Information for Students
***A list of 2011-2012 Projects is now available. Students who have not participated in PBSC in previous years are encouraged to contact the PBSC Coordinator or wait until the 2011 PBSC Launch Event to apply. ***
Forms
Project Application Form - due September 15th at 5:00 p.m. (exception: Family Law Project, which is due September 13th at 9:45 a.m.)
Police Information Check Form (Family Law Project)
Letter of Authorization (Family Law Project)
Student Agreement Form (Must be submitted before starting work on a project)
Applications for the 2011-2012 Executive are now available in the "Executive" section of this website
Information For Students
PBSC selects student volunteers in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of law school in the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary. Participating students can gain practical experience while working with national and local organizations involved in public interest legal work.
In addition to arranging placements for interested students, PBSC promotes a pro bono ethic on campus by inviting guest lecturers to speak on non-traditional public interest legal careers, encouraging community involvement through public advocacy, offering public legal education, and urging social and professional responsibility.
In today's competitive employment market, participating in PBSC also gives law students an edge. Participating in the program makes students' resumes stand out due to the valuable public interest work that they do. Students who successfully complete their PBSC placement will have their volunteer experience recognized on their Co-Curricular Record.
What Is Required From The Student?
A student is required to put in a minimum of three hours a week on a project to a maximum of ten hours a week during the academic year. Projects usually last from late September to March (with a break in December for exams).
Once a match is made students are required to attend a training session at the beginning of the academic year and sign agreements that they will act professionally with regards to the project. During the school year, students will be required to meet regularly with their project leaders and partner organizations. The PBSC office will also ask students to fill out evaluation forms periodically during the year to see how placements are going and what support the PBSC office can provide.
Other requirements of students are to act professionally when dealing with their organization. A student who is unable to meet a deadline or attend a scheduled meeting must clearly inform the affected organization so that alternative arrangements can be made. Beyond that, students are required to enjoy themselves and to try to learn as much as they can while working with their organization.