Summary
The US onAir Network will be working with volunteers from Connecticut universities, colleges, and nonprofit organizations to oversee the curation and moderation of posts, aircasts (online discussions), and in person events for the Connecticut onAir Hub … related to federal, state, and local elections and government.
Our first outreach will be to University of Connecticut partly because of its proximity to the state capital. We have identified many of University of Connecticut’s civic engagement, academic, internship and research programs related to making democracy and civic responsibility a focus of higher learning on their campus … for students, faculty, staff, and local community. This post, over time, will have similar information on other collaborating organizations in the state.
Contact ben.murphy@onair.cc for more information on how to involve your organization.
University of Connecticut
Source: About Us
The University of Connecticut is a national leader among public research universities, with more than 32,000 students seeking answers to critical questions in classrooms, labs, and the community. A culture of innovation drives this pursuit of knowledge throughout the University’s network of campuses. Connecticut’s commitment to higher education helps UConn attract students who thrive in the most competitive environments, as well as globally renowned faculty members. Our school pride is fueled by a history of success that has made us a standout in Division I athletics. UConn fosters a diverse and vibrant culture that meets the needs and seizes the opportunities of a dynamic global society.
Admissions
About Us
Academics
Campus Life
Research
Athletics
UConn Health
Civic Engagement Programs
Source: Civic Engagement and Accountability
It is important that citizens exercise their right to vote to have a say in who is making the decisions that affect your life on the national, state, and local levels. However, after the election, democratic participation doesn’t stop. You can continue to voice your opinion, ask your elected officials to support issues you care about, or voice opposition to issues you find detrimental.
There are many ways to go about contacting your elected officials and voicing your concerns. Here are some tools you can use as a resource in this process.
Student Government
Source: About USG
Our Mission
The mission of the Undergraduate Student Government is to enrich the lives of the Undergraduate Student Body through advocacy for its interests to the administration and all other appropriate bodies. We strive to help student groups reach their fullest potential through new and continuing initiatives, programs and resources. The Undergraduate Student Government aims to foster an inclusive and collaborative community that works together effectively.
Our History
An undergraduate student government has existed at the University of Connecticut in Storrs in various forms and under various names since 1894. Originally, it was composed of nine elected students who worked with the faculty “upon matters of government of the college.” By 1913, the organization was called the Student Organization, and its members were the two hundred thirty-nine students enrolled at Connecticut Agricultural College.
In 1921, the government was reorganized and a standing committee called the Student Senate was formed as the executive branch. The Senate adopted a constitution and became known as the Associated Student Government (ASG). The constitution outlined the duties of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the ASG, which was modeled after the federal government. The Student Senate continued as the core of student political power until 1973 when the ASG dissolved. In the following academic year, the ASG was replaced by the Federation of Students and Service Organizations (FSSO). The Senate was replaced by a Central Committee.
In 1980, the FSSO was replaced by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), and the Student Assembly became the representative student body. The Undergraduate Student Government bodies have piloted (and funded) the launch of every other major student organization on campus including: The Daily Campus, WHUS, SUBOG, IFC, and RHA.
USG is recognized by the University Of Connecticut Board Of Trustees as one of the five governing bodies on campus (along with the Board of Trustees, and the Graduate Student Senate). USG is the primary voice of students to all audiences, and actively partakes in the university-wide decision making process through representation and advocacy.
Internships
Source: Internships
In addition to courses offered by the Department, students are encouraged to think seriously about taking advantage of internship and study abroad programs offered by the University. Options 1-3 below are managed by the department internship coordinator and the enrollment policies below apply. Option 4 is a joint offering of the Department of Political Science and the Honors Program and has different enrollment rules. For more information, please contact Kimberly Bergendahl, the POLS internship coordinator, at POLSInternships@uconn.edu. For a list of internship opportunities, click here. (Note that you will need your net ID and password to access this information.)
Option 1: Government-Related Internships (3 credits)
Option 2. Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) Internships (variable credits)
Option 3. Washington Center Internship in Washington, D.C. (variable credits)
Option 4. UConn Honors Congressional Internship Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Internship Opportunities
Political Science Programs
Source: Department website
