Student FAQs

Eligibility

• Who can apply to Labor Summer?

  UCR undergraduate students with upper division standing (including seniors graduating at the end of Spring quarter 2025) in any major interested in worker justice, labor and immigrant rights, and other social justice issues are encouraged to apply! Labor Summer is a full-time, 8-week commitment located throughout the Inland Empire. We highly encourage students to assess whether they have the time, housing, and transportation to fully participate before applying.

• I am not a DACA recipient or DACA eligible. Can I apply to Labor Summer?

  Yes. Labor Summer does not discriminate based on immigration status. 

• I am not a college or university student. Can I apply to Labor Summer?

  No. To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must be current undergraduate students with upper division standing at UCR (including seniors graduating at the end of Spring quarter 2025). 

• Labor and community organizing is new to me. Can I apply to Labor Summer?

  Yes. Labor Summer supports continuing and emerging leaders in the labor movement. Through the program, fellows will develop their organizing skills and meet fellow youth leaders from across the state of California. However, we encourage you to reflect on your own personal or familial experiences and interest in the program for a successful application.

• I am currently a minor under 18 years of age. Can I apply to Labor Summer?

  Participants must be 18 years old by June, 2025 in order to apply. 

• I might enroll in summer school this year. Can I participate in Labor Summer?

  We do not recommend that fellows participate in summer school. The placements are a full-time, 40-hour, Monday-Friday commitment. Some placements may require evening and weekend availability. Please plan accordingly. 

Key Dates

• When is my application due?

  All student fellow applications are due Friday, February 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

• How soon can I expect to hear back from the Labor Summer program on whether or not I was accepted?

  Selection of fellows will commence in February, 2025 and finalists will be invited to an interview round in mid to late February. Applicants should expect to be notified of their application status by March 17th and, if selected, confirm their participation by March 27th.

• How long is Labor Summer?

  Labor Summer is an eight-week fellowship from June 16tth-August 8th, 2025.

Opening Retreat

• What is the Labor Summer retreat?

  The opening retreat serves as an orientation for all fellows, covering topics such as labor and community organizing 101, learning about the Inland Empire labor movement, and team building. Currently, the opening retreat is scheduled to take place in person. With the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19 and its different variants, please note that this is subject to change. Any changes will be updated on our website, application, and social media.

• When is the retreat? Is attendance mandatory?

  The opening retreat will take place from Monday, June 16 - Friday, June 20 in the Inland Empire (location TBD, but likely UCR campus).

  Attendance at the opening retreat is mandatory. The retreat week will be a full-time Monday-Friday commitment—plan to be actively participating from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Before applying, please ensure that you are available to attend all days of the opening retreat. Fellows’ meal costs will be covered as part of the program. All fellows are required to participate in the retreat in person in order to successfully complete the Labor Summer program and receive the $7,360 for the fellowship as well as their certificate of completion. 

• Do I have to pay for meals when attending the opening retreat?

  Labor Summer will cover all meals during the opening retreat. Labor Summer will not reimburse fellows for any non-program related activities.) 

Host Organizations and Transportation

• Will my host organization be remote, in-person, or hybrid?

  All fellows should plan to work in-person for the entirety of Labor Summer and be prepared for an in-person work schedule. Each placement is different, and each host organization will have their respective protocols in place. We will do our best to pair fellows with an organization that meets their preference of working remote, in-person, or hybrid—however, we cannot guarantee accommodations for fellows. Applicants should treat this opportunity like a job, understanding that there may be a commute to their workplace. We will also do our best to place fellows as close as possible to the address they provide to us in their application. For this reason, it is VERY important that applicants report their summer residence accurately. Please reach out to ielcc@ucr.edu for any additional questions. 

• Where will host organizations be located? Will I need a car?

  Host organizations are based in different cities throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties (potentially including Riverside, San Bernardino, Pomona, Ontario, and other cities in the Inland Empire region). Most host sites will require participants to have access to cars in order to travel to their host sites within the IE or carry out their internship activities within the IE region and surrounding areas. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you live in the IE region, ideally in close proximity to your host organization, during the entire fellowship period. It is also highly recommended that you have access to a car or are prepared to make alternative transportation arrangements if needed. A few host organizations might provide remote work options and/or not require much internship-related travel for participants who might lack a car or access to alternative transportation, but we cannot guarantee the availability of such options. Reimbursements for work-related travel expenses may be requested from host organizations and/or UCR Labor Summer, but these are not guaranteed.

Compensation

• If I am admitted to Labor Summer, will I get any summer holidays off?

  Yes, June 19th and July 4th will be holidays and fellows will not be required to work.

• How will I receive my award/pay?

  Fellows could potentially receive their fellowship award payment through the financial aid office, be paid by a partner organization on payroll, or be paid as a student worker depending on a number of factors that will be assessed once a fellow is admitted to the program. There is a possibility that receiving the fellowship award may impact your financial aid package. Please consult with the financial aid office for any questions regarding your financial aid package. 

