Internship Support Payments

General Discussion for SMART Scholarship Recipients
Guest532

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest532 »

I honestly don't even know what to think at this point. This calls into question everything that I've been told about what to expect about my future employment wih my SF. Especially regarding my pay level/promotion schedule. How am I supposed to believe what I've been told??

Guest6

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest6 »

Guest532 wrote:I honestly don't even know what to think at this point. This calls into question everything that I've been told about what to expect about my future employment wih my SF. Especially regarding my pay level/promotion schedule. How am I supposed to believe what I've been told??
Peruse the forums. You'll find plenty (including me) who wished they would have gotten all that FIRMLY in writing with multiple signatures (not just the HR specialist).

I've heard several stories of participants who got offered GS-7s for their PhD, or GS-9 with no promotional potential. Etc.

There are some SFs out there who are taking advantage of the SMART Program. It's sad, and true, and despicable SMART Program Management doesn't call the SFs on it...

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

Guest2 wrote:I spoke with my lawyer today.

She thinks that any participant should have the right to leave the program without repayment of any funds, as the terms of the agreement were modified on a significant level (nearly 30% of the funding for me)
That sounds like an excellent option. I figured that as soon as we all get together and threaten a class-action suit, they will just go back to the $1200/wk. Otherwise they lose millions. Not that any of us will stay at the SFs after the commitment anyway now. They are still going to lose millions. About $180M. Wonder if CNN will like that number.

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

I've decided to pursue legal action. I want my $1200/wk or out of the contract with no penalty. This is underhanded, wrong, illegal, and irresponsible on the part of the DoD.

alsoaguest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by alsoaguest »

Guest wrote:I've decided to pursue legal action. I want my $1200/wk or out of the contract with no penalty. This is underhanded, wrong, illegal, and irresponsible on the part of the DoD.
What is going to be your legal action?

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

alsoaguest wrote:
Guest wrote:I've decided to pursue legal action. I want my $1200/wk or out of the contract with no penalty. This is underhanded, wrong, illegal, and irresponsible on the part of the DoD.
What is going to be your legal action?
I'll let you know on Monday. I believe I will simply leave the program via a letter from my attorney stating that I am leaving based on a breach of contract and refuse to refund the DoD. I might have them also put in that should they be willing to pay the verbally promised internship payment amounts, I may consider continuing with the program. I don't think we will get anywhere with a class-action since no punitive damages can be sought. I might also get the lawyer to bill the DoD for their fees since I am having to go out of my way to protect myself from this now broken contract. I'll see what the lawyer says specifically and then relay the message Monday.

I hope the SMART people are reading all of this.

Guest123456

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest123456 »

To all who are trying to contact SMART and seeking legal recourse:

Here's the names and email address of the government employees running the show:
http://www.acq.osd.mil/rd/organization/stem.html

Guest2

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest2 »

Guest wrote:
alsoaguest wrote:
Guest wrote:I've decided to pursue legal action. I want my $1200/wk or out of the contract with no penalty. This is underhanded, wrong, illegal, and irresponsible on the part of the DoD.
What is going to be your legal action?
I'll let you know on Monday. I believe I will simply leave the program via a letter from my attorney stating that I am leaving based on a breach of contract and refuse to refund the DoD. I might have them also put in that should they be willing to pay the verbally promised internship payment amounts, I may consider continuing with the program. I don't think we will get anywhere with a class-action since no punitive damages can be sought. I might also get the lawyer to bill the DoD for their fees since I am having to go out of my way to protect myself from this now broken contract. I'll see what the lawyer says specifically and then relay the message Monday.

I hope the SMART people are reading all of this.
Just to be clear, its not ONLY verbally promised.

Check the award document, page 10. It says that the award document AND the particpant handbook outline in full the agreement between you and SMART.

Then the participant handbook clearly outlines the $1200/wk. Furthermore, this concept of "paid internships" is advertised clearly on their website and promotional videos. Fact is, it WAS promised.

I think the idea of getting everyone to threaten to leave is a good idea. What's the best way to do it TOGETHER though? I think it might have less impact if we do it separately. Should we develop a petition and send it to SMART or one of the "decision makers?"

SMART Applicant

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by SMART Applicant »

Consider this--there are approximately 150-200 SMART Scholar per year (barring the first couple), and no where near that number of people commenting on this forum. If a class-action suit or mass program exodus is the best way to handle this, then a general means of reaching ALL of the SMART scholars will be necessary. Surely, there are people who have not even noticed that they were not paid, let alone that there are this many internal issues.

I am not involved in this, as I am only an applicant (I am only commenting to bring up the reality of the situation and increase the chances that it gets handled properly so that, if selected to receive a scholarship, this situation will have already been resolved). But good luck to everyone who is involved. I must say that as an applicant, seeing this situation unfold is rather disheartening. I hope it comes to a successful conclusion for everyone involved now and in the future.

