weeks...). Both are related to national security and positions I would consider pretty solid for first jobs. They are:

Assistant to U.S. Editor, Middle East Bulletin and Assistant to Advisors/Senior Fellows - If interested in Middle East affairs, this'll be exceptional exposure to that policy niche (and people) in DC and include some opportunities to write and research. It's a small staff that works closely with associated think tanks, like CAP, The Century Foundation, and probably other similar groups abroad. The job is an assistant position, so it's administrative, requires good organization and management of interns, etc., but it's also a small enough group right now that it could be really substantive and be a truly high-quality stepping stone into Middle East policy.

Special Assistant for National Security - This position is to our National Security department in general. It's a very administrative position, but it's in a policy department, so you make good relations and have the opportunity to be involved in research and writing if you take the initiative and make the time (without neglecting other responsibilities). It's also a good springboard into the field, and they're looking for someone particularly interested in assisting research/staff on affairs in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and terrorism... so anyone out of Terrorism & Globalization could be great! (And I know they're eager to hire on this one, as the current assistant is attempting to work this job and her promotion.)

That's really about all I have info-wise, but I'm happy to answer questions, and I hope there's some folks out there interested. This is a really exciting time to be in DC, and this is without a doubt an influential organization in all sorts of policy dialogues.

Hope all is well... kari.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Truman Scholarship

08-09 juniors, you should apply, shouldn't you? Start planning now (deadline is December)

Truman Scholarship
Program Summary
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships of up to $30,000 to college students who have outstanding leadership potential, plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service, and wish to attend graduate school to help prepare for their careers. 75-80 scholarships will be awarded to outstanding college juniors across the country.

Targeted Areas
Priority is given to candidates proposing to enroll in graduate programs specifically oriented to careers in public service.
These include master's, Ph.D., and J.D. programs in: public administration; public policy analysis; public health; international relations; government; economics; social service delivery; education and human resource development; and conservation and environmental protection.

Award and Stipend
The Truman Scholarship provides $3,000 toward the recipient's final year of undergraduate study and $27,000 for graduate study.
Criteria
1. leadership abilities and potential, including honesty, vision, sensitivity, and communication skills;
2. commitment to career in public service, and the potential for influencing public policies;
3. suitability of the student's proposed program of study for a career in public service;
4. academic performance (upper quarter of his/her class), intellectual strength, and the potential to perform in graduate school;
5. quality and extent of public and community service and government involvement.
An outstanding application, will among other things:
• reveal unique and interesting aspects of the student, and show some humor;
• demonstrate at least two years of public service involvement and include evidence of leadership, initiative, and taking responsibility;
• include a well-researched public policy analysis worthy of the officials to whom it is addressed.

Application Process
The University of Puget Sound may nominate up to four students. All application materials must be submitted by the Fellowships Office following an internal competition. The application deadline is December 12, 2008.

Internship Fair tonight!

From PG major Liz Kaster:

The internship class is having a open house showcase to talk about our internships tonight from 6-7 in the Rotunda. There will be at least 3 PG majors there and some really interesting opportunities highlighted. More info is on the CES site: http://www.ups.edu/x12821.xml. It'd be great place to get some ideas for what's available for any students looking for an internship, plus it'll be boring if nobody comes.

And people say we don't matter...


The Top 100 Public Intellectuals, according to Foreign Policy Magazine.

NYC: Islam, education and the UPS PG connection

From the New York Times, "Critics Cost Muslim Educator Her Dream School". The connection is that the school was set up with the help of New Visions for Public Schools in NYC, where Megan Buscho '06 works as a policy associate. Last summer Megan and I had lunch and she spoke about this controversy. Read the whole thing here.

Congulations to our Summer Scholars!

The department congratulates Torey Holderith and Garrett Heilman, both of whom have been awarded summer research scholarships from the university in the amount of $3000. Garrett will be working under Professor Weinberger on the topic "Iranian Proliferation in the Context of an Evolving Transatlantic Relationship," while Torey Holderith will be working under Professor O'Neil on the topic "Using the Market to Build the State: Reversing Contemporary State-Building Logic in Iraq."

In addition, Professor Share will be supervising a third Summer Scholar, Kyla Roberts (Foreign Languages), on the research topic "The Economic Effects of Raul Castro's New Government in Cuba".

These are highly competitive awards, so the department is pleased that our majors have done so well. We look forward to working with them and learning about their findings in the fall.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Cough it up

From the Chronicle of Higher Education:

The Hillary Clinton for President campaign had long-unpaid debts to several colleges as of the end of March, according to a “debts by vendor” report it submitted this week to the Federal Election Commission....Among the institutions listed as still owed money for events leading up to the early February primaries and caucuses were Augsburg College ($20,635), California State University at Northridge ($13,611), Fisk University in Tennessee ($1,200), San Diego State University ($10,000), the University of Maine ($3,582), the University of the Puget Sound ($4,118), and Virginia Tech ($2,110).

The Nation Writing Contest

Alum Ned Culhane sent this along. Looks interesting--

We're happy to announce information on The Nation's third annual student writing contest made possible through the generous support of the BIL Charitable Trust to recognize and reward the best in student writing and thinking. Please help us spread the word.

