NAROPA UNIVERSITY—The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS: 2011–2012
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS AND WORKSTUDY POSITIONS
The Writing & Poetics program has two Graduate Assistantship positions available for incoming and returning MFA students:
Graduate Assistantship for Research Support (Publications/Bombay Gin)
Graduate Assistantship for Administrative Support
The number and type of GA positions available in the program vary year to year. Generally, applications for Graduate Assistantships are announced by the School and Student Administrative Services in the spring semester to students via their Naropa.edu email accounts. Graduate Assistants are selected and announced before the start of the new academic year.
Graduate Assistantship for Research Support (Publications/Bombay Gin)
Number of hours per week: 7.5 [$5,250 tuition scholarship]
Responsibilities:
Support the development of a new Naropa press
Assist with Bombay Gin literary journal, acting as a liaison and contributing logistical and editorial support to staff and supervisors
Assist in efforts to expand readership of Bombay Gin and develop a distribution plan for Bombay Gin and Naropa press
Update the Bombay Gin procedures manual and liaison with Bombay Gin staff
Research best practices in managing and editing literary journals and assist in implementing findings
Qualifications:
Familiarity with small press and commercial publishing
Experience and familiarity with literary journals
Intermediate computer and advanced research skills
Writing, editing, and communications skills
Interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and in a team
Exhibit significant financial need as reflected on the FAFSA or International Financial Aid Application
Graduate Assistantship for Administrative Support
Number of hours per week: 5 [$3,500 tuition scholarship]
Responsibilities:
Assist in event planning and producing literary readings
Assist in editing and designing InterZone (departmental newsletter), posters, fliers, and other promotional materials
Support program development, alumni relations, and student recruitment and retention initiatives
Assist as a liaison with marketing department and with public relations
Collaborate with students, faculty, and staff on department projects
Qualifications:
Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including working knowledge of Adobe Indesign and Photoshop
Writing, editing, and communication skills
Interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and in a team
Creative self-sufficiency and ability to follow projects through to completion
Event planning experience and familiarity with literary readings and culture
Exhibit significant financial need as reflected on the FAFSA or International Financial Aid Application
In addition to the GA positions, the department also has a Writing & Poetics Assistant Workstudy Position that can be filled by a BA or MFA student. Generally, the application for the Workstudy Position is announced by the department during the summer months to students via their Naropa.net email accounts. Details are also found on the Naropa website. The incoming Workstudy student is selected and announced before the start of the new school year.
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Hiro Yamagata Scholarship: Awarded to one or two entering MFA Writing and Poetics (residential) students per year, based on a demonstration of academic excellence and creative potential. The award amount ranges from $2,600 to $5,300 per student. Selection of the recipients will be based on an assessment of the admissions application.
Jack Kerouac Scholarship: Open to returning MFA Writing and Poetics (residential) students, the Jack Kerouac Scholarship will be awarded each year for prose or cross-genre work. The award amount is $6,000 per year, to be awarded to one recipient or divided between two recipients. Students who wish to be considered for the scholarship should submit to the Financial Aid Office a brief cover letter, current resume, and a 5-10 page writing sample. The deadline to apply is April 1st.
Ted Berrigan Scholarship: Open to returning MFA Writing and Poetics (residential) students, the Ted Berrigan Scholarship will be awarded each year for work in poetry. The award amount is $6,000 per year, to be awarded to one recipient or divided between two recipients. Students who wish to be considered for the scholarship should submit to the Financial Aid Office a brief cover letter, current resume, and a 5-10 page writing sample. The deadline to apply is April 1st.
Robert Creeley Scholarship: Open to entering or returning MFA Creative Writing (low-residency) and Writing and Poetics (residency) students, the Robert Creeley Scholarship will be awarded each year for work in any genre. The award amount is $6,000 per year, to be awarded to one recipient or divided between two recipients. Students who wish to be considered for the scholarship should submit to the Financial Aid Office a brief cover letter, current resume, and a 5-10 page writing sample. The deadline to apply is April 1st.
Zora Neale Hurston Award: Awarded annually to two to three BA, MFA, or non-credit students who can demonstrate experience in, or working with, populations of color, and who will be attending the Summer Writing Program. Students of color are encouraged to apply. Awards cover partial to full tuition for the four weeks of the SWP and may include shared room in Snow Lion housing for non-local award recipients. The deadline to apply is April 1st.
Aimee Grunberger Memorial Award: Awarded to one BA, MFA, or non-credit non-traditional student who demonstrates excellence in the field of poetry. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their personal, artistic, and professional commitment to furthering respect for the lives and voices of women. The award covers $500 towards the student’s Summer Writing Program tuition. The deadline to apply is April 1st.
