U.A. Whitaker SPICE 2015
U. A. Whitaker
College of Engineering
Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering
Selective Program for Internships in Civil and Environmental Engineering
(SPICE)
Student Application Form:
Your Name and UIN: ___________________________________________________________
Local Contact (Mailing) Address: __________________________________________________
City _________________________________________________ State ________ Zip ________
Phone ______________________________ FGCU Email ______________________________
Engineering Courses Completed: ______________; ___________________; _______________;
________________; __________________; __________________ ; ___________________;
________________; __________________; __________________ ; ___________________;
________________; __________________; __________________ ; ___________________;
Overall GPA ____________________
Major GPA ____________________
Please indicate any particular areas of interest within the environmental and civil engineering
disciplines (i.e. structural, geotechnical, water resources, fluid mechanics, hydrology, hydraulics,
environmental restoration, environmental modeling, pollution prevention, subsurface water
treatment, ground water treatment, transportation, project planning, water quality, waste
remediation, concrete, steel, air pollution, land development, and lifecycle analysis).
Primary Areas of Interest:
(1) ___________________
(2) ____________________ (3) ___________________________
APPROVAL SIGNATURES
______________________________________________________________________________
Student Signature
Date
______________________________________________________________________________
FGCU Faculty Endorsement Signature
Date
______________________________________________________________________________
Department Head Signature
Date
U.A. Whitaker SPICE 2015
Overview
This internship program is designed to provide qualified students in the Environmental/Civil
engineering programs with additional engineering work experience outside of and in addition to
the classroom environment. The program is intended to encourage paid internships; however,
unpaid internship positions are also welcome, especially in public agencies and governmental
offices where paid internships may not be available. Work experience includes, but is not
limited to the many aspects of planning/ design/ construction/ maintenance of infrastructure such
as commercial, residential and industrial buildings, bridges, roadways, drainage and storm water
systems, sewerage, wastewater treatment and re-use, drinking water treatment and distribution,
water systems, solid waste management systems, environmental restoration of degraded sites,
environmental modeling, pollution prevention, lifecycle analysis, subsurface water treatment,
ground water treatment, dams, power plants, air pollution control, canals, river navigation, traffic
control, and more. In general, Environmental/Civil engineering internships ensure that interns get
to learn the basics by doing and assisting senior engineers on real projects. Practical experience
gained during internships can be as important as coursework in engineering.
The Department and the College of Engineering have determined that student placements with
Employers are consistent with the goals and objectives of the curriculum and will enhance the
program of study. We hope that before graduation, every qualified student will have the
opportunity to have an internship experience.
The Employers who participate in the program have determined that it is important for them to
participate in Engineering Education to help the profession, to bolster and improve the
workforce, and to assist in their quest to hire the best and brightest engineers in the future.
Qualifications for Applicants
 Student has:
 a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall with a significant record of achievement in Core
Engineering courses
 achieved Junior standing in the Environmental and Civil Department (60 credits +)
 has completed the coursework found in the second (2nd) semester of sophomore year
 has discussed with and garnered support from at least two FGCU faculty who are asked to
submit letter of recommendations
 has demonstrated good character and has performed in a professional manner
Steps in the Application Process
 The applicant must:
 submit an Application Form
 submit a resume
 list 3 references
 submit a personal statement
 be approved by the Internship Committee of the Department of Environmental and Civil
Engineering.
 be prepared for an interview, which may include the need for a brief portfolio of work
U.A. Whitaker SPICE 2015
Term
SPICE offers opportunities for students to effectively and practically obtain internships while
pursuing their degrees at FGCU. It is not a formal coop program and exists in addition to full
time student status. (Coop experiences are different and may also be available but not through
SPICE).
Conditions and lengths of Internships will vary, depending on the needs of the employer and the
student. Thus, Internships may last one semester, two semesters, one semester and a summer –
whatever is agreed upon by the Intern and the Employer.
Once an Internship has been agreed upon by the Employer and the Intern, an Agreement (see
following) will be signed with an effective date that shall run continuously without necessity for
renewal. Either party upon written notice of at least fourteen (14) days may terminate this
Agreement.