This year we're looking for students to answer this question: What have you learned from a personal experience that the next president should know before setting the agenda for the country? Essays should not exceed 800 words and should be original, unpublished work that demonstrates fresh, clear thinking and superior quality of expression and craftsmanship. All high school and college students are eligible. We'll select five finalists and two winners--one from college, one from high school. Each winner will be awarded $1,000 and a Nation subscription. The winning essays will be published in the magazine and featured at TheNation.com. Entries (only one per student) will be accepted through May 31, 2008. A winner will be announced by September 4. Click here for info.

Read last year's winning entry detailing the most important issue for young people in the 2008 presidential election. The winner, Ryan Thoreson of North Dakota and Harvard University, argued that the issue was privacy.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Conference Friday, blogging light

I won't be blogging tomorrow, but I hope to see you on campus for our conference--

2008 apr_energy conference AGENDA

Professor Sherman: Green Tacoma Award

First Green Tacoma Award

Tacoma, WA - Assistant professor of Environmental Studies Dan Sherman is the recipient of the first Green Tacoma Partnership recognition Award. Green Tacoma is a coalition of city and private groups working to develop a restoration and management plan for natural areas in Tacoma. Professor Sherman is one of the group's founders. He teaches various aspects of environmental politics and policy. His current research examines the politics of radioactive waste disposal, local community activism, and intergovernmental relations.

Congratulations!

Job Opening in Olympia

Alums: If you've been out in the legislative field for a few years, this might be of interest to you. Let me know if you are interested and I can put you in touch with someone who may know more about the job.

REGIONAL HEALTH CARE POLICY MANAGER
Job Requisition Number: 30014
Department: ADVOCACY
Employment Status: Full-Time
Location: OLYMPIA, Washington 98506-0000
Salary Minimum: Negotiable
Salary Maximum: Negotiable

Internal Description:

Who we need!
Providence Health and Services is seeking a Regional Health Care Policy Manager. This position will be seated in Olympia. The Regional Health Care Policy Manager is responsible for the management of the Regulatory Affairs functions, including research and policy analysis, implementation, and communications with internal/external audiences on priority Providence Health & Services issues that relate to health Regional operations with special emphasis on finance, access, quality, compliance and certification issues. In addition, under the general direction of the Washington Montana Chief Strategic Officer, this position services as the primary Providence Health & Services contact with agencies on health care/financial policy issues.

Key accountabilities assigned to this position will include, but will not be limited to:

* Monitoring major regulatory initiatives of key agencies within the full continuum of healthcare including but not limited to Washington State Department of Health (DOH), DSHS, L&I, HCQA etc); also monitoring the Governors regulatory policy agenda and providing counsel and information to operations leaders and others where appropriate
* Conducting research and policy analysis, implementation, and communications with internal/external audiences on priority and Providence Health and Regional policy issues that relate to health system operations with a special emphasis on quality, access, payment, and certification issues
* Under the direction of the Washington Montana Chief Strategic Officer, serving as the main Providence Health & Services contact with certain State agencies on health/financial policy issues; developing relationships with key executive branch officials
* Advancing the policy objectives of the Providence Health & Services System in Washington and Montana through the establishment of effective working relationships
* Establishing and nurturing a strong focus on government affairs at the local level including work with local community boards and staff; this position is accountable for building and supporting the local government affairs infrastructure that can be utilized to support the achievements of Providences public policy objectives

Requirements
Education: This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Law, Political Science, Business, Communications, Government, or Health Administration with a Master’s degree in a related discipline preferred. The education requirement may be waived if the hiring authority deems the individual has equivalent experience and/or technical training.

Experience: This position requires a minimum of five years of work experience in legislative or regulatory activities, health administration or legal research communications, or public relations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated leadership, program management, communication, analytical, creative conceptual thinking, and writing skills are required. The position requires demonstrated competency in research, writing, public speaking, and personal computer and software applications.

TO APPLY:
https://recruiter.kenexa.com/providence/cc/CCJobResultsAction.ss?command=ViewJobDetails&job_REQUISITION_NUMBER=30014

Amber D. Lewis
Regional Government Relations Manager
Providence Health & Services
Washington Montana Region
2120 B Caton Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502
Office Phone: 360-486-6654
Cell Phone: 360-915-3882
Toll Free: 1-800-992-1388 ext. 3-6654

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Professor Sherman goes to Yale

Not for good, thankfully. Professor Sherman has been invited to the The Conference on Environmental Governance and Democracy will take place at Yale University, from May 10-11, 2008.

The event brings together academic experts and practitioners from governments, inter-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector. Participants will take stock of contemporary research and knowledge gaps at the intersection of institutions, public participation and environmental sustainability.

The objective of the Conference is to develop a research program and network to strengthen institutional approaches for effective and context-sensitive public participation in environmental governance. Discussions will cover various levels of environmental governance, including international, national, regional, local, and corporate governance.

Professor Sherman's panel:

Public participation in local environmental governance


Moderator: Merle Sowman, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science and Director, Environmental Evaluation Unit, University of Cape Town

Wilson Akpan, Senior Lecturer and Head of Department, Department of Sociology, University of Fort Hare: "Local content" policy in the Nigerian petroleum industry: "new" intervention, old socio-ecologic questions"

Hua Wang, Senior Environmental Economist, Development Research Group, World Bank Institute: "Community roundtables - a stakeholder dialogue strategy for sustainable development in China"

Daniel Sherman, Assistant Professor, Department of Politics and Government, University of Puget Sound: "Contamination, collaboration and remediation: national, state, local, and corporate environmental governance in the Superfund remediation efforts of Tacoma, Washington"

Marc Hufty, Professor, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, University of Geneva: "Protected areas governance: testing the effectiveness of participation, social and ecological sustainability"

