PLAN, Manage Your Professional Development as a Graduate Student
Join faculty panelists as they share their personal experiences and offer suggestions and strategies for success in graduate school. The discussion will be followed by a reception to facilitate networking among graduate students and faculty. Pre-registration required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Monday, November 3, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Amphitheatre, 4th floor, Rackham Building
*A Health and Wellness Initiative Activity This lively workshop features hands-on tips to teach participants simple and effective self-defense techniques, regardless of the situation, opponent, age, gender, shape or size! You will learn to take control of the attack and greatly improve your chances of escaping injury. Open to all students of all genders. Pre-registration required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Monday, November 3, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Assembly Hall, 4th floor, Rackham Building
Rackham's Office of Graduate Student Success cordially invites you to a luncheon to share your feedback on issues surrounding Academic Integrity. We would like to know what you feel is most pressing in your field, or what you would like to know more about regarding: Plagiarism Publication Copyrights Conflict of Interest Responsible Research Conduct Peer Reviews Advisor/Mentoring Relationships Ethical Engagement Your feedback from this session will be factored into Rackham's development of an educational module on Academic Integrity for all Rackham doctoral students. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the professional education of your peers and future colleagues. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Times and Locations: *** Biological & Health Sciences Tuesday, November 4, 12:00 pm -1:30 pm, East Conference Room, 4th Floor, Rackham Building *** Social Sciences Tuesday, November 11, 12:00 pm -1:30 pm, East Conference Room, 4th Floor, Rackham Building *** Physical Sciences and Engineering Thursday, November 13, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm, Pierpont Commons, Center Room F *** Humanities and the Arts Tuesday, November 18, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm, West Conference Room, 4th Floor, Rackham Building
Presenter: Christine Feak has been a lecturer at the English Language Institute, University of Michigan, since 1988, where she is the lead lecturer for academic writing courses. In addition to co-authoring with John Swales, "Academic Writing for Graduate Students and English in Today's Research World," she has authored and co-authored articles on academic writing and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) curriculum development. Writing a review of the relevant literature is a key component of many kinds of research texts. Although the role and purpose of a literature review (LR) may vary somewhat, depending on whether it forms part of a research article, dissertation proposal, research grant application, or the dissertation itself, it always remains a complicated task. Its complexity derives from an interlocking need to find and assess reading resources, make connections among them, relate them to your research topic, and provide a coherent written accounting. In this interactive workshop, we will demonstrate a number of strategies that model a viable approach to the complex LR task. Activities include critical text analysis, citation analysis, and rhetorical choice analysis, as well as reflecting on some observations by doctoral students about their LR experiences. Although the LR can be a daunting task, especially in heavily-researched areas, there is a silver lining; students typically emerge from the process as experts in their chosen fields of specialization. Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Thursday, November 6, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, West Conference Room, 4th Floor, Rackham
Chris Black, a grant writing specialist from the School of Nursing, is well known at the University for her expertise and experience in this arena. In this workshop, she will cover characteristics of a successful grant proposal for those in the social sciences and the humanities. She will also address common mistakes made by applicants - all from the perspective of a reviewer. This workshop will be useful for those going into academia as well as those looking for a career beyond the academy. Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Thursday, November 6, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm, West Conference Room, 4th Floor, Rackham Building
Looking for an excuse to spend the last few days of fall outside before winter rolls in? Love fall's crisp air and the colors of foliage? Well, here's your chance to spend a beautiful Saturday outdoors with other graduate students and community members helping Senior Citizens! Volunteers will be raking leaves, checking smoke alarms, getting yards ready for winter and helping seniors throughout Washtenaw County enjoy the independence of living in their own homes with dignity. Volunteers from Neighborhood Senior Services will be on site to guide us. So, just wear something comfortable, bring yourself and be ready to have a good time! If you have questions please contact the Rackham Community Service Fellow, Charlotte Mack (). The mission of Neighborhood Senior Services is to provide support, services and advocacy for older adults living in their homes, so that they may do so safely, comfortably and with dignity. They play an active role in encouraging the neighborhood to support older adults, promote alternative solutions to independent living for older adults, and provide in-home services. Volunteers perform a variety of services such as medical transportation, home maintenance, chore work or grocery shopping and errands. For more information please visit their website at http://www.nssweb.org/ Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Saturday, November 8, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Meeting site - St. Joseph Mercy Senior Health Building, 5361 McAuley Drive, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Rackham's Grad Parents group is happy to announce that we will be holding biweekly coffee hours at Sweetwaters Cafe, starting Saturday, November 8th. Parents welcome, with children. To entice you to come, we have a "sweet" deal for you: A Rackham Coffee Hour card, especially negotiated for you, valid for a 10% discount on drinks. NOTE: We will be distributing the Coffee Hour card at the next event. So, please be sure to show up on November 8th at Sweetwaters if you want a discount card. Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Saturday, November 8, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm, Sweetwaters Cafe, 123 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor
