ORIENTATION PACKET - Junior State of America

 2015 Institute on California
Leadership and Politics
California State Capitol and University of California, Davis
July 22-25, 2015
ORIENTATION PACKET
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Institute on California Leadership and Politics
California State Capitol and University of California, Davis
July 22-25, 2015
Congratulations on your acceptance to the Institute on California Leadership and Politics. This packet
contains important information on when to arrive, what to expect and how to prepare for the program.
Please read it carefully and write or call us if you have any questions. We look forward to your
participation in this unique educational experience.
PLEASE RETURN THE ENCLOSED REGISTRATION FORM AND YOUR TUITION
PAYMENT NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, July 3rd. Your tuition payment will guarantee your
place in the Institute. If you will not be attending, please notify us as soon as possible so that we
may offer your space to another interested student.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
State government decision makers have great impact on our everyday lives. The Institute is an exciting behind-thescenes exploration of power and politics in California. The program begins Wednesday, July 22nd, at the University
of California, Davis with an orientation on the issues and personalities that dominate state politics. The program will
conclude on Saturday, July 25th, with a Graduation Ceremony.
During the Institute week, you will have a unique opportunity to meet and question the powerful leaders from
politics, government, and the media who make things happen in California. These sessions will be held in the State
Capitol building, the center of government in California, where we will travel by chartered bus daily.
Topics of discussion and debate vary during each session, depending upon current events and questions challenging
California. Issues examined at this year's program will include:
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Mandatory Water Rationing - Fair and Effective?
Open Primary, Redistricting and Term Limits
Meeting Our Education Challenges
Governor Brown's Legacy: Progressive or
Practical
Ø Future Watch: Is California Leading or Lagging?
Ø Democrats Dominate Sacramento: Evaluating
Results
Ø Crime, Justice, Policing and Racial Bias
Ø Boom and Bust in the State Budget Cycles
Each evening Institute staff lead small group discussions on the speakers and topics of the day. These sessions help
draw educational lessons from the day's events and prepare students for the next day's speakers. You will also probe
the opinions of your peers in lively discussions and debates on current issues in the news.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
Wednesday, July 22nd 2015
Registration/Orientation/Workshops at UC Davis
Thursday, July 23rd, 2015
Speakers Program/Debates/Workshops at the CA Capitol
Friday, July 24th, 2015
Speakers Program/Debates/Workshops in the CA Capitol
Saturday, July 25th, 2015
CA Budget Simulation/Graduation
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TUITION & FUNDRAISING
To confirm your enrollment in the JSA Institute on California Leadership and Politics please submit
$495 tuition payment by July 3rd, 2015.
Payment can be made one of three ways:
1) Pay online - Log into student’s MyJSA account at jsa.org/myjsa, select Institute Application then
Pay Invoice
2) Pay by check or money order – Mail to: The Junior Statesmen Foundation, 800 South
Claremont Street – Suite 202 - San Mateo, CA 94402 - Make payable to The Junior Statesmen
Foundation
3) Pay by phone - Call (800) 317-9338 to make a credit card payment
The Institute tuition includes housing in a student residence hall at UC Davis, breakfast and dinner on campus,
transportation to and from the Capitol and all academic activities and materials. You will need to buy lunches
near the Capitol during the week. There are many inexpensive restaurants in the area.
Some students, through their own fundraising efforts, receive partial or full scholarships from local donors.
Contributors should send donations to the Foundation office in San Mateo, CA with an accompanying letter or
memo naming the student who solicited their donation. Checks should be made payable to The Junior
Statesmen Foundation. For more information on how to raise money in your community, please read the
Fundraising Manual, found on jsa.org/forms.
ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION
Registration Date & Time: Wednesday, July 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. It should take roughly 3045 minutes to check in and move into your dorm room, so please try to arrive no later than 11:30 a.m.!
Registration Location: Students will check in at the “Segundo Area Check-In” (see map at the back of this
packet), but we will be staying in the Regan Dorms beside the parking lot, so if arriving by car, we suggest that
you leave all luggage in the car until after check in, so you are not needlessly carrying it back and forth!
**Please see the map at the back and/or type in “Regan” to the interactive map found here:
http://campusmap.ucdavis.edu/
Drop-Off Parking: You may park in Visitor Parking 25 (VP 25) adjacent to the Regan Dorms.
Students are responsible for arranging their transportation to UC Davis (Please see attached Transportation
Form for information on airport arrivals). Students traveling by adult driven car (or by shuttle from the airport)
should arrive at UC Davis no later than 11:30 a.m. to ensure appropriate time to move in and unpack. Students
may not drive a car to the Institute or have a car at the Institute - NO EXCEPTIONS!
CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION & DEPARTURE
Certificates will be formally presented to students on Saturday afternoon, July 25th at a Graduation Ceremony
that will be held on the UC Davis campus. Ceremonies will conclude and students will be ready for departure
at 5:00 pm at the JSA desk, outside of Regan Dorms, beside the VP 25 parking lot. Students traveling by
plane should not book flights departing before 7:00pm.
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Students leaving campus at the conclusion of the program with someone other than their parents or guardian
must provide written permission from their parents to do so. This permission must be received prior to the
program.
Pick-Up Parking: You may park in the same lot, Visitor Parking 25 (VP 25) adjacent to the Regan Dorms.
HOUSING
Institute students will be housed in suites in Emerson Hall. Male and female students will be housed
separately. The Institute staff will be housed on each floor and are responsible for the supervision of the
students. Roommate selection is done in advance and cannot be changed. If you would like to share a room
with someone you already know, both students must return the enclosed Roommate Request Form to the
Junior Statesmen Foundation Office by July 3rd, 2015.
Students will be responsible for leaving their room in the same condition in which they found it and will be
charged for any damages that occur. There is a significant replacement charge for lost keys and meal cards.
Please make sure to bring a key chain so you will not lose your key or access card.
PACKING LIST
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Bedding: Students are provided with a pillow, linens and a light blanket for their bed and a towel.
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Money: All Meals are provided except lunch on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Students
will be supervised as they may choose their lunch options at local food courts.
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Dress Clothes: The dress code for daytime sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday is business attire,
however, arrival day, departure day and the evening sessions are casual. When meeting public
officials, you should dress as if you were going to a job interview or church or temple event. Jeans,
shorts, T-shirts, spaghetti straps and tank tops, and tennis shoes, and flip-flops are not
appropriate attire for meeting with our speakers.
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Casual Clothes: Remember to pack comfortable shoes as we will be doing a good deal of walking.
Also, be sure to bring comfortable informal clothing to wear on campus at UC DAVIS in the evenings.
There will be some time for informal recreation during the week.
Suggested Items to bring:
• Blanket
• Lunch money for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
• Toiletries (including soap and shampoo)
• 3 days of business attire for daytime activities on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
*Girls: pant or skirt suit or professional dress
*Boys: suit or slacks/sport coat and tie
• 4 days of casual attire (Wednesday is casual all day, all evenings are casual)
• Comfortable dress shoes
• Casual shoes
Students should not bring valuable items to the Institute. While the dormitory is staffed 24 hours a day, we
will be off campus during the day. Neither The University of California, Davis, nor The Junior Statesmen
Foundation can assume responsibility for your personal belongings.
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INSTITUTE RULES AND REGULATIONS
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Students must reside in Institute housing during the week. Under no circumstances can they commute
to the program.
Students must attend all Institute functions unless excused by a staff member.
Students are not permitted to leave campus without permission. They may not leave with a relative
(other than their parents) or any other adult unless specific written permission is received from their
parents in advance.
Students may not drive a car during the week or ride in a car unless it is driven by a staff member.
Students are to be in their own room and quiet at 11:00 p.m. each night.
No use of illegal drugs, alcohol, or cigarette smoking will be permitted.
Housing is segregated by sex and students may not be on the floor of the opposite sex.
Harassment, sexual or otherwise, of any other student, or staff person, will not be permitted.
Other common sense rules may be announced by the Institute Director, as the need arises.
Violation of these rules can result in students being sent home without refund and other appropriate
action.
VISITORS
Because the Institute is a short, intensive week of politics and government, no visitors are allowed during the
week. The only exception is that parents may visit. Parental visits, if necessary, should be limited to a few
minutes in the evening and should not conflict with any scheduled event.
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED MATERIALS - DUE BY July 3rd, 2015
Please return all relevant forms at the back of this packet (Parent Permission, Tuition, Transportation and if
applicable, Roommate Request forms) by July 3rd, 2015 one of the following ways: Scan and email to
summerinstititues@jsa.org, mail to: Institute Director, The Junior Statesmen Foundation, 800
South Claremont Street – Suite 202 San Mateo, CA 94402, or fax: 650-347-7200
WHAT TO DO IN ADVANCE
Institute students are encouraged to read the Sacramento Bee and/or your regional major daily news, and watch
the local news during the weeks prior to the Institute. Look for coverage of the issues previously mentioned,
and keep in mind that the program will be shaped by the topics that interest you and your peers. Some
resources that may be helpful:
The Sacramento Bee: Capitol News Alert - http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/
San Jose Mercury News: California - http://www.mercurynews.com/california
Los Angeles Times: PolitiCal - http://www.latimes.com/local/political/
CalBuzz - http://www.calbuzz.com/
Rough and Tumble - http://www.rtumble.com/
The Flash Report - http://www.flashreport.org/
Calitics - http://www.calitics.com/
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SAMPLE INSTITUTE SCHEDULE
Day 1:
Students will arrive at campus, meet institute staff and other students, and discuss the goals and expectations for the week.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Arrivals & Registration
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Opening Session, Capitol Briefing, Simulation
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dinner, Free Time
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Evening Session
10:00 pm: Floor Meeting
11:00 pm: Curfew
Days 2 & 3:
Students will spend days 2 and 3 at the California State Capitol Building in downtown Sacramento. The morning and afternoon
sessions will feature key policy and decision makers. Students will have the opportunity to learn and engage with these speakers
on critical issues facing the state of California. Students will spend the evening delving deeper into these topics and preparing
for their final presentation of learning.
