University-wide project will focus on
By HELENA RAYAM
News Writer
The College of Business (COB) received a $100,000 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to start an internship program that gives students entrepreneurship experience.
"This is quite an honor for the University to receive the grant," said Jim Falkiner, director of the Kauffman entrepreneur internship program.
Notre Dame and 17 other schools were selected for the grant from among 82 applicants. The University will now match the $100,000 grant, making the total funds for the program to $200,000. The money will benefit 50 students through 25 national summer internships and another 25 in South Bend during the academic year.
"The students will learn right at the grassroots level what it takes to start a business," Falkiner said.
Students receive a $10 an hour, which includes the $5 paid by the grant and the other $5 matched by the employer. Graduate students may receive more compensation.
The program does not include housing, but Falkiner said Career and Placement Services has information about low-cost housing in dorms of other universities.
The Kauffman internship program is open to all Notre Dame students regardless of major.
"We want every student to have the opportunity to say, `Yes, I'm interested,' or, `No, I'm not,'" Falkiner said.
He said the selection process is rigorous. Students must fill out an application and also provide their resume, two letters of recommendation and an essay. Selected students will be interviewed after their application is reviewed.
Falkiner said he strongly encourages women and minorities to apply for the grant.
The Kauffman program will operate through the Gigot Center, which acts as a support center for entrepreneurial ventures in COB.
The kickoff meeting for the program is Tuesday at 6 p. m. in Room 160 of the College of Business. At the meeting Career and Placement Services representatives will offer assistance for writing resumes and essays. Jim Davis, the program center director will also be available to provide information to interested students.
Applications can be obtained at the Tuesday meeting or from 234 COBA. They are due by 4 p.m. April 15.
This will not be a one-year deal, organizers hope.
"Our intention is to make this an ongoing program," Falkiner said.
Since the University has received the grant for one year, it can only apply once more and then is expected to implement the program on its own.
"If we have a demand for it, we definitely want to increase [the number of students who can receive internships]," Falkiner said. "We're committing ourselves to making our Kauffman Program the best."
All News Stories for Monday, March 27, 2000
