Washington Seminar Student Handbook

Washington Seminar

Student Handbook

Revised August 2017

CONTACT INFORMATION

Emergency Police, Ambulance, or Fire: 911 Non-emergencies: 202-715-7300 GWU Medical Center: 202-741-3000 Poison Control: (800) 222-1222

Barlow Center 2520 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20037

Faculty Director Barlow Center Office 202-448-3347 Residence 703-848-0014 2927 Rensselaer Ct., Vienna, VA 22181

Building Managers (Missionary Couple) Elder & Sister Bennett (O) 202-448-3396 (H) 202-507-8037 (C) 208-313-2902 [email protected] [email protected]

Institute Office in the Barlow Center Director – Michael Cottle 202-448-3395 [email protected] Support Specialist – Alisha Robbins 202-448-3399 [email protected]

LDS Church Public and International Affairs Office in the Barlow Center 202-448-3333

Washington, DC 2nd Ward (YSA) Bishop Bryant Foulger 301-299-8455 5460 Western Ave. Chevy Chase, MD Office 301-654-0081 Hall 301-654-1595

Temple Shuttle http://templeshuttle.org/

Metro Information 202-637-7000 http://www.wmata.com/

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ...... 1 Preparing for the Washington Seminar ...... 1

2. Placement ...... 3 Developing your Placement List ...... 3 Packaging your Application ...... 5 Interviews and Offers ...... 10 Accepting and Declining Offers ...... 12 Master Internship Agreement ...... 13

3. The Academic Program ...... 14 Credit ...... 14 Registration ...... 16 Financial Aid ...... 17 Financial Aid Tax Liability ...... 17 International Students ...... 17 Course Syllabi ...... 18 Standards for Student Papers ...... 18

4. The Washington Seminar Team ...... 20 Faculty Director ...... 20 Administrative Assistant ...... 20 Fellow Students ...... 22

5. Internship Success ...... 23 Internship Success Formula ...... 23 Advice from Past Interns ...... 29

6. Standards and Ethics ...... 30 The BYU Honor Code ...... 30

7. Research and Writing in your Internship ...... 31 Useful Research Reference Works ...... 31 Writing – The Basics ...... 34 Types of Writing in Internships ...... 36

8. Travel, Transportation, and Other Resources ...... 40 Getting to D.C...... 40 Finding your Way Around ...... 41 Commuting ...... 41 Church and Institute ...... 43 Shopping, etc...... 43 George Washington University ...... 44 Health Insurance Policies and Medical Needs in D.C...... 44

9. Housing ...... 45 Policy for Non-BYU Housing ...... 45

Married Student Housing ...... 45 The Milton A. Barlow Center ...... 45 Milton A. Barlow Center House Rules ...... 51 Honor Code Statement ...... 54 Dress and Grooming Standards ...... 55

10. Safety and Crime Prevention ...... 56 Dangerous Neighborhoods ...... 56 Guarding Against Robbery and Assault...... 56 What if it Happens to You? ...... 62 Sexual Assault—Reducing the Risk ...... 63 Suspicious Packages or Letters ...... 64 Clery Act: Campus Security and Fire Safety Report …………………………………………….65 Policies to Report Crime ...... 65 Timely Warning Policy ...... 66 Missing Student Notification Policy and Procedures ...... 67 Emergencies ...... 68 Evacuation Drill ...... 68 Fire Safety Procedures ...... 68

11. Washington, D.C.: More than Interning ...... 70 Guidelines and Policies for Sightseeing...... 70 Advice from Past Interns ...... 70

12. Excursions ...... 72 Valley Forge-Philadelphia ...... 72 Gettysburg ...... 77

13. Staying On: Turning Your Internship into a Career ...... 78

Appendix: Milton A. Barlow Center Dedicatory Prayer ...... 80

Appendix: Forms ...... 81

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

The principal goal of the Washington Seminar is to assist you in having an applied learning experience that will supplement and enrich your academic work at Brigham Young University. Additionally, this experience will better enable you to establish career objectives, gain a greater appreciation of our nation's history and political traditions, and strengthen your desire to become a contributing member of the community. It is important to everyone involved— the University, your internship provider, and especially you— that you have a successful experience in Washington, D.C. But just as in life generally, success in the Washington Seminar depends mostly upon your own preparation and effort. The better equipped and more informed you are, the more likely you will be to maximize the opportunities awaiting you and be able to overcome those inevitable complications that may arise in any new situation. This handbook has been prepared to help ease your transition from the classroom to the working world of the intern. It and the associated preparatory class will answer nearly all of your questions about Washington Seminar policies, academic requirements, housing, safety in the city, getting around Washington, D.C., and having a successful internship. You owe it to yourself to be thoroughly familiar with this material so you can "hit the ground running," avoid unpleasant surprises, and know how to handle the unexpected.

PREPARING FOR THE WASHINGTON SEMINAR

You can do much to insure you will have the best experience possible in Washington, D.C. by being well prepared before beginning the internship. Your acceptance into the Washington Seminar means that the Washington Seminar Director has confidence that you possess the necessary skills to succeed. However, in the final few months before your departure you should give attention to your abilities in the following areas. Most internship providers and alumni have indicated that students who have solid abilities in these areas are able to gain the most from their experience.

Writing and Research Skills The ability to write quickly in clear, concise prose is one of the most important skills internship providers want their interns to possess. Interesting and sometimes exciting assignments can come your way if your work supervisor has confidence you can find the answers to questions and put them down on paper. No student should assume her writing is beyond improvement. You are well advised to take every opportunity before leaving for Washington to improve your writing. Give extra attention to written assignments in your courses this semester and solicit feedback from the instructors. If your current courses don’t require you to write, practice summarizing news programs or journal articles and then have the staff in the FHSS Writing Lab (1175 JFSB) critique them for you. Good writing is not unlike learning to play a musical instrument—the more you practice the better you will be. As soon as you know where your internship will be, try to determine what reference sources you will be using in your work assignments. These can range from something as simple as special phone directories to the more complex catalogs of congressional reports; knowing about them ahead of time can help make your transition into the office routine smoother. A familiarity with conducting research on the Internet or using databases such as Lexis-Nexis can also be of great help.

Know the U.S. Political System Whether your internship directly involves you in government or not, it is vital to have a basic understanding of the system if you are to adequately comprehend what will be happening in Washington, D.C. As someone has said, "Politics is to Washington, D.C. what chocolate is to Hershey, Pennsylvania." If you have not completed a basic course in American government, enroll in Political Science 110 if your

1 schedule permits.

Understand Current Events A significant number of the current issues of the day are developed, examined or legislated in Washington, D.C. People there are generally well informed and take an active part in the city's most dynamic industry—the rumor mill. You will miss a great deal of the excitement if you aren't keeping up on what's happening. If you don't already do so, start reading the online edition of the Washington Post. Other useful news sources are listed on the Learning Suites Communities site for the Washington Seminar prep class.

Know the Culture and Environment Washington, D.C. is one of the great cities of the world. If this is your first trip there or your fiftieth, set a goal to discover as much as possible about its history, culture and environment. To really understand Washington, you need to do some reading. There are many great guidebooks and online sources. Set a goal to read at least one of them before arriving in Washington. You can also ask the Washington Seminar Director for suggestions.. Become familiar with the layout of the city, the public transit system, and where the various places of interest are located. As with any large urban center there are areas you ought to avoid and some cautions to take; read the section in this handbook entitled, "Safety and Crime Prevention," and put the advice into practice.

Know Your Internship This may be the hardest but most important part of your preparation. Even though it is difficult being 2,000 miles away, find out everything you can about the office where you will be working. Some internships have a wealth of information available, whereas others are difficult to research. Begin by consulting the Washington Seminar internship database, paying particular attention to the reports from past interns. Study the organization’s website and any associated links. Finally, have a phone interview with your work supervisor and ask him or her the questions outlined in Chapter 2 of this handbook. Don’t forget to ask if he or she has any recommendations for materials you should read or to ask if there is anything that could be mailed to you that would help you be better prepared for the internship. Be resourceful; with a little ingenuity you will be surprised how much you can discover.

Know the Washington Seminar's Policies By paying close attention in the preparatory course and carefully reading this handbook you will be completely informed about what the Washington Seminar expects from you. Failure to understand and follow the program policies will cause you and others considerable frustration. Be attentive in the preparatory class and follow the instructions in this handbook, and you will find that your experience in Washington, D.C. will be the best possible one for you.

CHAPTER 2: SECURING AN INTERNSHIP

STANDARD AND PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

You have been admitted to the Washington Seminar on either the Standard or Provisional Admission track. The process for deciding which internships to apply for is the same for both tracks. However, Provisional Admission students are responsible to apply personally to internship providers.

DEVELOPING YOUR INTERNSHIP LIST

The Washington Seminar staff will do what they can to assist you in securing an internship. However, you are responsible to define your objectives and to thoroughly research your options. A hurriedly compiled list of internships that sound interesting but about which you know little or nothing, will decrease your chances of getting an internship or having a good experience in Washington, D.C. Also, don’t place all your hopes on one or two offices. There is nearly always some competition for internships, and every applicant is not going to get her first choice. Start with a clearly defined set of experience objectives. Using those as a guide, carefully research the available internships and compile a list of ten to 15 to which you want to apply. . Time invested at the beginning of this process will help insure a satisfactory experience in the end.

Developing Your List Having a clearly defined set of goals for your internship is an important key to a successful experience. Therefore, your first step in the internship placement process is to decide what you hope to accomplish in Washington, D.C. Consider the following questions as you develop your objectives:

 What are your academic and career goals, and how do you see the Washington Seminar helping you to achieve them?  Analyze carefully your skills, abilities and background. It doesn't do you any good to have your file sent to an internship that requires a 3.5 GPA and upper division course work in economics if you have a 3.1 GPA and haven't had Econ 110.  What kind of internship experience do you want? Be realistic in your expectations.  What kind of organization and work environment are you looking for?  What kind of contribution would you like to make in the internship?  What are your limits? What’s the point applying for an internship that lasts six months when you can only be in Washington for a semester.  Are you looking for a good general experience or does your internship need to provide specific kinds of opportunities in order to meet requirements for credit in your major?  What specifically are the essential elements your internship must have and which ones are only desirable?  How can you take advantage of the venue? What kind of internship will best allow you to marry your goals with the unique location of Washington, D.C.? You should look for those experiences that will allow you to do things that can only be done in the nation’s capital.  If you will use the internship to meet a graduation requirement for your major, what kind of content does your department expect the internship to have?

As you consider these questions and others that may be important to you, write your responses down and use them as a guide to your internship search.

After you have a good idea about your goals for the experience follow these steps in developing the

list of internships to which you want to apply.

1. Thoroughly review the internship database in the Washington Seminar office. Be careful not to limit yourself to only one or two of the sections. Internships can be difficult to categorize in just one section, so check as many of the categories as seem relevant to your interest. You may be surprised how many organizations provide internships that include varied subject matter. For example, if you want a business related internship, you may find rewarding opportunities in the Congress, federal agencies and nonprofits.

2. Do a thorough Internet search of internship possibilities. You are not limited to applying only to organizations in the Washington Seminar internship database. Many students have discovered great opportunities on their own that were not in the Seminar’s listings. There are a variety of web sites that can help your search, here are some that have proven particularly successful to get you started:

 BYU Career Services BYU Bridge: https://ucs.byu.edu/  Internships.com: http://www.internships.com/student  USAJobs: https://my.usajobs.gov/  Idealist: https://www.idealist.org

3. If you are still having difficulty finding a good set of possibilities after you conducted an Internet search, check out Congressional Quarterly's Washington Information Directory or the Yellow Book series (both are available in the Washington Seminar offices). These good references will not give you information about specific internships, but will lead you to organizations—government and private—that may do work in areas that interest you. These resources have frequently provided excellent internship leads for our students. Call or email the contact listed at the organization to see if any internships are offered and, if so, how you can apply for them. Be aware that you will likely have more success telephoning the organization and asking to speak to someone in their human resources department than you will by just sending an email.

4. Finally, get advice from faculty, your major department and former interns. Faculty members who teach courses or conduct research in areas that interest you can be a good source for internship contacts. They may have a network of helpful associates in firms or government agencies who could facilitate your internship placement. Often academic departments on campus will have listing of internship possibilities that will appeal to students in their major. Internship alumni also can share wisdom about internships that are stimulating and worthwhile. They may even be able to act as a reference for you to some organization in which you would like to work.

Once you have developed a list of possible internships, research and review each one carefully. It is critical that you are comfortable with and confident in your choices. A list that is not well considered will become a significant, if not insurmountable, obstacle in your internship placement. Study each organization’s website if one is available. Return to the Washington Seminar internship database and carefully review any entries there about the organization. Pay particular attention to the descriptions past students have written about the internship.

To help maximize the likelihood that you will have the best internship placement possible, ask yourself the following questions about each internship on your list before submitting it to the Washington Seminar staff.

1. Do I know and feel good enough about each internship on the list that I would accept an offer from any one of them if it was the only offer I received? Some students will foolishly have two or three internships on their list that they are serious about and then add a number of others just to fill out their list. As often

as not, the only offer received will be from one they were not seriously interested in near the end of the list. They then either have to choose between no internship and taking one they really don’t want. Including internships on the list you are not serious about is a waste of time—yours, the Washington Seminar staff and the internship provider reviewing your application. Be certain you have thoroughly researched each internship on your list by carefully reviewing the internship database, the organization’s web site and talking with anyone who may know something about that specific internship. If the internship database indicates any students have recently worked in the office, try contacting them for additional information. If your internship must meet certain criteria for it to be granted credit with your major, be sure you have reviewed what you know about it with your department’s internship coordinator. If you can, try to find out something about the internship supervisor in the office. One of the most important keys for a good internship is the work supervisor, not the prestige of the organization. Many students find working with a first-term representative who is understaffed and desperately needs the additional help to be more rewarding than a job with a prominent senator who has a huge staff and tends to let interns get lost in the shuffle. It is much more worthwhile to be able to work closely with the director of a small education lobby than to be a receptionist in the White House.

2. Do I understand and meet the qualifications for each internship on the list? It is critical to be clear on this point. If the internship database or the organization’s website states that you must be in a certain major, have specific skills or work for a definite period of time (i.e. minimum 12 weeks or a semester), they will not consider your application unless you can demonstrate you meet the qualifications. An interest or hobby in the organization’s work is not a substitute for completed course work if that is what is required of internship candidates. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify or if you feel you may be on the margins, discuss the internship with the Washington Seminar Director before including it on your list.

3. Do I feel there are at least a few internships on my list for which I am a strong candidate and will likely receive an offer? On what am I basing that feeling? Because the competition for any internship can be stiff, it’s important that you have two or three “sure bets” on your list, even if they aren’t your top choice.

USING THE INTERNSHIP APPLICATION TRACKING FORM (IATF)

All students on the standard and provisional admission tracks are required to submit the list of internships they are applying to on the Internship Application Tracking Form. This form is a very valuable tool to help you make sure you are aware of all application requirements, deadlines and other essential information to help you secure your internship. You are required to complete and submit this form to the Washington Seminar Office Manager by the deadline indicated on the calendar for the semester you will be on the Washington Seminar. You are also required to update the form and resubmit it every three to four weeks to the Washington Seminar office so that the staff can track your progress in securing an internship. Failure to submit the form as requested may jeopardize your standing in the program. The Washington Seminar Director will review your internship list and advise you on any changes or additions needed to help insure you secure an internship.

You should update this form every time you get additional information about an internship, submit an internship application or have contact with an internship provider. Making sure the form is accurate and complete will enable you to track each of the steps necessary to secure your internship.

PACKAGING YOUR APPLICATION PROVISIONAL ADMISSION TRACK

If you are a provisional admission student, you should start preparing the materials to apply for an internship as soon as possible. Everything must be flawlessly written, well formatted and professional. Getting these written and organized early will allow you to have them reviewed by the Washington Seminar staff and University Career Services.

Based on information provided by the internship provider or in the Washington Seminar database, you will have one or more of the following in your internship application packet. Note that you will typically send all internship applications in ONE pdf file.

 Cover letter tailored to the internship provider  Resume  Official transcripts  Letters of recommendation  Writing sample  Other forms or materials as requested by the organization

Cover Letter (Provisional Admission Track) The cover letter is the most important part of your application packet and must be individually tailored to each internship provider. It must never appear like the same letter written to multiple organizations in which you have just substituted a few phrases. Writing this letter is not a particularly difficult task, but it will take a little time and thought to get it right. The cover letter is usually the first item in your application packet and, thus, the first thing the prospective internship provider will read. It must be well written and professional. The grammar and style must be impeccable. A poorly written letter will almost guarantee that the rest of your application will not be given serious consideration or even read. Before beginning to write the letter, check to see if internship provider requires you to provide specific content or has other instructions. If so, be certain to follow the instructions exactly.

Before starting the cover letter. Do your homework about the internship provider. Knowing as much as you can about the mission of the internship provider, intern qualifications and duties is a key to writing an effective cover letter. Including this information in the letter is the way you tailor the letter to the specific internship provider and signal your interest in working for the organization. Without this information many internship providers will not consider your application no matter how strong your resume, transcripts or letters of recommendation.

Format and Appearance. The general appearance of the letter must be neat and easy to read. Use a business letter format with clear printing; avoiding fonts that are odd or difficult to read. Typically, you will send this as a scanned document in a pdf file so it needs to look good in that format. Some students create their own letterhead. If you do so, make sure it is professional and includes your contact information, i.e. email address and phone number. There are many stiles available online or with your word processing software. It is generally better to use a format that is understated rather than something

that blares your name at the reader. The address block will vary according to the organization and whether or not you know who the internship coordinator is. In most cases you can use an address block like the following

Internship Coordinator Name Internship Provider Internship Provider Address City, State and Zip Code

The salutation should be Dear…. If you know the internship coordinator’s name, it is appropriate to use the whole name, i.e. “Dear Jane Doe:”. If you don’t know the name, use a title; i.e. “Dear Internship Coordinator” or “ Dear Hiring Manager.

Text. A good cover letter will consist of four parts—an introductory paragraph, a strength and abilities paragraph, a background summary, and a closing paragraph. A statement that is around 250 to 300 words is about right. A little longer may be acceptable, but it should never be more than a page. Avoid being clever, cute or flowery in your writing. Do not write this like you would an essay for a college application. You want to sell yourself, but be careful not to be aggressive, pushy, or overconfident. Remember that you want the reader to see you as a professional who will fit in with the staff. The statement should focus on the internship you are seeking and not ramble into unrelated topics such as your desire to live on the east coast or sightsee in Washington, D.C. The introduction should explain why you are applying for an internship with that specific organization. Be certain to specifically name the office. Explain how working there will help you accomplish the goals you have for your internship, education and career. Get right to the point in your first sentence about why you want an internship with them. The second paragraph should highlight the value you will bring to the organization. Implicitly answer the question: Why should you be selected for the internship over other candidates who are also applying? To do this effectively you must have researched the organization or office and know something about its goals and needs. Indicate in this paragraph how your strengths and abilities will help the organization achieve those goals and/or meet its needs. It is appropriate to reference any literature you may have read about the organization (other than the internship database). Be careful not to overstate your worth; you certainly will not be revolutionizing their organization or be the solution to all their problems. However, you do possess skills or traits that will be of value to them. A paragraph that summarizes your education and background will help the reader get to know you a little better. Don’t rehearse your entire resume (your resume will follow the letter), just highlight specific courses or work experience you have had that may make you a more attractive candidate for their internship. End with a brief closing statement expressing appreciation for their willingness to consider your application and indicating your availability for a phone interview. Explain the best way to contact you. Most students indicate to use email and that they check their email daily. In this paragraph you should also explain that you will be part of BYU’s Washington Seminar and have housing and credit arranged through the University while you are in Washington. You should also indicate the program’s start and end dates, as well as the need to have Fridays free to participate in the required course work.

Proofreading. Have your letter carefully proofread by people who know the elements and style of a good cover letter. Staff at the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences Writing Lab (https://fhsswriting.byu.edu) are trained to help Washington Seminar students write effective cover statements. After you have completed the final draft, make an appointment to meet with the Washington Seminar Office Manager so she can review a hard copy of your cover letter with her. She can advise you about any specific items that may need to be changed so that your letter will be well received by the

internship provider.

Examples. Samples of cover statements written by past Washington Seminar students can be found on the prep class’ Learning Suite Communities site. These differ in format from the cover letter you will write, but are good examples of the content that makes for an effective cover letter. Do not simply copy these statements, substituting your information for what is contained in the examples. These statements are provided as examples so you can see what good, well-written statements look like. Organizations considering your application will quickly be able to tell whether or not what you have written is your own work or something you have simply lifted from someone else.

Resume (Provisional Admission Track) A good resume will complement your cover letter by giving an easy to read, quick summary of your education, work experience, and skills. It must be flawlessly written with no typos or grammatical errors. It should be attractive with ample white space so that it can be skimmed easily (most readers will only spend 30 seconds looking it over). Flashy fonts and graphics or colored paper are not helpful. Keep it dignified, professional and absolutely not longer than one page. Bullet points about resume items should never be written in complete sentences. BYU Career Services (ucs.byu.edu) has excellent advice and staff who can help you develop a strong resume. The FHSS Writing Lab (fhsswriting.byu.edu) also has staff who can proof a draft of your resume before you send it to an internship provider. When applying for an internship your resume will be somewhat different than one you would use for a regular job. The key difference is that an internship is often consider an enhancement to your education rather than something to start or continue a career. Your education, course work and other academic related experiences are as, if not more, important than your work history. Do not use the word “Resume” at the top of the document. Do not include an “Objective Statement” especially if you are including a cover letter in your application packet.

Elements of a Good Resume  Name and contact information (email, phone number).  Education record, noting studies relevant to the internship.  Skills (relevant to the internship).  Academic awards, scholarships and honor societies.  Work history, including mission, if served.  Volunteer activities (only if relevant to the internship).  Licenses or certificates (only if relevant to the internship).  Publications (only if relevant to the internship)

Name, email and phone numbers. Avoid using nick-names and surnames such as Junior or II. Be sure your email address is not silly, i.e. [email protected]. Create another alias that is suitable for using with a potential employer.

Education Record. The first item in this section should include the colleges/universities you have attended and degrees received (if any). Indicate your current major followed by degree (abbreviated, i.e. B.A. rather than Bachelor of Arts) candidate Indicate the name of the university, your major and minor (if any), the number of credits completed toward your degree and your anticipated date (month and year) of graduation. Be sure to include any areas that you are focusing on in your studies that may be subfields of your major or in areas other than the major or minor. Do not include your high school graduation.

Special Skills. Highlight relevant special skills you have acquired, i.e. foreign language, statistics, editing, etc.

Academic awards, scholarships and honor societies. List any awards or scholarships that you have received as part of your college experience. Explain the nature of the scholarship, not just the name. For example, BYU President’s Scholarship—awarded to top 2% of first year students. Include the names of any honor societies to which you belong and leadership position, if any, you hold in them. If the society use Greek letters, be certain to include the English name in parentheses. If your space is limited, this list can be included in the “Education Record” section.

Work History (some students use the term “Experience” for this section). Undergraduates are not expected to have an extensive employment record, so don’t worry if this part of the resume seems thin. List your employment in reverse chronological order with the current or most recent job first. Be sure to include dates (months and years) you worked at each job. Using verbs to highlight actions and skills, give one-phrase descriptions of your responsibilities, particularly anything you did to add value to the employer. Emphasize any of your noteworthy accomplishments in the job. For example:

Office Assistant with Lockwood and Burns, May to September, 2012.  Organized and maintained confidential client records for five-member law firm.  Developed computer database for tracking client billing and payments.

A fulltime mission, if you served one, should be included in the Work History section. Be careful how you describe it. Remember that your resume will be read by people who are not members of the Church and who may have a different or no understanding of words like mission, zone leader or assistant to the president. Your service would be better described as a “Voluntary Representative for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Include the location of the mission as part of the description of your duties. If you held a leadership position, note the number of persons supervised without using titles such as zone or district leader. Assignments in the mission office, such as financial secretary, should also be highlighted. Be certain to include a phrase about your weekly community service. University Career Services has a useful document for translating church positions on their resume link (ucs.byu.edu/resumes).

Volunteer Activities. If space permits, you should also include a description of any relevant and significant voluntary or community service you have performed. However, it is critical that work you did is relevant to the internship. Church callings may be included in this section, if relevant, but be certain to describe them in ways that will be meaningful to the reader. Avoid using titles such as Elder’s Quorum President or Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. Instead, use a general description such as “Voluntary Church Service,” with the description “Assisted in directing women’s service organization.”

