Carolina MPA Student Digest:
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Carolina MPA Calendar
- June 8: A Processing Session with Dr. Leisha Dehart-Davis, Zoom
- July 20-27: May Term Oral Exams
- July 26: Last Day of May term
- August 4: Summer graduation degree date
- August 10: Fall on-campus courses start UPDATED
- September 7: September term online courses start
***
TBD: Upcoming Commencement Ceremonies. Details will follow university announcement.***
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Dear Students,
Our Carolina MPA community, like many communities across the country, has been deeply affected by COVID-19 pandemic and the news of the tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.
Many of our alumni are on the front lines of the events taking place across the nation, from the civil unrest erupting on our doorstep in Raleigh and many other cities to the coronavirus death toll around the world. Their work is vitally important to communities large and small, every day, but especially in this time of crisis. I am grateful for their service to our communities and to students like you who have chosen public service as a career path.
We recognize the stress these events cause, and we encourage students needing help to take advantage of available resources, such as the
Office of the Dean of Students
or counseling resources. This week the University Office for Diversity and Inclusion has offered a space on their website for #
YourVoiceMatters
, where you may share your thoughts, perspectives, and feelings anonymously. They also have put together a list of
anti-racism resources
that I encourage you to explore.
As a graduate program, we can serve future public service leaders, support our alumni across the country, and learn from our students as you move through these difficult times.
Leisha DeHart-Davis, Professor of Public Administration, will be hosting an hourlong meeting for current students to share thoughts, struggles, and experiences. It is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9
th
at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. This event is being cosponsored by the MPA Student Diversity Committee. Please join us
via Zoom
.
While everyone may not be comfortable with attending, we do want to provide this space for individuals who want to share with and listen to their MPA peers and faculty.
Respectfully,
Bill Rivenbark
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Dr. Leisha Dehart-Davis,
professor of Public administration, will lead A Processing Session next Tuesday at 7 pm on
Zoom
. Dr. Dehart-Davis will also be teaching our Immersion (PUBA 744) October 22-24 on Navigating Diverse Perspectives in Public Service Leadership. Registration for this class is now open in ConnectCarolina. For more details, please see below:
The Diversity Committee is partnering with Dr. Leisha DeHart-Davis to host an hourlong open discussion surrounding the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and so many other black individuals who have been senselessly killed by police because of their skin color. We hope to provide a space where students can process these events together and support one another, while actively exploring ways the non-Black members of our community can be better allies. We also want to address the conflict, frustration, and anger that can come with working for public organizations that don’t prioritize racial equity, and what we can do about it as advocates. While this is meant to be an open-ended conversation for students to vent, process, and express themselves, the Committee has also drafted several questions to help promote discussion, if needed.
Questions
- What does the phrase “white privilege” mean to you? What are some examples of it?
- In what ways can a primarily white environment impact your school and classroom?
- What are the consequences of this impact on the future work of students as practitioners?
- Discrimination and oppression have long been used as political tools, and inequitable policies still abound today. How do we, as future public service leaders, navigate and address policy-based inequity as practitioners when the public administration profession urges the ideal of neutrality?
- Administrators and other civil servants often exercise bureaucratic discretion. What steps can we, as future public service leaders, take to ensure privilege does not affect discretionary decisions?
- What could the Carolina MPA program do to improve upon diversity, equity, and inclusion, on a large scale or small scale?
- As future public servants, how do we reconcile the belief that government can be good for citizens with the reality that it has been used to create and perpetuate systemic injustice?
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The School of Government Diversity Gazette's June Issue is out!
The June issue features
Dr. John Stephens,
Associate Professor in the MPA Program. Dr. Stephens will be teaching his new class, PUBA 722 Mediation Skills for Public Managers (3 hours), online this fall. Special thanks to
Alecia Matthews
for heading up the Diversity Gazette and ensuring the MPA Program is always in the know!