Course Offering: Writing Beyond the Academy

I wish I had taken something like this when I was an undergraduate. Now is your chance. This course will be taught by Tim Lulofs; Mr. Lulofs works full time as a technical-writing manager at Microsoft and has a Ph.D. in American literature and a lot of college teaching-experience--

Wondering what you’ll do after graduation? Enroll in Fall 2008’s
Writing Beyond the Academy (English 300)
to help you figure it out.
In this one-night-a-week course you will . . .
• apply your communication skills to the sorts of tasks you’ll encounter in the working world
• learn about careers in fields you’re interested in and make professional contacts in those fields

English 300 will give you practice in business writing and will introduce you to new publishing technologies that professionals in more and more fields are expected to be familiar with. You’ll write and polish targeted resumes and cover letters, critique websites of potential employers, and publish articles on a commercial blog space and on a UPS-hosted wiki site with internet (that is, worldwide) exposure. You’ll come way from the course with confidence in your communications skills--and a portfolio of written work to share with prospective employers.

English 300 Fall 2008 Wednesday eves., 7-9:30 p.m. Enroll now!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Pronk


From The Onion.

Sunday in the SUB


No explanation needed.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Campaign job for the summer--paid!

Note that the contact person is Hart Edmonson '08:

Field Associate with Congressman Norm Dicks Reelection Campaign

Congressman Norm Dicks of the 6th Congressional District is seeking 8-10 self-motivated, energetic Field Associates for the upcoming reelection campaign. Working in Pierce and Kitsap Counties and elsewhere in the sixth congressional district duties will include:

* Assistance with day-to-day campaign operations
* Voter and constituent outreach
* Event planning and coordination
* Database-building
* Fundraising

Qualifications:

* Those seeking a fun summer of rewarding work with a seasoned congressional staff, in an atmosphere in which creative and critical thinking is promoted and listened to, are encouraged to apply.
* Interest or experience in community advocacy, politics, or public service is a plus.

We are additionally seeking a Webmaster to manage a campaign blog and website.

Scheduling will be flexible. Positions are paid. We are looking to hire within two weeks for positions lasting either through the summer or through Election Day in November.

Contact:

Hart Edmonson: hedmonson@ups.edu

Friday, April 18, 2008

Maya Mendoza-Exstrom '03 comes calling

PICT0031a
A few days back I was lucky to have Maya Mendoza-Exstrom '03 come to our department's 200-level course on writing and research. I've used the class over the past few years to bring in alums to talk about life after UPS, and Ms. Mendoza-Exstrom was quite inspirational for the students, having gone to law school but kept a sense of perspective during and since. One student remarked to me later here presentation "I was relieved to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel."

PICT0035
Afterwards a few of us had dinner to thank her for her visit. Much appreciated!

I'm sure it's nice somewhere

PICT0002a
We continue to experience unusual weather; nights in the 30s and cold windy days that are certain to lose us a larger than usual percentage of prospective students. Guess that napkin was right. But at least one of the cacti in my office shrugs off the cold. It gets one bloom a year which is gone in couple of days.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Summer Internship with Congressman Adam Smith Campaign

Internship with Adam Smith for Congress Campaign

Congressman Adam Smith a Democrat representing Washington State's 9th Congressional District. The 9th District includes parts of King, Pierce and Thurston Counties. Approximately 50 percent of the 9th District's population resides in King County, 40 percent in Pierce County, and 10 percent in Thurston County. The 9th Congressional District is a classic suburban district, covering the cities and other communities of the South Puget Sound region.

Adam Smith for Congress is seeking motivated, talented and dedicated interns for this summer and/or next semester. Course credit may be available with approval from your school. This internship is an opportunity to learn about the many aspects of a political campaign from the inside. Schedule is flexible, minimum of 10 hours a week.

Duties (depending on interest) may include:

  • Assisting the candidate and Political Director in handling day-to-day operations

  • Contacting voters directly

  • Researching community, legislative, and policy issues

  • Representing the campaign at public events

  • Following up with constituents and political contacts

  • Gathering and managing data

  • Assisting with fundraising and events

Job Qualifications:

Intern should possess a strong work ethic and close attention to detail.

Interest in public service, politics, and community issues is a plus.

Contact Information:

If you are interested in an unpaid internship position with Congressman Adam Smith's campaign, please contact Matt Perry at mattperry83@gmail.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Congrats to Sarah Glancy '08, Wyatt Scholarship winner!

I'm thrilled to report that Sarah Glancy '08, a double major in Politics and Government and Natural Science, is one of this year's two winners of the Wyatt Trustee Scholarship. The Wyatt Scholarship, which is faculty-nominated, is for $10,000. We are thrilled at Sarah's success, which represents the first winner of the Wyatt by a PG major since 2004. Congratulations, Sarah!

Toy gun fun? Some, stunned, shun--

From the Chronicle of Higher Education. These games are going on at UPS as well--

Students at Bowling Green State University once carried Nerf guns for a week each semester, shooting the zombies before the creatures could tag them. Participants were seen by most bystanders as nerdy but harmless kids who liked role-playing.

But these days, bright plastic Nerf guns bring panicked phone calls to campus officials. Last fall the game freaked out several students and parents, who feared that the Nerf shooters might be on real rampages.

Administrators called in the game's organizers and asked whether they could replace the fake guns with something that looked less like a weapon. The compromise: Players now throw marshmallows.

