NEH Summer Institute for Teachers Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to apply?
Please read carefully the NEH’s regulations about eligibility on the Application Information and Instructions. Preference will be given to applicants who have not participated in an NEH-sponsored seminar or institute in the past three years (2003, 2004, 2005); substitute or part time teachers are not eligible to apply.
What needs to be included in my application?
- three copies of your completed electronic NEH coversheet, signed
- three copies of a detailed résumé
- two letters of recommendation (sent separately)
- three copies of your four-page application essay (described in the Letter to Potential Applicants)
Can I send my application materials electronically?
No. Send them by first class or Priority Mail and make sure they are postmarked no later than March 1, 2005. Earlier would be better. You will need to provide three copies each of the participant application and cover sheet, your resumé, and your application essay, collated please, so that we can get them to members of the selection committee in a timely fashion.
Letters of recommendation may be sent by mail or fax to 412-624-7447.
If you are concerned about the safe arrival of your materials, feel free to contact Kathy Haines at amerimus@pitt.edu to check on their status.
What is the mailing address for application materials?
Center for American Music
106A Stephen Foster Memorial
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh PA 15260
If I apply, when will I hear?
Successful applicants will be notified by phone on March 31, 2006. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by letter by about mid-April. If anyone who is accepted cannot attend the Institute, we will notify alternates on or before April 17th, 2006.
If I'm accepted, when do I need to accept or decline the invitation?
We must have a formal statement of your intention to attend the Institute, along with appropriate payroll paperwork, by April 14, 2006.
What paperwork will I need to send in if I accept your invitation to attend the Institute?
You will need to sign the “appointment” letter we send you which stipulates the length of the Institute and your stipend and provide us with your current address and social security number. We suggest you fax the information to 412-624-7447, or mail them to our address.
How much will I receive for my stipend check?
The total amount of your stipend is $3600.
Will we have a chance to exchange our stipend checks for traveler's checks, or what is the usual process Institute participants follow?
We have made arrangements with Mellon Bank to cash your stipend checks during your time in Pittsburgh. You may also use the financial institution of your choice. A list of banks in the area may be found here.
Is the stipend taxable by the IRS?
Yes, the full amount of $3600 is considered taxable income. The University of Pittsburgh will withhold no taxes from your check nor will they provide you with a 1099. You may wish to talk to your own tax advisor, or see IRS Publication 970. Neither the NEH nor the University of Pittsburgh can advise you on your tax situation; the IRS will know about the full amount of your stipend.
Will the amount of my stipend be enough to cover all of the costs associated with the seminar?
The stipend should be sufficient to cover your travel, food, and lodging.
What happens if I can't be there for the entire Institute?
If you cannot stay the entire 5 weeks of the Institute, or if you have to miss a day at any point during the Institute, you will be asked to return a pro-rated portion of your stipend.
When would I need to plan to arrive, how can I get there and when can I think about returning home?
You should plan to arrive by Sunday afternoon, June 25th. Check-in at the Shadyside Inn (where we have arranged lodging for your stay) begins at 4:00, however if you need to check in earlier, you can call them and make arrangements (412-441-4444). The Shadyside Inn staff will be happy to assist you with your check-in from their office, located off the courtyard. On Sunday evening we look forward to meeting you at a welcoming event at the Shadyside Inn. Please plan to be there to meet your colleagues. Stay tuned for more details concerning this event.
The Institute will end on Friday, July 28, at 3:00. Due to late afternoon traffic, we advise that you arrange your departure for no earlier than 6:00 pm that evening, or that you delay your departure until Saturday.
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements. Below are suggestions on how to get here:
By Plane:
Pittsburgh International Airport is located 20 miles outside of Pittsburgh, about 30-40 minutes drive from the University of Pittsburgh
From the Pittsburgh airport the least expensive way to get to Oakland is by bus. The Airport Flyer 28X leaves from outside the baggage claim area every 20 minutes (even Sundays) and will bring you directly to Oakland for a mere $2.25. However, it will not take you all the way to the Shadyside Inn. One option is to take it as far as the Hilton Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh and take a taxi from there (a good place to pick up a cab, unlike other areas in the city). The taxi from there to the Shadyside Inn could be as much as $15.00, however.