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University & Beyond Events
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- June 8: Dismantling Systems of Oppression: Building An Inclusive America
- June 9: YNPN Virtual Workshop on Self Care
- Ongoing: Engaging With and Supporting Anti-Racism Resources from the UNC LGBTQ Center
- Ongoing: This Week at the Learning & Writing Centers
- Ongoing: Campus Rec Workouts from home available
- Ongoing: Resources for Graduate Students from UNC Libraries
- Ongoing: Events at the Writing & Learning Centers
- Ongoing: Project Parachute seeks volunteers
- Ongoing: CARES Act Grants Available
- Ongoing: Apply for Legal Aid from the UNC Law COVID-19 Response Summer Project
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Our Three Winners Foundation was established in 2015 after the murders of
Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha, and Razan Abu-Salha in their Chapel Hill home. Deah Barakat was a UNC graduate student enrolled in the UNC School of Dentistry, and his wife Yusor Abu-Salha was to join him in dental school at UNC that fall. Her sister, Razan Abu-Salha, was an undergraduate student at NC State University. OTW was created to honor the short, but rich lives of Deah, Yusor, and Razan and to develop systematic and lasting solutions and interventions to mitigate prejudice, bigotry, and hate crimes.
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In the nonprofit sector, many professionals are experiencing burnout due to too many demands, too few resources, and too little recovery time. Intentional self-care is so important to our well-being. Enjoy Part 1 of a 2-part Webinar series by
registering for a workshop
led by expert Dana McQuade.
Learn more here!
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Engaging With and Supporting Anti-Racism Resources Compiled by the UNC LGBTQ Center
Books
Documentaries and Podcasts
Organizations
Other Resources
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This Week at the Writing and Learning Centers...
Summer school classes move fast!
Make an appointment
with an academic coach In the Learning Center to find strategies for moving through it all.
Working practice problems for a science or math class? Check in with our
peer tutors
to discuss strategies.
One of our Learning Center coaches shares tips, tools, and resources are things that have brought them joy during #quarantinelife. Free virtual workouts, black bean brownies, and more!
This handout on writing
Essay Exams
will give you strategies for preparing, interpreting questions, and writing thoughtful, well-organized answers.
Have you ever been told to avoid passive voice? Watch this 2-minute video on
Passive Voice
to understand exactly what it is and when it may be the best choice.
Like us on Instagram (@uncwritingandlearning), Facebook (@uncwritingandlearning), Twitter (@uncwritelearn)
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Did you know that UNC Campus Recreation has a number of fitness opportunities available to students during the COVID-19 pandemic that you can access anywhere? Check out their workouts on
Facebook Live, join fellow Tar Heels on Strava, and find so much more on
their website. Special thanks to MPA Student
Stephany Pizano for letting us know what all Campus Rec is offering this summer!
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A Message to UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate and Professional Students from University Librarian Elaine Westbrooks
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Dear Carolina graduate and professional students,
During this very trying time, we know that you face unique challenges as you seek to maintain your research program and to continue with teaching or other obligations. The staff of the University Libraries and I would like you to know that, even though library buildings are closed, we are here for you! Here are some services that may be especially helpful:
Research assistance and consultations
Specialists from across the University Libraries can help you with all your research and information needs, including subject-specific research, data and statistical consultations, and special collections inquiries.
Library materials and collections
While library buildings are closed, we are working hard to provide additional content online.
- More than 1.1 million digital copies of books from our print collection are now freely available to you, thanks to a partnership with the HathiTrust Digital Library.
- Many publishers are providing temporary direct access to journals, books, streaming video, and more at no charge.
- We continue to provide document delivery services through interlibrary loan. If we can obtain it electronically from another institution or publisher, we will send a copy to your email at no charge to you.
- Can’t find what you need? If an electronic version exists, we may be able to purchase it for you. Place a request using our online form.
If you already have books checked out to you, please do not return them until campus re-opens. We have automatically renewed all borrowed items through August 31 and have waived all fines, including for items charged to carrels.
Teaching support
Library specialists are providing instruction and office hours through Zoom. We can also build a special resource page for your class. The subject specialist librarian for
your area
will be able to help.
During this challenging time, please know that my staff and I are wishing you well and that we are here to help. We hope you’ll be in touch.
Sincerely,
Elaine L. Westbrooks
Vice Provost for University Libraries and University Librarian
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This Week at the Writing & Learning Centers
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Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:00 pm, via Zoom
Our group continues to meet this summer! New members also welcome! A support and skills coaching group for students with ADHD/LD. Register
here
Did you know you can make a planning appointment before you've written your paper? Your writing coach will ask questions and help you arrange your thoughts so you're able to write your papers more quickly and efficiently.
Make a planning appointment
to see how helpful it is!
This two-minute video will help you understand what your professors are asking you to do and will offer strategies for more effectively approaching your work.
Summer classes can be intense. If you'd like to stay focused and keep moving forward with your best strategies and habits,
make an appointment
with one of our fabulous academic coaches. These 45-minute conversations are tailored to your needs for summer productivity.
