Who are the sponsors of the Summer on the Cuyahoga (SOTC) program?
The Summer on the Cuyahoga program is a collaborative effort among local alumni of seven schools, which for 2013 are Case Western Reserve, Colgate, Cornell, Ohio Wesleyan, Smith, University of Chicago and Yale. The programs are supported primarily by volunteer time and monetary contributions from alumni of the respective schools. Additional support comes from family, community and corporate foundations as well as participating employers.

Who is eligible to participate in the SOTC program?
Undergraduate students of the participating schools (Case Western Reserve, Colgate, Cornell, Ohio Wesleyan, Smith, University of Chicago and Yale) in good standing who have completed their sophomore year at the start of the summer program are eligible to participate. Graduating seniors are also eligible.

Because this organization depends on the volunteer commitments of the participating local alumni groups, students of other undergraduate colleges or graduate schools are not eligible for this program, but they should visit www.Cleveland.com/Jobs or iCleveland regarding employment opportunities. They should also contact their Cleveland-area alumni club to encourage them to contact Summer on the Cuyahoga for participation in the future.

What are the key program dates?
Fall, 2012: Employers post Job Descriptions.
October-March (or until positions are filled): Students apply for positions, employers review applications and arrange for phone interviews with students. Employers may extend offers at any time through the first weekend in March.
June 15th and 16th: Students move in to Fenn Tower at CSU.
Monday, June 17th-Friday, August 9th: Students work and participate in program for 8 weeks. Students with 10-week internships may arrive prior to the start of the formal SOTC program or stay in Cleveland for a few weeks once the SOTC program ends.

Upon arrangements with the employer and approval of SOTC, students may extend their 8 week internship. During their extended time in Cleveland (either at the beginning or end of the official program) they will be housed with local alumni.

How do I apply to the SOTC program?
If you are a Sophomore, Junior or Senior enrolled at Case Western Reserve, Colgate, Cornell, Ohio Wesleyan, Smith, University of Chicago or Yale, you may apply for a position. Simply create a log-in account at your school-specific website (which can be found by going to www.summeronthecuyahoga.com). Then you may view all positions currently available and apply to specific job descriptions and employers through the site. Employers (not the SOTC program) make the employment offer through the Commitment Letter. Those students who are hired by the employers are admitted to the SOTC program on a first-come-first-serve basis.

What is the deadline for application?
The application period begins in October and ends in March or when all positions are filled. The awarding of positions will be on a first-come-first-serve basis for the employers and students who complete the Commitment Letter; therefore, preference is given to early applicants and commitments. New employers may continue to post positions throughout this time frame. Check the web site often for new opportunities.

What is the interview process?
Each employer will use its own interview procedures (typically by telephone) to make its final employment determination. If you have applied and have not heard from an employer after two weeks, you may send a polite e-mail inquiring as to the status of your application.

How is my spot in the SOTC program confirmed?
The employer extends an offer by initiating the SOTC Commitment Letter. You are expected to reply (positive or negative) within 48 hours, and your position in the program is not reserved until you complete the Commitment Letter and submit it to the Executive Director of Summer on the Cuyahoga. The Executive Director will confirm your position in the program.

Can I arrive a week late, take a vacation with my family or leave a week early?
No. No. No. You are expected to move in to Fenn Tower at Cleveland State University on Saturday, June 15th The program runs 8 weeks and you will move out of the dorm on August 10th. Those students who will be working longer than eight weeks may arrive in Cleveland prior to June 15th and will be housed with local alums for their additional time in Cleveland. You should confirm with your employer how they handle the July 4th holiday.

Will I need a car?
The job descriptions have a field where the employer will note whether or not a car is required (either for the work you’ll be doing or because the work location is not easily accessed by public transportation). You may want to confirm this information with the employer during the interview process.

If you have access to a car for the summer, we strongly suggest that you bring it. While it is not necessary for most internships, and students generally work out carpools, you will find it easier to get to events, dinner, etc. if you have a car. The dorms at Cleveland State University are near public transportation stops, but we also suggest you talk with your employer (or ask us) to inquire whether your particular job is close to a bus line.

Who is the employer?
Each participant is an "at will" employee of the employing organization. The employers establish all issues relating to your employment. All students are expected to follow procedures and policies of their employers. The local alumni associations who participate in and sponsor the program do not employ the students.

How will I be paid?
The employers will pay your wages to you directly, typically bi-weekly or weekly, according to their own standard policies.

As a paid summer intern, you are an employee, and subject to normal withholding procedures on your paycheck. Feel free to discuss the particulars of your pay period or withholdings with your employer.

As a participant in the SOTC program, your housing will be paid for by the program. It is because of the financial contributions of local alumni, employers, and others in the community that SOTC is able to pay for your housing and provide you with other civic, social and educational components.

Do I have to live in the dorm?
Yes. Even if you are from the Cleveland area, you are expected to live in the dorm. No exceptions will be granted. Should you not be residing at the dorm, you will be asked to leave the program and your employer will be given the opportunity to terminate your internship. Several of the planned program activities take place on campus, and general social interaction with the other 50-60 students is strongly encouraged.

What are the dorms and neighborhood like?
Housing will be pre-arranged by SOTC at the campus of Cleveland State University. Students will be living in Fenn Tower.

Students will be assigned to double rooms in 4-person suites, furnished with beds, dressers, closets, and desks. Each room also has a full bath. Common rooms for the suites have a couch and chairs, and each will have a kitchen with a stovetop, refrigerator, and microwave.

As for other amenities, the dorm has a common area on the floor with a stove and oven. Students should bring their own kitchen items: pots, pans, dishes, glasses, etc. The building has wireless Internet access, and a computer lab located on the first floor. Parking is one block from the dorm and available for a small monthly access fee. Laundry facilities, the mail room, and a fitness center are located on the lower level of the Tower. The second floor has a game room with a ping pong table, several pool tables, foosball tables, chess/checker tables, and multiple televisions. Students also have access to CSU buildings, such as the recreation center, student center, and libraries.

Fenn Tower is located on Euclid Avenue and is in close proximity to Cleveland Theatre District, the Warehouse District, and restaurants near East 4th Street and Gateway. It is also a short ride away from Ohio City, Tremont, University Circle, Little Italy, Coventry and Shaker Square.

How do I get to Cleveland?
By Air: To Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) (about 30 minutes west of campus). All major airlines operate here, but it is a hub for United Airlines. Also consider the Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK) (about 60 minutes south of campus), which has AirTran and Delta as its major airlines.

By Car: Several major interstates intersect in or near Cleveland: 80, 90, 71 and 77. Cleveland State University is located right downtown. The address of the dorm is:

Fenn Tower
1983 East 24th Street
Cleveland, OH 44115

The SOTC Assistant Director and your assigned alumni host will help you with specifics as the summer approaches.

What is the weather like?
Summers in Cleveland can get hot and sometimes humid (expect low- to mid-80s much of the summer with infrequent spikes in the 90s), but many of your offices will be quite cold with air conditioning. The dormitory is air conditioned.

What type of clothing will I need?
It is best to confirm with your employer what the proper attire is for work. After hours, you will be in casual clothes for most of our events—there will be three or four “nice” events where you will be required to dress up, so bring something appropriate!

I was planning to take the LSAT this summer. Can I still do that?
Yes, there are several locations for LSAT classes and exams. You will need to make your own arrangements for this, ensuring that they do not interfere with your work schedule or other important elements of the program.

Do student interns pay a fee to participate in Summer on the Cuyahoga?
Yes. Each participant is required to pay an enrollment fee of $100.