Licenses, certificates, and publications. List any licenses or certificates that demonstrate skills that are relevant to the internships you are seeking. Avoid listing credentials that are unrelated to the application, such as a certification in CPR or lifeguarding. If any of your writing has been published, cite the journal and title of your paper. Journalism students should not list all of the articles they have had printed in a newspaper; that work should be listed under the “Education Record” section.

status. It is illegal for businesses to consider any of these factors when evaluating your application. You should also avoid any references to your physical characteristics or health. Hobbies or interests that are not related to the internship are not helpful and take up valuable space. Also, it’s superfluous to use the heading “Resume” as the nature and purpose of the document is obvious. Typically, don’t include an “Objective Statement.” You want to especially leave that off if you are submitting a cover letter with the application.

Transcripts (Provisional Admission Track) Some internship providers will ask for a copy of your transcripts, but many will not. Use your judgement about whether or not to include them with your application packet. The Washington Seminar office can send them to the internship provider, at your request, after you have submitted your application. Some students prefer to send transcripts themselves as part of their application packet. Either is acceptable. If you want the Washington Seminar to send any transcripts, make sure you have given the office your most recent set of transcripts, otherwise we will use the ones you submitted with your application for admission to the Washington Seminar. When submitting the revised transcripts, ask the Office Manager to give you the ones already on file. This avoids confusion as to which transcripts you want sent.

Letters of Recommendation (Provisional Admission Track) Internship providers typically appreciate letters of recommendation for their applicants, unless they state otherwise. The Washington Seminar office will send the ones in your admission application file to the internship provider at your request. It is very important you have already submitted your application packet to the internship provider before asking the Washington Seminar staff to send them. Be aware that some organizations will require three letters of recommendation. Look to see if the requirement is indicated in the internship provider’s Washington Seminar Internship Database or on the organization’s web site. Once you know a third letter is necessary, tell the writer that this need is time sensitive and ask that it be sent to the Washington Seminar immediately. If you are concerned that the person you have asked to write the letter will not expedite it, then ask a second or third person. The two or three best letters submitted will be used in the packet.

Writing Sample (Provisional Admission Track) If an internship provider requests a writing sample from you, there are several important considerations. Most importantly, make sure you only include your best writing. If there are any errors, the effort to produce another draft will be worth it. Ideally, submit a sample that it relevant to the work of the internship provider. This isn’t always necessary, but will strengthen your application. Be sure the subject of the paper is appropriate to the office to which it will be sent. If you have argued in the paper for a position in opposition to a particular cause of that organization, you definitely will want to submit something else. Finally, writing samples are almost never longer than five pages, unless the internship provider specifically indicates otherwise. Typically something about three pages long is best. It is appropriate to submit a section of a longer paper with a precis at the beginning explaining the thesis and conclusion of the paper.

Additional Forms or Essays (Provisional Admission Track) It is very likely that one or more of the organizations you are applying to will have its own set of forms for you to complete or will want you to write a short essay on a particular topic. Check the Washington Seminar database for additional required application materials and note it on your Internship Application Tracking Form. Normally this form should be the first document in your packet.

Online Forms (Provisional Admission Track) An increasing number of organizations are requiring internship applicants to complete online forms.

If you are applying to an office that requires one, it is important to follow these guidelines: 1. Make a rough draft of all information you will submit to make sure it is complete and well-written. Grammar, spelling and style errors can hurt you just as much in an electronic application as they can with a paper one. Students are often more casual with these kinds of forms and frequently make serious mistakes. 2. Pay attention to the application deadline and submit your application well before that date. 3. If possible, print a hard copy of everything you have submitted for your own records. 4. Inform the Washington Seminar Office Manager when it is submitted. 5. Follow-up with the organization to make sure your application was received. This is critical because frequently there are glitches in electronic transfers, and your materials may not reach the intended party, and therefore, will never be considered. Resubmit your materials if there is any question about them having been received.

Note that many federal agencies are now using the USAJobs web site (https://my.usajobs.gov/) for their internship applications. If you will be applying to an executive branch agency, create an account with USAJobs right away and watch for internship postings in that agency. Review the online tips for completing the application at:  http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent- graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y49d6wjbmXw  http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/01/14/usajobs-myths/ When submitted, you should receive a reference number for the application. Keep in a place where you can access it easily. As with other online forms, be certain to follow up with the contact at the agency responsible for screening applications. It is not uncommon for applications sent through USAJobs to be lost or missed. If the contact indicates that your application has not been received, then resubmit it immediately.

Assembling and Submitting Your Application (Provisional Admission Track) Unless the internship provider indicates otherwise, all your application materials should be submitted in ONE pdf file attached to an email. Sending multiple files with each document attached to an email is very inconvenient for those who will read your application and runs a high risk of something being lost. If you don’t know how to create a pdf file or you need to scan your materials, the Washington Seminar staff will be happy to assist you. The Washington Seminar staff can give you the name and email address of the internship coordinator for any internship listed in the Washington Seminar Internship Database. Also, check the internship provider’s web site to see if there is information about how and to whom you should submit an application. Internship application materials should be assembled in the following order: 1. Internship provider’s application form (if one is required) 2. Cover letter 3. Resume 4. Writing sample (if required) 5. Washington Seminar letter of certification

Be Prompt in Submitting Materials (Provisional Admission Track) Make sure you know the application deadline for the internship. If a deadline isn’t indicated, send your application as early as possible to the internship provider. In some cases you may get a reply that the internship provider won’t be considering applications until a later date. You should feel free to resubmit your materials again after that date. The Washington Seminar calendar will have a week scheduled when you will want to send your application, unless you know the internship provider won’t accept them until

later. Students occasionally miss opportunities because they aren’t clear on application deadlines or procrastinate sending their applications.

Always cc the email with your application to [email protected].

PACKAGING YOUR APPLICATION STANDARD ADMISSION

Once your prospective internship list has been approved by the Washington Seminar Director, it’s time to put the final touches on your application packet. This is an opportunity for you to give yourself that competitive edge by polishing your image on paper. Be certain that everything in the packet is well- written, neat, complete and accurate.

The following materials are included in your internship application packet sent to the organizations on your placement list:  Individualized cover statement for each office  Resume  Washington Seminar application form that includes your contact information, home and current address and the names and phone numbers of references  Official transcripts  Letters of recommendation  Writing sample (if requested by the organization).  Other forms or materials as requested by the organization Note that the statement of intent you submitted with your Washington Seminar application is not included.

The appearance and quality of this packet has a major impact on whether or not you will be considered for any available internship positions. It is essential that you make certain these materials are the best representation possible of your skills and abilities. Experience has repeatedly shown that poorly written cover statements and writing samples or errors and typos on forms cost students internship offers. Take the time to carefully review and revise your packet. You are encouraged to substitute anything you have already submitted in your Washington Seminar application with updated or improved versions (e.g. resume, transcripts or writing samples) until the mail out date. Here are some suggestions for making your materials look their best.

Cover Statement (Standard Admission Track) You are to write a separate cover statement for each of the offices to which you are applying. This is not a particularly difficult task, but it will take a little time and thought to get it right. By the published deadline, the cover statements must be sent to the Washington Seminar Office Manager as ONE Word document attached to an email. See the Washington Seminar Program Calendar for the specific date. The cover statement is normally the first part of your application that a prospective internship provider will see. Thus, it is very important that it be well written and professional. The grammar and style must be impeccable. A poorly written statement will almost guarantee that the rest of your file will not be given serious consideration or even read. Before beginning to write the statement, check to see if any of the offices to which you are applying require specific content in the statement or want an essay on some subject instead. If so, be certain to follow that instruction exactly. If no specific kind of statement is required, use the guideline below in writing the statement for each office.

Format and Appearance. The general appearance of the statement must be neat and easy to read. Printing should be clear; avoid fonts that are odd or difficult to read. Place the name of the organization in the upper right-hand corner with your name below it. Be certain the name and spelling of the organization is correct. Do not sign the bottom of the statement. Remember, this is not a letter but a statement, and so it should not have a date, salutation, or signature block.

Text. A good cover statement will consist of four parts—an introductory paragraph, a strength and abilities paragraph, a background summary, and a closing paragraph. A statement that is around 250 to 300 words is about right. A little longer may be acceptable, but it should never be more than a page. Avoid being clever, cute or flowery in your writing. Do not write this like you would an essay for a college application. You want to sell yourself, but be careful not to be aggressive, pushy, or overconfident. Remember that you want the reader to see you as a professional who will fit in with the staff. The statement should focus on the internship you are seeking and not ramble into unrelated topics such as your desire to live on the east coast or sightsee in Washington, D.C. The introduction should explain why you are applying for an internship with that specific organization. Be certain to specifically name the office. Explain how working there will help you accomplish the goals you have for your internship, education and career. Get right to the point in your first sentence about why you want an internship with them. The second paragraph should highlight the value you will bring to the organization. Implicitly answer the question: Why should you be selected for the internship over other candidates who are also applying? To do this effectively you must have researched the organization or office and know something about its goals and needs. Indicate in this paragraph how your strengths and abilities will help the organization achieve those goals and/or meet its needs. It is appropriate to reference any literature you may have read about the organization (other than the internship database). Be careful not to overstate your worth; you certainly will not be revolutionizing their organization or be the solution to all their problems. However, you do possess skills or traits that will be of value to them. A paragraph that summarizes your education and background will help the reader get to know you a little better. Don’t rehearse your entire resume (your resume will follow the letter), just highlight specific courses or work experience you have had that may make you a more attractive candidate for their internship. End with a brief closing statement expressing appreciation for their willingness to consider your application and indicating your availability for a phone interview. Explain the best way to contact you. Most students indicate to use email (including email address) and that they check their email daily.

Proofreading. Before submitting your statements to the Washington Seminar staff, have them carefully proofread by people who know the elements and style of a good cover statement. Staff at the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences Writing Lab (https://fhsswriting.byu.edu) has been trained to help Washington Seminar students write effective cover statements.. The Washington Seminar staff will also review the statement. If there are problems, you will be asked to rewrite it and points will be deducted from your grade for the Washington Seminar prep class. If asked to rewrite, be certain to return the revised copy to the Washington Seminar office the next day.

Examples. Samples of cover statements written by past Washington Seminar students can be found on

the prep class’ Learning Suites site. Do not simply copy these statements, substituting your information for what is contained in the examples. These statements are provided as examples so you can see what good, well-written statements looks like. Organizations considering your application will quickly be able to tell whether or not what you have written is your own work or something you have simply lifted from someone else.

Resume (Standard Admission Track) A good resume will complement your cover statement by giving an easy to read, quick summary of your education, work experience, and skills. It must be flawlessly written with no typos or grammatical errors. It should be attractive with ample white space so that it can be skimmed easily (most readers will only spend 30 seconds looking it over). Flashy fonts and graphics or colored paper are not helpful. Keep it dignified, professional and absolutely not longer than one page. Bullet points about resume items should never be written in complete sentences. BYU Career Services (ucs.byu.edu) has excellent advice and staff who can help you develop a strong resume. The FHSS Writing Lab (fhsswriting.byu.edu) also has staff who can proof a draft of your resume before you send it to an internship provider. Resumes written for your Washington Seminar application packet will be slightly different than ones you may write for other job searches. The key difference is that an internship is often considered an enhancement to your education rather than something to start or continue a career. Your education, course work and other academic related experiences are as, if not more, important than your work history. Do not include an “Objective Statement” because that is already detailed in your cover statement. Also, don’t put the word “Resume” at the top of the document.

Elements of a Good Resume  Name and contact information (email, phone number).  Education record.  Skills.  Academic awards, scholarships and honor societies.  Work history, including mission, if served.  Volunteer activities (only if relevant to the internships).  Licenses or certificates (only if relevant to the internships).  Publications (only if relevant to the internships)

Name, email and phone numbers. Avoid using nick-names and surnames such as Junior or II. Be sure your email address isn’t silly, i.e. [email protected]. Create another alias that is suitable for using with a potential employer.

Special Skills. Highlight relevant special skills you have acquired, i.e. foreign language, statistics, editing, etc.

Academic awards, scholarships and honor societies. List any awards or scholarships that you have

received as part of your college experience. Explain the nature of the scholarship, not just the name. For example, BYU President’s Scholarship—awarded to top 2% of first year students. Include the names of any honor societies to which you belong and leadership position, if any, you hold in them. If the society use Greek letters, be certain to include the English name in parentheses. If your space is limited, this list can be included in the “Education Record” section.

Volunteer Activities. If space permits, you should also include a description of any relevant and significant voluntary or community service you have performed. However, it is critical that work you did is relevant to the internships you are applying for. Church callings may be included in this section, if relevant, but be certain to describe them in ways that will be meaningful to the reader. Avoid using titles such as Elder’s Quorum President or Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. Instead, use a general description such as “Voluntary Church Service,” with the description “Assisted in directing women’s service organization.”

Licenses, certificates, and publications. List any licenses or certificates that demonstrate skills that are relevant to the internships you are seeking. Avoid listing credentials that are unrelated to the application, such as a certification in CPR or life guarding. If any of your writing has been published, cite the journal and title of your paper. Journalism students should not list all of the articles they have had printed in a newspaper; that work should be listed under the “Education Record” section.

What to Leave Out. Do not include anything pre-high school graduation unless it is directly relevant to the internship. Achievements in your high school, i.e. valedictorian or president of chess club, aren’t useful and make it look like you are padding your resume. However, it is helpful to indicate in the Work History section you worked in a professional office during your high school years. Do not include any references to age (except birth date for federal agencies), race, religion (other than mission), gender and marital status. It is illegal for businesses to consider any of these factors when evaluating your application. You should also avoid any references to your physical characteristics or health. Hobbies or interests that are not related to the internship are not helpful and take up valuable space. Also, it’s

superfluous to use the heading “Resume” as the nature and purpose of the document is obvious. Typically, don’t include an “Objective Statement.” You want to especially leave that off if you are submitting a cover letter with the application.

Washington Seminar Application Form (Standard Admission Track) This is the form that contains your contact, academic and references information. You signed this form when you came for the Washington Seminar admissions interview. Be certain all of the information on the application form is accurate, particularly addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. If your current address or phone changes, complete and submit an updated form. Students have lost internship offers in the past because organizations were trying to reach them at incorrect email addresses or phone numbers. As with all of your other materials, check to see that there are no typos or misspelled words.

Transcripts (Standard Admission Track) Bring in the most recently updated copy of your transcript, particularly if there are posted grades that were not on the transcript you submitted with the original Washington Seminar application, assuming your most recent grades strengthen your application. Don’t delay bringing these in or they may not be included when the application packets are mailed. When submitting the revised transcripts, ask the Washington Seminar staff to give you the ones already on file. This avoids confusion as to which transcripts are to be included in the packet sent to the internship providers..

Letters of Recommendation (Standard Admission Track) Unless requested to get more, the letters of recommendation submitted with your original application should be sufficient. However, be aware that some organizations will require three letters of recommendation. Look to see if the requirement is indicated in the internship provider’s Washington Seminar internship database entry or on the organization’s web site. Once you know a third letter is necessary, tell the writer that this need is time sensitive and ask that it be sent to the Washington Seminar immediately. If you are concerned that the person you have asked to write the letter will not expedite it, then ask a second or third person. The two or three best letters submitted will be used in the packet.

Writing Sample (Standard Admission Track) If an office requests a writing sample from you, there are several important considerations. Most importantly, make sure you only include your best writing. If there are any errors, the effort to produce another draft will be worth it. Ideally, use a sample that it relevant to the work of the internship provider. This isn’t always necessary, but will strengthen your application. Be sure the subject of the paper is appropriate to the office to which it will be sent. If you have argued in the paper for a position in opposition to a particular cause of that organization, you definitely will want to submit something else. Finally, writing samples are almost never longer than five pages, unless the internship provider specifically indicates otherwise. Typically something about three pages long is best. It is appropriate to submit a section of a longer paper with a precis at the beginning explaining the thesis and conclusion of the paper. Typically, the Washington Seminar office will use the writing sample you submitted with your admission application. However, you should consult with the Washington Seminar Director about whether or not you should use something else instead.

Additional Forms or Essays (Standard Admission Track) It is very likely that one or more of the organizations you are applying to will have its own set of forms for you to complete or will want you to write a short essay on a particular topic. Check the Washington Seminar database for additional required application materials and note it on your Internship Application Tracking Form. Submit these materials quickly to the Washington Seminar office so that

there are no delays in sending out your application packet. These forms need to be submited with or shortly after you send your cover statements to the Washington Seminar Office Manager.

Online Forms (Standard Admission Track) An increasing number of organizations are requiring internship applicants to complete online forms. If you are applying to an office that requires one, it is important to follow these guidelines:

1. Make a rough draft of all information you will submit to make sure it is complete and well-written. Grammar, spelling and style errors can hurt you just as much in an electronic application as they can with a paper one. Students are often more casual with these kinds of forms and frequently make serious mistakes. 2. Pay attention to the application deadline and submit your application well before that date. 3. If possible, print a hard copy of everything you have submitted for your own records. 4. Inform the Washington Seminar Office Manager when it is submitted. 5. Follow-up with the organization to make sure your application was received. This is critical because frequently there are glitches in electronic transfers, and your materials may not reach the intended party, and therefore, will never be considered. Resubmit your materials if there is any question about them having been received.

Be Prompt in Submitting Materials (Standard Application Track) Students occasionally miss internship opportunities because they delay in submitting their cover statements or other application materials. The submission deadlines established by the Washington Seminar are important and fit within the application timetable established by the offices in Washington, D.C. Be certain to get the additional materials submitted on time. If you are asked to revise any materials, do so and resubmit them no later than the next day. Mailings for students who have complete application packets will not be delayed for students who are late in turning in their materials. Many offices work on very strict application deadlines. Packets received after the deadline will usually not be considered.

INTERVIEWS AND OFFERS

If your application has been well received by the internship provider, the next step will likely be an interview. Typically, these will be by phone, but increasingly internship coordinators are doing them by Skype or another video conferencing platform. When an internship provider contacts you for an interview, be sure to respond within 24 hours. Check your email at least daily to see if anyone is following up on your application. Failure to do so may cost you internship opportunities.

If you are contacted for any reason, contact the Washington Seminar Director immediately by email. It is helpful for him to be aware of the responses being received by the internship providers in Washington, but more importantly, he may be able to share insights about the internship or interview process with that organization. If the contact is by email, just forward the message to Washington Seminar Director or copy him in your reply. It is important to continue to send this information even after you have accepted an internship offer. If that’s not possible or if the contact was a phone call, send the Washington Seminar Director as much of the following as you know. 1. Name of the organization/internship provider and division (if there is one). 2. Name and title (if you know it) of the person who contacted you. 3. Email, phone number or other contact information. 4. Any information about the internship or the application process. 5. If a phone call, the purpose of the call. 6. If an offer, the deadline for your response. This information is very valuable to us and not only helps the Washington Seminar Director better counsel you, but allows us to keep our contacts in the internship database current. Be prepared in advance for the unannounced phone interview. Whether the interview is anticipated or not, it is important you do well in it. Keeping in mind a few basic guidelines will help you have a successful interview even though you may naturally feel anxious about it. Usually the interviewer is trying to assess your attitude, ability to communicate, knowledge of the internship and goals for the experience. He or she is trying to determine if you are a good fit for the work assignments in the internship as well as with the organization’s staff. Therefore, it is essential that you have some knowledge about the mission and work of the organization, particularly about the details of the internship. You also need to do your best to make a good impression. Be poised, professional and warm without being overly familiar. Address the interviewer as Mr. or Ms. Avoid coming across as silly, arrogant or flippant. Have a copy of your resume and cover statement/letter for that internship nearby so that you can refer to it if asked. A completed placement notes form (see the appendix of this handbook) can be very helpful for keeping track of the reasons why you applied to the internship and what you know about the kind of work that is done there. Have it on hand with you during the interview as well. If possible, try to schedule the interview at a time when you will be in a quiet location and not be rushed. Sometimes it is better to do the interview over a landline than on your cell phone. There is an interview room in the Washington Seminar office with a phone and computer (with a video camera for Skype calls) that you can schedule through the Washington Seminar Office Manager.

Questions You May Be Asked  What do you know about our organization/office?  Why are you applying to be an intern here?  Do you understand what interns do in this office? Are you comfortable with those kinds of work assignments?  What do you think you can contribute to our organization?  What are your career goals and how does working here assist you in accomplishing them?  Items from your application, particularly statement of intent and resume, may be reviewed.  If the internship is unpaid, the internship provider will want to make certain you are comfortable with that fact.

Any interview is a golden opportunity for you to gather additional information about the internship that will help if you receive an offer to work there. Ask good questions, such as the ones on the phone interview notes form in the appendix of this handbook. Be polite and courteous in your questions and avoid sounding as if you are interrogating the caller. Most internship providers will welcome your interest and be happy to respond to your questions.

Questions You Should Ask  What will my work assignments be?  What will a typical day be like?  How much time is spent on clerical work?  Who will be my work supervisor?  Will there be others I will report to?  How many people work in the office?  How many interns will be working in the office while I am there?  If there is a possible stipend, how much is it?  What can I expect to learn from the internship?  Where is the office located?

If at the end of the interview the caller offers you an internship, you want to be sure to do two things. First, understand the nature and substance of the internship well. Don’t be shy about asking follow-up questions or calling back if you think of additional questions that will help you decide whether or not this experience matches your goals. Second, be clear about the date when you need to give a final response. Most callers will not expect you to give them a response immediately. If possible, see if they will let you wait to respond until after the deadline the Washington Seminar office has established for the internship providers to respond to the applications. If that isn’t possible, then ask them what is the latest date you can get back to them. Explain that while you are very interested in their offer, you would like to have time to weigh your options and speak with the Washington Seminar Director before making a final decision. Whatever their deadline is, be certain to meet it! Your failure to respond in a timely way will likely result in the offer expiring, and it reflects badly on you, BYU and the Washington Seminar program. It can even affect our ability to place other students with that organization in the future. Also, don’t leave them with the impression that you are likely to take their offer. You can sound positive and affirmative about your interest, but make it clear that you are still in the process of deciding what to do and will get back to them once you have made your final decision. Be certain to immediately notify the Washington Seminar Director of any contact you have with an internship provider, particularly if you are offered an internship. Forward email you receive from them to him and bring any correspondence they send you into the office so that it can be copied for the file. Note the interview and any other relevant information on your Internship Application Tracking Form.

Placement and Phone Interview Notes Often students find that they have difficulty recalling all of the details as to why they applied for a particular internship, especially after several weeks or months go by before the offers begin to arrive. Use the placement notes forms in this handbook’s appendix to record why you are applying for each internship along with possible questions you would like to ask if interviewed for the position. Keep your notes for each internship to which you are applying near the phone along with a copy of your resume and cover statement/letter.

ACCEPTING AND DECLINING OFFERS

The big moment has arrived. If your internship list was thoughtfully constructed, your application packaged well, you have followed up with the internship providers, and you have been conscientious in responding to inquiries, you will likely have one or more internship offers. Before making any final decision to accept an internship offer, you would be wise to discuss your offer(s) with the Washington Seminar Director. This can help you avoid missing any new offers that may have just come in and will assist you in thinking through whether or not this is the best position for you. The director may also be

able to refer you to others who have worked in that office or other resources that may be helpful to you in making a final decision. Be sure to spend additional time researching the organization and the internship, review again the database entry, website and past intern descriptions of their experience there. Pray about it and make your decision. Once you are ready to accept an offer, reply to the internship in the same way they offered the position. If by email, send the reply by email. If by phone, call them. If you respond with a phone call, you should also follow up with an email so that they have your decision in writing. This is a great opportunity for you to express your appreciation, confirm the starting and ending dates of your internship (use those indicated in the Washington Seminar Program Calendar), and ask if there is anything you should do to prepare for the internship. This is also a good time to get any additional information you need to complete the internship paper assignment for the Washington Seminar Preparatory Course. Accepting the offer of an internship binds you to work for that organization and you will not be allowed to change even if a better offer comes along later. Acceptance of an internship offer is defined as informing, orally or in writing, a member of the Washington Seminar staff or a representative of the internship provider that you will intern with that office. It is essential that you remain with that organization for the duration of the semester you will be on the Washington Seminar. It creates very serious problems to have students agreeing to work for an office and then subsequently backing out. Any unauthorized switching of internships or withdrawal from the Seminar, even before the semester begins, is considered an unofficial withdrawal from the internship course work (e.g. Political Science 399R) and will result in a grade of E being posted on your transcript for that credit for the semester or term(s) in which you were accepted to participate. The E grade will be posted even if you do not enroll in school for that semester. Because this is such a serious breach of faith, the matter may also be turned over to the Honor Code Office for possible action and you may be blocked from registering for internship credit in the future.