Which, let's face it, just isn't the same.

Read the whole piece here.


Rotaract Non-Profit Networking Night

Nonprofit Networking Event

Tuesday, April 22nd from 7 to 8:30 pm in Wyatt 109

Representatives from nonprofit organizations such as Heart Association will be speaking on their professions and answering questions. Refreshments from Mary's Cookies will be provided.

And find out more about Rotaract--the campus branch of Rotary:

Next Rotaract Meeting Wednesday, April 23rd in the SUB Room 202 at 8 pm

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Loggers for Global AIDS Prevention

I gave ten bucks--you? Pretty amazing what our students can do if they put their minds to it--here's an earlier article about this from The Trail.

Loggers for Global Aids Prevention is a new student club this year led by Shira Goldstein; our mission is to build and run an HIV clinic in Ghana, one of all too many areas afflicted by a serious HIV epidemic.

Right now, we own a piece of land and a set of building permits in Ghana to put this clinic on and we've got a group of volunteers (both UPS students, and volunteers from a Canadian group called Volunteers Abroad) committed to build the clinic this summer. All we need is the money for building supplies. Our goal is to raise $10,000 this month and we're really close; if everyone in the UPS community donates just $5 (or even less than that - any amount helps), then none of our wallets will suffer very badly and it will make a huge difference for a lot of people in Ghana.

There will be an LGAP table near the dish return in the SUB every day this week during lunch time; we accept donations there and will also provide pre-labeled envelopes with our campus mailbox number for those who do not carry cash during lunch time. Thanks to everyone for their support!

Thanks,

Alana

Fund for American Studies: DC, worldwide programs

The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) was founded in 1967 to help instill in young people an appreciation for the American form of government and the free enterprise system. TFAS sponsors Institutes that teach college students about the principles and values upon which the United States was founded.

The following Institutes are held each summer around the world and are sponsored in part by Georgetown University:

The following Institutes are held in Washington, D.C. in partnership with Georgetown University:

Summer Institutes:

Fall and Spring Semesters:

  • Capital Semester
    For students looking to spend their fall or spring semester gain public policy experience in our nation's capital while studying at Georgetown University.

For more information about the DC Institutes, please visit www.dcinternships.org.

For more information about The Fund for American Studies, please visit www.tfas.org.

UN Summer Study Program

UNITED NATIONS INTENSIVE SUMMER STUDY PROGRAM

The United Nations Intensive Summer Study Program, designed for graduate students and advanced undergraduates, immerses participants in the political dynamics of the United Nations. This week-long program, now in its eighth year, familiarizes students with the inner workings of the U.N. by bringing them together with distinguished practitioners working in the field of multilateral diplomacy. Participants attend official sessions at U.N. Headquarters, such as meetings of the Security Council, as well as briefings at the United Nations Association of the USA.

Directed by Dr. Courtney Smith, associate dean of academic affairs at the Whitehead School of Diplomacy, and offered in cooperation with UNA-USA, the program is structured around a series of seminars led by U.N. officials and representatives of governments and civil society on a range of global issues currently on the U.N. agenda. Key topics have included: peacekeeping and disarmament, human rights and refugees, status of women and children, member state policies towards the U.N., the role of civil society and the private sector in the U.N., United Nations reform, and environment and development.

This week-long intensive program will be offered from Monday, July 21 through Friday, July 25, 2008. Participants will be immersed in activities for 12 hours a day the entire week of the program.

Politicorps

Rolling admissions up through June. Check it out here.

PolitiCorps is a 10-week political boot camp. It’s the springboard from academic study to making a real difference.

PolitiCorps is the only program of its kind - a political immersion and leadership training program designed to engage and prepare college students and recent graduates for a life of public service through a combination of skills and policy classes, intensive field work, strategic planning exercises, and access to a broad network of activists, strategists, and policymakers.

PolitiCorps has 3 goals:

Make an impact in the short term.

Fellows spend field time on all aspects of grassroots organizing, making an immediate difference in Oregon’s political landscape.

Develop leaders for the long term.

PolitiCorps is a leadership pipeline — exposing Fellows to a vast network organizations and relationships to give them a running start at careers that serve the public interest.

Incubate creative and innovative ideas.

Through "Project: Blueprint" proposals, Fellows have a creative outlet to develop strategic planning skills, and design innovative grassroots programs or public policy ideas.

DC Conference: Bridging the Partisan Divide

All paid except airfare (and they chip in for that as well...). Deadline is April 30.

Each year the Arsalyn Program sponsors a national conference designed to serve as a respectful, neutral forum where diverse individuals promoting youth civic and political engagement can meet as collegues. In addition to opportunities for networking, Arsalyn’s national conferences enable participants to look at ways to get involved in the democratic process and develop a sense of common purpose in working toward their goals.

Arsalyn's national conferences are open to individuals and organizations that identify with Arsalyn's mission and are working to promote youth civic and political engagement. Arsalyn provides funding for participants’ travel, lodging, food, and conference materials. To optimize interaction between participants attendance is usually limited to 150 people.

This year’s national conference will take place in Washington DC the 24th through 28th of July and is entitled “Bridging the Partisan Divide: Rediscovering Deliberation.” The goal of the conference is to bring young people together so they can discuss how people with differing opinions can deliberate to solve common problems through the political process.

Find out more here.

I guess some of our students don't like it here...


From Kevin Freitas.net. Found at Farelli's Pizza on Sixth Avenue. See the other napkin art, and the reactions, here.