8:00 am: Bus Departs for Downtown Sacramento
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Morning Speaker Session
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Afternoon Speaker Session
4:15 pm: Bus Departs for Campus
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Evening Session
10:00 pm: Floor Meeting
11:00 pm: Curfew
Day 4:
The final day of institute is spent on the campus of UC Davis and features an outstanding interactive California budget
simulation, final presentations of learning, and the institute’s closing session. Students will depart institute with their families at
the end of the day.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: California Budget Simulation
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Presentations and Evaluations
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Institute Graduation
5:00 pm: Parent Pickup
EXPERIENCE THE JUNIOR STATE OF AMERICA THROUGH JSA-STYLE DEBATES
Throughout the Institute, you will participate in lively discussions and debates on current issues with your
peers. These debates are an excellent introduction to the Junior State of America, the largest, student-run
political education organization in the country! Founded 80 years ago by high school students, JSA today
involves over 10,000 participants across the country.
We will have an affirmative speaker and a negative speaker for each debate resolution. Each resolution will
also have three subsequent speakers in favor of each side (for a total of six subsequent speakers per debate).
The affirmative speaker will speak first, followed by the negative speaker. Then each subsequent speaker will
speak, alternating between pro and con (starting with pro). Lastly, the con speaker will give a closing
statement, followed by a closing statement from the affirmative speaker. Those in attendance (you may choose
which of the 4 debates you want to attend on Wednesday night) will vote on the debate resolution. An
experienced JSA leader will act as the moderator for each debate, ensuring that each runs smoothly. Below are
sample topics for our debates and thought-talk discussions.
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FLOW CHART FOR DEBATE:
Debate Resolution
Affirmative Speaker
Negative Speaker
Sub Speaker
Sub Speaker
Sub Speaker
Sub Speaker
Sub Speaker
Sub Speaker
POSSIBLE DEBATE TOPICS:
1) RESOLVED, that California should legalize and tax the sale, use and possession of marijuana.
2) RESOLVED, that California's bullet train project be discontinued.
3) RESOLVED, that Death Penalty appeals be limited and expedited.
4) RESOLVED, that permanent employee status (aka "tenure") be eliminated for California public school
teachers.
POSSIBLE THOUGHT TALK TOPICS:
California and the Tech Economy - Staying on the cutting edge.
Immigration: Do undocumented immigrant residents deserve a "path to citizenship?"
PAST SPEAKERS AT JSA EVENTS INCLUDE
Governor Jerry Brown
Lt. Governor Gavin Newson
Attorney General Kamala Harris
Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff
Secretary of State Alex Padilla
California Republican Party Chair Jim Brulte
Sacramento Bee Columnist Dan Walters
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PARENT PERMISSION FORM
Institute on California Leadership and Politics
California State Capitol and University of California, Davis
July 22-25, 2015
STUDENT NAME_________________________________________________________________________
HOME ADDRESS_________________________________________________________________________
CITY___________________ STATE_______ZIP_________TELEPHONE (___ )_______________________
MALE__ FEMALE___AGE____BIRTH DATE ___/_____/____
HIGH SCHOOL____________________________GRADUATION YEAR: 2016
2017
(circle one)
2018 2019
PARENTS' STATEMENT
We have read the orientation packet and we agree to allow our son/daughter to attend The Junior Statesmen
Foundation’s Institute on Los Angeles Media and Politics, subject to all Institute rules governing conduct both
on and off campus. We understand that our son or daughter may be sent home during the session for any
serious health reasons or conduct violations, without a refund. Institute officials are authorized to obtain, at our
expense, any emergency medical service that our son or daughter may require.
____Our child has had a recent physical examination and is in good health. He/she is physically able to
participate in all aspects of the academic and recreational program of The Junior Statesmen Institute.
____Our son/daughter has the following health problems and/or special needs of which you should be aware.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________
Parent /Guardian Signature
__________________________________________
Student Signature
Do you have health insurance?_____ If so, what company?_________________________________________
Policy Number___________________________________________________
Mother's daytime phone number (
)_______________Cell phone number: (_____)________________
Father's daytime phone number (
)____ __________Cell phone number: (_____)________________
Mother's Email Address _____________________Father's Email Address_________________________
q Yes, we would like to opt in to email notifications about the JSA Burd Institute and other JSA Activities and Programs.