Declining Offers It is very important for your reputation and the reputation of BYU and the Washington Seminar that you are responsible and professional in declining any internship offers. You may fear this will be an unpleasant experience, but it needn’t be so. Most organizations understand that you have applied for several internships and will not be unhappy that you have selected some other offer over theirs as long as you let them know as early as possible. It isn’t necessary to tell them where you will be going. You may want to ask if it would be all right for you to stop by and meet them while you are in Washington. This can be a good way to expand your network of contacts for future job opportunities. You may want to use language like the following in your email declining an offer:

Dear

I am very grateful for your offer to work with [INSERT INTERNSHIP PROVIDER]. It was a difficult decision for me, but after careful consideration, I have decided to accept an offer from another organization. I continue to be very interested in your work and would appreciate a chance to stop by your office while I am in Washington to meet you and learn more about [INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME]. Please let me know if that would be possible.

Sincerely,

As soon as you have more than one internship offer, decide which one you will decline and notify that internship provider. By holding on to more than one offer, you inconvenience both the internship provider and possibly deny another student on the Washington Seminar the opportunity to receive an offer from

that organization. As with all other email to an internship provider, be certain to copy any declining an offer to the Washington Seminar Director.

INTERNSHIP MASTER AGREEMENT

After you have accepted the internship offer, the internship provider will need to sign the University’s Internship Master Agreement. The Washington Seminar staff will work with your internship provider to secure their signature on the form. A copy of the standard form can be found at https://intern.byu.edu/sites/intern.byu.edu/files/files/InternshipMasterAgreement.pdf. There are modified versions of this agreement for internships with federal agencies or congressional offices. Note that Exhibit A on the agreement outlines your commitment during the internship. You will formally commit to your part of the agreement as part of the process to register for the internship credit. This is explained in greater detail in the “Registration” section of Chapter 3. The Master Internship Agreement and the Washington Seminar Student Statement of Commitment are considered binding contracts. Please read them carefully and be certain you understand the commitments you have and will be making. If you do not understand any part of the agreement or do not feel you can comply with any one of its condition, contact the Washington Seminar Director immediately.

CHAPTER 3: THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The focus of the Washington Seminar is primarily academic. Even if your only motivation for participating is to gain work experience in these semester or term-length internships, you are still expected to apply yourself with the same vigor to the course work as you do to your internship. Students who are able to integrate their internships with the academic program have the most rewarding experiences. Because of its academic nature, the Seminar places great emphasis on the readings, written assignments and class discussions. The "Standards for Student Papers" section in this Handbook should act as your guide in the written work. Remember, your final grade will be determined by the quality of your academic work, not just your effort.

CREDIT

Options A package of up to twelve credits is available for students who complete a semester-length internship, and a fixed six-credit package is available for those who intern for a term only. All students on the Washington Seminar must be enrolled for at least the basic six credit package—three credits POLI 391 and three credits POLI 399R. You are encouraged to take no more than the minimum six credits if possible. Note that registering for less than the full 12 credit package during fall or winter semesters may reduce or eliminate your eligibility for some University benefits, such as financial aid. It is your responsibility to be fully informed about the consequences of enrolling for less than the full package of credits. Political Science 399R, Washington, D.C. Internship. During the Fall or Winter you can receive three, six or nine credits of POLI 399R. Students participating during both Spring and Summer terms may also receive three, six, or nine credits for POLI 399R, but must register according to the registration options outlined in the preparatory course. Political Science 391, Seminar in Washington, D.C. This three-credit course is required of all students who participate on the Washington Seminar. The assignments and activities are an integral part of your experience in Washington, D.C.

Non-Political Science Credit You may receive non-political science internship credit from other University departments with the approval of the department involved and the Washington Seminar Office. This credit usually does not exceed six hours, and requirements for it must be coordinated with the Washington Seminar Director. The amount of POLI 399R credit you are receiving will be reduced by the amount of non-political science credit received. University policy prohibits students from receiving more than nine hours of credit for any one internship experience. Be certain to get a written statement from the department chair or supervising faculty member of exactly what will be required for the credit. Also, be clear on how much of the credit will be counted as elective credit toward your major. All departments do not have the same policy, and some will require additional work from you. Once all of the necessary approvals have been given, use the normal AIM registration procedures to enroll in the courses. Approximately one month before starting the Washington Seminar, you will be sent a Credit Plans Survey. Promptly return the form indicating the courses and credits you will take while on the Washington Seminar.

Political Science Elective Credit Up to six credits of POLI 399R may count as electives toward the political science major or minor. POLI 391 also counts as an elective toward the major and minor.

REGISTRATION

Registration for the Washington Seminar course work is done online through AIM. See the Washington Seminar Office Manager for details about how and when to register for the credit. The Washington Seminar class, POLI 391, requires a permission-to-add code, which will be supplied to you. You may register for internship credit (POLI 399R) after you have secured an internship that has been approved by the university internship office through the Internship Registration and Management System (IRAMS).

The Washington Seminar reserves the right to adjust your registration so that it conforms with the standard package of credit, unless other approved arrangements have been made. Note that such changes may result in your incurring additional charges to cover late registration, add/drop, or other related fees.

Fall and Winter Semester Registration Course Credits Explanation POLI 391 3.0 Requires permission-to-add code POLI 399R 3.0 to Register through AIM after internship has been approved 9.0 with IRAMS application.

Spring or Summer Term Registration Course Credits Explanation POLI 391 3.0 Requires permission-to-add code POLI 399R 3.0 Register through AIM after internship has been approved with IRAMS application.

Spring-Summer Combined Registration All Washington Seminar students must register for both POLI 391 and 399R. Semester-length classes will show on your transcript under Spring term, and the hours for semester-length classes will only count toward Spring term. For purposes of tuition, financial aid, scholarships, verification of registration and grades, the university will treat this as one semester, not two terms. If you enroll in other in other BYU courses, internship or otherwise, you will need to coordinate with the department offering those courses to learn whether or not there is a Spring-Summer combined, semester length section available or if you will need to enroll in them for either Spring term or Summer term. If you will be registering for semester length classes (Spring-Summer combined) and just one of the terms, you can use the tuition calculator at https://registrar.byu.edu/spring-summer#Tuition%20Calculator to determine your tuition. See https://registrar.byu.edu/spring-summer#Semester-Length%20Classes for any other questions you may have about Spring-Sumer, semester length registration and policies.

POLI 391 (everyone must enroll in this course) Register for POLI 391 (3 credits) in Spring-Summer combined section (see the above). Registration is by permission-to-add code which was sent to you by the Washington Seminar staff in a separate email when you were admitted to the program. If you have lost the code or did not receive it, contact Lisa Peck ([email protected]) in the Washington Seminar office.

POLI 399R (everyone must have at least 3 credits of this course)

Register for the semester length, Spring-Summer combined, section for this course. Register for all POLI 399R credit (3, 6, or 9 hrs.) in SECTION 3. You must be enrolled for at least 3 credits. You will be authorized to take up to 9 credits of POLI 399R, but you can choose to register for 3, 6 or 9. Before you can register for POLI 399R, you must complete an IRAMS online application (see below). To access the IRAMS application, log onto myBYU and enter “intern01” in the Quick URL box. Save the application prior to submitting it. When you receive notification from the BYU Internship Office that your application is approved, you may register for POLI 399R section 3 in the usual way through AIM. You will be authorized to enroll for up to nine credits. A pop-up box will give you the option to decrease the credit hours from nine to six or three credits. Select the option that matches your plans for the semester. The recorded prep class lecture #3 on Learning Suites Communities also explains your options and the registration process.

FINANCIAL AID

Any financial aid or scholarships that can be used for regular day school at BYU can also be used on the Washington Seminar. Process all applications, vouchers or other forms as you normally would for a semester or term on campus. Additionally, alert the Financial Aid Office of your participation on the seminar so that arrangements can be made for them to send any refunds you may have coming. Make certain your information on My Financial Center is accurate. Typically students who apply are notified of any award approximately one month prior to the semester they will be on Washington Seminar.. These awards are need-based and generally do not exceed the cost of tuition for the semester when the applicant will be in Washington. Students who receive paid internships become ineligible for the grant. The grant application is in two parts. All applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (available online at the BYU OneStop site) and submit it by the deadline indicated on your program calendar. The second part of the Washington Seminar grant form can be accessed via the Washington Seminar website and must be submitted by the designated date to the Washington Seminar office. University departments are another source for financial aid. Ask your department chair if there is any money in the department budget for an award. Spring-Summer participants should be aware that there is often grant money available through the Scholarship Office for students who will be enrolling in BYU courses during those terms. For majors within the College of FHSS see: http://fhssinternshipgrants.byu.edu/ For Department of Political Science majors see: https://politicalscience.byu.edu/Pages/Students/DepartmentGrants.aspx.

FINANCIAL AID TAX LIABILITY

Some financial aid is taxable. If you are the recipient of any financial aid while on the program, please read the following University statement carefully. If you have any questions as to whether or not your financial aid is taxable, you should contact the scholarship office at (801) 422-4104.

“Under tax laws, funds awarded as scholarships, fellowships, benefits, and grants, are excluded from the recipient’s gross income to the extent that they are used for required tuition, books, fees, supplies, and equipment. Funds that exceed these expenses or which are used for other purposes, including room, board, research, and travel, must be included as taxable income. Because you are responsible to pay any taxes due the government, you should keep receipts, cancelled checks, and other documents to detail your qualified expenditures, namely, required tuition, books, fees, supplies, and equipment. Since tax liability depends on each individual’s circumstances, you should consult your personal tax director with any questions or concerns.”

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

All international students participating in the Washington Seminar must coordinate their participation and internship selection with the International Student Office. Be certain to contact this office as soon as you are accepted to the Washington Seminar. This is very important because visa and other federal regulations may limit the type of internship you can have. Make certain you are fully informed about all the policies and conditions that will affect your internship selection. Failure to coordinate your participation and internship selection with the International Student Office may place your student visa status in jeopardy.

COURSE SYLLABI

Sample course syllabi for two required courses, Political Science 391, Seminar in Washington, D.C. and Political Science 399R, Washington, D.C. Internship were given to you as part of the application interview for admission to the Washington Seminar. Copies of these syllabi are also available on the Washington Seminar website. You were encouraged to read them carefully to get a sense of the course work that would be expected of you while on the program. The syllabi for the semester you will be on Washington Seminar will be given to you by your faculty director prior to or at the beginning of the semester. Note that the syllabi developed by your faculty director may be somewhat different than the samples. However, the work load will be similar.

STANDARDS FOR STUDENT PAPERS

The purpose of a paper that meets the basic requirements of any college level writing is to demonstrate your ability to communicate ideas and information effectively. It follows that an acceptable paper should have something significant to say and should say it clearly, accurately and convincingly. Following are criteria for all writing submitted for Washington Seminar course work. Your faculty advisor may add to these.

Conform to the Assignment When a definite assignment has been given, the paper should conform exactly to the assignment. When no definite assignment has been given, the paper should still accomplish what it set out to do and not wander from its own stated purpose.

Central Idea Controls the Paper  A significant and clearly stated central idea should control the entire paper. No other virtues can compensate for a muddled or missing central idea.  The central idea should not be merely a repetition of one expressed by a teacher (or some other authority), though it may be an extension of such an idea, or a critique of it.  The central idea should be stated clearly and concisely so that it can benefit both the student as he writes the paper and the teacher as he reads the paper.  The writer should state his controlling idea early in the paper so the supporting evidence can be better evaluated for its effectiveness and relevance.  The writer should not be "given the benefit of the doubt" in the statement of his controlling idea. If the reader cannot find the central idea, he should assume that one does not exist.

Convincing and Sufficient Support  The paper should contain convincing and sufficient support for the central idea.  The support should satisfy both readers who agree with the conclusions of the paper and readers

who do not. (A weakly supported series of generalizations, an unassimilated collection of quotations, or a narrow partisan argument which ignores important contradictory evidence cannot be considered acceptable.)  The support should be factual and verifiable. The style manual by Kate Turabian will be immensely helpful.  If the support is mainly logical, rather than factual, the logic should withstand critical scrutiny.

Paper Organization  The organization of the paper (both of the whole and of the parts, including individual paragraphs) should be clear to the reader and all parts should "stick together" to form one smoothly unfolding idea. The role of transition sentences and paragraphs, and appropriate subheadings should not be underestimated.  The organization should be consistent with the central idea and should help to clarify the relationship of the central idea and the supporting evidence.  The relationship between ideas and supporting evidence should always be clear. The reader should never have to ask: "What does this have to do with your point?"  The proportion of the paper allotted to any section should reflect its relative importance. A minor idea should never be discussed at length, nor a major one given only cursory treatment.  The paper should read clearly and smoothly.  The writer should provide signals (transitions, headings, etc.) to show how sections relate to each other and to the central idea.  Jarring gaps in thought (where the writer has leaped too abruptly from one sentence to the next or from one paragraph or section to the next) always confuse the reader. They may occur simply because the writer has failed to put all that was in his mind into the paper, but they suggest superficial thinking and a failure to see relationships.

Diction The diction (word choice) of the paper should be precise and economical. Even though some of the student's academic models encourage him to think that wordy, pretentious, jargon-ridden language is "impressive," he should be brought to recognize that such language is irritating and confusing to a reader and seriously lessens the effectiveness of the paper. Yet the writer should also recognize that one man's "jargon" is another's clarification. Thus, the nature of the audience must always be kept in mind.

Grammar and Spelling Finally, the paper should meet acceptable standards of sentence structure, spelling and punctuation. It should be literate. If a paper contains numerous technical errors, it should be returned to the student for re-writing before it is accepted for evaluation and credit. (Many mechanical errors, perhaps most, result from carelessness and failure to revise).

Plagiarism It is expected that no student on the Washington Seminar would ever involve himself or herself in plagiarism of any kind. To do so may result in an immediate termination of your internship and participation on the program and will result in a grade of E for the Washington Seminar credit. Be aware that serious penalties by the government can result from an intern plagiarizing material produced by federal or congressional agencies. The simplest way to make certain you are not plagiarizing is to always give attribution to the source of your ideas or quotes. See https://honorcode.byu.edu/ for specific examples of intentional, inadvertent plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification.

Papers Used in More Than One Course No assignments submitted for course work on the Washington Seminar may be used to fulfill the assignments in other University related course work without the express written permission of the Washington Seminar faculty director.

CHAPTER 4: THE WASHINGTON SEMINAR TEAM

The cooperative efforts of a number of people come together to make your Washington Seminar experience a success. Here are some of the key people that you will be working with while you are in Washington, D.C.

FACULTY DIRECTOR

The faculty director is usually a full-time member of the BYU faculty who has been selected to help oversee all program activities of your group in Washington, D.C. Typically, the faculty director is also conducting research or other professional endeavors in addition to working with the students on the program. He or she does not live at the Barlow Center. Instead, he and his family reside in a townhouse in Vienna, Virginia. The faculty director assists you in having a successful internship. He or she monitors your work experience and will contact your work supervisor at least once during the course of the internship. This meeting will form the basis of a mid-term evaluation of your work. The faculty director also helps resolve major problems in your internship that are beyond your ability to solve. He or she arranges for briefings, guest speakers and program excursions. These will be part of the regular Friday activities. Occasionally, last minute changes are necessary, so be flexible and patient. The faculty director provides supplemental readings, biographies of the speakers, agendas and other materials. He or she organizes discussions and group presentations. These will give you an opportunity to discuss current issues, recent or upcoming briefings, and to share your internship experiences with the other students. The faculty director is the course instructor in Washington and ensures that the program has an academic focus and assigns final grades for the Washington Seminar courses. The Washington Seminar Faculty Oversight Committee in accordance with the Political Science Department and BYU guidelines reviews the syllabi for the courses. He or she will hold office hours in the Barlow Center The faculty director supervises the BYU residents and activities in the Barlow Center, including apartment inspections at checkout and at other times as needed during the semester. The faculty director assists students in case of emergencies they cannot resolve themselves. Do not hesitate to call him or her day or night if a serious emergency should arise. However, make certain you have done everything in your own power to resolve the crisis. Please be sensitive to his or her needs for time with family and other professional responsibilities not associated with the Washington Seminar.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The administrative assistant (AA) is selected by the Washington Seminar Director and the faculty director from among the students on your program. Just like you, he or she is working in an internship and completing the same course work as all other Washington Seminar participants.

The AA’s duties include the following:  Responsible for the well-being of the Barlow Center and its occupants after hours and on weekends when the building manager or faculty director are not in the facility. If the A.A. will be away for a weekend, the faculty director should select another student to have the master key and help with building oversight.  Arrive at least one day before other students and not leave until one day after all students have vacated the building.

 Assist the building manager with checking in students staying in the Barlow Center as they arrive at the beginning of the semester.  Assist Barlow Center residents after hours and on weekends with building-related concerns. First contact after hours if students lose keys.  Immediately contact the police, building manager, and faculty director (in that order) if there is a safety concern in the building.  Help ensure Barlow Center occupants are following house rules and abiding by BYU standards.  Organize the Barlow Center residents to ensure that the third and fourth floor kitchens, laundries and common areas are kept clean and organized each day.  Two times each week, check and keep paper stocked in computer lab/library printer.  Weekly check the laundry room and kitchens on the residential floors to ensure that building tenants are keeping them clean and orderly. Insure that food left in cupboards is in sealed containers.  Monthly check vacuum cleaners, pots, pans, irons, etc., to make certain all are in good working order. Report any problems to the building manager.  At checkout, ensure that vacuum cleaners, ironing boards, irons, pots, pans, utensils, etc. are in good working order and ready for the next group of students. Report any concerns to the faculty director.  Ensure that the custodial closet is stocked with cleaning supplies for student use. If it runs, short, contact the building manager who is responsible for purchasing replacement items.  Assist with regular apartment inspections as requested by the faculty director.  Discard food items left behind in residential floor freezers and cupboards after occupants have checked out.  Straighten and organize residential floor kitchens after check-out, insuring pots, pans, utensils, and other items are appropriately stored in cupboards and drawers.  Assist with computer maintenance and report any problems to the Washington Seminar Director and to the faculty director.  Arrange and take down chairs and tables for Washington Seminar class and activities.  Help disseminate information to students about program activities and classes.  Assist the faculty director in organizing program activities.  Ensure all students, particularly those not staying at the Barlow Center, are informed about program activities.  Collect and distribute course assignments as requested by the faculty director, but do not grade any assignments or course work.  Take roll in class or at briefings if requested by the faculty director.  Write thank you notes to speakers and tour guides as requested by the faculty director.  Take photos of students on the excursions and during program activities. Send these photos to the Washington Seminar office.  In the faculty director’s absence, introduce speakers and take the lead in briefings, unless otherwise indicated.  Perform other appropriate duties as requested by the faculty director or the Washington Seminar Director.  At the conclusion of the semester send a report to the Washington Seminar Director with advice for future AAs about how to best accomplish the above responsibilities. Include any charts developed to organize cleaning, trash removal or other group activities.

FELLOW STUDENTS

An important element in the success of your experience in Washington will be the relationship you have with other students on the program. Discussions and activities with them can deepen and enrich your experience in ways that would not be possible if you were there on your own. Many Washington Seminar alumni have made life-long friends (even found a spouse) and important future contacts among their peers on the program. As early as possible in the Washington Seminar Preparatory Course (POLI 297), begin cultivating a relationship with the other students on the program. Even if you already know someone who will be in your group, make a point of sitting next to different people in the class each week and becoming better acquainted with them. In the past a number of students have commented that they wish they had known the other members of their group better before arriving in D.C. During the semester, interact as much as possible with the other members of your group. Discuss what they are doing in their internships and learn from their experiences. Invite different students to visit museums or go on other activities with you. Avoid forming cliques and try to expand your circle of friends. Be positive and encouraging. Don't become involved in backbiting and faultfinding about other students, the faculty director, the program or other things. People who always are carping or criticizing about some problem are intellectually lazy and do so because they can't find other things to talk about. A lot of needless criticism can damage the positive social dynamic of your program. If you have a complaint, take it up directly with the person involved. Be an affirmative voice in the group. Friday class sessions provide you with a good opportunity to share with each other the things you are learning. The faculty director will provide sufficient time not only to discuss your internship, but to talk about recent news events and past or upcoming briefings. Vicariously experiencing the internships and experiences of the other students is an important part of the Washington Seminar. Make the most of it.

CHAPTER 5: INTERNSHIP SUCCESS

INTERNSHIP SUCCESS FORMULA

Many factors go into making an internship successful—an interesting office, a conscientious, supportive supervisor, substantive work assignments. However, the key factor is you—your attitude, abilities and creativity. Two students can go to the same office; one will have a very good experience, while the other is disappointed. Compare the following comments from two former Washington Seminar students:

John: “This internship did not require a great deal of skill, nor did it challenge me or offer a diversity of things to do. I did a lot of copying, moving boxes around for office staff, photocopying the Washington Post and digesting (condensing) testimony.”

James: “Excellent! Very much law oriented. Gained a knowledge of federal securities laws on individual and corporate levels. Learned all about insider trading, disclosure, financial reporting, investment advisers, etc. Reviewed and abstracted documentary information and transcripts of oral testimony. Assisted attorneys in examinations of witnesses before or during trials, motions or pleadings. Drafted press releases, analyzed prospectuses, researched market trends and conditions as well as specific research into the financing of particular corporate entities. Ran errands, went to court, answered phones, prepared exhibits, and attended lectures.”

Both interns worked in the same office, but as you can tell, James had a far better experience than John. Why? As much as anything it was a question of attitude and ingenuity. Although your office will play an essential role, YOU must assume primary responsibility for the success of your internship. Students who have successful internships usually follow the same pattern. The following six point formula is drawn from the experience of hundreds of BYU students and the supervisors that work with interns.

1. Adapt to your office The work environment you will enter in your internship may be completely different than anything you have experienced up to now. It is important to learn all the office policies, written and unwritten, and adapt to them quickly. Your first day or two on the job may consist of tours to the supply closet, photocopier, etc. Pay close attention; it may seem very mundane, but understanding the layout and basic flow of the office can make your life much easier. The following are some of the areas you should be certain to understand by the end of the first week. If the office policy on them is not explicitly stated to you, be certain to ask.

Dress conservatively—especially on the first day. It is much better to be overdressed and dress down later than to give a bad first impression. People in Washington usually dress up for most occasions and especially for work. Generally coat and tie—often a suit—are appropriate for men, with comparable attire for women. Observe what others wear and if you have any questions ask your supervisor. On some days it may be all right to be less well dressed, while on others you will need to dress up.

Know the office routine. This will take a little time, but you should be able to master it within the first week or so. Most offices are very "touchy" about this and can be thrown into disarray when someone steps outside the routine. The following are important elements in the routine of most offices:

 Work area. While you may be fortunate enough to have your own desk, it is more likely you will share a table with someone else. Keep it neat. Also, learn where you can and cannot sit. Some people object strongly to others sitting at their desks. A good rule of thumb is not to sit at anyone's work area unless invited and, of course, never touch anything on another person’s desk.

 Office supplies. Never use offices supplies for personal business, particularly stationary or envelopes. Find out what supplies you are free to use and which ones require permission from a superior. Do not use photocopy machines for personal materials.

 Filing system—electronic and hard copy. No two offices will have the same filing system and nearly everyone thinks theirs is the best. Learn your office's system early and follow it carefully. Few things will get you into as big a trouble as misfiling something so that staff is unable to retrieve it when needed.

 Opening and distributing the mail. This is a traditional job for interns and one you will likely get to do part of the time. If you have been instructed to open mail for others, find out if there are any instances in which mail should be left sealed. Learn the distribution system and what the deadlines are for having the mail distributed.

 Correspondence. Never send letters out over your own signature unless you have been specifically instructed to do so. Learn the style and format your office uses. If there is a signature machine or software, find out how and when to use it.

 Greeting guests. Most offices, especially in Congress, are very sensitive about this. Always be helpful and courteous. Find out what the policy is on allowing guests in the work area and whether or not they should be left alone while waiting for an appointment. Never ignore someone who is alone—always ask if he or she has been helped.

 Telephone Always use good phone manners—never leave someone on hold for more than a few minutes. Also learn what the office's standard phone greeting is. Take good messages; be certain to get the caller's name, phone number and purpose for calling. Repeat it back to make certain you have it correctly. Nothing is more maddening than to get a phone message that has been written down incorrectly.

 Lunch hour and breaks. If you have an hour for lunch that means you can be gone for 60, not 90 minutes. Some offices are very sensitive about the length of lunch hours and breaks. Even though your office may not object to your taking a little longer lunch, you will be more highly regarded if you are always back on time. Be certain to know the office policy about checking in and out; even for short breaks (such as a visit to the rest room), many offices require you to indicate when you left, where you are going, and when you will return.

 Addressing the boss. It may be all right to use his or her first name, but don't take a chance until you know for certain. Ask your supervisor if you are in doubt.

 Never, never talk to the press. Each office will have someone assigned to work with the media. An offhand comment by you could end up in the next morning's papers and cost you your internship.