Institute of American Indian Arts Award: Awarded annually to one current BA student enrolled at the Institute of American Indian Arts, who will be attending the Summer Writing Program. The award covers full undergraduate tuition for the four weeks of the SWP and includes shared room in Snow Lion housing. The deadline to apply is April 1st.
The Leslie Scalapino Award: The Leslie Scalapino Award will be offered each year to one MFA Writing and Poetics or MFA Creative Writing student attending the Summer Writing Program who has a body of work in the field of experimental postmodern women’s poetry and poetics. The award amount is $2,000. Applicants must have financial need, be a United States citizen or permanent resident of the United States, and have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students who wish to be considered for the scholarship should submit to the Financial Aid Office a personal letter describing their contributions and activities within the community; current projects or publications; and interest in experimental postmodern women’s poetry and poetics, including but not limited to the work of Leslie Scalapino. A writing sample of 5–10 pages of current work should also be submitted. The deadline to apply is April 1st.
The Summer Writing Program Scholarship in memory of kari edwards The Summer Writing Program Scholarship in memory of kari edwards will be offered each year to one BA or MFA credit or non-credit student accepted into Naropa University’s Summer Writing Program. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, be a United States citizen or permanent resident of the United States, be involved in gender activism an writing experimental works, and successfully submit a Summer Writing Program Scholarship Application. Deadline to apply is April 1st.
Honor Scholarships: Applications are open to all students. These scholarships are awarded to a limited number of entering, students who are deemed outstanding based on the student's admission application.
Naropa Presidential Scholarship: Applications are open to all students in the entire university. These scholarships are awarded to a limited number of entering students who are deemed outstanding based on the student's admission application.
The W.E.B. DuBois Scholarship: Applications are open to all students in the entire university who can demonstrate experience in or working with populations of color. The award amount is $1,450 per year and is not renewable, although students may reapply.
The Charles B. Edison Jinpa Scholarship: Awarded toone or two returning full-time students who can demonstrate experience in working with underrepresented populations. The award is $1,450 per year and is not renewable, although students may reapply.
Graduate Assistantship in Publishing: This Assistantship is offered to one MFA student each year and focuses on the department literary journal Bombay Gin. This award is a $5,250 tuition scholarship for 7.5 hours of work per week.
Graduate Assistantship in Administrative Support (when available): This Assistantship is offered to one MFA student each year and focuses on administrative support, which includes organizing readings and completing department projects. This award is a $7,000 tuition scholarship for 10 hours of work per week.
Margaret Randall Poetry Prize: Awarded each spring to one BA Writing and Literature student. The prize includes $100, a one-year subscription to the Academy of American Poets, a certificate from the Academy of American Poets, and publication in not enough night. The winning poem is also sent to the Academy of American Poets for distribution to their affiliated donors.
TEACHING
Project Outreach: Directed by resident faculty member Jack Collom, Project Outreach places students in local schools to lead creative writing workshops. Both BA and MFA students can receive credit while developing teaching skills in this unique opportunity.
Graduate Assistantship in Naropa Writing Center/Center for Student Success provides one-on-one writing consultation to the Naropa community. Those selected to work in the Center take the Writing Pedagogy Seminar concurrently and may apply for teaching positions in the Core Writing Seminars. This award is a $3,000 stipend and a $4,000 tuition scholarship.
Graduate Assistantship in Core Writing Seminar teaches first-year writing to undergraduate students. Those selected to work in the Center must have taken the Writing Pedagogy Seminar prior to applying. This award is a $1,500 stipend and a $2,000 tuition scholarship for teaching one 3-credit course.
Graduate Student Instructors: Two MFA (residential) students (one in poetry and one in prose) are selected to co-teach an undergraduate Introductory to Creative Writing course during the Spring semester and share an adjunct salary.
BA Discussion Group Instructor: The BA discussion group instructor position is an opportunity to design and teach a writing workshop during the Summer Writing Program. Instructors are also responsible for reviewing summer BA manuscripts.
Faculty Liaison: This position involves assisting Summer Writing Program faculty members. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with visiting writers throughout the summer.
MFA Lecturer: MFA students are eligible to be a lecturer during the Summer Writing Program on topics about which they are knowledgeable and passionate and on subjects that complement the SWP programming.
SWP Panelists: The Summer Writing Program allows students to present as part of a panel discussion and gain teaching experience.
