All: Please see below and attachments for a wonderful opportunity for our students. Please distribute widely, but inform the students that they must submit their applications to my office for certification (they should not send their applications directly to CUNY). Thank you. Sincerely, Adam [Description: Queens College]<http://www.qc.cuny.edu/> Adam L. Rockman, Ed.D. | Vice President for Student Affairs Queens College, CUNY<http://www.qc.cuny.edu/> | 6530 Kissena Blvd, Queens NY 11367-1597 718-997-5500 | Fax: 718-997-5640 | adam.rockman@qc.cuny.edu<mailto:adam.rockman@qc.cuny.edu> From: Jay Hershenson [mailto:Jay.Hershenson@cuny.edu] Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 4:07 PM Subject: 2016 Model New York State Senate Session Project January 22, 2016 To: College Presidents From: Jay Hershenson, Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Secretary of the Board of Trustees Frank D. Sanchez, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Re: 2016 Model New York State Senate Session Project : Student nominations needed We are pleased to inform you that the New York State Assembly & Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force has again invited CUNY to organize and conduct a Model New York State Senate Session Project for college students at the "Somos" Conference in Albany on Saturday, March 19, 2016. Applications are due by Wednesday, February 17 -see below timetable). The Model Senate Project, now in its 20th year, is intended to provide Somos student participants with a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills in a legislative/policy-making setting, with an emphasis on critical thinking and public speaking. Students will participate in the "Somos" Conference and will attend a Gala dinner on Saturday evening following their model session in the New York State Senate Chamber. They will also be eligible to apply for Somos College Scholarships. Enthusiasm about this project and the educational opportunities it affords students has grown among state legislators and CUNY faculty alike. In view of its 20th Anniversary, it is particularly important to promote the 2016 Project at each CUNY college. A CUNY luncheon will precede the Model Senate Session on March 19 at noon, in the Albany Room of the Empire State Plaza. The Model Senate Session will begin at 2:00 PM in the New York State Senate Chamber. We request that you nominate up to four undergraduate students enrolled at your institution to participate in the Model Senate Project training program. Nominees may come from any major field of study, must be in good academic standing, and have participated no more than two times in the Model Senate Project. Students who have not previously taken part in the Model Senate Project will be given priority in the selection process. Students in the Model Senate Project must participate in the scheduled training sessions listed below. The mandatory training sessions are intensive seminars in New York State government, leadership and the legislative process. Those who successfully complete the training component will be transported by motor coach to Albany on Saturday, March 19, 2016, and return to New York City on Sunday, March 20, 2016. They will stay in downtown Albany on Saturday night. Transportation, meals and overnight accommodation costs will be provided for all student participants. The schedule for Model Senate Project training sessions is: 1. Wednesday, March 2 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Graduate Center-CUNY, Rooms C204/C205 2. Wednesday, March 9 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Graduate Center-CUNY, Rooms C204/C205 3. Saturday, March 12 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, TBD 4. Wednesday, March 16 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Graduate Center-CUNY, Rooms C204/C205 Light refreshments are provided for the weeknight sessions. A continental breakfast and a full lunch are provided during the all-day training session on Saturday, March 12. Attached please find an application and fact sheet of requirements for student participation. Completed application forms must be returned no later than Wednesday, February 17, 2016 via fax [(212) 817-1550] or email (emalavejr@gc.cuny.edu<mailto:emalavejr@gc.cuny.edu>) or mailed to: Mr. Ernesto Malavé, Jr. 2016 Model NYS Senate Session Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program-CUNY 365 Fifth Avenue, Rm. X-110 New York, NY 10016 After applications are received and evaluated, students will be contacted directly by the Model Senate staff with details concerning the first training session. If you have any questions about the Model Senate Project, please contact Mr. Ernesto Malavé, Jr. at (212) 817-7253. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in helping to launch the Model Senate Project effort again this academic year. Enc. Cc: Chancellor James B. Milliken Campus Student Affairs Officers Ms. Eileen Goldmann, Director of State Relations Dr. Anthony J. Maniscalco, Director, Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program