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

Guest2 wrote:
Just to be clear, its not ONLY verbally promised.

Check the award document, page 10. It says that the award document AND the particpant handbook outline in full the agreement between you and SMART.
The award document also states that by signing we agree to the handbook and all revisions to the handbook.
Then the participant handbook clearly outlines the $1200/wk. Furthermore, this concept of "paid internships" is advertised clearly on their website and promotional videos. Fact is, it WAS promised.
We are paid a stipend during our internship so technically we are paid. However, the contract documents clearly state that we will be paid for internship expenses (with some restrictions). Reducing it to zero is illegal. Reducing it to $600 is questionably illegal. The argument will be contingent on what was promised at orientation at which we were given a chance to void the contract if we didn't like it with no penalties. $1200 was stated as fact and not up for yearly fluctuation. Therefore it is more than reasonable to assume that some people stayed in their contract based on what they did like, namely the $1200/wk, and may have left had that number been different. I am one of those people. I stayed in the program because of the $1200/wk, period. Therefore I was mislead and the validity of my contract is debatable.
I think the idea of getting everyone to threaten to leave is a good idea. What's the best way to do it TOGETHER though? I think it might have less impact if we do it separately. Should we develop a petition and send it to SMART or one of the "decision makers?"
Not a bad idea. How do you intend on getting all the participant contact? I'm pretty sure it's not public information.

joelayed

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by joelayed »

I got an email saying that they are going to make the March 16 payment next week.

guest2

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by guest2 »

In response to the SMART program's continuous follow-up on the non-payment of funds that occurred last week, we received the following from an account manager today with whom we have been working closely to resolve this issue:



"I was told that the system should pay it systematically within 48 hours now that it is in "Preval Status". We are looking at Monday or Tuesday at the earliest that this invoice will pay. I am very sorry for the inconvenience that this is causing the students. I will continue to follow up on this issue."


The SMART program again apologizes for this issue that has been beyond our control, and we have been working continuously to rectify the situation. Please be advised that once ASEE receives these funds, the cash awards will be deposited within 2 business days.

Guest2

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest2 »

Guest wrote:
Guest2 wrote:
Just to be clear, its not ONLY verbally promised.

Check the award document, page 10. It says that the award document AND the particpant handbook outline in full the agreement between you and SMART.
The award document also states that by signing we agree to the handbook and all revisions to the handbook.
I realize that, but that's simply not how contracts work. They can't update the handbook to say "all participants must serve 15 years in combat immediately post graduation" and we are all bound to do so. The updates they mention are policy updates. This is not a simple policy update like "here's a new form to fill out" or "the deadline of this has been changed", this is a funding reduction. For example, they couldn't cut funding 100% and have us still required to keep our side of the agreement. In the same way, they can't cut funding 30% either. I'm almost positive that unless you re-agree to the terms either actively or passively through acceptance of funds, you can get out.

Also I have like 5 e-mails of SMART participants from when they mistakenly CC'd us instead of BCC'd us. But I don't know how to get a significant number to coordinate with people.

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

Guest2 wrote:
I realize that, but that's simply not how contracts work. They can't update the handbook to say "all participants must serve 15 years in combat immediately post graduation" and we are all bound to do so. The updates they mention are policy updates. This is not a simple policy update like "here's a new form to fill out" or "the deadline of this has been changed", this is a funding reduction. For example, they couldn't cut funding 100% and have us still required to keep our side of the agreement. In the same way, they can't cut funding 30% either. I'm almost positive that unless you re-agree to the terms either actively or passively through acceptance of funds, you can get out.

Also I have like 5 e-mails of SMART participants from when they mistakenly CC'd us instead of BCC'd us. But I don't know how to get a significant number to coordinate with people.
I think your reasoning is sound. Contract law isn't always just what is written to the letter, a significant portion of it is what would have been understood by a reasonable person. Any reasonable person who read about smart, signed the smart contract, read the smart handbook, and went to the smart orientation would think $1200/kw was part of the deal. I think. I'll know more Monday.

I think you should send out an email to all those who were CC'd to make sure they are aware of the change, that this forum exists for us, and that there are some of us who want to cooperate to change this outlandish action. Furthermore, I think social networking is the fastest way to accomplish this. Everyone post it on FB as a status update. If you have FB friends who you know are SMART scholars, write on their walls. Tell them to post it as a status update and tell other SMART Scholars. One of us could also make a youtube video and start spreading it like the Kuny thing. I won't receive as much attention but if it was done well, it could get the media interested. People get all up in arms about the government taking away promised funds to soldiers. We arent' that much different, we just don't have as much of a chance to die at work. We still are required by law to show up.