 Refrigerator and snacks. Many offices will have soft drinks and snacks available for the staff to purchase. Ask your supervisor or a coworker about the protocol for using the service.

 Time off or calling in sick. You are not to ask for time off unless you are ill. Under no circumstances are you to ask for time off to take extended trips. Missing work for other than illness or emergency reasons will not only make your supervisor unhappy (whether she says so or not) but will affect your final grade. Make certain to ask during your orientation about the proper procedures for calling in sick.

 Social media. This is a sensitive issue for many offices, especially in the government and corporate offices. Congressional offices, in particular, can have very strict policies for what can be posted on social media or written in an email. On your first day of work ask the office policy about what you can and cannot say about your internship on social media. Some offices may not let you mention that you work in the office. Others may allow you to indicate you have an internship with them, but write nothing about work. Interns have been fired for violating an office’s social media policy.

Get to know the office secretary. One of the best kept secrets of the professional world is that secretaries can make or break you. Never treat them with disrespect or take them for granted. Try to gain the respect and friendship of your office's secretary as quickly as possible. Besides, the secretary generally has a better idea of what is going on than anyone else. Also, note that today most secretaries prefer to be called office professionals or assistants.

Keep confidences. Be very careful about what you discuss outside of work. Never pass along bits of gossip or stories that could be potentially embarrassing to someone with whom you work. Share what you are learning with other students, but keep idle gossip to yourself. Never write or post anything on social media that would embarrass someone in your office or betray a confidence, during or after the internship.

Don't participate in pranks. The boss may enjoy engaging in a practical joke now and then, but you are likely to get burned if you do. If such things take place in the office, stay an outside observer; that moment of humor may result in someone being offended and you discredited.

2. Humility Remember your primary objective is to learn, not to change the course of history. The success and value of your experience is directly proportional to how open you are to suggestions and your ability to find learning opportunities. Keep yourself and your internship in perspective. Too many students overestimate their abilities and importance, and then are disappointed when those around them fail to give them the esteem they think they deserve. It all boils down to attitude. Consider these questions to help you evaluate your attitude and teachability:

 Are your expectations realistic? The most common pitfall for interns is unrealistic expectations. Students easily forget they are still in training and not ready to perform the same tasks as professionals who are out of school and well along in their careers. Often your assignments will be routine and occasionally uninteresting. If you are grateful just for the opportunity to observe what is happening and to learn a bit more about the professional world, you will have a worthwhile experience. Some common mistaken expectations

students have are:  I'm going to draft legislation.  I'll see the boss all the time.  Every minute is going to be a new and exciting experience.  I'll have my own desk and be able to pick my activities.  I'll be involved in all aspects of the office routine.  I'm going to really impress the office with my abilities.  The office staff will help me any time I want.  My supervisor won't care if I make a few mistakes.  I'll get to participate in important office meetings.  No one will care if I take time off now and then to do some things I want to do.  Everyone will like me and I will be accepted as a regular member of the staff.  Because I am volunteering my time, there will be little or no clerical work assigned to me.

 Am I willing to prove myself in little ways? In most internships, the first two weeks are the most difficult. No office is going to turn the shop over to you the first day. Be prepared for a testing period in which you will be asked to do many menial jobs, such as running errands, photocopying, filing and answering the phone. Often the degree to which you perform these tasks well with a cheerful attitude will determine how substantive your later assignments will be.

 Can I keep my political opinions to myself? Most of the people you will be working with know much more about any political issue than you do and are likely not at all interested in your views. Ask questions and try to learn from them, but keep your opinions to yourself.

 Can I ask for help? Don't be too shy or too proud to admit your ignorance. Do the best you can to resolve problems yourself. But don't be afraid to ask for help or advice if you are into new territory.

 Do I pick-up on corrective cues? Be sensitive to hints you have done something incorrectly. Usually these will be subtle, but a returned project needing revision or questions about a phone message you took are dead giveaways you blew it.

 Can I take criticism cheerfully? You are there to learn, and you will make mistakes as part of that process. Don't be offended if someone gives you suggestions or even tells you that you bungled an assignment. Be grateful for her help and do better next time.

 Am I flexible? The ability to adjust your way of doing things and adapt to new situations is a sign of maturity and intelligence. Follow established office procedure and you will usually succeed.

3. Resolve your own problems Every internship has its own set of problems to be overcome—some more than others. The important thing is to deal with them in a mature and professional manner. You will be part of the professional world and cannot expect someone else to come to your rescue. Here are some of the more common problems interns encounter along with suggestions for dealing with them.

The staff treats me like a second-class citizen. Recognize that in a way you are. You are the newcomer and, although you will likely be warmly welcomed, some people may see you as an intruder. The best way to deal with this is to learn the routine and fit in as much as possible. If someone is particularly nasty to you, make an extra effort to be helpful and friendly. If that doesn't work, then just stay out of his way.

All I've been doing is menial work, like stuffing envelopes and sorting mail. There may be several reasons for this. Your supervisor isn't used to working with interns or is very busy and forgets to give you more substantive assignments. If this is the case, a polite discussion of the problem will likely resolve the matter. However, it may be the staff doesn't feel you can handle more substantive work. If you have turned in some projects late or poorly done, this may be your supervisor's way of letting you know you need to improve. Again, a polite discussion may help, but more likely, you will need to prove yourself. Take some initiative and look for substantive things to do. Keep a cheerful attitude and do a good job with the menial work. Once you’ve done that, try to generate your own projects. Don't forget that the staff may be testing your abilities and attitude to see if you can handle more significant tasks.

It's my first day and the staff has overwhelmed me with work. Where do I start? Decide what is the most urgent task assigned by your immediate supervisor and tackle it first. Explain to the other staff members what kind of workload you have and work out varying deadlines with them. If there is a conflict between work assigned by your supervisor and that of other staff members, let your supervisor coordinate the assignments. Once you prioritize the jobs, locate sources (print or online) that can give you phone numbers and information quickly; particularly look for guides to other office staff and Washington organizations. Often a phone call or two can obtain much of the information you will need. Refer to the list of research reference sources in this handbook to see if any of them might help. If necessary, ask your supervisor to suggest a good starting point.

Serious problems. If after a week or two, you are still having serious problems follow these guidelines:

 Discuss the matter with your supervisor. Be candid and try to get him to be candid with you about the problem. It may be just bringing the situation to her attention will be enough to resolve it. Ninety percent of all problems interns have can be satisfactorily resolved at this point. Never go over her head and talk to someone else in the office. Keep the faculty director informed of the situation.

 Involve the faculty director. Seek the advice of the faculty director early about any problem you may be having. He or she will counsel with you, but isn’t going solve the problem for you. If after you have thoroughly discussed the matter with your supervisor, and it persists, then, and only then, get the faculty director to intervene. Have the faculty director discuss the problem with your supervisor. Make certain the faculty director is fully informed about its history and what you have done to resolve it. He or she can then meet with your supervisor to discuss the situation. Nearly all major internship problems can be resolved after such a meeting. The faculty director will discuss with you what he has learned and make suggestions for ways in which the situation can be improved.

 The irresolvable problem. In very rare incidents the problem may be irresolvable and of sufficient magnitude that you will need to be moved to another internship. In these cases, the Washington Seminar Director will make all the arrangements to remove you from your present position and relocate you to another office. You are also not to discuss the change with your supervisor or other members of the staff until it has been finalized through the Washington Seminar office. Students are allowed to leave an internship only

under the most extreme circumstances and not because of minor grievances.

The above procedure is tried and true; by following it most, if not all problems, can be resolved without any unpleasant results. However, serious difficulties arise and bridges are burned for you and for the University, when it is not followed. Keep in mind, if you are having problems, work closely with your faculty director and do everything you can on your own to resolve them.

Under no circumstances whatsoever are you to look for or arrange for another internship on your own. Doing so will result in your receiving a grade of E for the POLI 399R credit.

4. Volunteer Keep your eyes open for opportunities to assist the office staff in ways that are not part of your regular duties. Be willing to do the unpleasant tasks in the office that no one likes, such as cleaning out the refrigerator. If someone needs an errand run, be the first one to volunteer to do it. If there is a rush job that has to be out, volunteer to stay late and help with it. You will be amazed at how this will win you over to the staff and help you to get interesting work and opportunities to become involved in some exciting things.

5. Be reliable and creative Take each assignment to its conclusion. Success will come through little achievements not grandstand plays. Don't just file, excel at it. Give your supervisor the best photocopies he or she has ever seen!

Meet every deadline. A report that is turned in an hour late may be of no use at all. It will only take one or two projects turned in late to get you condemned to being the office photocopier for the rest of your internship.

Never be late. Always be to work on time and never be late for appointments. Plan your schedule so that you can arrive 10 minutes early to start your workday or for meetings.

Do not waste time. There is always something to organize, clean, revise or start. Never just sit around checking your phone or chatting with the staff. Don't even give the appearance you are wasting time. If one of your daily tasks is to monitor the Congressional Record and the Federal Register, don't slouch down in the chair with your feet on the table, while casually flipping through the pages; read them with serious purpose.

Ask questions, but don't expect to have your hand held. Everyone in your office is busy and has problems of her own. Be resourceful and try to figure things out for yourself. Personal attention given to interns varies from office to office. Don't constantly pester your supervisor with questions and requests for help. When given an assignment, ask enough questions to get clear on what to do and where to start, then work the rest out yourself. If your supervisor has to walk you through every step, he might as well have done it himself.

Write down all instructions. Get into the habit of carrying a small notebook for taking notes on instructions. Don't make anyone have to tell you twice about an assignment.

6. Create opportunities Read everything. Be as informed as possible about current issues, particularly those affecting the

36 office in which you are interning.

Become an expert. Select some issue that is important to your office and become an expert on it. The opportunity may arise when you can put your expertise to work and be of major assistance on some project.

Get yourself trained. Some organizations have new employee or intern training classes. Take them if possible. If you are working in Congress, ask your supervisor about attending the CRS Congressional Intern Training Course as soon as possible.

Turn routine tasks into opportunities. Look for ways to make the best of every situation. An errand to another office might give you the chance to circulate your resume. Skim through some of those papers you are given to file; you will be surprised at the insights you can learn about the organization. A little ingenuity can help make the most tedious task beneficial.

Advice from Past Interns

“Be eager to ask questions and take on responsibility as soon as you can.”

“Be willing to take the responsibility for the success of your internship.

“Avoid the gossip circle.” “Patience and perseverance plus a good attitude will pay off. The work does vary a lot and you may very well end up with little substantive work, but any work will get you involved.” “Be determined to learn something new. If you have culture shock, don’t give up. Show your curiosity and find out what you want to know—people don’t always realize what is new to you.” “Be prepared to do some photocopying, etc. in addition to the more substantive work. Have in mind some specific topic you would like to research or learn and work to that end.”

“Be prepared not to get much feedback on your work.”

“Push for things to do because they won’t just come your way.”

“Have a very professional attitude. Learn all that you can during your internship.” “Much of your success will come from fitting in with the social system in the office. Be confident; others will only take you as seriously as you take yourself.”

CHAPTER 6: STANDARDS AND ETHICS

STANDARDS AND ETHICS

As a participant on the Washington Seminar you are committing to abide by all the standards of conduct, grooming, and dress of Brigham Young University and to be a model representative of the University and of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in everything you do. It is important to understand that your conduct not only affects you but also can have significant consequences for other students, the Washington Seminar, the University, and the Church. In all that you do, be a good ambassador. Your dress and grooming always must be appropriate for the activities in which you are involved. When attending briefings or during the Friday class, men should wear coat and tie and women should be in comparable office attire. Students arriving for these activities inappropriately dressed will not be admitted. All students are expected to observe the highest standards of ethical conduct in their internships and dealings with other persons. Politically sensitive information learned in an office must not be discussed with fellow students, the press or other individuals. However, never allow yourself to become involved in activities that could be considered illegal, dishonest or unethical. If you become concerned you are being asked to participate in such an activity, notify the faculty director as soon as possible. The violation of BYU standards or the involvement in unethical activity will be grounds for your immediate removal from the Washington Seminar and your internship. Furthermore, for infractions of these policies, academic credit will be withheld, and you will not be readmitted to any courses conducted by the University until the BYU Dean of Student Life clears you.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. . .If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (Thirteenth Article of Faith)

Brigham Young University exists to provide a university education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This atmosphere is preserved through commitment to conduct that reflects those ideals and principles.

As a matter of personal commitment, students, staff, and faculty of Brigham Young University are expected to demonstrate in daily living those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and will Be honest. Live a chaste and virtuous life. Obey the law. Use clean language. —BYU Honor Code

CHAPTER 7: RESEARCH AND WRITING IN YOUR INTERNSHIP

With very few exceptions, substantive internships are going to require you to write. Your ability to gather information and communicate it clearly and concisely on paper will determine much of your success. Carefully assess your research and writing skills. If you are inadequate in either area, invest the time now to improve. Even if you feel confident in your abilities, a good review of tools and skills will give you a significant advantage at the outset of your internship.

USEFUL RESEARCH REFERENCE WORKS

Knowing where to turn to quickly find material for those research assignments your supervisor gives you can save considerable time and energy. Every office has its standard resources and you should make an attempt to become familiar with those used either before the internship or shortly after you arrive. While impossible to provide you with an exhaustive list, below are a few of the most used Internet sites and printed reference sources (including Library of Congress call numbers).

Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php Official legislative information website. Includes status of all current legislation, the legislative calendar, the Congressional Record, congressional committee information (hearing transcripts and reports), House of Representatives and Senate directories, congressional Internet services, and a variety of historical documents with links to the Library of Congress, and other useful information sources.

Government Printing Office http://www.gpo.gov/ A wide array of government publications for all branches of the federal government.

White House Homepage http://www.whitehouse.gov/ Contains recent remarks, press conferences and releases of the President and Vice President with information about other presidential activities.

U.S. Federal Government Agencies Directory http://www.usa.gov/directory/federal/ Directory of websites for all federal agencies.

Federal Judiciary Homepage http://www.uscourts.gov/ Publications, opinions and directories of the U.S. Courts, including the Supreme Court. Also, provides the text of speeches by prominent members of the courts and significant historical documents.

U.S., State and Local Gateway http://www.statelocalgov.net/ Links to government activities and information on the federal, state and local levels.

Library of Congress Homepage http://www.loc.gov/ Access to extensive research services and information.

Government Related Internet Search Engines

Fedworld http://fedworld.ntis.gov/ U.S. government search engine with links to federal agencies.

Govbot http://www.hks.harvard.edu/ Sophisticated University of Massachusetts service which lets you search many government data bases.

Lexis-Nexis https://www.lexisnexis.com/ Subscription service providing the major database of documents and published articles for legal, government and business research.

Almanac of American Politics (JK 1012 .A44) http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/ Provides the reader with a quick, informative description of states and districts. It includes biographical information on members of Congress. Online is only available to offices with a National Journal subscription.

America Votes http://www.americavotes.org/ Contains information on national elections.

Book of the States (and supplement) (JK 2403 .B6) http://www.csg.org/policy/publications/bookofthestates.aspx Biennially revised set provides authoritative information on constitutions and elections, legislative structures and developments, state judiciary systems, administrative organizations, major state services, intergovernmental relations and financial and budgetary matters in the fifty states.

Code of Federal Regulations http:// www.ecfr.gov Lists all the general, permanent executive and administrative rules and regulations of the federal government.

Congressional Quarterly Almanac (JK 1 .C645x) 1947-current. http://library.cqpress.com/cqalmanac/ Summary of each year's U.S. governmental activity.

Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report (JK 1 .C648x) http://library.cqpress.com/cqweekly/ Weekly journal of governmental activity, especially that of Congress.

Congressional Yellow Book (JK 1083 .C66x) http://www.leadershipdirectories.com/Products/LeadershipPrintDirectories/Government/CongressionalYe

40 llowBook Same as the Congressional Directory, except that it is updated quarterly.

County and City Databook (C3.134/2:C83/2) http://www.census.gov/statab/www/ccdb.html Statistical reference of vital indicators for major U.S. cities and countries in the U. S.

Federal Register https://www.federalregister.gov/ Official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other presidential documents.

Federal Yellow Book (JK 404 .CF4) http://www.leadershipdirectories.com/Products/LeadershipPrintDirectories/Government/FederalYellowB ook Extensive listing of executive branch personnel by department and agency, updated quarterly.

Geographic Distribution of Federal Funds (CSA 1.10:) A report of the federal government's financial impact on state, county, and cities over 25,000 in population.

Guide to the Congress of the United States (JK 1021 .C565) http://congress.org/ A guide to the history, structure, powers and work of Congress and the pressures on it.

Statutes at Large (GS 4.111:) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwsl.html Laws and concurrent resolutions enacted during a session of Congress.

Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America http://www.state.gov/s/l/treaty/text/ Contains the text of all treaties and agreements of the U.S.

U.N. Statistical Yearbook (HA17 .S73) http://unstats.un.org/unsd/syb/ An excellent source for finding data about foreign countries.

U.S. Code (Y 1.2/5:) (http://uscode.house.gov/) http://uscode.house.gov/ U.S. laws. Organized by subject index.

U.S. Government Manual (GS4.109) http://www.usgovernmentmanual.gov/ Basic organizational handbook of the U.S. Government, legislative and judicial branches are covered succinctly, but the emphasis is on the executive branch.

Washington Information Directory (F 192.3 .W33) http://library.cqpress.com/wid/ Directory of government organizations by subject.

World Handbook of Political and Social Indicators (HN 15 .T37) http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/series/60 Especially good for country-by-country statistical comparisons.

WRITING—THE BASICS

The ability to write clear, concise prose is a highly valued skill in the professional world. Often the success of an internship can turn on how well you are able to communicate in writing. This essay suggests some good techniques for improving your writing.

"How to Write Clearly" by Edward T. Thompson, Editor-in-Chief, Reader's Digest (Published by International Paper Company). Used with permission.

If you are afraid to write, don't be. If you think you've got to string together big fancy words and high-flying phrases, forget it. To write well, unless you aspire to be a professional poet or novelist, you only need to get your ideas across simply and clearly. It's not easy. But it is easier than you might imagine. There are only three basic requirements: First, you must want to write clearly. And I believe you really do, if you've stayed this far with me. Second, you must be willing to work hard. Thinking means work—and that's what it takes to do anything well. Third, you must know and follow some basic guidelines. If, while you're writing for clarity, some lovely, dramatic or inspired phrases or sentences come to you, fine. Put them in. But then with cold, objective eyes and mind ask yourself: "Do they detract from clarity?" If they do, grit your teeth and cut the frills.

Follow some basic guidelines. I can't give you a complete list of "dos and don'ts" for every writing problem you'll ever face. But I can give you some fundamental guidelines that cover the most common problems.

1. Outline what you want to say. I know that sounds grade-schoolish. But you can't write clearly until, before you start, you know where you will stop. Ironically, that's even a problem in writing an outline (i.e., knowing the ending before you begin). So try this method:  On 3" x 5" cards [or on your computer], write—one point to a card—all the points you need to make.  Divide the cards into piles—one pile for each group of points closely related to each other. (If you were describing an automobile, you'd put all the points about mileage in one pile, all the points about safety in another, and so on.)  Arrange your piles of points in a sequence. Which are the most important and should be given first or saved for last? Which must you present before the others in order to make the others understandable?  Now, within each pile, do the same thing—arrange the points in logical, understandable order.  There you have your outline, needing only an introduction and conclusion.  This is a practical way to outline. It's also flexible. You can add, delete or change the location of points easily.

2. Start where your readers are. How much do they know about the subject? Don't write to a level higher than your readers' knowledge of it. Caution: Forget that old—and wrong—advice about writing to a 12-year-old mentality. That's insulting. But do remember that your prime purpose is to explain something, not prove that you're smarter than your readers.

3. Avoid jargon. Don't use words, expressions, phrases known only to people with specific knowledge or interests. Example: A scientist, using scientific jargon, wrote "The biota exhibited a one hundred percent mortality response." He could have written: "All the fish died."

4. Use familiar combinations of words. A speech writer for President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote, "We are endeavoring to construct a more inclusive society." F.D.R. changed it to, "We're going to make a country in which no one is left out." Caution: By familiar combinations of words, I do not mean incorrect grammar. That can be unclear. Example: John's father says he can't go out Friday. (Who says he can't go out? John or his father?)

5. Use "first-degree" words. These words immediately bring an image to your mind. Other words must be "translated" through the first-degree word before you see the image. Those are second/third-degree words. First-degree Second/Third-degree face ------visage, countenance stay ------abide, remain, reside book ------volume, tome, publication First-degree words are usually the most precise words, too.

6. Stick to the point. Your outline—which was more work in the beginning—now saves you work. Because now you can ask about any sentence you write: "Does it relate to a point in the outline? If it doesn't, should I add it to the outline? If not, I'm getting off the track." Then, full steam ahead—on the main line.

7. Be as brief as possible. Whatever you write, shortening or condensing almost always makes it tighter, straighter, and easier to read and understand. Condensing, as Reader's Digest does it, is in large part artistry. But it involves techniques that anyone can learn and use.  Present your points in logical ABC order. Here again, your outline should save you work because, if you use it right, your points already stand in logical ABC order—A makes B understandable, B makes C understandable and so on. To write in a straight line is to say something clearly in the fewest possible words.  Don't waste words telling people what they already know. Notice how we edited this: "Have you ever wondered how banks rate you as a credit risk? You know of course, that it's a combination of facts about your income, your job, and so on. But actually, Many banks have a scoring system...."  Cut out excess evidence and unnecessary anecdotes. Usually, one fact or example (at most, two) will support a point. More just belabor it. And while writing about something may remind you of a good story, ask yourself: "Does it really help to tell the story, or does it slow me down?" (Many people think Reader's Digest articles are filled with anecdotes. Actually, we use them sparingly and usually for one of two reasons—either the subject is so dry it needs some "humanity" to give it life; or the subject is so hard to grasp, it needs anecdotes to help readers understand. If the subject is both lively and easy to grasp, we move right along.)

 Look for the common word wasters: windy phrases. windy phrases cut to at the present time ------now in the event of ------if in the majority of instances ------usually

 Look for passive verbs you can make active. Invariably, this produces a shorter sentence. "The cherry tree was chopped down by George Washington." (Passive verb and nine words.) "George Washington chopped down the cherry tree." (Active verb and seven words.)  Look for the positive/negative sections from which you can cut the negative. See how we did it here: "The answer does not rest with carelessness or incompetence. It lies largely in having enough people to do the job."

Finally, to write more clearly by saying it in fewer words: when you've finished, stop.

TYPES OF WRITING IN INTERNSHIPS

Most intern writing takes three forms—correspondence, reviews of meetings, and position papers. To a some extent, this will be different than the writing you are used to doing for class assignments. In every case, the emphasis is on brevity. No room here for padding your report or providing extended quotations.

Correspondence Responding to correspondence is a common intern assignment, particularly for those in Congress. Being able to accomplish this task quickly and effectively is essential to a successful internship. Even though some of the correspondence from your office may involve "canned" responses, much of it can be interesting and a good learning experience as you research the question needing to be answered. In most cases you will provide the first draft of correspondence for your supervisor’s signature. The better you are at producing a near final-quality draft before submitting it, the more you and your work will be appreciated. The basics of good writing are the same for letters as they are for anything else you do. Keep these elements in mind:  Be concise. Only say what is needed and get to the point quickly. Everyone has more than enough to read, don't waste time with verbiage that isn't truly relevant to your point.  Clarity is as important in writing as it is in gem stones. Don't muddle the message. If the reader can't understand your message, then you have wasted your time.  Keep the tone appropriate to the purpose. Avoid sounding too formal or stuffy. Try to strike the right balance between warmth and being overly friendly. Be empathetic to the reader’s view.  Get the facts straight. Make sure your information is accurate, precise and complete. Avoid "cooking the data," as it is said in Washingtonese. Thorough, careful research is important.  Social conventions matter. Be courteous—even if the correspondence is brief. A well placed "please" or "thank you" makes a big difference. Use Ms. or Mr. in the salutation or the person's title (e.g. Dr. or Professor). Avoid being overly familiar.  Mechanics count. No matter how brilliant your logic or how lucid your prose, spelling and grammar errors ruin your writing. These kinds of mistakes are like a pimple on the Mona Lisa.  Meet the deadline. Write your return letter quickly. Often offices will have a policy that replies to correspondence must be written within 48 hours. Know what your supervisor expects and do it.

