NEW YORK STATE SENATE

Orientation, Placement
and Program UNDERGRADUATE
SESSION ASSISTANTS
Upon arrival students participate in
an orientation program that presents the

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION — 2009

rudiments of legislative purpose, procedure,
and culture. All placements are arranged
by the Office of Student Programs only.
Effort is made to develop mutually satisfactory
Sponsored by the New York State Senate since 1978
placements that provide in-depth experience Senator Dean G. Skelos, Majority Leader, Senator Malcolm A. Smith, Minority Leader
and reliable performance. Each student is
assigned to a specific office and is expected From Thursday, January 8, 2009, through Wednesday, April 29, 2009
to function much as a regular staff member Enrollment is on-site at the New York State Senate in Albany, New York
responsible to the Senator/supervisor in
FFF
that office/unit as the setting and limitations
of the program permit. Session Assistant
The Senate Application Deadline is Friday, October 31, 2008
responsibilities/tasks vary accordingly.­ There may be an earlier on-campus deadline.
Weekly seminars introduce focused Announcement of Selections is Monday, November 17, 2008
procedural topics and key participants, FFF
and may include reading/writing/speaking voting on original student legislation. Historically, it n An on-site experience at the Senate in Albany, New York, the program is not financial aid for on-
assignments. A major paper may be expected.­ is the culminating program activity.­ campus study. Selection is for approximately 30 undergraduate students. Each student should demonstrate a
Model Legislative Session is typical of the Students must maintain frequent contact with 3.0 grade point average, and meet the campus/departmental standard for off-campus study; students must be
program, including drafting, negotiation, and debate/ their campus advisors throughout the program.­ enrolled full time in the previous spring (not summer) and current fall semester/trimester.­
n Each applicant must be a United States citizen matriculating full time in an accredited, undergraduate
FFF degree program on a campus in New York State. The program is intended and designed for college juniors and
n A printable application is available on-line. Go to http//www.senate.state.ny.us and click on the “Student seniors: exceptional sophomores may occasionally be selected. Freshmen are ineligible.­
Programs” link. The application may be completed on-line then printed for required signatures. n The Senate welcomes majors in all accredited disciplines. Training in the history/politics/government
n Arrangement of personal housing in Albany is the responsibility of the student. The Senate does not of New York is neither a prerequisite of nor an advantage to selection. Skill and ability, initiative, eagerness to
provide for and is not responsible to identify suitable housing. learn, discretion, and mature flexibility are essential for success.­
Nonetheless, some modest Student Programs Office resources are available to support housing searches, n Placements are ordinarily to the offices of individual senators. Students may observe, participate in, and/
subject to change: a “Come one, come all!” Housing Day is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2008. On or acquire experience with state government procedures. Combined participation in the program and legislative
that day, enrolling students may identify another Session Assistant(s) with whom to room and share expenses placement is for a minimum of 35 hours per week. Longer hours are possible and should be expected.­
while in Albany. NOTE: City of Albany ordinances prohibit more than three unrelated adults from occupying the
same residence. n Each applicant must be able to earn campus awarded credit for participation in the program to be
Of course, not everyone will be able to attend Housing Day. Students are welcome at other times. If you eligible. Typically, 15 credit hours are awarded by most participating SUNY, CUNY, and independent colleges
will be conducting a housing search on other than the scheduled Housing Day and would like to use Student and universities. Advisement, evaluation, grading, and granting of credit are the responsibility of on-campus
Programs Office telephones and lists, you are most welcome but must call ahead to make arrangements. faculty. Owing to the demands of the on-site program, the Senate imposes a limit of six (6) additional classroom
FFF credits pursued outside the program during enrollment.­
n The Senate awards a $4,140 Stipend to offset costs of moving to and living in Albany. Arrangement
of housing in Albany is the responsibility of the individual enrollee. The stipend is paid in biweekly installments
— subject to lag payroll and other current payroll guidelines — and prorated through the last day of each indi-
vidual enrollment.­
FFF
Work with your Campus Liaison Officer (CLO)­