Like us on Instagram (@uncwritingandlearning), Facebook (@uncwritingandlearning), Twitter (@uncwritelearn).
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Hello!
I’m a UNC Clinical Psychology doctoral student writing to see if you might help circulate the word that Project Parachute is looking for help.
Project Parachute
is an organization dedicated to finding pro-bono therapists for frontline medical workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have 600+ therapists in 40 states and counting.
Currently, we have a need to focus on our efforts in finance and development (create an infrastructure for development gifts, development donors to target, etc.). We would appreciate if you could share this volunteer opportunity with graduate students and alumni.
Any inquiries can be sent to
projectparachute.eleos@gmail.com
. For those interested in volunteering, please refer to the type of volunteer experience of interest within the e-mail.
Spreading the word to both mental health professionals and our COVID-19 frontliners would be a huge help as well!
Kind regards,
Ale
Project Parachute Volunteer
__
Alexandra J. Miller, M.A.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Dear Carolina Community,
We hope this finds you safe and well. The sudden emotional and financial impact brought about by COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of millions in our country, especially students. We know many of our students have carried these burdens with them as they tried to focus on completing the spring term and planning for their academic future. We deeply regret the additional stress this has caused.
The University is committed to helping students thrive despite hardships caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. We want to update you on the University’s plans for distributing funds available to eligible students through the federally funded Corona Virus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Through the CARES Act, private gifts to the Carolina Student Impact Fund, and other UNC-Chapel Hill funds, the University has fulfilled more than 1,500 student requests for emergency funding for the spring semester. Additional information is available on the
COVID-19 Emergency Grant Funding
site.
We know the financial hardships brought about by COVID-19 will not end with the spring term. Students enrolled in summer sessions or for the fall semester may request additional financial assistance to help address the burdens that resulted from changes in their financial circumstances. In addition, students who are not enrolled this summer but will be enrolled this fall and have concerns about their immediate health, safety and well-being should email
covidcaresforstudents@unc.edu
to request support.
The University will distribute the full amount of CARES Act funding designated for students using guidelines established by the United States Department of Education. CARES Act grants are awarded directly to students for qualifying expenses such as food, housing, technology, childcare, medical needs and other expenses resulting from the disruption to campus. Grant amounts will vary by student and are unique to each student’s circumstances. To comply with federal requirements, CARES Act funding will be targeted to students who can demonstrate need through the FAFSA.
While we are incredibly grateful for the CARES Act funding, we expect it to only meet a portion of the total needs of our students. We continue to work to secure additional funding from private and other institutional sources. For more information about CARES Act funding, please visit the
University’s coronavirus website
. For additional information about financial support for COVID-19 pandemic-related hardships, visit the
Office of Scholarships and Student Aid
. The
CV-19 Student Care Hub
remains a resource for students seeking resources or support connected to COVID-19 impacts.
We are living in extraordinary times and wish to thank everyone who has provided funding to our community during this unprecedented global emergency. And if you’re in need of assistance, please continue to reach out to us, as we want to help in any way we can.
Sincerely,
Rachelle Feldman
Associate Provost and Director, Scholarships and Student Aid
Desirée Rieckenberg
Dean of Students
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UNC School of Law Covid-19 Response Summer Project
Statement of Purpose and Client Eligibility
The purpose of the Covid-19 Summer Project (the “Project”) is to 1) serve the legal needs of North Carolina charitable nonprofit organizations, including churches and other religious organizations, as they adjust to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2) provide rich practical educational experiences for a cohort of UNC Law students.
The Project will focus on the legal needs of small, under-resourced charitable nonprofit organizations in North Carolina. Although many nonprofit organizations are distressed during this challenging time, the Project’s priority will be to serve organizations that could not otherwise afford to pay for legal services and that therefore have nowhere else to turn.
The scope of the Project’s representation will depend on the volume of requests; however, in order of priority, it will accept matters involving 1) CARES Act loans and loan forgiveness; 2) other legal questions or challenges arising directly or indirectly from the Covid-19 pandemic, including employment law and risk reduction strategies; 3) other matters concerning the law of nonprofit organizations.
Charitable nonprofit organizations seeking assistance should contact Professor Thomas Kelley at
takelley@email.unc.edu
. The email should include a brief description of the organization, including its size and its mission, along with a summary of the organization’s legal challenge(s).
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Carolina MPA | UNC School of Government | carolinampa.sog.unc.edu |
Website
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