To return: Scan and email to summerinstitutes@jsa.org, mail to: Institute Director, The Junior Statesmen
Foundation, 800 South Claremont Street - Suite 202, San Mateo, CA 94402 or fax to 650-347-7200.
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TUITION FORM
Institute on California Leadership and Politics
California State Capitol and University of California, Davis
July 22-25, 2015
The Institute tuition is $495, and your tuition is due by July 3rd, 2015.
Your tuition is refundable, minus a $50 administrative fee, as long as you notify The Junior Statesmen
Foundation in writing at least two weeks prior to the start of the program. However, in accordance with federal
tax laws, any scholarship contributions given in your name are not refundable. If any service clubs, other
organizations, or family friends are paying all or part of your tuition, please ask them to mail their check
directly to the Foundation office in San Mateo, with a note designating the money for your tuition.
If you have any questions about scholarships or tuition, please contact The Junior Statesmen
Foundation at 800-317-9338.
____I already paid online.
____Enclosed is my $495 tuition.
____Check (make payable to The Junior Statesmen Foundation)
_____By Credit Card
____VISA
____MasterCard
_____American Express
_____Discover
Card Number__________________________________________ Expiration Date_________________
Card Holder's Name___________________________________________________________________
Address (Linked to Card) __________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________ State _____ Zip Code______________
Card Holder's Signature________________________________________________________________
Student’s Name_______________________________________________________________________
To return: Scan and email to summerinstitutes@jsa.org, mail to:
Institute Director,
The Junior Statesmen Foundation
800 South Claremont Street - Suite 202
San Mateo, CA 94402
or fax to 650-347-7200
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ROOMMATE REQUEST FORM
Institute on California Leadership and Politics
California State Capitol and University of California, Davis
July 22-25, 2015
The Institute housing list will be turned in to the University in late July. Roommate selection is done in
advance and cannot be changed. If you would like to share a room with someone you already know, both
students must return this form to the Junior Statesmen Foundation Office by July 3rd, 2015. The tuition of
both students must be fully paid if the roommate request is to be honored.
Please complete the following information. Both students should complete their form individually.
Student Name:_____________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
High School:_________________________________________
Graduation Year:_________
I wish to room with _________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Signature
Date
_______________________
To return: Scan and email to summerinstitutes@jsa.org, mail to:
Institute Director,
The Junior Statesmen Foundation
800 South Claremont Street - Suite 202
San Mateo, CA 94402
or fax to 650-347-7200
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TRANSPORTATION FORM
Institute on California Leadership and Politics
California State Capitol and University of California, Davis
July 22-25, 2015
Students should arrive at U.C. Davis between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015.
The Junior Statesmen Foundation cannot provide transportation to or from the Sacramento Airport or
Greyhound/Amtrak Station. However, the Junior Statesmen Foundation staff will be happy to assist
students with travel plans.
If you are having any trouble making travel arrangements, please call The Junior Statesmen Foundation for
advice.
ARRIVAL (circle one)
●
I will be arriving at the Sacramento Airport on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015
Arrival Time ___________ Flight #
_______ Airline ___________________
Departure City _____________________________
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I will be arriving at the Greyhound/Amtrak Station in Davis on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015
Arrival Time ___________ Amtrak or Greyhound __________________ Bus/Train # ________
Departure City _____________________________
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I will be arriving at U.C. Davis by an adult driven car on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015 between 10:00 a.m.
and 12:00 p.m.
DEPARTURE (circle one)
●
I will be departing from Sacramento Airport
Departure Time ___________ Flight #
_______
Arrival City _____________________________
Airline ___________________
●
I will be departing from the Greyhound/Amtrak Depot
Departure Time ___________ Amtrak or Greyhound __________________ Bus/Train # _________
Departure City _____________________________
●
I will be departing from U.C. Davis by an adult driven car on Saturday, July 25th at 5:00 p.m.
To return: Scan and email to summerinstitutes@jsa.org, mail to:
Institute Director,
The Junior Statesmen Foundation
800 South Claremont Street - Suite 202
San Mateo, CA 94402
or fax to 650-347-7200
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MAP OF REGAN DORMS IN SEGNDO AREA FOR DROP OFF AND PICK UP
Institute on California Leadership and Politics
California State Capitol and University of California, Davis
July 22-25, 2015
Below is a map of the dorms at UC Davis for easy arrival and departure.
*Please note that parking in VP 25 and Regan Dorms are adjacent to each other, but check in is at the Segundo
Services Center, so you may leave your luggage in the car while you check in, and then proceed back towards
the parking lot and Regan Dorms after you get your key.
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