Personally, I like Tacoma, but unlike many students, I don't spend the majority of my time within six blocks of campus--

Professor Bonura's (farewell) talk tomorrow

From the Political Science Association:

Professor Bonura will be doing a presentation sponsored by PSA this Wednesday (16th) at 6:00pm in Wyatt 101. The lecture is on the insurgency in Southern Thailand and understanding political violence. Could you also mention that Professor Bonura will be leaving at the end of the year for Oxford so this will be one of the last times that we will be able to hear him speak? The lecture will last about 30 minutes, and a Q&A session will follow.

Here is the abstract Professor Bonura provided me with. You may choose to include if you want

Since January 2004, political violence in southern Thailand has claimed over 2700 lives, making the conflict the most violent in Southeast Asia today. Although rarely covered by media in the United States, the intensity of the violence, committed by both a wide range of militants and militias as well as the Thai government, has continued unabated to today.

Over the last three decades, explanations of intermittent violence in southern Thailand commonly refer to frameworks of ethnic separatism and Islamic militancy, or Thai nationalism as the cause of the region's conflict. Unlike previous periods, however, current violence in the region does not involve a clear separatist campaign motivated by ethnic or religious tensions between Malay Muslims and Thai Buddhists. Moreover, there have been no claims of responsibility, severe difficulties in substantiating official explanations or accounts of violence, and no singular political movement emerging to contest state authority. Professor Bonura will outline the possible causes of the conflict and suggest how the difficulties of understanding the conflict in southern Thailand poses challenges to common approaches toward understanding political violence more generally.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Dalai Lama and the UPS PG connection

No, we don't know the Dalai Lama, but when he was in Seattle recently, a number of students went up to see him. Among them was Tashi Choygal '09, the son of Tibetan parents who left in 1959. Tashi is quoted in a piece in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on the visit; read the article here.

Contributions: past intentions and future uses

A fluffy but moderately interesting piece in the New York Times on how very specific college donations can become complicated when funds outlive their original intention--like a scholarship for students from a county in Virginia that no longer exists, or wood for a college president's fireplace. Read the whole thing here.

But on that note, every year the department gets small donations from alums that go specifically into a line separate from our larger budget. I've wanted to be responsible with this money so that it goes as far as possible. To those of you who have contributed in past, I wanted to let you know that to date we've used some of those funds to support student research (such as buying online data for research papers) and student conference travel. So know that your contributions to the department have gone directly into the hands of students. And for that we thank you.

Oped: Biofuels

Last Sunday the News Tribune published an oped written by myself and Tom Collina from 2020Vision on biofuels, in anticipation of our upcoming conference. Actually, I wrote about 1% of it and Mr. Collina the rest. An excerpt:

Can you imagine flying in a jumbo jet powered by coconut oil? Or maybe you would prefer to fly on liquid coal? Chances are you haven’t thought much about what powers your air travel, just as long as it works. But just as you can now buy a car that runs on ethanol or electricity instead of gasoline, the Air Force, Boeing and the airline industry are searching for alternatives to power their jets.

And right here in the Tacoma area they are coming up with surprising options.

The primary driver of this transition is cost. Today’s jet fuel is made from petroleum, which last month reached an all-time high of $110 per barrel. Oil prices have risen 50 percent in one year, and fuel accounts for one-third of an airline’s operating costs. The airline industry projects that, worldwide, its profits will be down 10 percent in 2008 because of the price of oil.

The Air Force has the same problem. Its huge demand for jet fuel means that each $10 increase in a barrel of oil costs the Pentagon $600 million a year. It spends over $3 billion more for fuel than it did in 2004.

There are national security drivers as well. As we know, our oil dependence influences our country’s relationship with the Middle East, where war and political instability threaten to disrupt supplies. Rising consumption by China and India will further pressure our limited supplies. President Bush has declared that America is “addicted to oil” – not only consumers but the military as well.

Read the rest here.

The Boys of Fremont

From Professor Share's band--

Friends of the Downtown Mountain Boys,

We'd like to remind you about our concert next Saturday evening (April 19) at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m., and advance tickets are available at Dusty Strings in spectacular Fremont (206-634-1662 and www.dustystrings.com ). Dusty Strings has created one of the best concert spaces in the area, and we are really looking forward to performing there. We'll be playing some material from our recording, Big Darlin', as well as some newer gems we've uncovered.

Several of us will also offer instrumental workshops at Dusty Strings on Sunday, April 20. Contact Dusty Strings to reserve your spot.

We hope to see some of you next weekend,

The Downtown Mountain Boys,

Paul Elliott
Terrence Enyeart
Dave Keenan
Tom Moran
Don Share

www.downtownmountainboys.com

Friday, April 11, 2008

E-spionage

Interesting piece from Business Week on cybersecurity and national security:

...many security experts worry the Internet has become too unwieldy to be tamed. New exploits appear every day, each seemingly more sophisticated than the previous one. The Defense Dept., whose Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) developed the Internet in the 1960s, is beginning to think it created a monster. "You don't need an Army, a Navy, an Air Force to beat the U.S.," says General William T. Lord, commander of the Air Force Cyber Command, a unit formed in November, 2006, to upgrade Air Force computer defenses. "You can be a peer force for the price of the PC on my desk." Military officials have long believed that "it's cheaper, and we kill stuff faster, when we use the Internet to enable high-tech warfare," says a top adviser to the U.S. military on the overhaul of its computer security strategy. "Now they're saying, Oh, shit.'"