Express Shuttle USA, to Wyndham Garden Hotel, Oakland. $17.00. On Sundays this shuttle operates every 2 hours from 10:00 am until 2:00pm, and every hour from 3:00 PM until 10:00 PM. For more information call (412) 321-4990 or visit their website at http://www.taxicabsusa.com/pittsburgh/airportshuttle.html. Reservations are not required.
If you take the 28x bus to the Music Department (located at Bellefield and Fifth Ave.) or the shuttle to the Wyndham Garden, we can possibly arrange to pick you up there and shuttle you to the Shadyside Inn. This option will need to be orchestrated in advance, depending on your arrival time. You could also share a taxi with another Institute participant; taxis from the airport are about $40, without tip. If you let us know when you will be arriving, we can work this out in advance.
By Car:
From the East take I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike; toll road) exit at Monroeville (exit 57), connecting onto I-376, following signs to Pittsburgh. Take the Oakland exit (exit 3A, marked University of Pittsburgh; Glenwood, Route 885), turn right at the end of the ramp. Continue on Bates until it ends at Bouquet Street. Turn left on Bouquet, follow Bouquet to Forbes Avenue (they meet at a traffic light), and turn right on Forbes. Continue on Forbes to Morewood Ave., turn left. Turn right on Fifth Ave. and continue three traffic lights to Aiken Ave. The Shadyside Inn is on the left at the corner of Fifth Ave. and Aiken. Turn left onto Aiken and park behind the Shadyside Inn. The office is located in the courtyard.
From the South Follow I-79 North to the I-279 North Exit. Take 279 through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and across the bridge to the I-376 Monroeville Exit (first exit on the right). Follow 376 to the Forbes Avenue/Oakland Exit. Forbes Avenue leads into the Pitt campus. Follow same directions as above.
From the North Take I-79 South to I-279 South. (You exit to the left off I-79.) Follow 279 into the city, to the I-376 Monroeville Exit. Follow 376 to the Forbes Avenue/Oakland Exit. Forbes Avenue then leads right into the Pitt campus. Follow same directions as above.
From the West Cars traveling from the west via the PA Turnpike (I-76) should take Exit 3 and follow I-79 South to I-279 South. (You exit to the left off I-79.) Follow 279 into the city, to the I-376 Monroeville Exit. Follow 376 to the Forbes Avenue/Oakland Exit. Forbes Avenue then leads right into the Pitt campus. Follow directions from the South, above.
By Train:
The station address is 1100 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Amtrak runs one train into Pittsburgh. The Amtrak station is in downtown Pittsburgh. Your best option is to take a taxi from the station to the Shadyside Inn.
The trains that serve this station are the Capitol Limited (Washington, DC to Pittsburgh and Chicago), the Pennsylvanian (from New York to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), and Three Rivers (also New York to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). Check the Amtrak web site (www.amtrak.com) for schedule information.
By Bus:
The Greyhound bus terminal is located in downtown Pittsburgh, at 55 11th St. It is open 24 hours per day. Information concerning schedules can be obtained at www.greyhound.com. Upon your arrival at the station, you should arrange to take a taxi to Shadyside Inn.
What should I bring with me?
You can expect the weather to be quite warm, although at times in the evening it may cool down (highs are typically in the 80s, lows in the 60s). Dress for the Institute is informal. You should bring rain gear (umbrella, raincoat) in case of inclement weather. Bring comfortable walking shoes for the field trips. Because much of what we’ll be doing will involve music, it’s a good idea to have access to a personal CD player. You will need pens, paper, and other classroom implements. If you forget items, they may be purchased at the University’s Book Center, located on campus on Fifth Avenue at Thackeray Street. While you will have access to the University's computer labs, it would be very convenient to have your own computer and, if possible, printer.
Where will I be staying? What will it cost?
We have negotiated a special rate with the Shadyside Inn, located in the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh, a charming area full of old homes, upscale shopping, and great restaurants. The Inn is one mile (a very level walk) from the Music Building, where the Institute will be taking place. The Shadyside Inn includes everything you will need for your stay, including bed linens and a fully equipped kitchen. They also have maid service, free off-street parking, and a complimentary shuttle that will drop you off at the Institute each morning and return each afternoon. The city bus system ($1.75 each way) also picks up in front of the Shadyside Inn and within a block of the Institute.