A good way to orient yourself to doing correspondence in your internship is to read some of the letters on file in your office. This will help you get a feel for the office's writing style and orientation on key issues. If you will be responding to mail, make it a point to ask your supervisor during your orientation to let you review some past correspondence. When you are given the assignment to draft a letter, make sure you are clear on the position your office wants you to take. It may seem obvious, but many an intern has pressed valiantly forward in preparing a great letter only to discover that he has advocated a position in the final draft that the office does not support. After you are given the assignment, gather the data. This might seem overwhelming at first, but it

44 won't take you any time at all before you will have the system down. Remember you aren't writing a major research paper. Your task is to collect the necessary information as quickly as possible so that you can spend time writing a quality, coherent reply. There are a number of short-cuts that can help.  Ask whoever gave you the assignment to suggest some possible information sources. She may do this as part of the assignment, but don't hesitate asking her to take a moment to give you some direction. Especially at the beginning of the internship, your supervisor will be willing to help you.  Find out if any related correspondence from your office is on file. Don't be afraid to borrow phrases or whole paragraphs from these letters. However, be careful that you aren't writing to the same person or organization.  The phone is your best resource. You can save yourself much time and effort by contacting the person or persons in one of the federal agencies, departments, congressional offices, or public interest groups who works with the issue you are writing about. Two or three phone calls can often produce a substantial amount of material in a short time—probably more than you can use. Use the Congressional Yellow Book, the Federal Yellow Book or Congressional Quarterly's Washington Information Directory for listings of organizations and personnel in government and private offices. The value of these reference books in getting information cannot be overstated. As in much of life, who you know can be as important as what you know.  Check the Internet. A quick check of what is available on the Web may yield useful information. However, be careful not to spend too much time surfing.  Check the press release file. Your office may already have taken a public position on the question to which you are responding. Your reply may not need to be more than an acknowledgment of the writer's concern and a referral to an enclosed press release.

You can consult many other research sources, such as the Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report, The National Journal, or agency briefs or newsletters. The research reference sources listed in this handbook will also be helpful. However, these are better used when you have the luxury of time to gather the needed information. Usually correspondence must be handled quickly. As soon as possible start writing the letter. The elements are similar to writing a research paper. Organize your thoughts and create an outline. Don't forget the importance of a thesis statement that will be part of the introductory paragraph. The longer and more important the letter, the more extensive and detailed the outline should be. Before writing the first draft, review your outline for relevance to the subject and accuracy of facts. Also, be careful to analyze your reader. The style, tone and content of your letter will be very different responding to the pensioner asking about his veteran’s benefits than to a company president seeking a clarification on affirmative action policy. Get to the point in your opening paragraph. There is no need to repeat in detail what is already known to the reader. The first sentence should make clear why you are writing. Follow up with the thesis statement setting out the direction of your letter. Rarely should this paragraph be more than three sentences long. Interior paragraphs explain and substantiate your position, presenting information and reasoning in an organized way. Make them as brief as possible without detracting from clarity and accuracy of the letter. The closing paragraph brings the letter to a courteous close. You may appropriately summarize your position or request some kind of action. Like the opening paragraph, this one is to the point and no more than two or three sentences long. The complimentary close—“Sincerely” or “Very truly yours”—should be whatever is standard for your office. Again, ask how it has been done in the past. Revision is essential. The more drafts, the better your letter will be. Try to put it through at least two revisions if time will permit. If you have been efficient in gathering your information, you should have time to give the letter careful revision. Don't assume that because your supervisor has asked you to draft a letter that she wants to rewrite your work. Although she will likely make changes, your product should be the very best you can do. As stated before, do not send letters out with your signature. Unless specifically instructed otherwise, you are drafting the letter for your supervisor's or department head's signature.

If you haven't had much experience writing business letters and need help learning about format, style and conventions, purchase and study one of the several books on the market that address business writing before beginning your internship. Your office will be far more impressed if you have this skill going into the internship, than if they have to teach you on the job.

Reviews of Meetings Interns are frequently asked to report on meetings the regular staff does not have time to attend. These can be congressional committee hearings, press conferences, interest group presentations, demonstrations, seminars, etc. When given the assignment to attend one of these functions you will need to write a brief summary of what happened. Although each of these will not apply in every case, most of the following guidelines will be useful to you.  What is the issue? Before going, ask what issues to watch for in the meeting and how your supervisor intends to use the report.  Take good notes. Keep in mind you are going to write a summary, not a transcript. Keep track of the players. Who is in charge? Who supports? Who disagrees and why? Watch for the central themes.  One page only. Keep your written review to no more than one page.  Priorities. Summarize the issue(s) of most importance to your office first. Follow with the other themes of related interest.  Limit details. Provide specific details only when needed to clarify one of the major issues. Avoid "He said.... Then she said..." phrases.  Condense with clarity. Write in complete sentences that can be easily understood.  Will they understand? Read the first draft quickly and ask yourself if someone not at the meeting could get a clear idea of what happened by reading your summary.

Position Papers You may get the chance to research some issue under consideration by your office. Generally, the written report will need to take the form of a position paper of no more than five pages. The purpose of this kind of paper is to help a decision-maker choose the wisest possible course of action. Before starting, be clear on the question your supervisor wishes to consider. This will help you define (i.e. limit) the topic to be studied. Identify what information or data are needed and its availability. Many of the same techniques used for gathering information to answer correspondence can be used here. Don't forget to start by calling people in other offices who may have material available you can use or who can guide you in your research. Unless otherwise instructed use the following format for your position paper.  Title. State the title in question form.  Statement of the Problem. This should be a concise statement of the issue under consideration. Usually three to four sentences will suffice.  Background of the Problem. This should be a reasonable detailed account of how the problem originated and developed, the contributing factors, and the relevant major events. It should indicate the importance of the problem for your organization. If major proposals have been previously discussed for dealing with the problem, appropriate reference should be made to them. Footnotes are appropriate for main points and direct quotations. This section should be approximately one to two pages in length.  Alternative Policies. At least three alternative policies should be presented for dealing with the problem under consideration. These should be reasonable proposals the decision maker might adopt. The arguments pro and con and the effects and implications of each alternative should be examined. This section will normally be one to two pages in length.  Recommended Policy. This section should indicate the policy for the decision maker to adopt. The reasons for making the recommendation should be given, together with the reasons why various

46 alternative policies do not seem desirable. This final policy recommendation may be one of the alternative policies discussed above, or it may be a combination and synthesis of two or more alternatives. If it is one of the alternatives already presented, it is not necessary to repeat in full the arguments in favor of the policy. A brief summary will suffice.

CHAPTER 8: TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES

GETTING TO D.C.

Travel to, from, and in Washington, D.C. is your responsibility. You should begin early to arrange for your travel to the city.

Should I Take a Car? No—there is no parking available for students at the Barlow Center. If you will be staying somewhere else, you will want to bring a car if possible.

Arrival Date and Time You must arrive in time to attend the Washington, D.C. orientation class, usually held the day prior to the beginning of the internships. Be certain to check your program calendar and make your travel arrangements accordingly. If you are staying in the Barlow Center, you will not be permitted to check-in earlier than the date indicated on the calendar or stay beyond the checkout date, so coordinate your travel plans with the program calendar. Once your travel plans are made, be certain to notify the Washington Seminar Office Manager of your arrival date and time. A month or so before the move-in date for your group the Washington Seminar office will circulate a form for you to provide your travel information. Your information will be listed along with the other students in your group on a googledoc everyone can access. You can use this to see if more than one of you are arriving at the same time at the same airport. You can arrange with the other student(s) to share transportation to the Barlow Center.

Flying to D.C. If you are flying, consult several of the online travel services for competitive airfares. Most students find that Southwest Airlines offers the cheapest fare if purchased early. However, Southwest only flies into Dulles International and Baltimore-Washington International Airports and will likely add to your ground transportation time. If possible, try to schedule a flight that will arrive in the morning or early afternoon so that you can avoid arriving at the Barlow Center late. Listed below are the three major airports in the Washington, D.C. area.

Ronald Reagan National Airport. National Airport is the airport closest to downtown Washington, D.C. and the Barlow Center. It will have the cheapest and easiest ground transportation arrangements for you, especially if you will be arriving late in the evening. You shouldn’t have any problem securing a cab, (about a 15 minute ride), shuttle or subway transportation from this airport.

Baltimore-Washington Airport. BWI often has the cheapest fares, but will cost you the most for ground transportation. This can be a particular problem if you arrive late in the evening. Cab fare can be very expensive and train-subway transportation can be somewhat complicated. You will likely only want to use a shuttle service from this airport.

Dulles International Airport. This is often the least preferred destination airport because of somewhat more expensive fares and fewer ground transportation options. Shuttle service is available from this airport, but no rail transportation. A cab ride will take about 45 minutes and can be expensive. However, it is closer than BWI, so if you can get a good airfare you will save time once you arrive in D.C.

Ground Transportation and Directions to the Barlow Center Subway (Metro), taxi, Uber, Lyft or shuttle service are the means most students use to get to the Barlow Center. A taxi cab is the most convenient, but the most expensive. There are several shuttle services in the area, but most students have said they preferred using SuperShuttle (www.supershutttle.com). It is relatively inexpensive and will take you right to the door of the Barlow Center. If you are traveling by taxi or shuttle, note that the Barlow Center is on 2520 L St, NW (just off the west end of Pennsylvania Avenue). It may be helpful to tell your driver that the building actually looks like it’s on Pennsylvania Ave. It’s near Rock Creek Park, just before Georgetown. You can’t miss the building; it has the standard granite “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” sign out front. It’s a four story, red brick, building with white pillars and a portico in front. Information about check-in is in the Housing section of this handbook, but remember that you will need to use the intercom to have someone let you in. If you want to take the subway (Metro) to the Barlow Center, you should travel to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station. Exit that station on to 23rd Street, turn left and walk about a block to Washington Circle (a roundabout). At Washington Circle keep to the left and continue to Pennsylvania Avenue. At Pennsylvania Avenue, turn left and walk a little more than a block (crossing 25th Street) to where L Street merges into Pennsylvania Avenue. L Street at this point is only a half block long. After walking another ½ block, on the left you will arrive at the facility, across the street from a small triangular park.

FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND

Washington, D.C. is one of the best-planned and most beautiful cities in the United States. It is really quite easy to find your way around by keeping some basic principles in mind. Pierre L'Enfant, who created the design, laid the city out on a grid. The U.S. Capitol is the geographic center. There, at the intersection of East Capitol, South Capitol, and North Capitol Streets and the Mall (in lieu of West Capitol), the city is divided into quadrants—Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW). (More than likely you will spend the bulk of your time in NW and SW). When looking for an address, it is essential that you know in which quadrant it is located; 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW is in a very different neighborhood from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. Streets are either numbered (they run north to south) or lettered (they run east to west). When the one-syllable alphabet is exhausted, it is followed by two-syllable name streets, in alphabetical sequence and then three-syllable name streets. Avenues bear state names and cut through the grid pattern diagonally. Where they intersect, circles are created and sometimes confusion, as you may lose the avenue or street you were on. The pattern in each quadrant is generally repetitive, with the coordinates (NW, NE, etc.) pinpointing your location. Note that there is no B or J Street. B is Independence and Constitution Avenues (on either side of the Mall); J doesn't exist ostensibly because Pierre L'Enfant didn't like John Jay. (Marilyn J. Appleberg, I Love Washington Guide). The Washington Seminar website has maps and additional information to help you become more familiar with the city. Time spent on Google Maps becoming familiar with the city and the Foggy Bottom neighborhood around the Barlow Center will help you.

COMMUTING

Washington, D.C. has an extensive, inexpensive and relatively safe public transportation system. Take some time early in your stay to become familiar with all the means available to you for getting around the city. Below is an overview of some options; for more detailed information see the Washington Seminar website.

Subway—“Metro” Most students use the Metro (or subway) for traveling in the city. Metro stations are indicated by tall,

49 brown colored pylons, with a large white letter M at the top. Each station has a color coded map to calculate fare and destinations. Attendants are present in information booths if you need assistance. You may also wish to get a map of the Metro system, copies of which are available free from one of the attendants. There are also a number of very good aps to help you navigate the system and plan your trips. Cost varies depending on the time of day (it is more expensive during rush hours) and distance traveled. You can calculate the fare and travel to your internship work site at the D.C. Metro web page (http://www.wmata.com/). As soon as possible, purchase a SmatTrip Card online (www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/) or from a machine in a Metro station. A SmarTrip card is a permanent, rechargeable card used to pay Metrorail and local bus system fares. It's plastic, like a credit card, and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card. Using a SmarTrip card is fast and easy. Simply touch the SmarTrip card to the circular targets on top of or inside station faregates. Likewise, you can tap the SmarTrip farebox on Metrobus to pay your fare with SmarTrip. You should also create a SmarTrip account so you can cancel the card if lost and transfer the balance to a new one. The website www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/ has a useful video that will show you how to use the SmarTrip card on the Metro and bus. The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro Station is closest to the Barlow Center. To get there bear right as you come out of the building (follow Pennsylvania Ave.). Stay on Washington Circle NW until you reach 23rd Street. Follow 23rd Street until you reach the Metro stop. The total distance is about 0.3 miles.

Bus Metrobuses run throughout the city and are an inexpensive and convenient way to get to locations not served by Metro train. Information about fares and routes can be found at http://www.wmata.com/bus/.

Taxi Taxi fares in Washington, D.C. are reasonably priced in comparison with other major cities in the United States. Likely you will not want to use a taxi for commuting but might find that from time to time you will need a cab to get quickly around the city. Especially late in the evening, traveling by taxi may be the preferred option. Taxis are easily available downtown except during rush hours. Information about fares can be found at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/local/dc-taxi-fare-calculator/ Cabs in the Virginia and Maryland areas utilize meters as well. They can take you to the suburbs from D.C. and vice versa, but they cannot transport you within the city. It is a good idea to find out what the fare is from your work site to your residence and always keep that amount of cash with you in case you find yourself working late at night.

Car Because there is no parking at the Barlow Center for students living there, most Washington Seminar participants leave their cars home. If you are not living at the Center and elect to bring a car, you may still find that public transportation is your best option for commuting into the city. Parking in Washington, D.C. is a major challenge and can be quite expensive. Street parking is completely prohibited on many streets in the downtown area during rush hours. (Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.). Most available street parking is either metered or requires a special permit. If you are lucky enough to find a free place, make certain you can be there legally; parking fines in Washington are very high, and the city is aggressive about towing violators. Parking is also available in the commercial garages throughout the city which rent space on an hourly, daily and monthly basis.

CHURCH AND INSTITUTE

Keeping an active religious and spiritual life will be an important part of your experience in Washington, D.C. While on the Washington Seminar, it is expected that you will attend all of your Sunday meetings. You will find that the association and service with other members of the Church in the District of Columbia to be some of your most prized experiences while on the program. Make yourself available for a calling and participate in service projects and other activities.

Church Students living in the Barlow Center are members of the Washington, D.C Stake. The ward leaders will take an active interest in helping you to have a successful experience while in D.C. The first Sunday you are in the Barlow Center, representatives from the wards will meet you in the lobby to show you how to get to church using public transportation. Watch for an email from either the Washington Seminar Director or the ward leadership for details. Single students attend the Washington, D.C. 2nd Ward, a young single adult ward. The chapel is at: 5460 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, Maryland. The meetinghouse is just a short walk from the Friendship Heights Metro stop (Red Line). Single students are encouraged to join the ward’s Google group by going to http://groups.google.com and search “DC2 Ward”. From the search results, click “DC2 Ward” and request to be added to the group. A Family Home Evening group will be organized for students living at the Barlow Center. Married students attend the Washington, D.C 3rd Ward, a “family” ward. The chapel is at: 4901 16th Street, N.W. D.C. Temple The Washington, D.C. Temple is not easily accessible by public transportation. However, there is a free shuttle service from Forest Glen Metro stop (Red Line). Information about the schedule can be found at http://templeshuttle.org/. The wards plan regular temple activities.

Institute Institute classes are held in the Barlow Center. Active participation in Institute is strongly encouraged and is a very good way to meet the other young adults in the area. Many of them are students at George Washington University, Georgetown University, or American University, and many of them are also recent BYU graduates and Washington Seminar alumni. Most students have found that Institute is a highlight of the Washington, D.C. experience. A list of available classes will be given to you during the Friday in-Washington orientation class before your internship begins. BYU’s policy on transferring Institute classes. Institute classes can count toward your total number of credit hours at BYU, but do not affect GPA and do not fulfill residency religion requirements. Book of Mormon, New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants institute classes will fulfill the BYU course requirement but, again, will not count toward the religion residency requirement. Only religion courses taken at BYU (Provo) count toward the religion residency requirement for graduation. Students interested in receiving credit for an Institute class at the beginning of the semester should confirm the policy with BYU’s Transfer Evaluation Office at 801-422-8566 and then speak with Institute Director

SHOPPING, ETC.

Many of your shopping needs can be met within walking distance of the Barlow Center; those that can’t are accessible through public transportation. Trader Joe’s is just around the corner from the Barlow Center. A few blocks away there is a Whole Foods Market at 2201 I (eye) Street, N.W. For other needs take the Metro to the Pentagon City stop, where there is a large mall, a shopping center, and a Costco just above the Metro station. Exiting the Barlow Center on to Pennsylvania Avenue and turning west (left), you will cross the Rock Creek Park Bridge and enter Georgetown. Here Pennsylvania Avenue becomes M

Street. This is the heart of the Georgetown shopping district. Among the many clothing stores, specialty stores, and restaurants, there are several CVS pharmacies, Barnes and Noble, Staples, a Dean & Deluca, a large up-scale mall and other useful stores. A wide variety of restaurants are within a short walking distance, some expensive and some very affordable. The U.S. Post Office has a branch in the Watergate complex at 2512 Virginia Avenue, NW. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is also a branch open on Saturday (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) at 2001 20th Street, NW.

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

The Barlow Center is on the perimeter of the George Washington University Campus. The GWU administration has generously offered to allow Washington Seminar students use of some of their campus resources at no cost. With a current BYU ID you can use the Gelman Library (2130 H Street NW). However, you do not have borrowing privileges. If you are staying at the Barlow Center you may purchase access to the Lerner Health and Wellness Center (located at the northwest corner of 23rd and G Street) for a small one-time fee collected during POLI 297. You must have a physical BYU student ID card with you in Washington (the ID on the BYU app will not be accepted on the GWU campus) to access the gym. If your spouse does not have a BYU ID, contact the Washington Seminar office manager. The Lerner Center is a 188,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility that hosts a wide variety of fitness and instructional classes, walk-in recreation, sport club, intramural and wellness programs and services. Only those on a list sent from the Washington Seminar office to the Wellness Center’s management can use the facility. After entering the main door on G Street, scan your BYU student ID card at the front desk. Note that there may be a few days to week after moving into the Barlow Center before the Lerner Center’s management will have processed the list sent to them by the Washington Seminar office. You will be told when you can start using the facility during the Friday day-long DC Orientation class. A number of other resources are available on the GWU campus including a student center cafeteria and bookstore. Go to the University’s website http://www.gwu.edu for information about the campus.

HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES AND MEDICAL NEEDS IN D.C.

The Internship Master Agreement between BYU and each internship provider calls for individual student interns to have health insurance coverage. Accordingly, each semester the Washington Seminar requires students to identify their particular insurance company and the policy number under which they are covered, prior to departure to Washington, DC. Consistent with obligations in the insurance policy selected, each Washington Seminar student should determine which medical personnel and facilities in the Washington, DC area are “within network” and use such personnel and facilities in order to obtain the benefit of the paid-for insurance. Accordingly, each Washington Seminar student should contact the insurance company to obtain this information prior to arrival in DC so that such individuals and facilities can be used when there is a medical need or an emergency arises. Each student is responsible to make health and medical decisions that are in his or her own best interest.

CHAPTER 9: HOUSING

Housing in Washington, D.C. is expensive, and it is difficult to find good, short-term rentals. Most students who participate on the Washington Seminar live at the Milton A. Barlow Center. While you are not required to stay at the Center, you will find your experience in Washington enriched through your association with the other students staying there. The low cost, central location and variety of activities held at the Center make it a very attractive place to live. It is not unusual for students who have family or the possibility of other living arrangements in the area to elect to live at the Center. Those who don’t live there often feel like they are on the periphery of the program.

POLICY FOR NON-BYU HOUSING

Students who decide not to live at the Barlow Center must follow these guidelines.  The neighborhood in which you live must be safe and easily accessible to public transportation.  You must not live in any situation that may appear as if you are in violation of BYU standards. This includes “coed” or other similar living arrangements.

MARRIED STUDENT HOUSING

There are four studio apartments available for married couples without children at the Barlow Center. Couples that cannot be accommodated at the Center can review the married student housing file in the Washington Seminar for leads on possible living arrangements in the D.C. area. These couples should also seek assistance by contacting LDS priesthood leaders in the metropolitan area.

MILTON A. BARLOW CENTER 2520 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037

The Milton A. Barlow Center is a multi-use facility shared by the BYU Washington Seminar, the LDS Church Office Public and International Affairs, and the LDS Institute of Religion. The top two floors of the building have 22 apartments designated as residences for students participating in the Washington Seminar. This is a lovely facility, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located on the west end of Pennsylvania Avenue in one of the safer neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. For a virtual tour of the building, including floor plans, see the Washington Seminar website.

Directions The Center is on 2520 L St, NW (just off the west end of Pennsylvania Avenue). It’s near Rock Creek Park, just before Georgetown, a little over two blocks from Washington Circle. It can be easier to find if you think of it as 2520 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. You can’t miss the building; it has the standard granite “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” sign out front. It’s a four story, red brick, building with white pillars and a portico in front. If you want to take the subway (Metro) to the Barlow Center, you should travel to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station. Exit that station on to 23rd Street, turn left and walk about a block to Washington Circle (a roundabout). At Washington Circle keep to the left and continue to Pennsylvania Avenue. At Pennsylvania Avenue, turn left and walk a little more than a block (crossing 25th Street) to where L Street merges into Pennsylvania Avenue. L Street at this point is only a half block long. After walking another ½ block, on the left you will arrive at the facility, across the street from a small triangular park.

Check-in: For security purposes, the building is locked 24 hours/day, seven days/week. Therefore, your arrival must be coordinated with the building managers. Please follow these steps to avoid being stranded and unable to get into the building and your apartment.

1. Be sure the Washington Seminar Office Manager knows the day and time of your arrival in D.C. If you are driving, tell her the approximate time you think you will be at the Center. If you are flying, she needs to know the airport, airline, flight number and time when your flight arrives in D.C. Several weeks prior to the start of your program, she will send you an online form to complete with this information. As soon as you have booked your flight, send it to her. If your travel plans should change for any reason, be sure to email her the updated information. 2. When you arrive at the airport, call the building manager. His cell and office number will be sent to you in an email from the Washington Seminar a few weeks before your program’s move-in date. If you arrive late, call the Washington Seminar Administrative Assistant. His or her phone number will be given to you prior to your arrival. If you can’t get the administrative assistant, call the faculty director (number listed in the Contact Information). Any time the week before your arrival, if your travel plans change, be certain to notify the building manager or the administrative assistant. If they don’t know when you are arriving for whatever reason, you may find yourself locked out of the building. 3. When you arrive at the building, push the intercom buzzer in the wall to the left of the main door. If no one responds to the intercom, call the cell, apartment or other numbers of the building manager or the administrative assistant. 4. Once in the building, you will be shown to your room and given your key, followed by a tour of the building

The Apartments Single Student. These are two person apartments. Each has a private bathroom that includes a toilet, sink and shower. Also included in the apartment is a small refrigerator, microwave, two desks, chairs, desk lamps, mattress covers, bedding, wastebasket, and wardrobe. Each room is also equipped with Wi-Fi and a data port for computer access. While not provided by the Washington Seminar, there are typically an abundance of hangers in each apartment left over from previous residents. Men’s apartments are on the third floor, and women’s apartments are on the fourth floor. Married Student. These are efficiency or studio apartments. Each has a private bathroom with a toilet, sink, and tub-shower. Also included is a Murphy (pull-down) bed, desk, chair, lounge chair and love seat, kitchen table and chairs, lamp, small kitchen area with range, refrigerator, mattress cover, bedding, microwave, pots, pans, dishes and utensils. While not provided by the Washington Seminar, there are typically an abundance of hangers in each apartment left over from previous residents. Each room is also equipped with Wi-Fi and a data port for computer access. Couples with children may not stay in the Barlow Center.

Program/Housing Deposit All Washington Seminar participants pay a $200 program/housing deposit. Your account at Financial Services will be charged $200 shortly after the application deadline for the Washington Seminar program. The charge must be paid within two weeks to prevent a hold on your account. Without this deposit and a signed copy of the lease signed by you and the Washington Seminar Director, your housing at the Barlow Center is not guaranteed. Within 30 days after leaving the Barlow Center, this deposit is refundable and will be credited to your BYU student account if you comply with all Washington Seminar policies and the conditions stipulated in the lease.

Rent Rent is due in full by the start of the semester you will be on the Washington Seminar. However, your

account with BYU will be charged approximately one month prior to the start of the semester. All payments are made through My Financial Center, just as you would for any other charges to your student account. Make certain you pay the rent promptly to avoid a hold on your account that could result in delays to your registration. If you have problems, contact the Washington Seminar Office Manager.