Priority of Policies
Students working for the Employer will be subject to the University and the Employer’s
Disciplinary Code. If alleged violations occur, the Employer will notify the SPICE Committee
Chair. If such alleged violations reasonably seem to pose a continuous threat to others, the
alleged violator may be suspended immediately by the Employer from participation in any and
all of the Employer’s activities.
The Employer will require students participating in Employer’s activities to comply with its own
operational policies and procedures; however, in the case of inconsistencies, University policies
will supersede unless the SPICE Committee and Employer agree on alternative provisions. The
Employer will provide copies of such policies and procedures to SPICE and to students assigned
to work for Employer.
General Responsibilities of the Parties
SPICE will have the following general responsibilities:
 Notify students of appropriate placement opportunities for the experiential learning
activity.
 Approve placement site.
 Provide Employer with evaluation forms and deadlines.
Employer shall have the following general responsibilities:
 Provide opportunities for student observation and/or participation on Employer premises.
 Provide a safe environment in compliance with all federal and state law and inform
University and student of hazardous conditions and unusual circumstances that may
create unsafe conditions.
 Provide to SPICE Coordinator and students written policies and operational procedures to
which students are expected to adhere while they are within Employer’s settings.
U.A. Whitaker SPICE 2015
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Provide to SPICE Coordinator a list of duties or job descriptions for student placements
with notation of any specific skills or abilities needed.
Provide students with an Internship Employment Plan
Participate in planning and evaluation with students and, where appropriate, with SPICE
faculty.
Provide timely final evaluation of student performance.
Conduct exit interviews with students that will include discussion of Employer’s final
evaluation.
Notify SPICE Coordinator of unsatisfactory performance or misconduct of a student and
provide documentation of any charge to SPICE for handling under University policies
regulating student behavior and/or academic conduct. If the notice of an incident
involving a student reasonably suggests that the student may be an imminent danger to
the safety or property of others, the Employer may dismiss the student with immediate
notice to SPICE.
Number of Placements
The Employer and SPICE will mutually determine the number of interns to be placed with
Employer for a given term. Employer and SPICE may decide to have no active placements for a
period of time without affecting the continuation of any internship agreements in the future.
Nondiscrimination
Both parties give mutual assurance that in performing their duties under this Agreement, they
will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, or handicap.
Reasonable accommodations for participation by disabled persons will be made in compliance
with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Compensation to Student
Monetary compensation to students is not provided under the terms set out herein, and any
agreement between Employer and a student for monetary compensation to the student must be
separate from this Agreement. Employer hereby stipulates that any such separate agreement
between itself and a student will comply with all state and federal laws, including the Fair Labor
Standards Act, if such Act is applicable to Employer.
U.A. Whitaker SPICE 2015
INTERNSHIP LETTER OF AGREEMENT
This letter of agreement is between the Selective Program for Internships in Civil and
Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Florida Gulf
Coast University (hereinafter referred to as “SPICE”) and ____________________, a student
intern, and _________________________, the site at which the internship will take place
(hereafter referred to as the Employer). The internship will be supervised by
___________________, who will be responsible for the evaluations of the student intern. The
overall supervision of the internship program in the Department of Environmental and Civil
Engineering will the responsibility of, _______________________, who is the Chair of the
SPICE Committee.
The intern shall be considered a member of the professional staff and have the accompanying
responsibilities and privileges. It is required that the intern work a period of at least 10
consecutive weeks during the summer or equivalent during the fall or spring semesters. The
exact hours worked may vary according to the needs of the supervising entity and the
opportunities for the intern.
The host, _________________________, agrees that the FGCU intern employed at their facility
will complete Engineering Work Experience Activities while on that internship. It is also agreed
that the SPICE committee in the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering and staff
will mentor the FGCU intern and provide leadership and guidance when necessary. In witness
whereof, the parties have caused this agreement to be signed by their respective administrative
officers:
____________________________________________________________________
(Student Signature)
____________________________________________________________________
(Employer Representative – Internship Supervisor)
___________________________
(Date)
___________________________
(Date)
For and on behalf of Florida Gulf Coast University:
____________________________________________________________________
(Director/SPICE Coordinator – Dept. of Env./Civil Engineering)
___________________________
(Date)