The Graduate Student Association (GSA) would like to introduce you to the Executives for the 2009-2010 academic year. Jillian Murdock (President- pictured center), Valerie Lykes (Vice President, Internal Affairs- pictured left) and Matthew Smith (Vice President, External Affairs- pictured right). You can learn more about them, as well as each of the GSA council members on the GSA webpage where council members now have a photo and a biography page.


Ready, Set… GO!

We are ready for a successful, productive and positive year here at GSA! The GSA Executive Council (comprised of Jillian, Valerie and Matt, along with Greg Nuttle who attended as the advisor) had a great retreat in July and determined many of our strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the GSA. The list was long, and surrounded by numerous positive ideas. One of our main concerns and goals for continual growth is communication with campus. We want the entire campus to know that we are here as representatives of our students and programs. We also want to be able to share more stories about graduate student research, success stories and anything else of interest to the campus. The prior year’s budgetary issues encouraged a surge in participation from all Nevada students to make sure higher education remained a priority to the state’s law makers. While our university did suffer tremendous cuts, overall the year was considered to be a success because faculty, staff, students and community members joined together and shared the burden in order to maintain the integrity of the Nevada System of Higher Education. GSA wants to ensure that the great leadership from last year is maintained and communication continues to spread throughout the university.

 

The GSA will be keeping a close watch to ensure that graduate students are continuing to be successful after the closure of the Career, Writing and Math Centers. We are aware that many graduate students lost employment due to the closures and had to seek assistantships elsewhere. GSA would like to know, if and where our students are now going for writing help on theses & dissertations, or for CV/resume development. We would appreciate hearing any feedback regarding these concerns as the university develops new ideas for these closures. We can certainly all make a difference!

 

Some New Stuff

The Executive Council will be developing a new sort of social, and it should be up and running soon. We would like to invite all graduate students to participate in a weekly or biweekly free breakfast in the JCSU Graduate Student Lounge. We are considering serving coffee, tea and juice accompanied by bagels, muffins and fruit. The setting would be informal and casual so that students can come, enjoy a free continental breakfast and mingle with some fellow graduate students. It will also provide opportunities for graduate students to get to know their representatives and discuss issues relating to specific colleges. We welcome feedback on this topic, and will be announcing our first breakfast social soon!

 

As mentioned earlier, the GSA webpage will now include biography information for all council members. Information includes graduate program, undergraduate institution and course of study, research focus or emphasis, hobbies and favorite Reno hangout. We hope that this information will encourage graduate students to contact their representatives as well as the executives to ensure that GSA is able to continue to represent the voices of all graduate students on campus. Just a reminder: Council meetings are held every other Tuesday in the Rita Laden Senate Chambers in the Joe Crowley Student Union from 7-9PM and are open to the public.

 

If you are on Facebook, look for the UNR Graduate Student Social Network Facebook group. Once you join, you will be invited to all GSA events. It is also a venue for sharing information with other graduate students by posting links, photos or stories that others may find useful. Currently, the group is small but we would certainly like to see it grow!

 

Good News for Fine Arts Graduate Students: The Spring Awards Week program will now include competitive awards for Music and Art Master’s students. In the past, music and art students were not able to participate in some of the research awards but now there is a separate category just for this area of study. We will continue to blog about this, and there will also be university announcements as the event approaches next year.

 

Some Important Dates

·         The GSA Travel Award application for travel between Oct 1st and February 15th  is due September 15th by 5pm to the GSA offices (3rd floor, JCSU) so be sure to get them in!

·         The GSA Pub-n-Sub Social will be Wednesday, September 30th from 6-8pm. For $5, Graduate Students with valid UNR ID as well as government issued ID (to verify drinking age) can enjoy endless appetizers, pizza, pitchers of domestic beer and wine by the glass (upgrade to imported beer for small fee). This one of GSA’s traditional events and is always very well attended, so make sure you clear your schedule to come have some fun! The GSA Annual Wine and Cheese Social will also be scheduled sometime in October or November.

 

Need Some Help?

The Knowledge Center is giving a number of free workshops:

 

Knowledge Center à la Carte

September 15-17, 2009

 

A Series of Free, Hands-on Workshops

 

SIGN UP TODAY for one or more workshops by going to https://www.cis.unr.edu/TLT/Events.aspx


The Graduate School is also providing Graduation and Progression workshops:

·         September 15th from 12-1:30pm at JCSU 323

·         September 24th from 5:30-7pm at JCSU 402

·         The workshop will discuss the administrative forms and important dates related to graduate student progression. Topics include the Program of Study and forming your committee, Graduation Application Deadline for December graduates, which is October 1st , degree completion requirements for every graduating student (final forms, deadlines, exiting the university) and Thesis & Dissertation information (submission checklist, backwards timeline)

·         There is no need to sign up or RSVP

 

Have Some Old Furniture? We’ll Take it!

The Household Items Program, is in full swing and continues its success. The committee is making trips around the community picking up donations, as well as delivering items to graduate students who have recently relocated to the Reno area, or have recently moved within Reno. The program is voluntary and graduate students are not charged for furniture, delivery or pick-ups. If you or someone you know has some useful furniture or other household necessities, contact the GSA Household Items Committee by emailing hic.gsa.unr@gmail.com

 

Local Neighborhood Housing Postings

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