Pitt HomeFind PeopleContact Us
School of Information Sciences: Partners Program

"The Partners Program is an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world experience."

Richard J. Cox
Professor, Library and Information Science Program

Partners Policies and Procedures

  1. The Partners placement process begins after the January 15 deadline for application and is for placement the following Fall term. Partner institutions are contacted by e-mail beginning in late January advising the availability of applications for their review screened by the LIS faculty and an appropriate time-line.
  2. Partners have the following options to assist them in their recruitment:
    • Applications can be sent electronically via e-mail
    • Requests that the selection by made by the Partners Program administrator based on preference of hours and background/skills
  3. Partners are encouraged to conduct either telephone or personal (whenever appropriate) interviews with applicants of interest. It is important for Partners to get the opportunity to speak with the candidates and for the students to be able to ask questions and receive an overview of the placement.
  4. Partners make their selection(s) known to the Program administrator within 4-6 weeks of initial receipt of applications. The offer can only be extended by the Partners Program administrator and the Partner is notified when the student makes official acceptance.
  5. A Scholarship Award Letter is sent from the LIS Program chair that conveys placement and scholarship details.  The Partner receives a copy of the letter for each student placed within their institution.
  6. Students are responsible for contacting placement supervisor prior to the first day of the new term to select a start date and exchange any necessary information as outlined in the scholarship letter.  The start date should be no later than the second week of classes.
  7. In most instances students are paid an hourly wage/stipend by the Partnering institution as determined by the Partner.  There may be exceptions to the Partner funding as determined by the LIS Program.
  8. Placements are a commitment by the Partner for three consecutive academic terms- fall, spring, summer.
  9. Students are employed for 10 hours/week and are awarded a 3-credit tuition scholarship/term. 
  10. Any student working over 10 hours per week, but less than 20, as agreed upon by both Partner and student, should receive the additional hourly wage however no additional tuition scholarship is available.  Any conditions outside the parameters of the Partners Program, such as summer employment must be agreed upon by the hiring institution and the student per normal employment procedure.  The Partners Program is in effect the academic terms as stated above – fall, spring, and summer.
  11. In the event a student fails to maintain good academic standing in the MLIS Program, the Partner will be notified of termination of placement.  If this termination occurs after the first term, the Partner may be given the opportunity to request a replacement to begin in the spring term.  However, after the spring term, no replacement can be made.
  12. Partner supervisors will be asked to complete a brief evaluation prior to the end of each term to advise the Program administrator that the student is performing satisfactorily in the placement so that the tuition scholarship can be continued.
  13. In the event a Partner wishes to terminate a student due to unsatisfactory work performance, the Partner should notify the Partners Program administrator in writing prior to the end of that term stating the reason and date of termination.

 

You are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Although this site is viewable in all browsers, it will look much better in a browser that supports web standards.