1. Someone make an excellent PSA video and post it on You-tube
2. Everyone campaign on FB and share that video
3. Email all on CC lists you have from SPO.

I think we could get the word out well within about a week.

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

This whole situation is just awful.. Even if they were to allow us to drop out of the program without having to repay them, how does that correct the fact that I quit my job to pursue graduate education, expecting to receive the full monetary agreement offered by the SMART Scholarship. Either way, it's incomprehensible how they can do this after they explicitly tell us at orientation to "not worry about the money, focus on your coursework". What a joke.

SMARTFacebook

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by SMARTFacebook »

We've got to figure out a way to get a hold of people and exchange contact info. Obviously, most people won't want to post info on here because employees from the SPO certainly read this.

Maybe a Facebook group, and everyone can direct message the "admin of the group." From here an email chain can be formed....

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

What is amazing to me is the amount of prestige the program has cost itself. The program had been getting more and more recognition. Just like any business, the program's success is based on its products (us) and the public's perception of that product (how we reflect the SMART program). When the participants begin to bad mouth the program 'en mass' how can the program survive?

I was, just several days ago, a "true - believer" who told everyone they could about SMART (not just friends and school colleagues but also wider audiences during presentations and conferences). I attempted to be a standard bearer for SMART. That has all changed now. As the situation stands currently, I would be hard pressed to find anything nice to say about them if asked. I will advertise no more.

They have created the perception that they are nothing more than shady used car salesmen performing bait and switch tactics on rubes. We, unfortunately, are the rubes!

Is the program still good? I would answer yes, sort of. If you have no other options. However, the worst may not be over yet. Once you have been rolled over once, it is a lot easier to be rolled down a hill. I wish someone would have added the caveat "buyer beware" to my contract.
Has the program's reputation been tarnished and its value reduced? I would answer that yes it has. If a dollar value could be placed on prestige I would say the program's value has been diminished by a greater amount than the program just attempted to save.

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

SMARTFacebook wrote:We've got to figure out a way to get a hold of people and exchange contact info. Obviously, most people won't want to post info on here because employees from the SPO certainly read this.

Maybe a Facebook group, and everyone can direct message the "admin of the group." From here an email chain can be formed....

We need a secondary rally point anyway. This forum was down for a little bit today and that made me realize that if this forum were to disappear our only connection, tenuous as it may be, would be gone. I had the horrible thought that maybe the forum was shut down for that purpose.

Guest1

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest1 »

Guest wrote:
SMARTFacebook wrote:We've got to figure out a way to get a hold of people and exchange contact info. Obviously, most people won't want to post info on here because employees from the SPO certainly read this.

Maybe a Facebook group, and everyone can direct message the "admin of the group." From here an email chain can be formed....

We need a secondary rally point anyway. This forum was down for a little bit today and that made me realize that if this forum were to disappear our only connection, tenuous as it may be, would be gone. I had the horrible thought that maybe the forum was shut down for that purpose.
I actually had the exact same thing.

Facebook and twitter #SMART #SMARTchanged #DODSMART

FB PAge

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by FB PAge »

Someone should make a Facebook Cause Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
Then everyone can voice their opinion.

CCd Really

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by CCd Really »

Who was CC'd in a SPO email? Did you get a list of everyone's e-mail addresses? We have our contact list if this is the case.

Is this the case?

Guest2

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest2 »

CCd Really wrote:Who was CC'd in a SPO email? Did you get a list of everyone's e-mail addresses? We have our contact list if this is the case.

Is this the case?
I was. I vaguely remembered being CC'd with like freaking EVERYONE's e-mail addresses, I think it was mentioned in the forum at some point. Couldn't find the email though. I've got like 5 e-mails from when they CC'd me with a security confirmation.

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

SMARTFacebook wrote:We've got to figure out a way to get a hold of people and exchange contact info. Obviously, most people won't want to post info on here because emp loyees from the SPO certainly read this.

Maybe a Facebook group, and everyone can direct message the "admin of the group." From here an email chain can be formed....

Someone should start a facebook group then. It doesn't have to be obvious why the group is being formed, but at least we'll be together in one place.

Beware

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Beware »

I think we need a new place to discuss our issues. I'm only leery of this forum because the owner of this site has made an effort to keep their identity hidden. Yes, I looked into it. They could shut this site down at any time.

I guess it doesn't matter though, we will be watched no matter where we hold our conversations. It's going to take a few people to stand up and push ahead to get everyone rallied together. I'm in an odd position, and can only offer my support, otherwise I would forge ahead.

Guest

Re: Internship Support Payments

Post by Guest »

May the administrator of this board could allow us registered users to *opt in for email sharing.

Post Reply