Lease A copy of your lease will be given to you in the preparatory class. Read it carefully, as you will be expected to comply with all of its terms. Sign and return it to the Washington Seminar office. The Washington Seminar Director will keep the original copy and email a scanned copy to you. A signed copy of the lease must be on file in the Washington Seminar office before you will be permitted to move into the Center. A copy of the standard lease is available on the Washington Seminar website. Note that should you decide to live elsewhere other than the Barlow Center after you have signed and submitted your lease, you will still be responsible for the entire rent.

Common Space There is a lounge and common kitchen on each floor. The lounge serves as a place for guests to meet with you, as they are not permitted in your apartment. The kitchen has a range, microwave, sink, pantry and freezer. The kitchen is supplied with a limited number of pots, pans, dishes and utensils that are shared among the single tenants. After each use they are to be washed, dried and returned to the cupboards or drawers. Residents of the floor may leave a limited amount of food in the freezer as long as it is labeled with the owner’s name. Please be considerate of other tenants and clean your cooking tools immediately after use. Nobody likes to clean up a mess made by someone else before they can prepare their meal. There is a flat screen TV with satellite channels and a DVD player on each floor. Do not attach anything to the TV, i.e. computer, game consoles, etc. The basement, accessible through the rear stairway of the Center, has a multipurpose room with a ping-pong table, lounge furniture, TV (with satellite channels and DVD player. Do not attach anything to the TV, i.e. computer, game consoles, etc. This room is available for your use along with other young single adults participating in the D.C. Institute program. When not scheduled by others, you can use the two classrooms on the first floor as study areas or to play the piano. Just off the lobby is the Great Room, which is used for Washington Seminar class and briefings, Institute classes and other scheduled activities. You are also free to use it as a study hall or to play the piano. Please make sure to clean and straighten all common areas after you use them. Discard trash from any activities in which you have participated in the dumpster behind the building.

Laundry Each floor has a laundry room with two sets of washers and dryers. The machines are not large, but they are free. Irons, ironing boards, and shelves for your personal laundry supplies are also provided. You may only use the laundry on your floor.

Utilities and Phone There is no additional charge for electricity or water. There is one land line phone one each floor that is for emergency use only.

Library and Shared Computers There is a computer lab on the second floor of the Center with four computers, Internet access and a network printer. The rules for use of the computer lab are as follows:  Computers are only available for use by Washington Seminar students.  Computer use is limited to one hour per person if others are waiting. All Internet use of computers,

including personal ones in apartments, is monitored. Accessing pornographic or other inappropriate websites is prohibited. Anyone doing so will be reported to the Honor Code Office and may be dismissed from the Washington Seminar program.  You cannot store files on the library computers. Use a jump drive to store your work.  Do not download or install any programs on the public computers, particularly file-sharing programs.  Gaming is prohibited on public computers.

Common Printer A networked printer is available in the library/computer lab. To print to it from your room, you will need to download the driver using the following instructions. From the port in your apartment or by wireless:  Download the driver software from the HP (Hewlett-Packard) Website (http://h20565.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/readIndex?sp4ts.oid=3558889&lang=en&cc= us). Configure it for your operating system.  The printer is a standard HP LaserJet P4515n. It has a standard TCP/IP port, with the address: 192.168.10.20

If you have problems or questions about computers or Internet access, contact the Washington Seminar Office at (801) 422-6029.

Internet and Personal Computers High-speed Internet is available through a wireless system throughout the building and in your room through a data port in the wall. All students using the Internet in the Barlow Center with a laptop or tablet must follow the rules as outlined in the Computer/Internet Contract in your lease and on the Washington Seminar web site Forms for Current Students link. You are strongly encouraged to have your computer certified by a technician according to the instructions on the agreement before leaving campus. This will insure that you have the latest anti-virus software. This is a free service provided by the IT office of the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Go to: fhsscomputing.byu.edu and then select Washington Seminar on the Services tab or, go directly to https://fhsscomputing.byu.edu/pages/washington.aspx. Access the wireless system in the Barlow Center by turning on your computer and opening the wireless controls for your computer. Your computer should search for the wireless access points that it can see. Look for the LDSAccess wireless device. Click on this device and enter the password: Pioneer47 (the “P” is capitalized.) At times the in the past the wireless system has gone down for a few hours or even a few days. So that you can still access the Internet, purchase and bring with you a 10 to 15 ft Ethernet data cable (sometimes referred to as a CAT 5 data cable) that can connect your laptop to the data port in your apartment. Note that some laptops or tablets may require an adapter for the cable. Check to see if this is the case with your computer and bring it with you also. If the wireless goes out, you can also use the computers in the library. If you experience problems with the wireless or Internet at the Barlow center: 1. Go to another part of the building and try accessing the wireless again. 2. See if others in the building are able to access the wireless. If they are, the problem is likely your computer. Reboot your computer and try to connect again. 3. If the LDSAccess wireless is out in the building, contact the building manager and provide as much of the following information as possible. (a) What part of the building is not receiving service (b) How many people are affected (c) How long the service has been out (d) Your cell phone number.

Addresses and Mail – Your address will be: 2520 L Street, NW (plus apartment number) Washington, D.C. 20037 Your apartment number will be given to you at check-in. Mail is delivered to boxes on the first floor of the Center.

What You Need to Bring Only basic furnishings, bedding and a mattress pad are in the apartments. You will need to provide your own pillow and towels, waste basket liners, food storage containers, and laundry supplies. All of these items can be purchased after arrival from stores that are within walking distance or a short ride on the Metro. (There are many dollar stores in the area if you are shopping on a budget.)

Storage Space Luggage and any items you bring with you must be stored in your apartment. Space is limited. No storage space is available in the Center and you may not store items in other rooms, the hallways or stairwells. You may want to fly out with enough clothing, etc. to last you for one to two weeks, shipping the rest of your belongings. That way you can break down and/or throw away the boxes, rather than trying to store lots of luggage.

Parking There is no parking available at the Center for residents or their guests. If coordinated with the building managers, temporary parking can be arranged if you are being dropped off at arrival the first day of residency or picked up when departing the program. Otherwise, your guests with cars will have to use one of the commercial lots in the area or find parking on the street. Note that nearly all street parking has a two hour limit.

Overnight Guests All guests are to leave the Center by 11:00 p.m. unless they are attending an organized activity supervised by the faculty director or Institute program. Under no circumstances are guests permitted at any time to stay overnight in the Center. This includes both married and single student apartments. If friends or family come to visit you during your stay in the Center, you are responsible to make sleeping arrangements for them off the premises. Do not invite anyone to stay with you. Permitting a guest to stay overnight is a violation of your lease and will result in forfeiture of your security deposit and possibly eviction from the building. Also, students, single or married, may not have guests in their apartments at any time. However, you may host guests in the lounge on your floor or in the other common areas in the building as long as they leave the building by 11:00 p.m.

Care of Apartment Your apartment is comfortably furnished. Please keep it clean and orderly. Do not hang posters or pictures anywhere other than on the provided tack board. Cockroaches, mice and other vermin are a significant concern in Washington but can be kept away if food is kept in sealed containers. Do not allow trash to accumulate; take it to the dumpster in the rear of the building on a daily basis. A vacuum mop, bucket and broom with some cleaning supplies are available in the custodial closet on each floor. It is important to report any damage to the apartment, its furnishings or the building to the building managers as soon as possible.

Keys You will be given a fob (an electronic) key to the building, your room, and a key to your mailbox. Keep your keys secure; do not loan them to anyone. If one of your keys is lost or stolen immediately report it to the building manager so that it can be deactivated to prevent an unauthorized person from entering the building or your apartment. You will be assessed a $25.00 fee for failing to immediately

report a lost or stolen key or for each subsequent key you lose. The building key will give you access to the front and rear (by the dumpster) doors of the Center. You will also need it for access to your residential floor, the elevator and the multi-purpose room in the basement. You will not have access to the LDS Public and International Affairs Office on the second floor or the other residential floor.

Cleaning Kitchen, Lounge and Laundry All residents are expected to help keep the common areas on the residential floors tidy and clean. At the beginning of the semester, the AA will create rotating assignments for making sure these areas are well kept.

Trash Removal There is a dumpster in the alley behind the building that is accessed by the north stairwell (the one closest to the elevator). Be sure to check the monitor by the door before entering the alley. Remove trash daily. Always replace the liner in the wastebasket.

Apartment Inspections It is very important that your apartment is kept clean and the furnishings are in good working order. In keeping with University policy, the faculty director will inspect your apartment periodically. Any concerns about the cleanliness or condition of the apartment will be noted to you for correction. Persistent uncorrected problems will result in a fine of $25.00 per problem or replacement cost for damage to furnishings, carpet, walls or ceilings being charged against your account with the University.

Checkout The date to checkout of the apartment is on your lease and program calendar. You must checkout of the Center by turning in your keys to the building managers. The faculty director will inspect your apartment. Forms to be used in the checkout can be found on the Washington Seminar website. You are expected to thoroughly clean your apartment as instructed. Students who fail to clean or follow the prescribed checkout procedure will forfeit their housing deposits.

Staying Beyond the Checkout Date Residents are not permitted to stay in the Center beyond the checkout date indicated on your lease and on the program calendar. Be sure to make your travel arrangements so that you can leave on the specified date. Students who stay beyond the checkout date will forfeit their housing deposit and may be charged additional rent.

Roommate Assignments Every effort is made to accommodate your roommate preference. However, because of varying internship schedules and for other reasons, it may not be possible to put you with your first choice. It is not possible to switch apartments once you have arrived in Washington.

Televisions Flat screen televisions connected to a satellite system are in the commons areas of each residential floor and in the recreation room. Only equipment (i.e. DVD player) provided by the Washington Seminar may be attached to these TVs. Do not attach gaming consoles, laptops or other electronics to them. A large portable flat screen is in in the Great Room. It can only be used with the express permission of the Building Manager.

House Rules You were given a copy of the Barlow Center House Rules when you signed your lease. Following them will help protect you, the Center, other occupants and insure that all activities in the building are appropriate and in accordance with Church and University policy. Students who are not able to follow

them will have their deposit withheld and may be asked to vacate the building.

Milton A. Barlow Center Residence House Rules June 2014 Revision

The Milton A. Barlow Center is a multi-use facility shared by the BYU Washington Seminar, the Church Public and International Affairs Office, the Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, and a young single adult branch. The building is a consecrated structure, dedicated to help the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints accomplish its mission. All residents and workers in the building must respect the dedicated nature of the building and contribute toward accomplishing that mission.

The shared, multi-use nature of the building also necessitates an added measure of respect and sensitivity by the various users toward one another. Students must always conduct themselves as model representatives of BYU and recognize that many people will have claim to using the public space in the building. An important goal will be for everyone who uses and lives in the facility to create a cooperative and pleasant atmosphere in keeping with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The following individuals have responsibility for the building and can be a resource for assisting you if needed.  Missionary Couple – Building Managers and CES Missionaries. Call them first for any problems with the physical facilities, including Internet or Wi-Fi outages. Emergency calls only after 10:00 p.m. Daytime office – 202-448-3396. Evening – See numbers in Contact Information section of the Washington Seminar Handbook.  Washington Seminar Faculty Director – Call about program questions, any emergencies, BYU related matters, physical facility problems that cannot be resolved by the building managers, if the managers are unavailable or with requests for exceptions to house rules. The faculty residence is in Vienna, VA. Day and Evening – 703-848-0014 Barlow Center Office – 202-448-3347  Institute Director – Call regarding Institute or young single adult activities in the building. Daytime office – 202-448-3399  Church Public and International Affairs Office – Emergencies only. Daytime office – 202-448-3333

General Building  BYU Dress and Grooming Standards are to be observed in all areas of the building outside of individual apartments. Specific note should be made that men are always to be clean shaven, including on weekends and holidays. Men and women are to always dress modestly, including not wearing shorts that are above the knee or tight fitting clothing. Women should not wear revealing clothing such as those with bare midriffs, and men must wear shirts. Shoes are to be worn in all public areas of the building.  Be vigilant about security. Never admit anyone to the building between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. who you do not know. Do not admit anyone at other times unless you are certain he or she has legitimate business in the building.  Do not loan your keys to anyone. Immediately report any lost or stolen keys to the building managers.  Exit and enter the building through L Street entrance only (except in case of fire emergency).  Be certain the door locks behind you.  Never prop open or leave unlocked any doors (especially exterior ones) that have locking

mechanisms.  Always check TV monitors before exiting rear doors of the building, especially when taking trash to the rear dumpster.  There is not a building curfew. However, all tenants are strongly encouraged to be in the building by 11:00 p.m.  Except in case of fire emergency, do not attempt to go on to any roof of the building. This can damage the roof and is a serious safety hazard.  Never overload the elevator. No more than six people should be in it at any time.  Damage to any part of the building, including apartments, class rooms, or any public space is to be reported to the building managers immediately.  Never give money to panhandlers within a block of the building. This will attract vagrants to loiter around the facility and can create a serious safety problem for residents. Those wishing to help the homeless should volunteer their services at one of the many facilities or services available for the homeless in the city.  No parking is available for residents of the Barlow Center.

Great Room and Class Rooms  When not scheduled, these rooms are available to residents for study, playing the piano, or other appropriate activities that do not disturb other occupants in the building. Media equipment (i.e., TV, video players, etc.) in these rooms is not to be used without the explicit permission of the Building Manager.  When finished using them, rooms should be straightened and cleaned with clutter picked up, and all wastebaskets emptied and trash removed.

Meetings, Socials or Parties  No meetings, socials, parties or other activities that are contrary to BYU Honor Code Standards or could be construed to be in conflict with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be held in the Barlow Center. No activity can be held in the building that would place in jeopardy the tax exempt status of the Church or BYU.  Students may not organize meetings, socials or parties anywhere in the building that include non- Barlow Center residents unless first approved by the Washington Seminar faculty director. Any requests to hold an activity/meeting must be made in writing and clearly explain the purpose of the activity/meeting and who will attend.  All such activities must be scheduled with the building managers and can only be held if space is available.  Organized activities in the building that only include residents must also be scheduled with the building managers.

Servery Off the Main Lobby  This room is not available for use by students unless explicit permission is granted by the Building Manager.  When used, it must be left clean, with all dishes and utensils washed and put away. All trash should be taken to the dumpster and fresh garbage bag liners put in cans.

Public and International Affairs Office—Second Floor  The Church’s Public and International Affairs Office is used regularly by local leaders and general officers of the Church. The staff also interacts with national and international government and business leaders. Students must be particularly sensitive not to interfere with or detract from the important work of this office.  With the exception of the library-computer lab, students are not to be on the second floor or in

any of the offices, unless accompanied by a member of the Public and International Affairs staff.  The conference room next to the library-computer lab is not available for student use.  Students needing to use the restroom while in the library should return to their apartments or use the restrooms on the first floor.

Library-Computer Lab  The library-computer lab is shared space to be used for teacher preparation by the Institute program and the young single adult ward. It is also a computer lab for BYU students.  Computers are only available for use by Washington Seminar students.  Computer use is limited to one hour per person if others are waiting. All Internet use of computers, including personal ones in apartments, is monitored. Accessing pornographic, gambling or other inappropriate web sites is strictly prohibited. Anyone doing so will be reported to the Honor Code Office and may be dismissed from the Washington Seminar program.  Do not download or install any programs on the public computers, particularly file-sharing programs such as Gator, Kazaa, or Morphius. Such programs pose a serious security risk to the Barlow Center computer network.  Gaming is prohibited on public computers.

Televisions  Flat screen televisions in the commons areas of each residential floor and in the recreation room are for general use.  Only equipment (i.e. DVD player) provided by the Washington Seminar may be attached to these TVs. Do not attach gaming consoles, laptops or other electronics to them.

Multipurpose Room (Basement)  This room is intended to be used as a lounge and recreation area for building residents, students participating in the Institute program, and members of the young single adult ward and their guests.  This room will only be available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. It is to be kept locked at all other times unless supervised by one of those indicated above as being responsible for the building.  Keep the blind closed on all windows at night.  After any use, the room is to be left free of clutter with all trash removed and deposited in the dumpster behind the building. The small servery is to be cleaned with all dishes washed, dried and put away after each use. No food is to be stored in the refrigerator.  No “R” rated or other inappropriate videos, DVD’s, or music are to be played on the TV or on any media equipment (including computers) in the building.

Residential Floors and Apartment  Access to the third and fourth floors (residential areas) is restricted to students residing in the building and their guests.  Guests are not permitted beyond the lounge and kitchen areas of the third and fourth floors.  All guests are to leave the Center by 11:00 p.m. unless they are attending an organized activity supervised by the faculty director or Institute program. Under no circumstances are guests permitted at any time to stay overnight (beyond midnight) in the Center. This includes both married and single student apartments.  Men, including guests and residents, are not permitted beyond the lounge and kitchen area on the fourth floor.  Women, including guests and residents, are not permitted beyond the lounge and kitchen areas on the third floor.

 Overnight guests are not permitted in the building. Residents must not invite visitors to stay with them.  Under no circumstances are residents to have members of the opposite sex in their apartments (married student apartments excepted).  Never enter another student’s apartment without the occupant’s permission.  Clean with soap all dishes, pots, pans, and utensils used in the common kitchen immediately after use. No dirty dishes or cooking utensils are to be left in the kitchen area or lounge.  The freezer on each of the residential floors is for use by the single and married students of that floor. All food left in the freezer must be labeled with the owner’s name. Do not use a disproportionate amount of space in the freezer. No one is to take food that does not belong to him or her.  Clean and straighten the laundry room after each use, mopping up any spills. Do not leave clothes in the washer or dryer after cycles have finished. Be courteous toward others by not monopolizing the laundry facilities. Clean the lint traps in the dryers after each use.  Keep your apartment (including the bathroom) in a clean and orderly condition.  Cockroaches, rodents, and other vermin are attracted to food left in unsealed containers. Food should be stored in Rubbermaid or Tupperware-type containers. Be certain to clean any food spills immediately. Remove trash daily from your apartment if it contains any food particles or residue. Wash all dishes, utensils, pots, pans, etc. with soap immediately after use. Dirty dishes will also attract vermin.  Immediately report any stains or spills that you can’t clean to the building manager.  Do not put food or anything non-liquid that might create clogs into the bathroom sink.  Keep the shower curtain inside the shower.  Do not put holes (tack, nail, etc.) in walls or furniture (i.e. wardrobe). Use “blue tack” to hang pictures, posters, etc.  No open flames (i.e. candles, incense, etc.)  Music or other media played in an apartment must be kept to a volume so that it cannot be heard by residents in the adjoining apartments.  All luggage and personal items must be stored in your apartment and may not be left in any other area of the building.  Do not hang anything from the ceiling fire extinguisher or block the fire alarm signal in the bedroom or bathroom.  Never remove any window screens. Be certain to close windows tight when you are not in the room.  Remember that all residential floor windows can be seen by occupants of other buildings; keep blinds closed at night and when dressing. Conserve power by turning off lights and other electrical appliances when not needed, including keeping the thermostat set between 68 and 72 degrees. Also, turn off the thermostat when apartment windows are open.  HONOR CODE STATEMENT

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men....If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (Thirteenth Article of Faith.) As a matter of personal commitment, the faculty, administration, staff, and students of Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, BYU-I, and LDS Business College seek to demonstrate in daily living on and off-campus those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and will:  Be honest  Live a chaste and virtuous life

 Obey the law and all campus policies  Use clean language  Respect others  Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse  Participate regularly in church services  Observe Dress and Grooming Standards  Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code Specific policies embodied in the Honor Code include (1) the Academic Honesty Policy, (2) the Dress and Grooming Standards, (3) the Residential Living Standards, and (4) the Continuing Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement Requirement. (Refer to institutional policies for more detailed information.)

DRESS AND GROOMING STANDARDS The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat, and clean, consistent with the dignity adherent to representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any of its institutions of higher education. Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which students, staff, and faculty represent the principles and standards of the Church. Members of the BYU community commit themselves to observe the following standards, which reflect the direction of the Board of Trustees and the Church publication For the Strength of Youth. The Dress and Grooming Standards are as follows: Men A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, revealing, or form fitting. Shorts must be knee-length or longer. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extreme styles or colors, and trimmed above the collar, leaving the ear uncovered. Sideburns should not extend below the earlobe or onto the cheek. If worn, moustaches should be neatly trimmed and may not extend beyond or below the corners of the mouth. Men are expected to be clean- shaven; beards are not acceptable. Earrings and other body piercing are not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas.

Women A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, strapless, backless, or revealing; has slits above the knee; or is form fitting. Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be knee-length or longer. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extremes in styles or colors. Excessive ear piercing (more than one per ear) and all other body piercing are not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas.

CHAPTER 10: SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION

In the long history of students from BYU interning in Washington, D.C., we have been blessed to have very few safety problems. While wanting to reassure prospective interns and their parents that we feel our students can have a safe and pleasant experience on the Washington Seminar, we are concerned that all of our participants understand the inherent dangers of living and working in an urban environment and take all the necessary precautions to insure their well-being. Even though Washington, D.C. is a beautiful, well-planned, exciting city, in the last few years it has succumbed to much of the violence and crime that afflicts most major metropolitan areas. While no area in D.C. is 100% safe (for that matter neither is Utah Valley), the neighborhoods in which you will work and which visitors to the city frequent are fine and should not worry you. However, you should always be careful and use common sense wherever you are. It is better to be overcautious than to find yourself in trouble. All participants are strongly encouraged to take personal responsibility for their own safety and for the security of other participants. All Washington Seminar students will be required to attend a preparatory classroom discussion concerning relevant safety and security topics as part of the D.C. Orientation class taught at the beginning of the semester. This information will provide you with safety advice on how to conduct yourself while in the Barlow Center, on city streets, at work, in elevators, when participating in outdoor recreational activities, and when traveling as well as identify procedures to follow in the event a crime has been committed against you or your property.

DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS

It isn't possible to provide you with a comprehensive list of places to avoid. Common sense and paying attention to the local news in the Washington Post will help. However, there are some areas that have a reputation for trouble. As a general rule you should stay away from most of the area east and north of Capitol Hill and Union Station, particularly around the Kennedy Stadium. The area east from Fifteenth Street (NW) and north of K Street (NW) should also be off limits. Avoid most of Southeast Washington, particularly the neighborhoods round the Navy Yard and in Anacostia. It's a good idea to check with your co-workers about which neighborhoods are safe and which ones should be avoided. Rock Creek Park is close to the Barlow Center but is not a safe place for runners. Do not go "slumming" in run-down neighborhoods or areas that are known or appear to be dangerous. Washington, D.C., has a serious drug violence problem that is concentrated in the poorer parts of town. Your Saturday afternoon excursion to see how the "other half" lives could result in tragedy. Staying in the business and tourist parts of the city will help insure that your stay in the Nation's Capital is a safe one. The following information is a collection of tips on staying safe from the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Prevention Council. It is intended for all students on the program, not just those living at the Barlow Center. Please read it carefully and follow the advice given. For additional information on safety and crime prevention see the website http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/safety-and-crime-prevention.

GUARDING AGAINST ROBBERY AND ASSAULT

Robbery and assault are serious crimes. While money is often the motivation, these incidents are considered crimes of violence because they involve the threat or actual use of physical violence. The basic rules of prevention are to be sensible and to be alert. The following tips will also help reduce the risk of robbery or assault.

When You're At Home Do not put your name on the outside of your mail box. A list of you and your roommate on the inside is sufficient for the postal carrier to see that your mail is delivered to you. When answering the door make sure you know who is there before opening the door. Use the peephole or the chain guard latch. Never permit strangers to enter your home to use your telephone. Instead, offer to make the call for them while they wait outside. Check the identification of service or repairmen. If you are not satisfied ask them to remain outside your locked door while you telephone the building manager. Never give your name, address or phone number to a "wrong number" caller. Ask him what number he is calling. Keep your blinds shut during the evening. Remember that people in nearby buildings can see into your apartment. Never disrobe in front of a window. If prowlers or suspicious persons are observed near, around, or in the Center call the police at 911 immediately. If strangers are on residential floors of the building you should also call the police. When entering the Center look around the area to make sure no one is loitering there. Have your door key ready and in your hand as you approach your door. Always check the monitors before exiting into the alley behind the building to discard trash into the dumpster. Exit and enter the Center only from the main doors in the front of the building. Using the alleys will place you at considerable risk. Should you return home to find the door ajar, a broken window or other signs that someone has entered during your absence do not enter. Instead, move away and call the police. Late at night take a roommate or someone from your floor to accompany you if you will be in any of the non-residential floors. Never have a name and address or anything that identifies you with BYU, the Church or the Barlow Center on your key ring. Never leave your home at the request of a caller. Instead of complying with his request say you are momentarily engaged and will call him back as soon as you are free. Request the telephone number and call back to determine whether it is a legitimate call. If the caller is evasive about giving you a number to call you may be fairly sure he could be dangerous. Never leave notes on your door. This practice simply broadcasts the fact that you are not home. Establish a routine security check before you retire each night. Check all doors and windows to be sure they are securely locked and dead bolted.

