Lott Leadership Institute For Rising Ninth Graders

June 8 - July 4, 2008

Click here to view a slideshow of photos from the 2006 Institute.

	"It was nothing short of amazing. . ."" "The best experience I've ever had. I don't think there is anything I would want to change." ". . .exceeded all of my expectations. . .I was really able to grow. . ." "Lott was a life-changing experience. The ability of the program to challenge me intellectually. . . really helped me step up as a leader. I was given the opportunity to become anything I could ever dream of." "Wonderful. . .life-changing. . .I loved it!"

Students involved in the Lott Leadership Institute will take a Mississippi accredited high school elective, Problems in American Democracy , with an accompanying Field Experiences course. This program is academically challenging as these students will fit these courses into 4 weeks.

There is one session of the Lott Leadership in which up to 36 students may be chosen. All students must be nominated by a principal, guidance counselor, or Ole Miss recruiter. Only five students per school may be nominated.

DATES:

Dates for the Lott Leadership Institute for Rising Ninth Graders are June 8-July 4, 2008. Students accepted for the program are enrolled in credit bearing courses and must attend all class meetings. The trip to Jackson, Mississippi, and participation in the service project are required.

TO APPLY:

Students must meet the following admission requirements to the Lott Leadership Institute for Ninth Graders:

• The student must be in good academic and conduct standing in the eighth grade at the time of admission. The school can be public, private, parochial, or even home-educated.
• The student must have a 3.5 GPA in all four subject areas of math, science, social studies, and English for the 6th, 7th and 8th grade years. The applicant must also have standardized achievement test scores above the present grade level.
• The student must have permission from his or her principal.
• The student must have two letters of recommendation from teachers (included in application packet).

After being nominated by their school principals, students must complete the application, which will be sent directly to them. Applications will be ranked, and the participants will be selected by the admissions committee from the pool of applicants.

NOMINATION DEADLINES

Nominations MUST be received in the Office of Summer School no later than January 28, 2008 . Once the Office of Summer School receives a nomination, a full application will be mailed to the nominee. That completed application, including the principal’s endorsement, must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2008 .

ACADEMICS

Students will take a textbook-based morning class for which they MAY be able to receive high school credit. The course covers the established curriculum in the Mississippi State Department of Education curriculum guide. The course is a half-unit elective course in social studies: Problems in American Democracy . Because the outline from the state includes aspects of geography, politics, society and science and technology, students will discuss issues, situations and problems faced in modern America. Students will also be enrolled in a supplemental Field Experiences courses, which includes field trips to various government and nongovernment agencies to view leadership in action, current event discussions, and instructions on public speaking.

The highlight of student participation in the institute will be a trip to Jackson, Mississippi, to investigate state government in all its aspects. Students will be bused from the Oxford campus to Jackson.

Students will be housed in a university residence hall with counselors selected to work specifically with them. Weekends will be dedicated to fun activities around the Oxford campus. (Students must stay one weekend, but may leave other weekends.)

OTHER ACTIVITIES

While the students are on campus, they will participate in recreational activities each day as well as research activities that will familiarize them with the research facilities on campus.

PERSONNEL

Administrative personnel of the Summer College for High School Students serve as administrators for the Ninth-Grade Lott Leadership Institute. Instructors working with this group are high school certified teachers. At least four counselors (two male and two female) will work with the group.

PARENT SAFETY CONCERNS

Students will be sent a set of age-appropriate rules, and both parents and students will sign the rules, understanding that breach of rules means the student is sent home. Administrators, teachers and counselors will monitor the students 24 hours a day, and the residence hall where they will be housed is secure.

COSTS

$100 Nonrefundable Activity Fee: once admitted to the program, students are required to pay the activity fee to reserve their position in the program. The fee is nonrefundable.

The cost of the program is $500. This amount is in addition to the Activity Fee. Though the activity fee should be paid out of pocket, students are encouraged to raise the $500 program fee (or as much of it as possible). This leadership building exercise is part of the experience. Included with a student’s acceptance package is a list of suggestions for raising money to attend the program. Thus an individual’s financial situation should not be a deterrent to applying to and successful completion of the program.

In addition to the above costs, students are responsible for school supplies, weekend meals (if they choose to stay the weekend), snacks, and miscellaneous spending money.

Remaining costs of the program (on-campus housing, week-day meal plan, travel costs, etc.) are covered by the University of Mississippi Trent Lott Leadership Institute.