Read the whole thing here.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Congratulations to Norah Atkinson '09: Lance Palmer Scholarship winner

Many congratulations are in order this week...

We mentioned in the earlier post about Colin Cronin '09 heading off to Egypt. Colin was also the department's 2007-08 recipient of the Lance Palmer Scholarship for Equality and Justice. For 2008-09, that award is going to Norah Atkinson '09. Congratulations!

The Lance Palmer Scholarship Fund for Equality and Justice was established by Lance E. Palmer '85, JD '88. Mr. Palmer established the award for students conducting research on issues of global or domestic inequality, with the hope to empower students to fight for social equality and justice.

Thanks again to Mr. Palmer for making this scholarship possible.

Colin Cronin heads to Egypt

A few weeks back we blogged about an upcoming conference in Egypt, "Beyond Borders: An Egyptian-American Dialogue. Colin Cronin '09 applied, was accepted, and is headed to Egypt next month. Congratulations, Colin, and we look forward to a recap and a few pictures--

Quebec US internship summer 2008

Interesting. Interested? Deadline is April 23--

I am writing to inform you of a new professional training opportunity
for US students for the summer 2008. The Washington Center for
Internships and Academic Seminars together with the Government of Quebec
is pleased to announce the Gerin-Lajoie Quebec-US Internship Program.
Open to upper division, undergraduate and graduate students with a
working knowledge of French and a desire to explore Quebec-US relations,
the Gerin-Lajoie Quebec-US Internship Program offers an unique
opportunity. Students will intern in various offices within the Quebec
Government. This summer marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of
Quebec, and will offer the trainees an exciting cultural celebration.
Five top candidates will be selected with two alternates. The Government
of Quebec and The Washington Center will award five (5) Gerin-Lajoie
Fellowships, which provides single-unit housing at Laval University and
reduced fees. Orientation is in Washington, DC for two days prior to
arrival in Quebec. The Gerin-Lajoie Fellowship also covers airfare and
accommodation in Washington, DC. Academic credit may be available from
home US institutions.

The Gerin-Lajoie Quebec-US Internship Program will provide a valuable
insight into Quebec society, its political institutions, economy, and
culture. Students will be housed on Laval University campus and
participate in seminars, workshops and cultural events in addition to
the on-the-job training. The program is twelve weeks long beginning on
19 May and ending on 8 August 2008. The Washington Center will review
applicants and submit top candidates to the Government of Quebec Office
in Washington, DC. We are accepting applications now, on a rolling basis
through Wednesday, 23 April 2008. Successful candidates will be notified
by Monday 28 April 2008. To submit an application, please include a
letter of intent, resume, academic transcript, and two letters of
reference to Ms. Sonia Ziade at The Washington Center, 1333-16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036. Ms. Ziade may be reached via email at
soniaz@twc.edu or by phone at 202 238 7955.

The Gerin-Lajoie Quebec-US Internship Program is reasonably priced at
$6,990US. The Gerin-Lajoie Fellowship provides an award which includes
housing, DC training, placement, training and seminars. The fees after
the Gerin-Lajoie Fellowship are $3,425. Interns are responsible for
their transportation to Quebec from Washington, DC and their per diem
costs while in the Program. The cost of living in Quebec is considerably
more affordable than comparable world-class cities. Payment is due to
The Washington Center upon notification of acceptance into the program.

We value the work that your organization does to inform US students
about the important role Quebec plays in North America and the world
community and trust you will share with us in supporting the
Gerin-Lajoie Quebec-US Internship Program. Please let me know if you
have any questions about this significant opportunity.

Sincerely yours,

Peter J. Stephens
Managing Director
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars

Jean-Stephane Bernard
Director,
Quebec Government Office
Washington, DC

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Congrats to Kavin Williams, USMMA intern for 08!

Congratulations to Kavin Williams '09, who will be the department's intern at the US Merchant Marine Academy outside New York this summer--room, board, pay, and a chance to work in public affairs and meet people from various ranks of government and politics. Last year Torey Holderith '09 was their intern, and he has a great discussion and pictures here and here. Are you a PG major who would be interested in the internship for summer 2009? Let me know.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Upcoming Campus Event: Flying in a Carbon Constrained World

Hope you can join us! Co-sponsorsed by 2020 Vision and the Air Force. Free and open to the public. Agenda here; preregister here.

2008 apr_energy conference

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

I'm gettin' me a job in Second Life

From Forbes:

...just as the way we surf the web changed, the way that corporate America does business has changed in this middle space. Case in point: the most radical dotcom 2.0 recruitment wave is happening in virtual reality thanks to Second Life. Instead of posting a resume on Monster.com that will hopefully net a flesh-and-blood job interview, your avatar can be interviewed and hired all within Second Life, often for jobs possible only in virtual reality.

You (or your avatar( can read the whole thing here.

Reminder: ¿Puedo Hablar?

2008 apr_christopher moore

Monday, April 07, 2008

LSAT advice wanted!

Dear LSAT survivors:

I had a student come in today and ask about preparing for the LSATs and realized I was ill-prepared to give an answer. So here is my request. Would any of you who took the LSAT please gike advice in the comments section on what you think are good preparation strategies? It could be courses, study methods, anything you think would be valuable. The department would then have some advice on hand we could turn to in future. Many thanks!

Social Compact (still) wants to hire you--

We first got this some time back; looks like no one took them up on it. A job and an interesting spot on your resume? Check it out.