Host Organization FAQs

Eligibility

• What organizations can participate in Labor Summer?

  Labor Summer is seeking to partner with labor unions and community organizations advancing worker and social justice issues committed to providing hands-on training to student fellows. We will prioritize host organizations with active campaigns that are located in the Inland Empire.

• When are applications due?

  All host organization applications are due Friday, January 20, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

• What are the general responsibilities of a host organization?
  • Host fellow(s) at organization from June 23 to August 8, 2025. (excluding the mornings of July 3, July 17  & August 1, which are professional development days with IELCC).
  • Provide an organizational orientation to ensure the fellow’s successful transition into organization. Please ensure your team is aware of Labor Summer’s fellow(s) participation in your organization and communicate with your fellow about orientations and first day logistics prior to their first day of work. 
  • Develop a workplan with clear roles, responsibilities, and activities.
  • Submit a work plan to UCR IELCC staff and review the work plan with the fellow.
  • Maintain consistent communication with fellow(s).
  • Maintain communication with UCR IELCC staff as needed.
  • Be responsible for day-to-day supervision of fellow(s).
  • Recommended weekly check-ins with fellow(s) to ensure progress on their work plan, as well as discuss overall experience and other items.
  • Provide mentorship, leadership, and/or professional development opportunities.
  • Submit a post-fellowship evaluation of Labor Summer to provide feedback to our staff and strengthen the program.
• How much does it cost to participate?

  Host organizations are expected to commit $8,000 in funding per student fellow. ($7,360 will serve as compensation for the fellow upon completion of the program, while the remainder will assist in programmatic costs for the retreats, and general overhead costs). As funding permits, the UCR IELCC may sponsor fellows at organizations that do not have the budget and capacity to fund fellows but are working on an active campaign.

• Where do I submit my payment for sponsorship of fellows?

  Please notify the IELCC staff via email at ielcc@ucr.edu that you can sponsor a Labor Summer fellow, and we will put you in touch with the appropriate staff person at UCR to handle your payment.

  *Note: Organizations that cannot commit to funding $8,000 per fellow may still submit an application and be considered for selection contingent upon the UCR IELCC’s resources to support organizations. 

Fellows and Coordination

• Who are the fellows that could be placed with my organization?

  Labor Summer provides opportunities for UCR undergraduate students in upper division standing to learn about the labor movement through hands-on campaign experience. Your fellow will be a junior, senior, or recent UCR graduate who has demonstrated an interest and commitment to community organizing and/or the labor movement. Students go through a rigorous selection process and are matched based on various factors that account for their location within the Inland Empire, transportation access, and the needs of the host organization. UCR is a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution with nearly half of our student body identifying as first-generation college students. Many of our labor fellows will reflect the broader demographics of the university. 

• Will fellows be provided any technology (computer/wi-fi) for their placement?

  Labor Summer fellows are NOT provided with any technology (computer/wi-fi) from the UCR IELCC. Host organizations are welcome to provide their fellows with any technology they are able to lend.  

• What is the time commitment fellows have with host organizations?

  Fellows are expected to work 40 hours per week with their host organizations for the duration of their internship placement (June 23 - August 8) except for the mornings of July 3, July 17, and Aug 1, which will be spent in half-day training sessions with the UCR IELCC. Additionally, all fellows will be entitled to holidays (July 4) and to request days off from their placements for any personal needs. 

• Will the UCR IELCC cover relocation and/or transportation-related costs for Labor Summer fellows?

  The UCR IELCC does not cover any relocation costs for Labor Summer fellows. Fellows may request reimbursements for work-related travel expenses from the UCR IELCC, but these are not guaranteed. Please be sure to communicate with UCR IELCC staff if your organization has funds to provide relocation and/or transportation assistance to fellows. 

• When will Labor Summer fellows be paid?

  Labor Summer fellows are paid throughout the fellowship by UCR. Please reach out to UCR IELCC staff if you have any questions regarding payment processes. 

• Who are the Labor Summer coordinators?

  Labor Summer coordinators are UCR IELCC staff who support our Labor Summer fellows throughout the duration of their placements. Coordinators have weekly check-ins with their assigned student fellows to support their professional development. This year’s coordinators will be IELCC Policy & Strategy Director, Chuy Flores, and IELCC Program Coordinator, Zoe Caras, who have extensive experience mentoring students in previous programs. 

Opening Retreat

• What is the Labor Summer retreat?

  The opening retreat serves as an orientation for all fellows, covering topics such as labor and community organizing 101, learning about the Inland Empire labor movement, and team building. Currently, the opening retreat is scheduled to take place in-person. With the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19 and its different variants, please note that this is subject to change. Any changes will be updated on our website, application, and social media.

• Do host organization supervisors participate in the Labor Summer retreat?

  Yes. At least one staff member from each host organization is expected to participate in an opening retreat activity at UCR. We will work closely with selected host organizations to determine the best day and time to join during orientation week (June 16 - June 20).