Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) 2007 PEER Summer Internship Opportunities FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the differences between the PEER Summer Internship Program and the PEER REU Summer Internship Program?

REU interns:

  • - Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a university or college in the United States or its possessions.
  • - Must attend a Communication Skills Workshop in Southern California in Summer 2007 and give a PowerPoint presentation at the Tri-Center REU Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers, to be held in early August 2007 (location to be determined).
  • - Applicants who attend a PEER core or affiliate university must intern somewhere other than their home institution.

PEER Summer Interns:

  • - Do not have to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, but must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a university or college in the United States or its possession.
  • - Must present their research results by poster or Powerpoint presentation at a symposium or professional meeting (to be determined).
  • - Applicants who attend a PEER core or affilate university may intern at their home institution, but are encouraged to intern at another PEER university.
If I meet the above criteria, can I apply to both the REU program and the PEER Internship Program:
Yes. Since there are more PEER Internship program slots than REU Internship program slots, this is encouraged. Just check off each program on the application form. We will determine your eligibility, and you will be considered for each program.
Is the $6,000 stipend given as one lump sum?
No. As soon as your mentor confirms that you have started your internship, your first stipend payment of $5,500 will be initiated. This process takes 2-3 weeks. A final stipend payment of $500 will be generated once you have successfully completed the internship.
What does the 6,000 stipend cover?
The $6,000 stipend amount is intended to cover travel expenses (getting to and from your host institution's city) and living/subsistence expenses for the duration of the internship.
Are income taxes withheld from my stipend payments?
Stipend payments will be generated from the University of California, San Diego. Those students who are residents of states other than Calfornia will have California income taxes deducted from the gross stipend amount. They will have to file a California State Income Tax Return the following year in order to request a refund (if eligible) of that amount. Those with F-1 visas may have federal taxes deduced, depending on whether a tax treaty is in effect between the US and their home country.
Is there any assistance in finding living accomodations?
You will be responsible for finding your own living accomodations, but we can help you get in touch with contacts and resources at each host institution that may provide assistance.
Can I apply to more than one Earthquake Center?
Yes, you can submit an application to more than one earthquake center. Just indicate on the PEER application form which programs you are applying to. Please note, however, that MAE and MCEER may require additional information, such as letters of recommendation, official transcripts, etc. Applicants who indicate an interest in MAE and/or MCEER will be asked to provide additional information. Below is the contact information and program description links for each center.
Mid-America Earthquake Center
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sandra E. Menke, Education Program Specialist
1239B Newmark Laboratory
205 N. Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Telephone: 217-244-8297
Fax: 217-333-3821
E-mail: smenke@uiuc.edu
2007 MAE Research Experience for Undergraduates Program Description/Application Instructions
Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering
Sabanayagam Thevanayagam, PhD, PE
MCEER Director of Education
University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering
212 Ketter Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-2114 Ext. 2430
Fax: (716) 645-3733
E-mail: theva@eng.buffalo.edu
2007 MCEER Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program
How many hours will I work a week?
You will work a regular 40-hour work week over a 10-week period. Schedules may vary, and are agreed upon by the mentor and intern in advance.
The program dates are May 15 to September 15. What if my classes don't end until mid-June or they start again in mid-August?
There is a four-month period in which interns are given to put in their 400 hours/10 weeks. This allows for flexibility to accomodate students on both quarter and semester systems.
Can I take a class during my internship, or hold a job?
Schedules are to be arranged between the intern and mentor, and any proposed classes or outside employment would need to be discussed and approved by the mentor in advance.
Interns who are student employees at the host institution where they will intern must terminate their student employee status before their internship start date. [Note:Those interns who are student employees at the University of California, San Diego must terminate their student employee status before the start of their internship, regardless of what PEER university they do their internship at.]
Who makes the travel arrangements and pays the expenses for attending the Communication Skills Workshop, REU Symposium, or symposium?
PEER makes all arrangements and covers all expenses.
Who do I contact for more questions?
Contact Linda Nelson, PEER Education Program Manager, at lnelson@ucsd.edu, or peer@ucsd.edu. Phone: (858) 822-1344.

PEER Summer Internship Program
University of California, San Diego
Department of Structural Engineering
9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0085
La Jolla, CA 92093-0085
(858) 822-1344 Phone
(858) 822-2260 FAX
peer@ucsd.edu