Hello!

My name is Carolina Valencia and I am the Associate Director of Research at Social Compact. Social Compact is a not for profit organization that promotes economic development in low income neighborhoods by providing data that highlights economic opportunity. Feel free to visit our modest website at www.socialcompact.org

We were recently hired to conduct an analysis about grocery, convenience and corner stores in Washington State.

I have been successful at finding research assistants in most cities where we need help. However, I have not found anyone that can help with our research in Tacoma.

Ideally we are looking for 1 or more persons that can dedicate a total of approximately 100 hrs in a 2 month period. The hrs are flexible. I was wondering if you could help me by

1. sharing the information about this research opportunity with local groups/ students to see if any interested parties contact us
2. tell me where is a good place where I can post this job opportunity

I appreciate your help very much.

THE AD
Social Compact, a not for profit organization promoting investments in inner-city neighborhoods, will conduct an analysis on residents\' access to grocery providers across Washington State. With this purpose in mind, we are looking for honest, trustworthy, enthusiastic people to make great money while gathering information from local grocery stores. Must have own transportation. If you are interested please contact Carolina Valencia, Associate Director of Research at cvalencia@socialcompact.org NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE! There is no minimum number of hours required and students can work according to their own schedule. It is a wonderful opportunity to earn some extra cash. Salary: $10/hr.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Carolina Valencia Ph.D.
Associate Director of Research
Social Compact
738 7th St SE
Washington DC, 20003
202 547 2581
cvalencia@socialcompact.org

"It is a small world for the rich, but a huge one for the poor"

Get organized--with help from Slate

From Slate Magazine: "The Best Books, Articles, and Websites to Help Organize Your Life" Hat tip: Professor Sousa.

Mock refugee camp; Professor Share speaks

This reminds me of my undergraduate years, when students would build shantytowns to protest Apartheid. Professor Share will be giving a talk at 6 pm (see below).


Mock Refugee Camp


Sunday, April 6 10:00 p.m. - Friday, April 11 12:00 a.m. hosted by the Amnesty International University of Puget Sound Student Group
University of Puget Sound
Quad between Trimble and the SUB
(1500 N. Warner)
Tacoma, WA 98416

University of Puget Sound Amnesty International Group presents: Mock Refugee Camp

Join us in refusing ignorance. You are now Aware, what will you do?

Sunday, April 6, at 10:00pm - through Friday, April 11 at 12:00am UPS Campus - Quad between Trimble and the SUB (1500 N. Warner, Tacoma, WA 98416.)

The entire campus community is invited to camp out with us. Come for one night or pledge all four days. Events each night including speakers, slam poetry, film screenings, and a candle light vigil.

Join us in refusing ignorance. You are now Aware, What will you do?

April 7th - Focus: Africa (DRC and Darfur)
Event: 5pm Mary Kay Opening Introduction
Film Screening: Rape of the Congo, The Devil Came on Horseback

April 8th- Focus: Colombia
Speaker: Professor Don Share 6:30P

April 9th - Focus: Cambodia
Event: Slam Poetry

April 10th- Focus: Iraq/ Closing Ceremony Photo Exhibit
Candlelight vigil
Information about current happenings in Iraq
Film Screening: Justice Without Borders

For more information: cvanpatten@ups.edu - 971.241.03

Friday, April 04, 2008

Graphic: The Red Blue Paradox


It doesn't get cleaner than this. Source: The Monkey Cage.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

When cheating costs, we do it less


From the Economist. Hat tip. Professor Weinberger. How long before we do random tests for study drugs?

Because we all need something from Berlin


Who doesn't need a plush TV tower?
http://www.berlinomat-shop.com/ Many weird and wonderful items from Berlin.

Cherry Blossoms



Ned Culhane '06 sent along some lovely pictures of the cherry blossoms in bloom in DC, as enjoyed by some Washington-based loggers. He writes, "the day turned out to be a little UPS reunion as I think 4 of us ended up meeting up on Saturday morning to take in the sights of this amazing festival. The Smithsonian also ties it to this kite festival hence the pictures at the bottom of the set."

Check out all the pictures here.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Young conservative activists wanted now--

And paid!

Would you, or someone you know, like a successful career as a conservative activist?

I am on the hunt for at least 80 people whose public policy careers I can launch this fall.

I hope you, or a friend of yours, will be one of them.

Each fall, I carefully select the most promising young conservative activists to be field representatives for my Leadership Institute.

Field representatives receive 2 weeks of intensive training at my headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, plus generous compensation that allows them to spend 3 months on the ground, honing their political skills and preparing for a lifetime of leadership.

Those selected will help conservative students break the left-wing monopoly on college campuses.

Currently, the Leadership Institute has 1,015 active conservative student groups in our Campus Leadership Program. Our fall 2008 field representatives will organize hundreds more.

If you become a field representative, your journey will take you to colleges in one of at least 80 territories covering all 50 states. Once there, you will locate conservative students, help them organize, and connect them to the resources of the conservative movement.

While your leadership abilities increase, you will raise up the next generation of conservative leaders.

Completion of my field program is resumé gold. Of the 46 field representatives who completed last year’s program, 29 have used their experience to land full-time jobs as conservative activists in public policy and politics. Seven others have returned to school.

Field representatives have used the experience to launch rewarding careers in:

• Grassroots Activism
• Campaigns for public office
• Political appointments
• Capitol Hill staff
• Lobbying
• Long-term employment with the Leadership Institute
• Good jobs in other conservative organizations

The pay is generous. The experience is priceless.