When on City Streets Stay alert. Keep your mind on your surroundings, who's in front of you and who's behind you. Don't get distracted. Ask a friend to accompany you when you go out. Communicate the message that you're calm, confident, and know where you're going. Stand tall, walk purposefully, and make quick eye contact with people around you. Don’t give money to panhandlers, especially around the Barlow Center. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave. Always tell a roommate, the Administrative Assistant or the Faculty Director if you will be returning home late and where you will be. When walking, plan the safest route to your destination and use it. Choose well-lighted, busy streets and avoid passing vacant lots, alleys, construction sites, wooded or secluded areas. Take the long way if it's the safest. Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. Walk close to the curb, avoiding doorways, bushes, and other potential hiding places. If you have to walk in the street, walk facing traffic. A person walking with traffic can be followed, forced into a car, and abducted more easily than a person walking against traffic.

Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace. Don't stop to talk to strangers. Wear clothing and shoes that give you freedom of movement. And don't burden yourself with too many packages or items. Know your neighborhood. Find out what stores and restaurants are open late and where the police and fire stations are. If possible, don't walk alone during late-night hours. Walk in groups whenever you can—there is always safety in numbers. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, or displaying expensive jewelry in public. Hold on to your smartphone. It is a prime target for grab and run thieves. Up to 40% of all robberies in the DC metropolitan area involve smartphones or tablets. Don’t overburden yourself with packages and groceries that make it hard to react. Bring "emergency" change for cab fare, bus fare, or a telephone call. Have your car or house key in hand as you approach your vehicle or home. If you suspect you’re being followed by someone on foot, cross the street and head for the nearest well-lighted, populated area. Walk quickly or run to a house or store to call police. If you are really scared, scream for help or yell “fire”! If you are being followed by someone in a car, change direction immediately and make a visible point of writing down the license number. Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers. When taking the bus or subway, try to use well-lighted and frequently used stops. Try to sit near the bus driver. Take a seat in the subway car near the conductor (especially if it is late at night). Don't fall asleep. Stay alert! In the subway stand back from the platform edge. Avoid sitting near the exit door. An attacker can reach in and grab a purse or jewelry as the train pulls away. While waiting, stand with other people or near the token or information booth. If you are verbally or physically harassed, attract attention by talking loudly or screaming. Be alert to who gets off the bus or subway with you. If you feel uncomfortable, walk directly to a place where there are other people. Report any suspicious activity or person immediately to the Metropolitan Police Department at 311. Or, if it is an emergency, dial 911.

When At Work Be alert when entering either a locked or unlocked bathroom. Cautiously check the room before entering. If you are suspicious about any circumstances do not enter. The reason for caution is that sex offenders may conceal themselves in the booths waiting for unsuspecting persons to enter. Avoid using deserted or poorly lighted stairways. Use the elevator whenever possible. Never leave your purse, laptop, tablet or smartphone on top of or underneath your desk. It should be kept in the locked drawer of your desk or in a locked file cabinet drawer. Never leave money in a coat pocket on the coat rack. Be alert for strangers or suspicious persons in the hallways, on stairways and in the elevator. If you must work late at night, alert the building guard that you will be working late. Ask the guard to accompany you to your car. If you have to take public transportation ask if any of your co-workers may be traveling in the same direction so that you may ride together or ask for a ride with a co-worker who may be driving.

In Elevators Familiarize yourself with emergency buttons of elevators you ride frequently. Look in the elevator before getting in to be sure no one is hiding. Stand near the controls. Get off if someone suspicious enters. If you're worried about someone who is waiting for the elevator

with you, pretend you forgot something and don't get on. If you're attacked, hit the alarm and as many floor buttons as possible.

Using Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Try to use machines you are familiar with, and try to use terminals located in banks rather than independent terminals. Take a friend with you who can keep a watch for suspicious behavior by others and warn you if necessary. Be aware of your surroundings. Look around before conducting a transaction. If you see anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your transaction and go to another ATM. Avoid using an ATM after business hours, and then only if someone is with you and the area is very well lit. Never walk away from an ATM with cash still in hand. If you are going to count your money, do so at the ATM. When making an ATM transaction from your car, be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes and ears open, and keep car doors locked.

Theft and Pickpocket Prevention Protecting yourself from a pickpocket or other thieves is not as difficult as you would think; just a few thoughtful precautions can be enough to give you peace of mind and confidence in going about your day. Common Misconceptions about Pickpockets. An experienced pickpocket is not necessarily the sleazy person lurking in dark doorways we expect to see. He (or she!) appears as an average person in both appearance and manner. Because of their chosen "line of work," they spend a great deal of time studying how to blend into a crowd, therefore eliminating the possibility of detection before they can get away. Pickpockets don’t have a regular schedule; they operate just as well at night as they do during the day. They operate in crowds just as easily as "accidentally" bumping into an unsuspecting victim alone on a sidewalk. In fact, about the only "known" fact about pickpockets is that they generally focus on the public during times when they may be carrying more money than usual, such as during the holidays, at store sales, at fairs or carnivals, at casinos, or near bank entrances, etc. Many times, pickpockets work alone; however, there are also teams of two or three, which sometimes will involve a female accomplice. The first team member removes the valuables from the unsuspecting victim’s pockets. He then passes them on to the next member who disappears quickly from the area. When a female member is used in this “team effort,” her role is generally to engage the victim in conversation to distract his or her attention. Contrary to what most of us believe, experienced pickpockets do not put their hands all the way into your pocket to steal your belongings. The expert pickpocket reaches into the top of the pocket, takes up a pleat in the lining, and continually folds the lining up until the bottom of the pocket (holding your valuables) reaches the top of the pocket. This entire act only takes a second or two. Never put anything valuable in a side or back pocket of a backpack. Valuables should always be buried underneath other items in the middle section. Keep your backpack in front of you and never leave it on the ground or a seat next to you. What can you do to protect yourself? The best protection is to eliminate the opportunity of becoming a victim in the first place.

Tips for Men. The target areas are back trouser pockets, and suit coat and sports jacket pockets, located both inside and out. A pickpocket generally avoids front trouser pockets, and especially buttoned or zippered pockets. If you have to carry your wallet in an unbuttoned jacket, coat or pants pocket, be sure it holds only what you can afford to lose. Keep large sums of money, credit cards, IDs, in your front pocket or any buttoned or zippered pocket. Some people even place a rubber band around their wallet, because the

rubber band creates friction and rubs against the fabric of your pocket if someone is attempting to remove it without your knowledge. The best place for keys is on a chain attached to your clothing. Never pat your pocket to see if your wallet is there; this lets a criminal know the exact location of your valuables. Smart phone and tablets are a common target and easy to steal. Keep a good grip on them.

Tips for Women. Do not carry your wallet in your purse. Conceal it in a buttoned or zippered pocket where it doesn’t show a bulge. Use a purse that is difficult to open. A purse with a zipper or snaps is best. If you are carrying a shoulder bag, place the strap(s) diagonally across your body, as opposed to carrying it on one shoulder. This keeps the purse in front of you, instead of at your side or behind you, which sometimes happens with purses with long straps. If you are carrying a hand bag, then make sure to hold it close to the front of your body, instead of holding it on your wrist or loosely in your hand. Never leave your purse unattended on a store counter or in a grocery shopping cart. Smart phone and tablets are a common target and easy to steal. Keep a good grip on them.

Tips for Travelers. No one ever expects to have her vacation or business trip interrupted by a criminal act, but there are additional precautions that you can take to help ensure a safe, enjoyable trip. Pack a photocopy of your airline tickets, passport, credit cards and any other documents that would be impossible or inconvenient to replace if stolen. Keep a list, separate from your wallet, of contact numbers to report lost credit cards. Don’t wander into risky areas alone or at night, and try to avoid buses that are "standing room only." It’s always a good idea to carry your valuables in a money belt and leave your expensive jewelry at home.

Theft from Auto. One of the most common types of theft is theft of valuables from your automobile. Theft from auto is strictly a crime of opportunity that can be prevented if you take away the opportunity. Thieves generally won’t waste their time breaking into autos that don’t have valuables in plain sight. The best way to prevent theft from your auto is to always keep valuables out of sight. Never leave cell or smart phones, briefcases, suitcases, or small electronic devices in your car in plain view. Take these items with you, or secure them—all the time, every time. If your car has a trunk, use it. Put valuables in there or in a locked glove compartment. Hiding items under seats is better than leaving them in plain view, but securing them inside the glove compartment or trunk is a far better deterrent. During the holiday season especially, or any time you’re shopping, place packages in the trunk, not on the passenger seats or floors. Look for car radios or other sound systems that can operate only in the vehicle it was originally installed in. This reduces the risk of theft. If you can unfasten your sound system and take it with you, or lock it in your trunk, do so. And don’t forget to do the same with your CDs and tapes. Also, keep your car doors and windows locked—all the time! Remember: "Out of sight, out of mind."

Safety for Runners, Walkers, and Bikers While you're working out, you want to stay safe, and here we offer you a few tips on doing just that. Before You Leave—Plan your outing. Don’t run in Rock Creek Park or along the C&O Canal Tow Creek Path. Around the Mall is much safer. Always tell a family member or friend where you are going and when you will return. Let them know what your favorite exercise routes are. Have your phone with you. Wear an identification tag or carry a driver's license. If you don't have a place to carry your ID, write your name, phone number and blood type on the inside of your athletic shoe. Include any important

medical information. Don't wear jewelry or carry cash. Wear reflective material so motorists can see you more easily.

On the Road. Stay alert at all times. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are. Run, walk, or bike with a partner. Don't wear headsets. If you wear them you won't hear an approaching car or attacker. If you wear ear buds keep the volume low so you can hear what’s going on around you. Listen to your surroundings. Exercise in familiar areas. Know which businesses or stores are open. Vary your route. That way, a potential attacker won't get to know your routine. Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Especially avoid poorly lit areas at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes. Run against traffic so you can observe approaching automobiles. Trust your intuition about a person or an area. If you are unsure about an area, or feel unsafe, leave immediately. Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving. Be careful if anyone in a car asks you for directions; if you answer, keep at least a full arm's length from the car. If you think you are being followed, change direction and head for open stores, theaters or a lighted house. Have your door key ready before you reach your home. Call police immediately if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It's also a good idea to check with police about any criminal activity in the area you plan to run/walk/bike. NOTE: You can access daily crime summaries for your community through the MPDC and CrimeReports.com websites.

Stay Alert! Sometimes runners and walkers get lulled into a "zone" where they are so focused on their exercise they lose track of what's going on around them. This state can make runners and walkers more vulnerable to attacks. Walk and run with confidence and purpose. If you get bored running without music, practice identifying characteristics of strangers and memorizing license tags to keep you from "zoning out."

Only during Daylight. Run only during daylight hours. In the dark, during the early morning, or at night you are very vulnerable to an attacker. If you must exercise after dark, do so in a gym or health club.

Safety in Your Car Keep your car in good running condition to avoid breakdowns. Plan your route in advance, particularly on long or unfamiliar trips. Have enough gas and money to get there and back. Drive with all car doors locked. Keep windows rolled up whenever possible. Never pick up hitchhikers. If you see another motorist in trouble, signal that you will get help and then go to a telephone and call police. If your car breaks down, raise the hood, use flares, or tie a white cloth to the door handle. Stay in the locked car. When someone stops, ask them to phone for help. Park in well-lighted areas that will still be well-lighted when you return. Lock your car doors. Be particularly alert and careful when using underground and enclosed parking garages. Leave only your ignition key with the attendant. Never leave your house keys on the same key chain with your car keys.

When you park on the street be sure to remove packages and valuables from the seat of your car. Roll up all windows, lock all doors and take your keys with you. Always turn off the ignition and take the key with you whenever you have to make a stop or be out of your car for any reason. If you are being followed while driving don't head home; drive to the nearest police or fire station, open gas station or other business, or well-lighted residence where you can safely call police. Try to get the car's license number and description. If no safe areas are near, honk the horn repeatedly and turn on your emergency flashers. The crime of “carjacking”—which is stealing a car by force—captures headlines across the country. Statistically speaking, however, your chances of being a victim of carjacking are very slim, and taking preventive measures can reduce that risk even more. If the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car. Don’t argue. Your life is definitely worth more than a car. Get away from the area as quickly as possible. Try to remember what the carjacker looked like—sex, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes. Report the crime immediately to the police.

When Traveling and Stopping at Hotels and Motels Choose a reputable hotel or motel and make your reservation in advance. Check your room carefully, noting entrances, fire escape and windows for possible accessibility by intruders. If in doubt about these features of your room, request to be transferred to another room. Check the locks on doors and windows. Check the corridors for fire door accessibility in case of a fire emergency.

Preventing Assaults Assaults are basically fights carried out with or without a weapon at home or in a public space, between strangers, (frequently) among friends, acquaintances, or loved ones. The most serious assaults are known as "aggravated assaults," "assaults with a deadly weapon," or "assaults with intent to kill." Less serious offenses are called "simple assaults." In many cases, simple assaults turn into more serious assaults or even homicides, if the initial argument or fight is not scaled back or resolved quickly. While some assaults are unavoidable, use the following tips to make sure simple arguments do not turn violent or deadly: If you are involved in a heated argument that appears to be turning violent, walk away. If you stay and fight "to prove something," you will only demonstrate poor judgment in almost every instance. Never carry a firearm, knife, or other illegal weapon. A weapon will definitely escalate the situation, and it could ultimately be used to harm innocent people or yourself. Do not drink alcohol. If you see an assault in progress, dial 911 immediately to alert the police. Do not jump into the fray, unless it is a last resort to prevent more serious injury.

WHAT IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU

Odds are that it won’t, but thinking about what you will do ahead of time if assaulted or robbed will help minimize the damage. Have a plan and then react accordingly. Here are some suggestions. Remain calm, try not to panic or show signs of anger or confusion. If the attacker is only after your property or has a weapon, don't resist. Don’t escalate a property crime into a violent confrontation. Give up whatever property he demands of you. Nothing is worth your life or well-being. If you do decide to resist, don't get scared, get mad! Shout "No!" "Stop!" or "Call the police!" loudly

and forcefully. Remember, more people will respond more quickly to someone yelling “Fire!” than they will to “Help!” Try to incapacitate or distract your assailant long enough so you can escape. A jab to the throat or eyes or a swift kick to the knees or groin may give you a few minutes to get away or get help. Make a conscious effort to get an accurate description of your attacker: age, race, complexion, body build, height, weight, type and color of clothing. Call the police—911—immediately, identifying yourself and your location. Contact the local victim assistance agency to help you deal with the trauma that all crime victims experience. They can help you learn about victim compensation laws and how to follow your case's progress. Self-defense measures are most effective when applied as preventive steps—avoiding the crime in the first place Notify the faculty director as soon as possible about any crime that has been committed against you or your property.

SEXUAL ASSAULT—REDUCING THE RISK

What is Sexual Assault? A sexual assault is about power, anger, and control. It is an act of violence and an attempt to degrade someone using sex as a weapon. Above all, sexual assault is a crime. Sexual assaults can happen to anyone: children, students, wives, mothers, working women, grandmothers, the rich and poor, and boys and men. The assailants can be anyone: classmates, co- workers, a neighbor or delivery person, total strangers, outgoing or shy, often a friend or a family member. These crimes are often committed again and again, until the assailants are caught.

How You Can Protect Yourself  Use your head.  Be alert—walk with confidence and purpose.  Be aware of your surroundings—know who’s out there and what’s going on.  Don’t let alcohol or other drugs cloud your judgment.  Trust your instincts—if a situation or place makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, leave.

When You’re Indoors. Make sure all doors (don’t forget sliding glass doors) and windows have sturdy, well-installed locks, and use them. Install a wide-angle peephole in the door. Keep entrances well- lit. Never open your door to strangers. Offer to make an emergency call while someone waits outside. Check the identification of sales or service people before letting them in. Don’t be embarrassed to phone for verification. Be wary of isolated spots—laundry rooms, underground garages, parking lots, offices after hours. Walk with a friend, co-worker, or security guard, particularly at night. Know your neighbors, so you have someone to call or go to if you’re uncomfortable or frightened. If you come home and see a door or window open, or broken, don’t go in. Call the police from a cell phone, public phone or a neighbor’s phone.

If the Unthinkable Happens How does one handle a sexual assault? It really depends on a number of factors, such as your physical and emotional state, the situation, and the rapist’s personality. Just remember, there are no hard and fast rules, no right or wrong answers. Your goal is to survive. Try to escape. Scream. Be rude. Make noise to discourage your attacker from following. Use a whistle to alert others if you are threatened. Talk, stall for time, and assess your options. If the assailant has a weapon, you may have no choice but to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive. If you decide to fight back, you must be quick, determined and effective. Target the eyes or groin.

Surviving a Sexual Assault Remember, sexual assault is not your fault. Do not accept blame for being an innocent victim. Go to a hospital emergency room or your own doctor for medical care immediately. The Metropolitan Police Department, in conjunction with Howard University Hospital and the DC Rape Crisis Center, has developed the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. In this program, a victim of a sexual assault (over the age of 17) will be in a private examination room while waiting to be seen, the wait will not be more than one hour, and the victim will be examined by someone especially trained in this area. Don’t go alone. Ask a friend or family member to go with you, or call a rape crisis center or school counselor. The DC Rape Crisis Center (202-333-7273) has a hotline staffed with caring, concerned individuals who can help. Preserve all physical evidence. Don’t shower, bathe, change clothes, douche, or throw any clothing away until the police or counselor say it’s okay. Get counseling to help deal with feelings of anger, helplessness, fear, and shame caused by rape. It helps to talk to someone about the assault, whether it happened last night, last week, or years ago. You have been the victim of a crime and you should call the police. The sooner you tell, the greater the chances the rapist will be caught. But if you are uncomfortable about calling the police, contact a rape crisis center. Counseling and Student Services for Victims of Sex Offenses. The following are services provided by the university or by the surrounding community to facilitate recovery. BYU Comprehensive Clinic ...... 801-422-7759 BYU Women’s Services and Resources Office ...... 801-422-4877 Metropolitan Police Sexual Assault Unit ...... 202-272-3700 National Sexual Violence Resource Center ...... 1-877-739-3895 Rape Crisis Center (D.C.) ...... 202-333-7273

Other Sexual Assault Information. Not Alone-Together against sexual assault https://www.notalone.gov/ is a government sponsored site assisting victims of sexual assault. This information is for students, schools, and anyone interested in finding resources on how to respond to and prevent sexual assault on college and university campuses and in our schools. Click explore to find a crisis service, learn more about your rights and how to file a complaint, and view a map of resolved school-level enforcement activities.

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES OR LETTERS

Suspicious packages and letters can possibly contain an explosive device or biological agent. If you receive a suspicious package or envelope, you should not shake or empty the contents. Do not touch the package. Leave the room, close the door, or secure the area to prevent others from entering, and immediately notify the Metropolitan Police Department. Certain characteristics can make packages and letters more suspicious. An item that deserves concern might have excessive postage, a handwritten or poorly typed address, incorrect titles, no return address, discolorations, unusual sounds, visual distractions, excessive security material or weight, lopsided or uneven envelope, or a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address.

What to do with a package or envelope with a powdery substance  Do not clean up or touch the powder.  Leave the room, close the door, or secure the area to prevent others from entering.  Wash hands and exposed skin with soap and water to prevent spreading powder to your face.  Immediately report the incident to the police  Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag or other container. Give it to the emergency responders.  Shower with soap and water as soon as possible.

 Make a list of people that were in the area, especially those who may have had contact with the powder.  Immediately notify the Metropolitan Police Department - 911

CLERY ACT CAMPUS SECURITY AND FIRE SAFETY REPORT BYU WASHINGTON, D.C. SEMINAR

Each year Brigham Young University is required by the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act to collect and publish crime statistics for the Provo and other campuses. The report includes information about reporting crime and resources for the victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The current report for the Barlow Center can be found at https://police.byu.edu/content/washington-dc-campus- security-report. You are encouraged to read it. Elements of the report that are especially important for participants on the Washington Seminar follow.

POLICIES TO REPORT CRIME

The Washington Seminar encourages accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes. When crimes are reported by any participant on the program, the Washington Seminar Director and faculty director will work with the campus community to provide appropriate and timely warnings, promote safety, and prevent reoccurrence of the crime. Any crimes reported will also be reflected in the Barlow Center’s annual security report. BYU does not employ any independent law enforcement or security personnel in connection with the Washington Seminar. As a result, all participants are dependent for law enforcement services upon local community law enforcement agencies. If you become the victim of any crime against you or your personal property, you are encouraged to report it promptly.

People to Receive Reports Any of the following are prepared to receive reports:  Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department—Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has jurisdiction over all law enforcement related issues occurring on university properties. Crimes in progress, suspicious circumstances, medical emergencies, and other campus/Barlow Center emergencies should be immediately reported to the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. BYU encourages the campus community to report crimes to local law enforcement authorities.

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s - Second District Station Emergency: 911 Non-emergencies: 202-715-7300 Idaho Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20016

 University Police Department—Students may report crimes to the University Police Department. The University Police Department is available at: University Police Department 2120 JKB Provo, UT 84602 801-422-2222 [email protected] EthicsPoint Confidential Reporting  The university provides an anonymous compliance hotline—EthicsPoint—for reporting non- emergency incidents on a voluntary and confidential basis, either by phone or online. Reporters

should explain the issue in detail, and they should return to the report, either by internet or phone, to answer questions posed by a BYU representative. Reporters can also return to the report to receive updates.

Telephone o Submit anonymous reports through a third party administrator: Call EthicsPoint’s toll-free hotline, available twenty-four hours a day: 1-888-238-1062. Online o Submit anonymous reports through a third party administrator: . Visit BYU’s Office of Compliance website and click on the hotline button: http://compliance.byu.edu, or . Visit EthicsPoint’s CES website: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/17652/index.html.

 Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) The Metropolitan Police Department is the preferred contact for reporting campus crimes. However, individuals may also report criminal incidents to Campus Security Authorities, which include individuals responsible for campus security and others who have been designated due to their significant responsibility for student and campus activities. Specifically, the following persons and organizations may receive reports of criminal offenses:  Resident Faculty Director (available at 703-848-0014) and  Washington Seminar Director (available at 801-422-6029).

Reporting Order Any crime involving your person or property should be reported preferrably in this order: 1. The Metropolitan Police Department - Emergency: 911; Non-emergencies: 202-715-7300 2. The Faculty Director for your program - 703-848-0014 The faculty director will then contact the Washington Seminar Director on the Provo Campus who will implement the Timely Warning Policy as follows.

TIMELY WARNING POLICY

The following methods may be used to disseminate information to the campus community about crimes that have already occurred but represent a serious or continuing threat to the campus community:  Email,  Notices posted by elevator doors and stairwells,  Cell phones (voicemail or text messaging),  Public addressing system, and  Announcement sessions / student meetings.

Timely Warning Notification Committee This committee meets to discuss information on crimes or other events in the community that pose a continuing threat to Washington Seminar participants. The committee evaluates the possible threat, and, if warranted, prepares and disseminates appropriate notifications to the campus community. The committee includes the following members:  Scott Dunaway, Assistant Dean and Washington Seminar Director and  Ben Ogles, Dean College of Family Home and Social Sciences.

Alert D.C. System The Alert D.C. system is a service of the Washington, D.C. government. It provides rapid text

notification and update information during a major crisis or emergency. This system delivers important emergency alerts, notifications, and updates on a range of devices including: email accounts, cell phones, pagers, and PDAs. When an incident or emergency occurs, authorized D.C. Homeland Security & Emergency Management personnel can rapidly notify participants using this community alert system. Alert D.C. is a personal connection to real-time updates, instructions on where to go, what to do, or what not to do, whom to contact, and other important information. Alert D.C. is available to citizens of the District of Columbia as well as individuals traveling to or working in the District. All Washington Seminar participants, including residents at the Barlow Center are encouraged to sign up for an account to receive alerts and emergency notifications. Subscribers may be charged, as set forth in their wireless provider's contract, for messages delivered to their wireless devices. To sign up, visit the Alert D.C. website: https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/register.php.

