NEWS @ COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE

Commonwealth College Spotlighted in the Boston Globe

Photo from Boston Globe On-line

Commonwealth College student Stephen McLellan discusses his capstone project proposal with fellow students David Borst, Margarette Poillucci, and Efstathia Choros. (Nancy Palmieri for The Boston Globe)

Announcements & Activities

  1. Dinner and a Movie: Exploring Diversity in the U.S., March 31
  2. Weekly Wednesday Workshop: Capstone Experience, April 2
  3. Student Input Needed on Commonwealth College Curriculum
  4. Leadership Opportunities for Commonwealth College
  5. A Chance to Talk to Prospective ComCol Students
  6. Graduating Seniors - Save the Date, May 24

Achievements, Awards & Accolades

  1. Clemenzi-Allen Awarded Gates Cambridge Scholarship

$cholarships and $upport

  1. $25,000 Scholarship for International Study, 2009-2010
  2. Research Assistant Fellowships Deadline, April 22
  3. Honors Research Grants: Deadline, April 22

Internships & Employment

  1. Community Service Learning Job Openings

Academic Opportunities

  1. Citizen Scholars Accepting Applications, Apply by March 28

Campus & Community Events

  1. The Gather Round Children Variety Show, March 26
  2. Law School Financial Aid Forum, March 27
  3. Constantine's Sword: Film & Discussion, March 27
  4. jubilat/Jones Poetry Reading Event, March 30
  5. Speak the Speech! Celebrate the Human Voice! April 2
  6. Juniper Initiative Presents Writers Work with Rob Casper, April 3
  7. Visiting Writers Series Presents Alice Notley, April 3
  8. Making Connections: Jobs & Internships in Social Change, April 3
  9. Landscapes of Violence: Conflict & Trauma thru Time, Apr 3-4

— ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACTIVITIES —

DINNER & A MOVIE: EXPLORING DIVERSITY IN THE U.S., MARCH 31
The new film series begins with Iron Jawed Angels. This film follows activists Alice Paul and Lucy Burns as they revolutionize the women's suffrage movement, putting their lives at risk to win the right to vote. Show starts at 7:00pm in 504 Goodell and dinner is served at 6:45pm. Please RSVP to peers@comcol.umass.edu for dinner by Friday, March 28.

WEEKLY WED WORKSHOP: CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE, APR 2
Need the 411 on your thesis, project, or capstone?  Learn what your options are, who you should be talking to, and where you should be. Workshops take place 6:00-7:00pm in 504 Goodell. RSVP to c3@comcol.umass.edu by Monday 4pm prior to the event if you are planning to attend.

STUDENT INPUT NEEDED ON COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE CURRICULUM
Commonwealth College is in the process of evaluating its curriculum. Top faculty members from departments outside of Commonwealth College are taking a closer look at honors courses in Commonwealth College and in your department. The faculty would like to get input from students as they move forward with their evaluation. Come and be a part of the evaluation process and voice your opinion, Thursday, April 3rd from 5pm-6pm in the Campus Center Reading Room. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP to dean@comcol.umass.edu by Monday, March 31st.  

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE
Commonwealth College is looking for student leaders! Do you have an interest in learning the ins and outs of the Commonwealth College office and gaining valuable leadership skills? Find out more and apply to be a Peer Intern. Do you have an interest in assisting incoming Commonwealth College students during our Welcome Weekend Orientation (formally Labor Day Orientation) and enhancing your leadership skills? Find out more and apply to be a Welcome Weekend Orientation Leader.

A CHANCE TO TALK TO PROSPECTIVE COMCOL STUDENTS
Would you like the chance to talk with prospective Commonwealth College students? Then please join us for our annual phone-a-thon! We will be calling accepted Commonwealth College students to congratulate them and answer any questions they might have about ComCol or UMASS in general. You could even call students from your hometown or major! Your student perspective is a valuable tool for prospective students in their decision-making process.
    Vital Facts: FREE Dinner! (Either pizza or Loose Goose!)
    Every evening, 5-7:30, Mon-Thurs, now to the end of April.
If you would like to take advantage of this great leadership opportunity, please RSVP to peers@comcol.umass.edu with the dates you would be able to attend, in advance, so that we can order the right amount of food!

