Spring semester includes research
Eleven UA students are getting a lesson this semester about how laws are made in Arizona, without stepping foot into a political science class.
For nearly 15 years, UA students have gone to Phoenix to spend their spring semester interning at the state's Capitol.
Whether they're explaining bills to legislators or filming a weekly TV show watched by more than 1 million viewers statewide, the UA's Capitol interns say they're learning a lot while playing an important role in the legislative process.
"It's definitely not a Īget coffee and make copies' internship," said Rodney Ross, House of Representatives majority press secretary.
After a one-week orientation held over winter break, the interns got to work, spending Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. taking care of their respective duties.
"The days of all-nighters are gone," said Ryan Visniski, a political science senior interning with Speaker Pro Tempore Bob Robson, R-Chandler.
Visniski now spends his days researching policy and working alongside some of the most influential members of the House.
"You really get a sense of excitement about what's going on," Visniski said.
During the governor's State of the State address, Visniski rubbed shoulders with privileged guests in the gallery above the House floor.
"Going to the State of the State was pretty cool. Everybody watches it at home on TV, but to be up there in the gallery was pretty amazing," Visniski said.
While traditionally more than 60 students apply to fill the approximately 30 available UA internships, only 28 applied this year, said Cherie McCollum, assistant to the dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
McCollum can't explain the sudden dip in interest in the program, but said some students may be passing up the internship to ensure they get classes that are becoming harder to get into with enrollment surges.
Interns are given a stipend to cover the cost of living in Phoenix and 12 credit hours that can be applied to a number of different departments.
Of the 11 UA interns, five are in the House, three are in the Senate, two are in the Senate broadcast center and one is in the governor's office.
Michelle Hindman, a senior majoring in economics and Spanish linguistics, aids House Majority Whip Randy Graf, R- Green Valley. She said that in the fast-paced world of the Legislature, you have to be ready to switch tasks quickly.
"That's the best part. There's something different every day. There's always something new," Hindman said.
While Hindman and Visniski said they've had a relatively smooth transition into the legislative process, some UA students said the first week in the Capitol was a little overwhelming.
"The thing that's difficult is the politics. · At first a lot of the lingo was over my head, but I'm getting used to it," said media arts junior Audrey Kuchen, an intern at the Senate broadcast center.
Kuchen works with a producer and director putting together a segment for "Legislative Weekly," a half-hour show broadcast on cable channels throughout Arizona. Kuchen spent the first day of the session getting legislators' reactions to the governor's speech.
"Initially it was really intimidating, but everyone here is so kind," Kuchen said.
Other Senate interns spend the bulk of their time researching bills and writing summaries of them for legislators to review.
Political science senior Pamela Gallagher introduced her first bill to the Senate Government Committee two weeks ago. Gallagher answered questions and passed out summaries of the bill, which dealt with the cost of inmate meals.
"I am really glad to be part of the process," Gallagher said. "It's really exciting to see people make decisions for the whole state right in front of you, and to be there providing them with the tools to make those decisions."
Many legislative interns are now elected officials, but an interest in political service is not a requirement, said Carolyn Atwater, assistant Senate research staff director.
"We get students from all backgrounds, some of whom might not have been interested in politics, but who maybe this steered them into politics," Atwater said.
The first week can be pretty grueling, but in a few weeks the interns are well-schooled on the state's political system, Atwater said.
"There are very few people in the state who will have been able to be involved in the process and know it like they will when they are done," Atwater said. "They learn it pretty much inside-out."