Graduate Student Support Network

Wednesday December 2, 2009

• Announcements
• Graduate Student Appreciation Week Updates
• Recap of Parenting Workshop
• General Discussion
• Call for Feedback

• Announcements
  • Britt Andreatta has taken a new position at the university and will no longer co-chair the Graduate Student Support Network committee.
  • Thai, our funding graduate peer advisor, will be away from the next few quarters.  An announcement to fill his position has been distributed on campus.  Payment is $15.00 per hour, plus fee payment equivalent to TA-ship for 25% time work.  Hours are 10 – 20 per week.  Applications are due on January 6^th.  Link:  Graduate Peer Job Posting
• Graduate Student Appreciation Week Updates  (GSAW)
  • Tentative dates are April 19^th through the 23^rd, before Staff Appreciation Week in May.
  • Alumni Association is looking to partner with GSAW
• Recap of Parenting Workshop
  • The goal to offer this event during orientation week was not met, but the October 9^th event was successful with a small turn out.  Leslie Boss from the Children’s Center attended, and the following concerns were discussed:
    • Question:  Childcare grants for undergrads during midterms & finals… can grads gain access to these?
      • Answer:  No, only undergrad pay into that fund, but the TA contract insures $300 a quarter for pre-school child care from the department
    • Parents would like tickets to the zoo and other local events
    • Parents would like support groups for grads and spouses
      • There are initiatives for international spouses (issues with isolation, language barriers, etc) to be offered winter quarter.
      • The Women’s Center and the Office of International Students and Scholars have organized an International Graduate Women Reception.  The event will be held on Wednesday, January 13th, from 4 – 6 pm.   Link to flier:  Community Series
      • Counseling Services cannot serve unregistered students (spouses) but there are workshops that couples can participate in jointly (communication workshops)
      • Two support groups currently exist which emphasize relationship support (group dynamics and personal relationships)
      • The Adult Ed and the Children’s Center offer parenting classes and workshops that are often offered at family housing.
• General Discussion
  • Upcoming workshops
    • Professional Networking:  Don Lubach will offer a workshop in January.  Date has not been decided, but it will be on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and likely between noon and 4pm.
  • Student Mental Health
    • Discussion of ways to better promote services
    • A potential article in the graduate newsletter
  • Funding and Financial Aid
    • Addressing the students that are being forced to drop out due to lack of departmental funding
    • Addressing international students who are being pushed to advance to candidacy as quickly as possible
    • Addressing issues related to uncompensated laboratory labor
• Call for Feedback
  • Finally, if there is a service you would like to see offered for graduate students here at UCSB, or if you feel existing services are lacking in some way, please contact me or leave a comment on this post so that I may voice your concerns and requests at the next Graduate Student Support Network meeting in January.  I can be reached at GSAVPAcademic@gsa.ucsb.edu.  Additionally, if you participated in an event that you found particularly helpful and want to see it offered again, please send me your feedback.