PUBLISHING
Bombay Gin, the literary journal of The Kerouac School, is edited by faculty and MFA students. It publishes poetry, prose, hybrid writing, translations, reviews, interviews, and visual art. It’s published biannually and distributed nationally through Small Press Distribution.
not enough night, the online literary journal of the low-residency MFA Creative Writing program, is edited by faculty members. The journal’s title comes from Jack Kerouac, “Not enough ecstasy for me, not enough life, joy, kicks, darkness, music, not enough night.”
Summer Writing Program Magazine: Two SWP Magazine Editor positions are unique opportunities. Editors handle submissions, editing, layout, and all aspects of production and distribution. All students, faculty, and staff attending the SWP may contribute work.
Interzoneis the newsletter for The Kerouac School. It celebrates students, alumni, faculty, and staff by printing news on publications projects, and events.The newsletter is published during the academic year and welcomes articles and news from students.
The Harry Smith Print Shopand Kavyayantra Press (from Sanskrit: Kavya: poetry; Yantra: device, amulet) are resources for learning about fine craft letterpress printing. It features a Chandler and Price platen press and a Vandercook SP-15 proof press.
Student Magazines: Students and alumni have started their own presses such as Monkey Puzzle, Fact-Simile, Belladonna, Bootstrap, Hot Whiskey, Farfalla, con/crescent, Linchpin, Smokeproof, and more. The Kerouac School is happy to support and encourage each.
PUBLISHING AND CAREER RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
The following printed resources are available to students in the Writing & Poetics office: Rain Taxi Review of Books, The Writer’s Chronicle, The Poetry Project Newsletter, American Poetry Review, various journals and contest announcements, and more. The following are some electronic resources for students:
Associated Writing Programs (AWP) http://www.awpwriter.org/
The Writing & Poetics program is a member of the Associated Writing Programs and can offer students access to the online AWP job list as well as other information related to MFA and PhD programs, careers in writing and teaching, and publishing opportunities. Contact the Administrative Specialist for more information on how to access the AWP resources.
Poetry Society of America Resources http://www.poetrysociety.org/psa-links.php
The Resources page of the Poetry Society of America is one of the best resources for poetry publishers, poetry journals, literary organizations, literary independent bookstores, colonies, conferences, festivals, contests, and creative writing programs.
The Chronicle of Higher Education http://chronicle.com/
The Chronicle of Higher Education has a variety of career resources available for non-members that include lists of jobs in teaching, administration, publishing, and other areas.
Spencer Selby’s List of Experimental Poetry/Art Magazines http://www.selbyslist.com/
Selby’s List is a website that lists experimental journals and is managed by poet Spenser Selby.
Silliman’s Blog http://ronsilliman.blogspot.com/
Poet Ron Silliman’s blog is a popular weblog of contemporary poetry and poetics.
Electronic Poetry Center http://epc.buffalo.edu/
The Electronic Poetry Center at SUNY Buffalo is one of the leading resources for literature operating outside of the mainstream.
Poets & Writers Magazine http://www.pw.org/ Poets & Writers Magazine is a source of information related to publishing opportunities, grants, and other resources for creative writers.
READINGS, EVENTS, & ARCHIVES
Guest Faculty: Recent guests for the year-round reading series include Rae Armantrout, David Buuck Gillian Conoley, Robert Glück, Laura Moriarty, Simon Pettet, Tom Raworth, and more, in addition to the dozens of writers for the Summer Writing Program.
4X4 Student Readings: Naropa University, University of Denver, Colorado State University, and University of Colorado participate in the 4x4 Reading Series, where MFA and PhD students from each school meet quarterly to read at the host university’s campus.
MFA & BA Student Readings: Each semester, Naropa hosts several MFA and BA readings for students to showcase their work.
Women of Naropa Reading: The Women of Naropa reading is an annual event held each fall and features readings by women faculty, alumni, and students. This reading is a fund-raiser for Bombay Gin and selected local charity groups to benefit women.
Bombay Gin reading and book release party: In coordination with the publication of Bombay Gin each semester, the editorial board coordinates a book release party with readings by contributors to the journal.
Student Reading Series: Several students and alumni have started their own reading series. Recently, students have hosted readings at bookstores, cafes, community centers, and at Naropa. The Kerouac School is happy to support and encourage these reading series.
Student Activity Coordinator Position: This is a chance to represent students during the SWP and develop events that are of interest to the entire community. The coordinators plan and run all student readings, salons, lectures, panels, and other events for the summer.
Naropa Audio Archive Collection: The audio archive is a growing and dynamic database that is a significant resource for students and represents several generations of writers, philosophers, and artists. Each issue of Bombay Gin highlights a transcribed selection.