GRADUATING SENIORS – SAVE THE DATE,  MAY 24
The Commonwealth College Celebration of Excellence, a cap-and-gown Honors Gold Cord presentation and Convocation for graduating Commonwealth College seniors, will take place starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Mullins Center. "Save The Date” postcards have been sent out to your permanent addresses…and more info will follow! Watch the Celebration of Excellence web site at www.comcol.umass.edu/celebrationofexcellence.

—ACHIEVEMENTS, AWARDS & ACCOLADES—

BENJAMIN CLEMENZI-ALLEN AWARDED GATES CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP
Benjamin Clemenzi-Allen, a senior English major from Newburyport, is one of 46 U.S. students selected to receive a Gates Cambridge Scholarship that funds one year of graduate study at the University of Cambridge in England. Clemenzi-Allen, who is a member of Commonwealth College, transferred to UMass Amherst after receiving an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Northern Essex Community College. He is the first Amherst campus student to receive the award. [More from In the Loop]

— $CHOLARSHIPS AND $UPPORT —

$25,000 SCHOLARSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY
The Rotary Foundation, the world’s largest private provider of international scholarships, is seeking candidates for a $25,000 Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarship for study abroad.  To be eligible for the scholarship offered in our area, applicants must:  (1) study, work or reside in Western Massachusetts,(2) have completed at least two years of university or college course work, and (3) be proficient in the language of the proposed host country (with limited exceptions in Africa).  The application deadline is June 1, 2008.
     For further details, see the online announcement and the Rotary website, at www.rotary.org.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT FELLOWSHIPS DEADLINE, APRIL 22
Attention Freshman & Sophomore Commonwealth College students! The deadline to apply for Research Assistant Fellowships for Fall 2008 is Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 4:00 p.m., 408 Goodell.
     These Fellowships are working fellowships that pay $8.00 per hour up to a maximum of $1,000 for students to work on a faculty member's research project. The program is designed to provide supplemental financial assistance, to give you an opportunity to gain experience in your academic field, and to help prepare you to undertake your own research. Application forms and guidelines are available here. Submit applications with essay and documentation from faculty member to ATTN: Research Fellowships, Commonwealth College, 408 Goodell. You must submit your application jointly with a faculty member.

HONORS RESEARCH GRANTS: DEADLINE, APRIL 22
Attention Junior Commonwealth College students! The deadline to apply for Honors Research Grants for Fall 2008 is Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 4:00 p.m., in 408 Goodell.
    Juniors who will be seniors pursuing honors research in the next academic year are eligible to apply. Students must submit a proposal outlining their project accompanied by a letter of endorsement from their faculty sponsor. Every recipient is asked to present his or her work at the statewide Undergraduate Research Conference in spring 2009. These fellowships of up to $1,000 are for direct costs only and do not provide a stipend or wage. Application forms and guidelines are available online here. Submit applications with proposal and letter of support to ATTN: Honors Grants, Commonwealth College, 408 Goodell.

— INTERNSHIPS & EMPLOYMENT —

COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING OFFICE JOB OPENINGS
The Office of Community Service Learning currently has two undergraduate positions available. See the OCSL website or download pdf announcement for more information.

INSTITUTE ON PHILANTHROPY & VOLUNTARY SERVICE
The Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service, a summer nonprofit internship and academic program, is ideal for undergraduate student leaders who are engaged in service programs on and off their campuses. All majors and fields of study are welcome. As part of the Institute experience, students will attend exclusive events and participate in hands-on activities including developing a mission statement, planning service projects and organizing fundraising activities. Download pdf flyer for full information.

— ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES —

CITIZEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS,
APPLY BY MARCH 28
Are you interested in service, leadership, activism, community organizing or public policy? Apply to the UMASS CITIZEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM! The Citizen Scholars Program (CSP) is a two-year, academic service-learning program that combines interdisciplinary course-work, community service, activism and social justice work. Citizen Scholars build a tight-knit community and develop tools to think critically and act creatively for social change. In addition, participants receive a $1,000 grant during each program year. For more information, visit our website at www.umass.edu/csl/citizenscholars.

— CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EVENTS —

THE GATHER ROUND CHILDREN VARIETY SHOW , MARCH 26
A Lively Night of Music, Lit and Comedy For Kids 18 and Up. Featuring Performances by Mike Young, Matt Weingast, Ashwati Parameshwar, Chuck Vermette, Anjali Khosla, Rachel B. Glaser, MC Mr. Napkins, Melissa Rae, Liz TD, Jamie Maletz, Gustavo Llarull and Laura Reiman Hosted by Gabe Durham. Admission: $0. Snacks. Performance: Wednesday, March 26, 8 pm in Butterfield Hall.    

LAW SCHOOL FINANCIAL AID FORUM, MARCH 27
Campus Center 917 from 2:30 to 4:00pm
Can I afford law school? What kind of financial aid is available? Anyone considering going to law school and wrestling with the high cost will want to attend this event. A panel of experts from three law schools (BC, Suffolk, and the University of Maine) explain how you can afford a legal education. Following their presentations, there will be plenty of time for you to ask questions. All current UMass and Five College students and alumni are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

CONSTANTINE'S SWORD: FILM & DISCUSSION, MARCH 27
7:00PM in ISOM Auditorium, room 137
The Newman Catholic Center, and The Ark Episcopal Center, and the Office of Jewish Affairs invite you to join us for an important film and discussion following. Former Catholic priest James Carroll is on a journey to confront his past and uncover the roots of religiously inspired violence. Focusing on Christian antisemitism as a prototype of religious intolerance, the film brings to life the history of religious violence which threatens the world today. For more information, visit www.umass.edu/jewish or call (413)545-9642.

JUBILAT/JONES POETRY READING EVENT, MARCH 30
The historic Jones Library and jubilat, the nationally acclaimed literary journal housed at the University of Massachusetts, are pleased to present a reading by poets Patrick Donnelly and Karen Volkman at 3:00 in the Jones Library, 43 Amity Street, Amherst. [complete information]

SPEAK THE SPEECH! CELEBRATE THE HUMAN VOICE, APR 2
Help promote the power and persuasive spark of the human voice by participating in Declamation Day, a celebration of the spoken word. Bring a 3-minute speech/poem excerpt (non-original) to a trial “rehearsal” on Wednesday, April 2, in Studio 204 of the Theater Department, from 6:30-9pm.
    Declamation Day performances will take place April 16, in Bezanson Recital Hall, 3:30-5:30pm. Prizes will be awarded. For more information, see the Declamation Day flyer, or email Professor Elizabeth Keitel at eek@classics.umass.edu or Professor Milan Dragicevich at miland@theater.umass.edu.

JUNIPER INITIATIVE: WRITERS WORK WITH ROB CASPER, APR 3
11:00am in Bartlett 316
Rob will share his experience and expertise in the fields of literary publishing, arts administration and literary programming. A graduate of the UMass MFA Program, Rob is the publisher of jubilat, which he founded with Michael Teig and Christian Hawkey, and the co-founder of the jubilat/Jones Reading Series with Dara Weir. Refreshments served.

VISITING WRITERS PRESENT ALICE NOTLEY, APR 3
The Visiting Writers Series at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites you to a poetry reading by Alice Notley on Thursday, April 3, at 8 pm in Memorial Hall. Notley is the author of more than 20 books of poetry. She was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Award for Poetry. In the spring of 2001, she received an Academy Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Poetry Society of America’s Shelly Memorial Award.

MAKING CONNECTIONS: JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS IN SOCIAL CHANGE, APRIL 3
4:30-6:30 p.m.  Cape Cod Lounge
UMass Amherst grads from the Labor Center, STPEC (Social Thought and Political Economy) and Women’s Studies return to campus to meet students and offer internships and career information. See flyer for more information.

LANDSCAPES OF VIOLENCE: CONFLICT & TRAUMA THROUGH TIME, APR 3-4
Sponsored by the Department of Anthropology (Co-Chair Ventura R. Pérez, Ph.D.) and the Psychology of Peace and Violence Concentration, Department of Psychology (Co-Chair Linda Tropp, Ph.D.), this inter-disciplinary conference aims to examine violence through ideological connections between the material world and social discourse, thus providing a multidimensional approach to understanding the bases and aesthetics of violence. Attention will be given to uncovering the motives, dynamics and functions of violence for individuals, groups, populations and societies, as well as for bonds and social relations in the private, institutional and public spheres of life.
    For more information, see the online flyer or visit their website at http://scholarworks.umass.edu/violence/.