Additional features at the Shadyside Inn, including diagrams of the rooms, are listed on their website at www.shadysideinn.com.
If you wish to stay by yourself, the cost, per month, for a studio suite at the Shadyside in is $1796.00 ($59.87 per day).
If you would like to have a roommate, two bedroom suites are $2336.00 per month(or $1168 per person per month, $38.94 per day).
You are, of course, not obligated to stay at the Shadyside Inn, but this is the venue we recommend for all Institute attendees.
When do I need to decide if I'm staying at the Shadyside Inn?
In order to reserve your room at the Shadyside Inn, we must have your housing form, including a credit number to hold the room, by April 25, 2006.
How do I arrange to have a roommate?
If you are interested in being paired up with a roommate, please let Kathy Haines (amerimus@pitt.edu) know and she'll do her best to match you up with other folks seeking joint housing arrangements.
Can I bring my family and pets?
You are certainly welcome to bring family members with you to Pittsburgh, or to entertain them at any point during the Institute. However, they will not permitted to attend sessions with you on a daily basis and you will be responsible for the cost for them to attend any field trips, etc.
Pets are permitted at the Shadyside Inn, but may require additional fees. Please contact them directly for more information.
Where can I do laundry?
There are Maytag coin-operated laundry facilities located at the Shadyside Inn. There is also a laundromat, Relax and Wash, at 3407 Forbes Ave, which is open 24/7. It is 1.7 miles from the Shadyside Inn, and about 1 mile from the Music Department.
Where can I buy groceries?
There is a market on Walnut Street, but it is rather pricey. You will probably want to stock up on items from the Whole Foods at 5880 Centre Avenue (about one mile from the Shadyside Inn) or the Giant Eagle at 5550 Centre Avenue (about the same distance).
Where can I workout?
The weather will be quite warm in June and July, so there will be lots of opportunities for walking or running outside. However, the Shadyside Inn offers a special deal for their guests at X Shadyside Fitness, at 5608 Walnut Street. There are also walking trails, bike routes, and tennis courts nearby at Frick Park and a pool and public golf course at Schenley Park, near the University.
Where can I attend religious services?
For information on religious services on and around campus, check out the University of Pittsburgh Association of Chaplaincies web site: www.pitt.edu/~chaplain. This site contains links to individual churches and organizations, including schedules for services.
What banks are in the area?
Automated teller machines (ATMs) are located conveniently on campus at the William Pitt Union, the ground floor of the Cathedral of Learning and at the banks listed below; however, they will likely charge a fee for out of state customers. You may want to bring travelers checks. Banks in the near vicinity to the University include:
Parkvale Savings
3520 Forbes Ave/Oakland
412-687-1200
Dollar Bank
5822 Forbes Ave/Sq. Hill
412-521-7031
PNC Bank
4022 Fifth Ave/Oakland
412-621-0300
Citizens Bank
Fifth and Oakland Avenue
412-683-1111
National City Bank
4612 Forbes Ave/Oakland
412-681-4200
How can I be contacted while I'm in Pittsburgh?
(412) 441-4444 is the main number at the Shadyside Inn. Their fax number is (412) 687-7312. You will be assigned your own telephone number when you check in to your suite.
Please note that in the Pittsburgh area you need to dial all ten digits (including area code) regardless of whether it is a local or long distance call.
The main telephone number at the Music Department (where we will be holding the Institute) is (412) 624-4126.
At the Center for American Music, the number is (412) 624-4100 (this is Kathy’s office).
Mail should be addressed to you at:
Shadyside Inn
5405 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15232
It may also be sent in care of you to the Center.
What if I get sick?
The closest pharmacy is Schiller’s Pharmacy, located two blocks from the Shadyside Inn at 811 S. Aiken Ave, (412) 621-5900. There is also a pharmacy at the Giant Eagle on Centre Ave, (412) 682-5466. The closest pharmacy to campus is Eckerd Drugs, Forbes Avenue & Atwood St., (412) 681-1332.