Name of CLO Office Location Office Hours­

If the CLO is unknown on your campus, write, call, fax or email:­
Krista R. Applebee, Ph.D., Director­
Senator Dean G. Skelos NYS Senate Office of Student Programs­
Senate Majority Leader Mailing Address: Legislative Office Building, #1426, Albany, NY 12247­
Location: 80 South Swan Street, Suite 1426, Albany, NY 12247­
Tel: 518-455-2611 — FAX: 518-426-6827 — Email: students@senate.state.ny.us­
4 http://www.senate.state.ny.us and click “Student Programs” link­.
Undergraduate Session
Assistants Program
The program is intended to provide talented
and able undergraduate students with firsthand
experience in New York State government at
the legislative level. Approximately 30 Session
Assistants are selected each session. The program is
meant to foster an appreciative understanding of the
roles of process, personalities, and problem-solving
in state government. The opportunity to observe
policy development is unparalleled.­
Applicants come from a wide variety of
backgrounds, disciplines, and campus experiences.
The enrollment will consist predominantly of college
juniors and seniors. Exceptional sophomores are
occasionally selected. Freshmen are ineligible.­
The program runs from the beginning of January
through the end of April and is spent entirely on-site
at the Senate.
Session Assistants are assigned to a Senator
and work full time in these placements. The aim
of the Senate Session Assistants Program is to
return energetic and informed men and women to
the classroom, to voter constituencies, and to the
workplaces that serve New York State — its economy,
communities, and families.­
Essential Questions
If you are currently enrolled as a full time
matriculating undergraduate student in an
accredited program, the Session Assistants
Program may be right for you. To test that, answer
the following questions:­
2 3
1. Are you interested in pursuing a career in public
service?­
2. Are you studying full time on an accredited
campus in New York State?­
3. Are you a United States citizen?­
4. Do you maintain a 3.0 grade point average
and will you be enrolled full time in the immediately
previous spring and current fall semester, or previous
two trimesters? Your status must be certified by the
Campus Liaison Officer (CLO), academic advisor,
chairman, dean, or other duly authorized campus
official.­
5. Can you earn credit for participation in this
experiential program from your college?­
6. Do you have respectable research and strong
communication skills?­
7. Are you able to set aside your personal political
predilections in order to fulfill the experiential
opportunity that is offered (i.e. can you accept
placement with an office where the political convictions
may be in stark contrast to your own)?­
The Undergraduate Session Assistants Program
application deadline is Friday, October 31, 2008.­
Expect an earlier on-campus deadline if your school
has a Campus Liaison Officer (CLO). Be prepared.
You may also be required to participate in a phone
interview with the New York State Senate Office of
Student Programs prior to selection.­
Announcement of those selected will be made on
Monday, Novenber 17, 2008.­
Campus Rules and
Responsibilities:
How They Apply
Each student wishing to apply for a Senate
assistantship should first become informed about
college regulations. This is the responsibility of
each applicant. Campus rules govern who may/may
not participate in such programs, the credit bearing
value of such experience, and the identity of the on-
campus evaluator.­
Responsible faculty screen prospective
applicants to ensure eligibility and appropriate-
ness. This may include reviews and on-campus
interviews.­
On-campus faculty are responsible for
academic planning, tracking, and evaluation of
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o 6. one longer essay (1,200 words) and two
policy memoranda;­
o 7. a statement of purpose relating your
objectives and vision in seeking this experiential
assistantship;­
o 8. certification by the CLO or other authorized
campus official for each applicant stating that the
applicant has been interviewed and/or the individual
academic record reviewed to ensure applicant is
eligible and meets all program and institutional
requirements;­
o 9. certification of the applicant’s present course
work-in-progress; and­
o 10. a signed Student Statement (see page i of
the application).­
Submit your application through the CLO, if there
is one on campus. Campus Liaison Officials, may, if
they choose to, confidentially rank applicants on the
basis of campus guidelines, standards, interviews
and conferences, the merits of the applications,
supporting materials, the nature of the program, and
so forth, as campus standards recommend.­
student participation. The Senate cannot and does
not award credit. To be eligible, the applicant must
be able to earn on-campus credit for experience in
the program. On campuses where there is no credit
bearing mechanism for off-campus study, students
will be ineligible.­
If, after on-campus interviews and reviews, you
are approved for off-campus enrollment, you may
submit the application through your Campus Liaison
Officer (CLO). Send all necessary paperwork and
certifications together. Apply on time. Read carefully
and follow directions.­
What to Include
Applications must include specific items/
information and certifications:­
o 1. official transcripts of all collegiate work;­
o 2. special areas of skill or honors;­
o 3. a resume — one page only;­
o 4. preferred area of policy interest (see list on
page IV of application);­
o 5. three confidential letters of reference from
persons familiar with the applicant’s academic
abilities and professional aptitude;­
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