Travel Essentials
STIPEND
NEH Summer Scholars selected to the institute will receive a $2,200 stipend from the NEH disbursed in two checks: one at the beginning of their stay in San José and one towards the end of the two weeks. Please note: stipends are taxable.
Summer Scholars are required to attend all meetings and to engage fully as professionals in the work of the project. During their tenure with the project, they may not undertake teaching assignments or any other professional activities unrelated to their participation in the project. Summer Scholars who, for any reason, do not complete the full tenure of the project must refund a pro-rata portion of the stipend.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Summer Scholars are encouraged to fly into Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, conveniently located close to downtown San José. However, if cheaper flights are available for arrival in either Oakland or San Francisco, Scholars will need to provide their own transportation down to San José. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) can help with getting around the East Bay or San Francisco, but Caltrain or a rental car would be necessary for getting to San José from these other airports.
>> INFORMATION ABOUT VISITING SAN JOSÉ >>
HOUSING
Housing for NEH Funded Summer Scholars has been secured in downtown San José at the historic Westin Sainte Claire Hotel for $150 per room per night. Summer Scholars may either share rooms (at a cost of $75 per person per night), or have a single room ($150 per room per night).
We will take a fieldtrip to San Francisco and will be staying in a hotel there for the night of Saturday, July 29 and 30. The cost of lodging in San Francisco will be in addition to the cost of lodging in San José. Note that your stipend ($2200) is intended to cover much of the housing and airfare.
Website for the Westin Sainte Claire hotel in San José.
San José State University offers complimentary WIFI and laundry facilities are nearby.
Summer Scholars will have a wonderful time walking through downtown San José, “the heart of Silicon Valley.” Whether you dine in San Pedro Square, take a peek at the Museum of Art, learn about the many technology marvels at the Tech Museum, San José offers a myriad of attractions.
Please remember that NEH does not allow spouses or family members to attend institute events or courses.
CALIFORNIA’S CLIMATE
California is the land of diversity, and that includes temperatures. San José is generally temperate in the summer – hovering between the 70s and 80s most days with mild nights. However, for field trips to other locations, such as San Francisco, Scholars should pack long pants, layers, and even a light jacket or fleece. As the old saying often (inaccurately) attributed to Mark Twain goes, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”
Gatherings for the institute will not require formal attire.
COURSEWORK, PAPERS AND INTERNET SERVICE
Daily discussions and courses will take place at San José State University unless otherwise noted. Scholars will have free internet access and should consider bringing a laptop, tablet, and camera to help record their experiences in the Bay Area and to begin working on implementation plans.
Key texts and handouts will be provided in electronic or paper formats, as appropriate.
UNIVERSITY CREDITS
NEH Summer Scholars may earn up to 7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the Open University program offered through San José State University. Participation in this program is voluntary. Scholars could choose to have undergraduate or graduate level credit in Communication Studies. The cost is $60 per unit. Further details about signing up for this program will be available after acceptance into the summer institute.
In addition, all NEH Summer Scholars may request a letter from the directors detailing the coursework and hours spent in discussion.
NEH PRINCIPLES OF CIVILITY
The Institute will abide by the NEH Principles of Civility. Institute presentations and discussions should be:
- grounded in rigorous scholarship and thoughtful analysis;
- conducted without partisan advocacy;
- respectful of divergent views;
- free of ad hominem commentary; and
- devoid of ethnic, religious, gender or racial bias.