The nearest hospital emergency room is Shadyside Hospital, 5230 Centre Ave., (412) 623-2121. More information can be obtained at www.shadyside.upmc.com.
How do I get around if I don't have a car?
If you stay at the Shadyside Inn, they provide a complimentary shuttle to and from the Institute each day.
Information on the Port Authority Transit (public transportation) is available at their web site: www.ridegold.com. The buses that run between the Shadyside Inn and the Music Department, as well as Shadyside to downtown, are the 71D - Hamilton, 71-C, and the 500. The cost for one-zone travel is $1.75 (exact change). Monthly bus passes can also be purchased at a reduced rate. Along the two major streets in the Oakland area, Fifth Ave. and Forbes Ave., there are many buses that run frequently. For other routes, you can call PAT at (412) 442-2000 and let them know where you are and where you would like to go.
Yellow Cabs are plentiful, but you need to call them at (412) 321-8100.
How much walking will be required?
A fair amount of walking will be involved during our field trips. If you have physical limitations, please let us know so that we can make arrangements to assist you.
How much time will there be for seeing the sights?
You will have the majority of your evenings and weekends free (please note we will be traveling to Gettysburg on Saturday, July 8th, to make up for the 4th of July holiday). We will be offering extracurricular activities for after class and on the weekends. These are not mandatory, but will be designed to enhance your stay in Pittsburgh. Based on interest, these may include a Pirates baseball game, theatre performances, a trip to Fort Ligonier, a walking tour of the city, a tour of WQED (home of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood), etc. We are also planning some additional excursions to local restaurants for those who would like to participate. If you have ideas or special requests for activities, please let us know.
What is there to do while I'm in Pittsburgh?
If you are looking for something to do, a good place to start is with the weekly Pittsburgh City Paper. This free publication is issued each Thursday and may be found in most local eateries and University buildings. It contains movie schedules, theatre reviews, and a large number of listings for entertainment activities taking place in the city.
Another place to find activities in and around the city in on the University web site. If you visit www.pitt.edu and click on the link labeled “Pittsburgh,” you will be treated to a thumbnail tour of the city with lots of links to additional sites.
Other good sites for interesting information about the city include www.studentguidetopittsburgh.com, http://www.pittsburghmuseums.org/, and the Carnegie Library’s site, http://www.clpgh.org.
What is the University of Pittsburgh campus like?
The University of Pittsburgh is a lovely urban campus. There are lots of open green spaces. You can get to campus from the Shadyside Inn by walking (1 mile west along Fifth Avenue), Shadyside Inn shuttle, or PAT (Port Authority Transit) bus. For more information about Pitt, including maps of the campus, visit the University's website at www.pitt.edu.
What privileges will I have on campus?
You will be in the University’s payroll system and will be provided with a University of Pittsburgh identification card that you can use at all campus libraries and computer labs. You will also be provided with a very generous print allotment to use in the computer labs.
How can I access the internet?
You will not be provided with a University of Pittsburgh email account, so please make certain you know how to access your personal email accounts remotely. Your University ID will allow you to use the computers located in Hillman Library and in the Music Library, as well as in the lab located in the ground floor of the Cathedral of Learning.
All rooms at the Shadyside Inn are also equipped with complimentary high-speed internet.
Where will the Institute be held?
The Institute sessions will take place in the Music Building on the University of Pittsburgh Campus located at Fifth Ave. and Bellefield (a campus map is available here). The classroom will be in room 132, located on the first floor directly in front of you as you enter the building. The room is air conditioned, so dress accordingly.
One day of each week will be devoted to a field at a site related to that week’s topic. Some of these sites require extensive walking. If you have any physical or dietary limitations, please let us know in advance.
What libraries can I use while in Pittsburgh?
The Music Library is located in the basement of the Music Building. A tour will be provided the first day.
Institute participants will have borrowing privileges at the University of Pittsburgh Libraries, including the Center for American Music.
You may also use the Carnegie library, however you will not have borrowing privileges there unless you are a resident of Allegheny County.
Who are the Institute Staff?
Deane L. Root, Co-Director
Mariana Whitmer, Co-Director
Kathryn Miller Haines, Assistant Director
Pete Dinardo, Master Teacher
Where can I park at the University?