Additional Resources The George Washington University has made a number of safety resources available to BYU Washington Seminar students, including an evening escort service, rape prevention classes, and victim assistance. For additional information about these services see the GWU Police Department web site at: http://police.gwu.edu/

MISSING STUDENT NOTIFICATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES

The following policy and procedure has been established to assist in locating students residing in on- campus housing when - based upon facts and circumstances - Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s - Second District Station has determined a student to be missing:

If you believe a student is missing, you should immediately alert one of the following:  Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s - Second District Station,  Washington Seminar Resident Faculty Director, or  Washington Seminar Director

At the beginning of each academic year, the university will inform students residing in on-campus housing that BYU will notify an individual selected by the student within 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. Students may register this confidential contact information on their Route Y Personal Information page. Such information will be accessible only to authorized campus officials, and may not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation. All missing student reports will be immediately referred to Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s - Second District Station. Upon determining that a student has been missing for 24 hours, Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s - Second District Station personnel will initiate emergency contact procedures in accordance with the student’s emergency contact information and, if the student is under 18 years of age (and not emancipated), the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian will also be contacted. Upon determining that a student is missing, Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s - Second District Station or local law enforcement will initiate a missing person investigation. Upon determining that a student is missing, Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s - Second District Station may notify the following:  BYU Police;  Dean of College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences;  Washington Seminar Resident Faculty Director;  Washington Seminar Director; and  Any other local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction in the area.

EMERGENCIES

If there is a city or regional emergency, be sure to observe the following guidelines. This kind of emergency could be weather related, a serious event similar to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, or civic disruptions or demonstrations that make it difficult for you to return to your apartment.

Emergency Notification, Response, and Evacuation Upon confirmation of any significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an imminent threat to the health or safety of the campus community, the following communication resources and procedures will be used. The Washington Seminar Director and Resident Faculty Director will confirm the magnitude and scope of an emergency. Upon confirming that an event warrants immediate notification of the campus community, the Washington Seminar Director and Resident Faculty Director will approve the activation of the emergency response system. Without delay (unless mitigating factors warrant a delay) alert, information, and reassurance messages will be streamed to the campus community through mass email, text message, and voice message. Personnel within the Barlow Center will also walk through the building to ensure all occupants are aware of the threat. Evacuation and/or shelter-in-place alert directions will be given. Should the incident or threat impact the larger community, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police will determine whether Washington, D.C. residents should be alerted.

City or Regional Emergency If there is a city or regional emergency, be sure to observe the following guidelines. This kind of emergency could be weather related, a serious event similar to a terrorist attack, or a civic disruption or demonstration making it difficult to return to the Barlow Center.  Get to a safe location. During work hours, instructions will be given to you by your work supervisor. After work hours, stay in the Barlow Center or your residence if you are already there. If you are unable to return to the Center or your residence, go to a police station or designated shelter.  Follow all instructions given by civic authorities (i.e. police, fire department, etc.)  As soon as possible, notify the Resident Faculty Director of your whereabouts and your condition. If you cannot reach him or her, contact the Washington Seminar Director in Provo. This includes situations in which shots have been fired in or around your work place, a tourist area or any place Washington Seminar students may be found.  Notify your parents or others who are concerned about your safety.  When the emergency has ended, return as soon as possible to your apartment and await instructions from the Resident Faculty Director or a University representative.

EVACUATION DRILL

Under the direction of the Washington Seminar Faculty Director and the Barlow Center Building Manager, evacuation drills are conducted at the beginning of each semester for all residents at the Barlow Center.

FIRE SAFETY PROCEDURES

Small portable appliances and space heaters, not furnished by the building manager, are not allowed in the bedrooms, with the exception of personal refrigerators and microwaves provided by the university. We recommend that Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved irons and popcorn poppers be used in designated areas.

BYU is a non-smoking university. Smoking is not allowed in any BYU housing facility. Incense, candles, or any open flames are not allowed in any housing facility. Barbecues are not permitted in areas in or around the Barlow Center. University policy strictly prohibits the possession and/or discharge of fireworks or any type of explosive device in or around all housing facilities. Microwave ovens are provided in each apartment. There are electrical cooking ranges in the common kitchen of each floor and in the married student apartments. Students are expected to use caution when operating all appliances and should follow manufacturer guidelines.

Evacuation Procedures When a fire alarm sounds, residents are to:  Close windows and doors,  Walk or crawl to the nearest exit (exit routes are posted in the rooms and throughout the buildings),  Not use elevators,  Assemble in a pre-designated area where residence advisors or the program director will attempt to take a head count, and  Not re-enter the building until cleared to do so by the resident faculty director, program administrative assistant, building manager, a firefighter, or a police officer.

When residents discover a fire, they should:  Activate the fire alarm system and then leave the building, shouting and knocking on doors as they leave;  Only attempt to rescue others if they can do so safely; and  Not attempt fighting a serious fire.

CHAPTER 11: WASHINGTON, D.C.: MORE THAN INTERNING

Washington, D.C. is much more than just a place to do an internship—much, much more. There is such a cornucopia of events, museums, historical treasures, theater, concerts, restaurants, and so on, that the difficulty will not be in finding something to do but in deciding what to do. Use a good guidebook and map to get started. There are a number of excellent D.C. tourist books available in the BYU Bookstore and in the bookstores in the Washington, D.C. area. You should purchase one and use it as a reference to help with your sightseeing. The Washington Seminar website also has a number of suggestions for things to see that you may not have thought of, along with some day trips that don’t require a car. There are a variety of apps that can be an excellent resource both for finding your way around Washington, but also with site seeing and other tips. If you don’t have a smartphone, purchase a good map of the city. The best is A.D.C.'s Street Map of Washington, D.C. and Vicinity. Investigate the many specialty books about day trips, Civil War battlefields and other activities of more narrow interests if you want to pursue activities of a less general nature. Also, ask the people you work with or others who have been in the city for a while what sites they enjoy. Above all, use your time wisely; forget about sleeping-in on weekends and don't do things like going to movies that you can do at home. Make up a preliminary plan of what you want to see and do so that you can maximize the short time you have in D.C. Many fun activities, particularly in the summer, are free; take advantage of them. Remember also to bring your student ID everywhere. This can help you obtain significant discounts that make expensive activities quite affordable. Don’t be afraid to ask if there are any discounts available and if so, how to get them. The Washington Post Going Out Guide at http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide is an excellent resource to learn about interesting events in and around the D.C. area. The Washington Seminar has also developed a website with information on sightseeing in Washington, D.C. at https://washingtonseminar.byu.edu/Pages/CurrentStudents/TourismInDC.aspx.

GUIDELINES AND POLICIES FOR SIGHTSEEING

Whenever possible take at least one other person with you when exploring the city or site seeing. If going alone, be certain to let your roommate or another person on the program know where you will be and when you will return. Overnight and weekend excursions are permitted, but you must comply with the following policies.  Take at least one person with you.  Inform the Faculty Director where you will be going and when you will return.  You cannot miss work, class, or briefings. You may not ask for time off from work to take extended trips.  Make hotel arrangements before departure.

ADVICE FROM PAST INTERNS ON SIGHTSEEING

 Go in groups of no more than four. Plan activities ahead—time quickly passes.  See and do as much as you can, but do not push yourself to the point where you are so tired you cannot enjoy it. Decide what you really want to do and see, and then plan it.

 Do things that are important to you. Don’t feel as though you have to see and do everything. It’s very easy to spend a lot of money here. Take advantage of free concerts and exhibits. Try to get out into the countryside—it’s beautiful.  Go see something new every time you have some free time.  Don’t feel a need to play tourist. Monuments and buildings are nice, but get involved in city life. Meet people who know the city and can help you.  Go for it! There’s lots to see and do and not a lot of time. Keep your ears open for what’s happening. If you don’t have a car, get to know someone who does and get familiar with the bus schedules.  Make an itinerary and be organized. Get out and see as much as you can—never sit home.  Read the Post—particularly the weekend section in Friday’s paper.  Don’t shop too much. No hesitation; be spontaneous, plan for time to explore the city without a set plan. Try to not be broke. (Experiences are better than souvenirs.) Don’t go to movies that you can see in Provo. Don’t procrastinate your assignments till the weekends.  Do most of the outside D.C. sightseeing at the beginning of your internship. It’s more exciting. Then spend the last week or two on D.C., covering what you missed. Don’t miss anything.

CHAPTER 12: EXCURSIONS

Washington Seminar students participate in two excursions during the semester. Their purpose is to deepen your understanding of and appreciation for two formative events in our nation’s history—the Founding and the Civil War. There is no additional charge for these activities. To get the most of these excursions, be sure to read the recommended books. Because of liability and other concerns, only Washington Seminar participants, their spouses and other designated individuals associated with the program are permitted to join in the excursions. Please do not invite family, friends, fiancés or others to come. Funding for the excursions is provided by a generous donor to the Washington Seminar. At the conclusion of the last excursion, all participants will be asked to write a thank you letter to the donor expressing appreciation for the opportunity to visit these sites.

VALLEY FORGE AND PHILADELPHIA

Preparatory Reading: Catherine Drinker Bowen, Miracle at Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May to September 1787. Copies are available in the Barlow Center library.

The Valley Forge-Philadelphia excursion is an overnight activity. Students depart by motor coach from the Barlow Center on Friday morning arriving at the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge around noon. Modest but adequate accommodations and meals are provided on the Freedoms Foundation campus. This activity will include a tour of the Valley Forge Encampment Historical Site. The faculty director will give you specific details what to bring. Saturday morning after breakfast the group departs the Freedoms Foundation for Philadelphia. The morning is filled with the group visiting historic sites in the city related to the Founding—The National Constitution Center and Independence Hall. In the afternoon, you will have free time. Dinner will be provided by the Washington Seminar The following are sites you may want to visit during your free time. You are encouraged to research your options ahead of time and plan an appropriate itinerary. Visitphilly.com is the official web site for visitors to the city. Because you will only have the afternoon, www.ushistory.org/tour/tours.html has some recommended itineraries you may find useful.

Food You are responsible for your lunch. Following are several interesting places to eat near the historic center of Philadelphia.

 Reading Terminal Market – Highly Recommended Eighty-six merchants offer fresh produce, meats, fish, groceries, flowers, baked goods, crafts, books, clothing, and ethnic foods, including cheese steaks. Directions: 1.5 miles from Independence Square, 51 N. 12th St. http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/about/

 The Bourse Restored hall is now home to a food court. A good place to get a cheese steak. Directions: 5th St., across from the Liberty Bell Pavilion. http://www.bourse-pa.com/

 Shank’s Original A typical Philly luncheonette. According to locals, one of the best places around for a cheese steak.

Directions: 932 S. 10th St., between Catharine and Christian Sts., 1.5 miles from Independence Square. http://www.shanksoriginal.com/

Historic Sites Note that times and fees are subject to change, so check before your visit.

 Arch Street Meeting House Built in 1804 to serve as an annual gathering place for Quakers. The property, a land grant from William Pen in 1693 intended for a graveyard, is used for worship and business. Exhibits, dioramas and a videotape presentation explain the history of the religious society also known as Friends. Allow 30 minutes minimum. Admission Donations Directions: 320 Arch St., ½ mile from Independence Square Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10-4; closed holidays except Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day. http://www.pym.org/arch-street-meeting-house/

 Betsy Ross House The colonial home of the seamstress who stitched the first American flag in 1776. The restored house is furnished to simulate an 18th-century Philadelphia dwelling. Admission: Donations Directions: 239 Arch St., less than ½ mile from Independence Square. 215-686-1252. Hours: Tues-Sun., 10-4:45. http://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/what-to-see/

 Declaration (Graff) House A reconstruction of the dwelling in which Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in June 1776. An audiovisual program is shown. Admission: Free Directions: SW corner of 7th and Market Sts., 1 mile from Independence Square. 212-597-8974 Hours: Daily, 9-5 http://www.visitphilly.com/history/philadelphia/declaration-graff-house/

 Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site Contains a visitor’s center that has exhibits, an audiovisual program, and a library as well as the house where Poe lived 1843-44. Admission: Free Directions: 532 N. 7th St., 1.5 mile from Independence Square. 215-597-8780 Hours: Guided tours are given daily 9-5, June-Oct.; Wed.-Sun. 9-5, rest of the year. http://www.nps.gov/edal/index.htm.

 Gloria Dei (old Swedes’) Church Believed to be Pennsylvania’s oldest church. The church was built in 1700, but its congregation was founded in 1677. Directions: Christian St. at Christopher Columbus Blvd., 1 mile from Independence Square. 215-389- 1513 Hours: Sat.-Sun. 9-5 and by appointment. http://www.old-swedes.org/

 Old City Hall The home of the U.S. Supreme Court 1791-1800. The exterior and the room used by the Supreme Court have been restored. Admission: Free Directions: SW corner of 5th and Chestnut Sts., ½ mile from Independence Square. 215-597-8974. Hours: Hours vary, see web site http://www.nps.gov/inde/old-city-hall.htm

 Old St. Joseph’s Church The first Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia. The Marquis de Lafayette and Comte de Rochambeau worshipped in its dim interior. Directions: 321 Willings Alley, at 4th St. below Walnut St., 1/3 mile from Independence Square. 215- 923-1733. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10-4, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 9-4 http://oldstjoseph.org/blog/

 Penn’s Landing Marks the site where William Penn landed in 1682. The 37-acre area has several historic ships maintained by the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. Directions: On Columbus Blvd. between Market and Lombard Sts. along the Delaware River, 1.2 miles from Independence Square. 215-629-3200 http://www.visitphilly.com/outdoor-activities/philadelphia/penns-landing/

 Todd House The home of Dolley Payne Todd before her marriage to James Madison, fourth president of the United States. Tour tickets can be obtained at the park visitor center, 3rd and Chestnut streets. Admission: $2 Directions: 4th and Walnut Sts., ¼ mile from Independence Square. 215-597-8974 Hours: Tours daily at 10, noon, and 2. Open house (no tickets required) at 2:45. http://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/attraction/todd-house

 Bishop White House Built in 1786, it was the home of Bishop William White, rector of Christ Church, first Episcopal Bishop of PA. White was chaplain to the first Continental Congress and entertained many of its members. Home contains many restored originals and an early form of the flush toilet. Admission: $2, purchase tickets at the visitor center for a 1-hour tour that includes the White House and the Todd House. Directions: 309 Walnut St., 1/8 mile from Independence Square. Hours: Tours daily at 10, noon, and 2; open house (no tickets required) at 2:45. http://www.visitphilly.com/history/philadelphia/the-bishop-white-house/

 Elfreth’s Alley The country’s oldest residential street (c. 1702). Two of the buildings have been restored, #124, a Windsor chair maker, and #126, a colonial dressmaker’s home, with authentic furnishings and a colonial kitchen. Information about other buildings in the alley is available at the Elfreth’s Alley Museum, 126 Elfreth’s Alley. Admission: $2. Directions: N. of Arch St., between Front and 2nd Sts., 1.5 miles from Independence Square. Hours: Museum open Tues-Sat. 10-4 and Sun. noon-4, Feb-Dec; Sat-10-4, Sun. noon-4, rest of year. http://www.elfrethsalley.org/

Museums  Atwater Kent Museum Philadelphia’s official history museum. It houses over 100,000 objects telling the story of life for everyday Philadelphians from the city’s founding to today. Includes a sizeable collection of works by Norman Rockwell. Admission: $3 Directions: 15 S. 7th St., ¾ mile from Independence Square. Hours: Sep-Jun, Wed-Mon 10-5; July-Aug, daily 10-5. 215-922-3031 http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/

 The African American Museum in Philadelphia Traces the history of African-American culture in the Americas. The special achievements of African-Americans are documented through artifacts, photographs, multimedia presentations, and works of art. Allow 2 hours minimum. Admission: $6; students with ID, $4. Directions: NW corner of 7th and Arch St., 1 mile from Independence Square. 215-574-0380. Hours: Tues-Sat. 10-5, Sun. noon-5; closed major holidays. http://www.aampmuseum.org/

 Civil War Library and Museum A research library and museum of Civil War artifacts. Items displayed include uniforms, weapons, medical instruments, flags and insignias. A room dedicated to Abraham Lincoln contains plaster casts of his hands and face. Other exhibits are dedicated to Generals George G. Meade and Ulysses S. Grant. Allow 1 hr. minimum. Admission: $5, students with ID $3. Directions: 1805 Pine St., 1.8 mile from Independence Square. 215-735-8196 Hours: Thurs-Sat. 11-4:30 http://civilwarmuseumphila.org/

 B. Free Franklin Post Office and Museum Commemorates Franklin’s 1775 appointment as first postmaster general. The only post office operated by the U.S. Postal Service that does not fly the American flag, it is named after Franklin’s unique signature. It is assumed that his use of Free as part of his signature referred to America’s struggle for freedom. Philatelists prize the hand-canceled letters from this post office. Admission: Free Directions: 316 Market St., ½ mile from Independence Square. 215-592-1289. Hours: Daily, 9-5 http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMFFZ4_B_Free_Franklin_Post_Office_and_Museum_Phi ladelphia_PA

 The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Founded in 1787 by the area’s leading physicians and serves as a health information resource center. Exhibits include the history of medicine within the last 100 years and a medicinal plant garden, along with a biohazard suit and historic documents. Admission: $8 Directions: 19 S. 22nd St. between Chestnut and Market Sts., 2 miles from Independence Square. 215- 563-3737. Hours: Daily, 10-5 http://www.collegeofphysicians.org/

 Philadelphia Museum of Art Ranks among the world’s major art museums. Founded in 1876, the museum’s collections offer a full range of both fine and decorative arts from Asia, Europe, and the United States. The collections include masterpieces of painting, sculpture, prints, and drawings, as well as a variety of furniture, silver, glasswork, architectural elements and rooms furnished from historic houses. Included are works by Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, Nicolas Poussin, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Peter Paul Rubens, and Vincent Van Gogh as well as those by modern artists; also has one of the largest collections of work by Thomas Eakins. Allow 1.5 hrs. minimum. Admission: $10. Directions: end of Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, at 26th St., 3 miles from Independence Square. 215-763- 8100. Hours: Tues.-Sun., 10-5; closed holidays. Guided tours available on the hour, 10-3. http://www.philamuseum.org/

 Rodin Museum The best collection of Rodin’s works outside of his native France. Admission: $3 donation. Directions: 22nd St. and Franklin Parkway. 2.2 miles from Independence Square. http://www.rodinmuseum.org/

Other  Holiday Boat Tours Visitors are given a 90-minute narrated tour on the Delaware River. Admission: Fare $10 Directions: The north end of Penn’s Landing at 401 N. Delaware Ave., Pier 24, 1 mile from Independence Square. 215-629-8687. Hours: Trips depart daily at 1, 4 and 7, Apr. 15-Oct. 31. Reservations are recommended. http://www.philadelphia.com/holiday-boat-tours-b13926561

 USS Becuna A guppy class submarine commissioned in 1943 to serve in Adm. William Halsey’s 7th Fleet in the South pacific. Allow 30 minutes minimum. Admission: $8, including museum, USS Olympia, and the workshop. Directions: 211 S. Columbus Blvd., ½ mile from Independence Square. Part of the Workshop on the Water (see below). 215-922-1898. Hours: Daily, 10-5 http://www.phillyseaport.org/becuna

 USS Olympia Adm. George Dewey’s flagship during the Spanish-American War, brought back the body of the Unknown Soldier of World War I in 1921. Allow 30 minutes minimum. Admission: $8 (including the museum, USS Becunna, and workshop). Directions: ½ mile from Independence Square. Part of Workshop on the Water (see below). Hours: Daily 10-5 http://www.phillyseaport.org/olympia

 The Workshop on the Water Boatbuilders practicing their craft, with models, blueprints, and replicas of a variety of small watercraft. Allow 30 minutes minimum. Admission: $8, including the museum, USS Becuna and USS Olympia. Directions: 211 S. Columbus Blvd., ½ mile from Independence Square. 215-413-8638. Hours: Daily, 10-5. http://www.phillyseaport.org/Workshoponthewater

GETTYSBURG

Preparatory Reading: Michael Shaara, Killer Angels. Copies are available in the Barlow Center library.

Gettysburg National Military Park is the site of the largest and bloodiest battle in the Civil War. It was also here that Lincoln delivered his famous Gettyburg Address. On the excursion to Gettysburg you will participate in a guided tour of the battlefield and historic site, including the museum and cyclorama. You can find out more about Gettysburg at http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/10/getty-museum-and- visitor-center, http://www.gettysburg.com and http://www.nps.gov/gett/. This is a Saturday only excursion, leaving from the Barlow Center by motor coach in the morning and returning in the evening. Lunch will be provided by the Washington Seminar.

CHAPTER 13: STAYING ON

TURNING YOUR INTERNSHIP INTO A CAREER

If you are finished with school or are looking for a chance to work for a while before returning to classes, a successful internship can be a great launching pad into the professional world. Here are some suggestions that may help you in your search for that first job.

Resume Revise and circulate your resume. Have a good professional resume ready to circulate. There are a number of reference works available to advise you on how to make a good resume. Also the University Placement Center can give you some suggestions. Start by revising the resume you submitted with your Washington Seminar application. Look for opportunities to circulate your resume. An errand to another office may provide you with an introduction and a chance to investigate possible job openings. Don't be afraid to talk to the staff and make discrete inquiries.

Business Cards Have a set of simple business cards with your name, phone and email address printed on them that you can leave with people you meet. Be careful not to print the name of the organization where you are working for the internship.

Network Let your supervisor know you are looking for work. Even though there may be no job openings with your internship provider, chances are that several of the people you are working with will be aware of possibilities elsewhere. At the right moment let your supervisor know that you are interested in staying in Washington. He or she may be able to recommend you to another office or to give you valuable leads. Don't be afraid to meet new people at lunches and receptions. If you are alone for lunch, sit next to a stranger and strike up a conversation. Mingle at receptions and make new acquaintances. Who knows, one of those people may give you the lead that will result in a job.

Letters of Recommendation Get a letter of recommendation before you leave your internship. Even though your supervisor may think you are the best thing since paper napkins now, he or she may have trouble remembering why you were so wonderful in six months. It's better to get the recommendation while your good performance is still on everyone's mind. By the way, don't be surprised if your supervisor has you write your own letter.

The Real World Be realistic about salary and status. It is very likely that any job offers you may receive will pay relatively little and be in positions less prestigious than your internship, especially if you only have a bachelor’s degree. Often such a job can lead to greater things, but it is unlikely that you will start out in a high powered position. Many people looking for work in Washington, D.C. for the first time become very discouraged because they have unrealistic expectations about what is available.

Review Goals Use your internship to analyze your career goals. Now that you have seen what this kind of life is like, think about whether or not you want to make a career out of it. An internship is a good chance to test

the waters before you are committed. Generally, interns who are asked to remain as regular staff with their sponsors have the following three qualities: 1. They are personable, easy to work with and have an appropriate sense of humor. 2. They are completely dependable. The office never worries that an assignment given to them will be poorly done or submitted late. 3. They have very good writing skills.

APPENDIX

Milton A. Barlow Center Dedicatory Prayer April 13, 2002 Offered by Elder Merrill J. Bateman, Quorum of the Seventy

Our Father in Heaven, we are so grateful unto thee for the bounties of life, for the goodness that thou hast given to us, for the greatness of this earth, for the opportunity to be upon this earth, on this special earth, where thy Son came. This is His footstool; this is the land that He trod. We are so grateful to have been planted here.

We’re grateful now this day for this building which has been purchased, which has been renovated, which has been prepared for the various units that will occupy its premises. We ask a blessing on this building, that it will be solid and stable and able to stand the elements and the events of time; that it will be able to provide housing and offices and working space for those who are assigned here in a manner that will be representative of thee and thy work on this earth.

We also pray, Father, that thou wilt bless the occupants of the building—those who come here daily. We pray that thy spirit will be with them, that they will remember the large overarching purpose of all thy work, which is to bring about the immortality and eternal life of each man and woman on this earth. We pray in various ways that we may contribute to that mission; that we may remember who we are and what we are about.

We’re grateful for the neighbors who will be nearby and pray for them. We pray that they will see us as good neighbors, as good tenants here; that relationships will continue to develop; and that the opportunity to build bridges and build friendships throughout this important community will continue to grow.

We are so grateful for the architects and builders who have turned this building into a beautiful place, into a place that is inviting, that has light in it, that will reach out and draw people, that will help people feel comfortable in our presence. Bless the building that those feelings and the light will continue to be here.

We thank thee for all that we do receive. We thank thee for life, and we thank thee for the young people who will come from Brigham Young University and from here in this district. Bless them, that they too will come to an understanding of who they really are; that they will continue to mature in their faith and their spiritual feelings and grow in understanding and appreciate that they’re thy sons and daughters. They have enormous power as long as it is used within the parameters of the Gospel.

We pray, Father, now that we may go forward with strength, that we may enjoy this building, that we will be able to treat it with the respect that it needs and maintain it in a manner pleasing to thee. These blessings we pray for in Jesus’ name, Amen.

APPENDIX Forms

All forms referred to in this handbook and needed for the Washington Seminar can be found on the program’s website, http://washingtonseminar.byu.edu/. Follow the “Current Student” link.