2008 Woodie Awards
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Student-spy program scrutinized
Intelligence agencies recruit at universities
By JERILIN BUZZETTA on 2/7/05
When some students think of spies, intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency, they think of media-driven images such as Tom Cruise's self-destructing sunglasses in "Mission: Impossible II," satellite reconnaissance in "Patriot Games" and James Bond-esque high-tech gadgets straight out of the Spy Museum.
But what those students don't know is that people living the intelligence lifestyle may be sitting next to them in class.
Until late January, the CIA's post-9/11 ventures into the classrooms of American universities have escaped general notice, according to anthropologist Dr. David Price of St. Martins College in Olympia, Wash.
Price specializes in the study of intelligence and national security. His latest research has led him to call public attention to the growing CIA presence at U.S. universities.
In December 2003, President George W. Bush signed the Intelligence Authorization Act for the fiscal year of 2004 into law. This bill included Section 318, which designated $4 million for the Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholars Program.
Named after the chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), the scholars program is an ROTC-like pilot program intended to recruit and train graduate students for futures in the CIA or other U.S. government intelligence agencies.
Students interested in the Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholars Program must be U.S. citizens who are enrolled in full-time graduate programs. Other requirements include the completion of a summer internship with a U.S. intelligence agency such as the CIA or National Security Agency, and the same background check conducted for full-time CIA employees.
The intelligence program's scholars receive financial awards of up to $25,000 per year, and participate in exclusive and mandatory meetings with their fellow program scholars and mentors from the sponsoring intelligence agencies.
Price said he believes that the clandestine nature of the most recent CIA involvement on university campuses may be a danger to the integrity of the academic community.
But what those students don't know is that people living the intelligence lifestyle may be sitting next to them in class.
Until late January, the CIA's post-9/11 ventures into the classrooms of American universities have escaped general notice, according to anthropologist Dr. David Price of St. Martins College in Olympia, Wash.
Price specializes in the study of intelligence and national security. His latest research has led him to call public attention to the growing CIA presence at U.S. universities.
In December 2003, President George W. Bush signed the Intelligence Authorization Act for the fiscal year of 2004 into law. This bill included Section 318, which designated $4 million for the Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholars Program.
Named after the chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), the scholars program is an ROTC-like pilot program intended to recruit and train graduate students for futures in the CIA or other U.S. government intelligence agencies.
Students interested in the Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholars Program must be U.S. citizens who are enrolled in full-time graduate programs. Other requirements include the completion of a summer internship with a U.S. intelligence agency such as the CIA or National Security Agency, and the same background check conducted for full-time CIA employees.
The intelligence program's scholars receive financial awards of up to $25,000 per year, and participate in exclusive and mandatory meetings with their fellow program scholars and mentors from the sponsoring intelligence agencies.
Price said he believes that the clandestine nature of the most recent CIA involvement on university campuses may be a danger to the integrity of the academic community.