During the summer parking is sometimes available on the streets around the Music Building. Meters are $.25 for each half hour and these generally have a four-hour maximum. If you don’t want to be running out to the meter every so often, you can park in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Lot, which is owned and operated by the University (cost: $8.50 for 6-8 hours). You may also park at the Tetris lot located at Ruskin Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard. This lot is usually discounted during the summer time (about $8.00 for 8 hours).
To view a parking map of the University, visit www.pts.pitt.edu and follow the link to Parking.
(Be aware that the City of Pittsburgh cleans the streets and prohibits parking on one side of the street each weekday. Always check the signs where you park to make sure you are not at odds with the schedule. A good clue is if the parking is easy and you are only one of two or three cars parked along that street.) Do not park in handicap spaces without a handicap tag or permit; fines are steep.
What will our daily class schedule be like?
A preliminary agenda may be viewed here. A final agenda will be provided with the reading materials on the first day of class. The Institute will start each day at 9:00 am with a “homeroom” period. This half-hour will allow everyone to get settled as well as provide some time to answer questions or address comments.
Breakfast will not be provided; however, you are welcome to bring coffee or a favorite beverage in a covered container to class. Coffee shops are located on the ground floor of the Cathedral of Learning and on S. Craig Street at Forbes Avenue.
The lunch hour is free time, except when we are on field trips. You may use this time to eat a packed lunch in the upstairs lounge or outside, peruse the Music Library, or catch up on errands. Attached is a list of restaurants within walking distance of the Music Building.
We will typically end our day around 3:00 to allow for research time at the libraries.
Will I need to bring a lunch every day or will it be provided?
You are responsible for all of your own meals, including lunch. Arrangements for food will be made in advance for field trips, however you will have to pay for these meals as well. You are welcome to bring your own food, or try one of the many restaurants that are around the University of Pittsburgh.
What sort of assignments and homework will we be asked to do during the Institute?
Participants will share in the discussions demonstrating an acquaintance with the songs. Recordings of all the songs, along with lyrics and background information, will be made available to participants for this purpose. Nominal readings will be assigned before the Institute and throughout its five weeks to facilitate and reinforce the connection between music and history. Participants will read selected short, non-technical articles and chapters that deal with popular songs as they relate to cultural and social history. Additional readings may be assigned by visiting lecturers; these will be provided prior to or at the Institute but with sufficient time to complete them.
Participating teachers will also complete a final project to synthesize the content and strategies they have learned throughout the Institute. They will be divided into groups of five allowing for peer review and collaboration with those teaching at the same grade level. They will choose a song or two from a special interest era or theme that has not been discussed during the Institute, research and write its history, and develop discussion questions and learning activities that can be used to incorporate the song into the curriculum at their grade level. Their work must address the academic standards and diverse learning styles, make effective use of songs as primary sources, and provide assessment strategies. To ensure that their work attains a level of scholarship and educational effectiveness, these groups will work with the Institute faculty, and will have ample time for research and consultation with scholars, advisors, and peers. Till will be set aside daily for them to work in the library or to meet with advisors. The completed lesson plans will facilitate the application of the Institute’s theories and activities into the classroom. Finished projects will be presented to the group at the end of the Institute and will be posted on the Voices Across Time website.
Should I read anything prior to attending the Institute?
A preliminary reading list is being compiled and materials for the first week of the Institute will be mailed to all participants prior to the Institute start. Please bring them with you. The anticipated readings will be short and designed to complement the lectures and field trips by enhancing your understanding of the topic.
Do I need to be able to read music or play an instrument in order to attend the Institute?
While the enjoyment of music is absolutely necessary, you are not required to have any practical knowledge of music. Be warned though -- we will be singing (and possibly dancing).
Will I get continuing education credit for attending the Institute?
All participants will receive a letter at the close of the Institute stating the credit hours. This letter should be sufficient to prove continuing education equivalency; however, if you require further certification, please let us know.
What do I do if I have questions that don't appear on this list?
Email Kathy Haines at amerimus@pitt.edu or call the Center between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday - Friday at 412-624-4100.