The Model New York State Senate Session Project is an annual leadership development program, run by the ETR Internship Program in collaboration with the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force of the New York State Legislature and the State University of New York. Each year, more then 60 CUNY and SUNY students are brought together for a series of intensive training seminars on stare policy formulation, legislative processes, representation and leadership. CUNY students are selected for participation from their home campuses through the offices of their respective college presidents, provosts and student affairs officers.
The ETR Internship Program coordinates the selection process for CUNY. The seminars include visits from prominent NYS legislators and guest lecturers. The program culminates with students debating bills on the floor of the New York State Senate chamber in Albany. Participating students are also given the opportunity to compete for scholarship awards. Through participation in the process of legislative decision-making, students further their organizational, research and public speaking skills by means of a model legislative seminar. By working on a legislative agenda that they develop, the students play an integral role in their pursuit of a public service education. Moreover, they are introduced to a “hands-on” approach to involvement in the political and policy processes that affect them, their families and their communities.
For more information or to fill out an application, please visit: http://www.etrinternship.org/html/modelsen.htm
About the Participants from Hostos Community College
Students participate in an intensive training program that consists of evening/weekend sessions with faculty mentors where they learn about New York State government, representation and the legislative process. The program culminates with a trip to the State Capitol in Albany where students debate public policy in the Senate Chamber. An added feature of the Model Senate Project is the opportunity to compete for ten scholarships awarded by the NYS Assembly and Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, as well as summer internships with members of the state legislature.
The following are requirements for students who wish to participate in the Model Senate Session Project:
- Minimum requirements: 30 credits earned and a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- The student must have completed a minimum of three semesters and must be in good academic standing.
- The student must be an undergraduate at the time of the Model Senate Session.
- The student may participate no more than two times in the Model Senate Project. Students who have not previously taken part in the Model Senate Project will be given priority in the selection process.
- The student MUST be available for mandatory training. Students are required to attend four training seminars. For the event schedule, please contact the Student Leadership Academy at (718) 518-6541.
Hostos Community College has a long tradition of sending talented students to the Model Senate and since 2008, the Hostos Student Leadership Academy has produced some of the finest participants that have ever represented the college and the University. All majors may apply.
New York State Model Senate Session Project Participants 2015
Participants from Hostos Community College 2015
New York State Model Senate Session Project Participants 2014
Participants from Hostos Community College 2014
New York State Model Senate Session Project Participants 2013
Participants from Hostos Community College 2013
Issue for Debate: Raising the Minimum Wage
New York State Model Senate Session Project Participants 2012
Participants from Hostos Community College 2012
Issue for Debate: Hydrofracking (Hydraulic fracturing)
New York State Model Senate Session Project Participants 2011
Participants from Hostos Community College 2011
Issue for Debate: Redistricting
New York State Model Senate Session Project Participants 2010
Participants from Hostos Community College 2010
Issue for Debate: Term Limits
New York State Model Senate Session Project Participants 2009
Participants from Hostos Community College 2009
Issue for Debate: Fair Share Tax Reform
New York State Model Senate Session Project Participants 2008
Participants from Hostos Community College 2008
Issue for Debate: Congestion Pricing in New York City