Thursday, August 23, 2012

New DGS!

Dear EPE Students:

I'd like your help in welcoming Dr. Jeff Bieber back from sabbatical and into his reprised role as Director of Graduate Studies for EPE!

For your information, the Director of Graduate Studies position is a four year term which typically alternates among the tenured faculty in the department.  The DGS has a course reduction and teaches EPE601 Proseminar as one of his or her remaining courses.  Administration makes up approximately 25% of the DGS's distribution of effort.  Changing the DGS isn't an unusual move, although for some of you it might be the first time you've experienced a changing of department administration.

As part of the transition to a new DGS, Jeff will begin working with Amberly to maintain the department database that keeps track of student "progress to degree" and your current status.  This electronic file supplements your student records and helps us see what progress you've made and who your committee members are if you have a committee.  Jeff will also be taking over the job of keeping tabs on your accomplishments, publications, and awards for announcements and our department reporting.

NOTE:  If your student status or committee/major professor changes, please make sure to let Jeff and Amberly know so they can update the database and help you make any necessary changes with the Grad School.   And keep sending news of your accomplishments, etc. so we can properly recognize you and maintain our department records.

In the coming month, if you have problems with registration, committee requests, etc. please contact Amberly and Jeff.  And, of course, I'll be around all semester so you can always ask me too.

It's been a pleasure being your DGS.   I'll continue to direct the EdD in EPE Cohorts and, as a regular faculty member, I'll be teaching two courses a semester again along with my usual research and service roles. So you know, I've applied for sabbatical for spring 2013, but will be around all fall.

Kudos to all of you!

Jane

Monday, August 20, 2012

Last Minute Course Info: EPE 525-002

Please see below for information on an additional course offering, for your consideration

EPE 525-002  Topical Seminar in Educational Policy Studies:  "American Educational Policy & Minority Student Access and Success"

Taught by Dr. John Harris on Tuesdays from 4-6:30 PM in 122 Taylor Education Building

The educational system in the United States has seen many changes over the past 250 years.  In order to demonstrate how far we have come and how far we have to go to realize equitable educational access and subsequent access for all, this course will examine how public education has evolved since its inception in the United States through the lenses of race, class, gender and stakeholder groups vested in public education.  In addition, this course investigates the notion that public pre-K through high schools are in and of themselves political institutions influenced by broader social institutions such as Congress, the judiciary and public opinion which can dominate and control educational policy making.

A reminder:  The last day to add a course is Tuesday, August 28th.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Graduate Student Congress


GRADUATE STUDENT CONGRESS FAQ

What is the Graduate Student Congress?
We are a registered student organization whose mission is to unify and represent the graduate student body at the University of Kentucky in matters affecting the quality of graduate student life and work and to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and promote professional development for graduate students through seminars, forums, and social functions.

Who can be a member?
All UK graduate students are automatically members of the GSC.

Why be a member?
We advocate for graduate students.  Your issue becomes our focus!  Past advocacy issues investigated and supported have included a forum on graduate student health insurance, privacy policies & student directory info, and student travel funding.  Further, we support graduate student development through interdisciplinary and social activities such as annual interdisciplinary conference, lectures and panel discussions, departmental open house events, and free game play at Cat’s Den. 

Are all members voting members?
Only GSC officers and representatives will vote at Congress meetings.  Effective this fall, there is a new process for selecting representatives:
At the second meeting of the fall semester, each academic department or registered graduate student organization, with members in attendance, shall elect, by a democratic process determined by the group, a single Representative.  After group voting is completed, the Representatives shall come forward to the GSC Secretary to give their affiliation and contact information.  This Representative shall be the single voting member for her or his department or organization at each GSC meeting thereafter.  If the Representative cannot attend a GSC meeting at which a vote is expected to be called, the Representative may notify the GSC Executive Council in writing of a group-approved substitute delegate no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled meeting time.  Academic departments or registered graduate student organizations not present for the Representative voting process may elect, by a democratic process determined by the group, a Representative at any time after the second meeting of the fall semester, and they must notify the Secretary of the GSC in writing of the Representative.  The term of office for the Representative shall be from her or his election until the next annual election date.  Representatives may serve, at most, three annual appointments.

How else can I be involved with the GSC?
Come to a general meeting!  Meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursdays of the Fall semester:
September 6, October 4, November 8, December 6 in the Gillis Building Conference Room, 1st floor

Another way for members to be involved in the Congress is through service on committees or taskforce initiatives.  The standing committees of the GSC are the Professional Development Committee, the Social Committee, and the Fundraising Committee. Other committees can be created ad hoc, as determined by the Executive Council or 51% vote of Representatives. The Congress' members may choose to establish a taskforce to investigate an issue and recommend action.  Congress Officers are charged with appointing chairs to committees and taskforce initiatives. Any member of the Congress may serve on a committee or taskforce and any member may be appointed chair.

KEEP UP WITH THE CONGRESS

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • New Graduate Student Resource Fair – August 15, Noon-2:00 p.m. – Student Center Grand Ballroom
  • Graduate Student Ice Cream Social – August 30, 2:30-4:30 p.m. – Gillis Building Lawn
  • Graduate Student Congress General Meeting – September 6 – Gillis Building Conference Room, 1st floor
  • GSC Open House: The Graduate School – September 14 – Gillis Building
  • Career Pathways (Outside Academia) Speaker – Fall 2012 – Details soon!
  • GSC Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Conference - February 22, 2013 – UK Student Center

New Graduate Student Resource Fair is TODAY!


The UK Graduate School invites you to the New Graduate Student Resource Fair!

When:  Wednesday, August 15, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Where:  The Student Center Grand Ballroom.

We are expecting 41 departments, units, organizations and vendors from the UK campus and Lexington community.  This is a great opportunity for new graduate students to connect with a wide range of different resources early in their academic careers.  Free lunch is provided.  Please click the image below for further details.  


Monday, August 13, 2012

In the News!

Kudos to EPE alum Christina Wright whose research on rural community college aspirations was featured in Education Week's Rural Education section:
 
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rural_education/2012/06/becoming_to_remain_community_college.html

You can read Chris's article published in the Journal of Research in Rural Education here:

http://www.jrre.psu.edu/articles/27-6.pdf