Studying abroad? Try spring in D.C.

Washington D.C., home of President Clinton, the Library of Congress, and the National Archives, will also be home to 20 University students starting this spring. The recently-developed Washington Semester Program will give students the opportunity to spend a semester in the nation's capital studying public policy and taking advantage of the city's resources, while receiving University credit. The program, developed by Political Science Professor Oliver Williams, will be similar to a semester abroad. The program consists of four courses that will be taught in Washington by University faculty members. In addition, students will be required to work three days a week "in an agency which has a role in the public policy process." The focus of the program will be a semester-long research paper on some aspect of public policy selected by the student and approved by afaculty member. The students will live and take classes in a building at Fourth and I streets, SW. Two of the classes will be on public policy and will be taught by Russell Riley, a lecturer in the political science department. The remaining two courses will be on post-World War II history and American elections. Students will pay regular tuition while participating in the program. Those in the program will be responsible for finding employment in Washington. The program will assist students in locating available positions, but the students will ultimately have to find their own jobs. Organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Justice Department have expressed interest in placing students in the program, Associate Program Director Chris Rosato said. Williams, the department chairperson, hopes to begin the program with 20 students next January. He said students will be selected based on their backgrounds and grades. He expects the program to "go like gangbusters." He said although the program has not been finalized yet, 10 to 12 students have already expressed interest in the program after hearing rumors about it. "A lot of students feel that college doesn't give a feel for the real political world," Williams said in a statement. "We are [currently] approving transfer credit for our kids going to Washington for programs that we think aren't that good. It's about time that we did [have our own program]." The program is being designed to be compatible with various majors. It is up for approval by the Political Science Department this month. Williams hopes to announce the finalized program at an informational meeting September 30 at 4 p.m. in the political science lounge in Stiteler Hall.