Through the generosity of our donors, field representatives receive $15,000 in salary and expense stipend for the three month program.

Leadership Institute field representatives also receive a top-of-the-line laptop computer which they keep upon completion of my program.

Opportunities for full-time, paid jobs fighting for your beliefs do not come along very often.

These positions fill up fast. I hope to hear from you soon.

Cordially,
Morton Blackwell
President

Some updates

Heidi Kreiss '09 will have an internship with Amazon Watch this summer. Thanks to Jenn DeLury Ciplet '98 (formerly of AW) for her guidance and input!

Ashley Lauth '07 took an internship with Greenpeace in DC last spring, and now is working for them full-time as a production assistant. Great work--

James Howard Kunstler Talk April 23

The Department of Politics and Government is proud to be a sponsor of this event. Do attend if you can--

James Howard Kunstler to speak in Tacoma on April 23rd. Tickets on sale now.



Contact:
Paul Sparks, 253.569.9413, locallifetacoma@aol.com
Whitney Rhodes, 206.718.8664, whitney@exit133.com

TACOMA, Wash. – March 31, 2008 – Local Life Tacoma and Exit133 have partnered to bring James Howard Kunstler, urban planning advocate, social critic, journalist and novelist, to Tacoma on April 23, 7:00pm, at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts' Theatre on the Square. This event is sponsored by Veritas Mortgage, Embellish Salon, the University of Washington Tacoma Urban Studies Department, Boe Architects, the University of Puget Sound Politics & Government Department, BCRA, and The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. Student ticket prices are made possible through the generous support of the City of Tacoma.

James Howard Kunstler is the author of seven novels and countless articles and essays including The Geography of Nowhere and The Long Emergency. Geography earned much attention and praise, launching him into the spotlight as a commentator on America's hapless urban planning. Mr. Kunstler has lectured extensively about urban design, energy issues and new economies for The TED Conference, Google, American Institute of Architects, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the International Council of Shopping Centers, The National Association of Science and Technology and other professional organizations as well as at numerous colleges and universities.

Mr. Kunstler aptly describes his lectures as "stand-up comedy with some dark moments." His audience knows he is dependably acerbic, witty, well-read and exceedingly alert, drawing from a tremendous store of hard facts and idealism that ends on a good note: Well-earned and reasoned hope.

Mr. Kunstler will tour Tacoma and be speaking specifically to our city within the larger framework of his life's work. After the lecture, he will sign books in the lobby. Books will be available for sale from King's Books. For more information and tickets, contact the Broadway Center Box Office by phone at 253.591.5894, visit in person at 9th & Broadway or any time online at www.broadwaycenter.org .

More information is available at:

Local Life Tacoma
www.golocaltacoma.com/locallife.htm

Exit133
www.exit133.com

James Howard Kunstler
www.kunstler.com

CASCAID Conference 2008

The 5th Annual CASCAID Conference will be hosted this May 2-3 on the campus of Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. As part of its efforts to bring together activists, academics, and community members in a forum for dialog and discussion, we are encouraging undergraduate and graduate students to submit papers for the academic track of the conference. We think that it is important that undergraduate students get an opportunity to participate in conferences to get experience in sharing their work. As such, we were hoping you might be able to distribute the attached call for papers to interested students at all levels in your department. The theme for this year's conference is social justice, and we are hoping that the theme will encourage papers from a variety of fields on a diverse range of topics. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Manning Marable.

Submissions will be considered starting April 1, 2008. The deadline for full consideration is April 14, 2008. Papers and proposals received by this date will receive notification of status within 1 week. Abstracts will be accepted for consideration, but full papers are due 2 weeks prior to conference to be considered for the undergraduate prize. The top paper submitted by an undergraduate will be awarded the CASCAID Contribution to Advocacy Award and a $250 cash scholarship.

Papers can be submitted to CASCAIDpapers2008@gmail.com If you have any further questions, please contact me at darryl.stein@wwu.edu or 360-650-4556.

Thank you for your consideration,

Darryl Stein
Assistant Director of Forensics
Western Washington University

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Tuesday, April 01, 2008

oh April Fools is funny

Google meets Australia meets April Fools. Heh.

Sir John Templeton Fellowships

The Sir John M. Templeton Fellowships Essay Contest for students is held every year. The submission deadline this year is May 1, 2008. Winners will be announced in October, 2008. The 2008 Templeton Fellowships will be awarded for the best essay on the topic:

For decades social critics in the United States and throughout the Western world have complained that “property” rights too often take precedence over “human” rights, with the result that people are treated unequally and have unequal opportunities. Inequality exists in any society. But the purported conflict between property rights and human rights is a mirage—property rights are human rights.

—Armen Alchian, “Property Rights” in The Concise Encyclopedia of Economics

Are property rights human rights? How are they related? What are their similarities and differences? If property rights are human rights, why have they enjoyed fewer legal protections and intellectual champions than other human rights?

Please visit the Guidelines page for more information about how to write your essay.

Awards:
Students
First Prize: $2,500
Second Prize: $1,500
Third prize: $1,000

Deadline: May 1, 2008

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March snow showers make us glower


Last week we had several days of snow to welcome us into April. Snow? Here? In March? Odd stuff, and certain to scare away any of those prospective students from Hawaii. Thanks to Administrative Assistant Irene Lim (also known as The Real Power Behind PG) for the video.