Successful mentoring relationships do not just happen, they are planned. This workshop will provide you with a variety of methods that will assist you in developing successful professional mentoring relationships. The topics of discussion will include: understanding your responsibilities as a mentee; what to think about when selecting your advisor; working with more advanced graduate students; understanding how and when to communicate with your mentors; exploring the resources that are available to you; and managing classes, teaching and research. * This workshop for graduate students in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This workshop is co-sponsored by MORE (Mentoring Others Results in Excellence) and Rackham Graduate School. Pre-registration is required at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Fr0XklUVTQ_2f5kYlT6hPeBg_3d_3d Monday, November 10, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, 4th Floor, Rackham Building
Food is a significant part of culture. Come and learn about Ethiopian cuisine and have the opportunity to indulge in it as well. Dinner will be provided. Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Tuesday, November 11, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, East Conference Room, Rackham Building
Are you always running short of time and constantly overwhelmed with endless deadlines and exams? How can you achieve all your goals without beating yourself to be a perfectionist? This workshop will offer simple yet effective strategies to relax and take mental breaks even during the busiest of days. Some questions that will be discussed at this workshop are: Why is attaining a work/life balance critical in sustaining and enjoying both a personal and professional life? How can you prioritize your various commitments to achieve an optimal work/life balance? What are signs of stress and how can you relax to effectively deal with it? What are symptoms for identifying mental health related issues that go beyond stress? This workshop is part of the Cross-Cultural Adjustment Series. Please feel free to bring your questions and concerns to the any of these discussions. These workshops are open to all domestic and international graduate students and their family members. Snacks will be provided. Please contact Ranjani Ramachandra at for more information regarding these workshops. Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Wednesday, November 12, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm, West Conference Room, 4th Floor Rackham Building
Presenter: Naomi Silver, Ph.D., Associate Director, Sweetland Writing Center We will consider such issues as story, voice, audience, and the function and forms of persuasion in advanced humanities and social science writing. Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Thursday, November 13, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm, East Conference Room, 4th Floor, Rackham Building
Presenter: Elizabeth Hildinger The purpose of this workshop - intended for graduate students at an early stage in their programs - is to review some basics of clear academic writing and examine the demands of advanced academic writing in the Sciences and Engineering. We will primarily address the larger issues of audience and purpose, overall organization, and rhetoric of academic articles, dissertation proposals, and dissertations. We'll also look in more detail at some aspects of the drafting and revising process and at some methods of achieving and maintaining coherence at the level of the paragraph. This workshop will not address editing at the sentence level - grammar, punctuation, and mechanics (a second workshop presented in the winter term will cover these and related topics) - but we may briefly examine some questions of academic diction and usage. We'll allow time for questions and any specific concerns the participants may want to raise. Pre-registration is required at https://secure.rackham.umich.edu/Events/wssel.php Friday, November 21, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Johnson Rooms, Lurie Engineering Center, 1221 Beal, North Campus
*** Barbour Scholarship Deadline - January 9th, 2009 Student must be nominated by their graduate program. Nominees must be women and citizens of countries in the area formerly known as the Orient in 1914 (encompassing the large region extending from Turkey in the west to Japan and the Philippines in the east) and must intend to return to their native countries after graduation. Award covers full tuition and registration fees plus a stipend of $16,000 for one academic year (fall and winter terms.) In addition, each awardee will receive GradCare health insurance coverage during their tenure. Students may only receive one award. Awards are non-renewable. Please see website for complete guidelines and forms: http://www.rackham.umich.edu/rns.php?faqid=1567 *** Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship Deadline - January 9th, 2009 Students must be nominated by program. Any doctoral program in the Rackham Graduate School may nominate doctoral candidates for this award. Nominees must be on track to complete their degrees within six years. This award is for outstanding doctoral students who have achieved candidacy and are actively working on dissertation research and writing. Fellowship includes a stipend of $2,200 per month (currently), candidacy tuition and fees, and GradCare insurance for a maximum of twelve months. Students may only receive one award. Please see website for complete guidelines and forms: http://www.rackham.umich.edu/rns.php?faqid=1593
*** Rackham Conference Travel Grants This program is to assist Rackham students who are delivering papers or posters at domestic or international conferences. The award is up to $600 for domestic conferences, $850 for conferences in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, and Europe, and up to $1,100 for Africa, Asia, South America and Australia. A student can receive one travel grant each fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) for travel occurring in that fiscal year. Students must turn in a complete application prior to the conference. No awards will be given after a conference. Complete guidelines and applications available online at http://www.rackham.umich.edu/rns.php?faqid=1602 *** Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant The Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant is designed to support Rackham graduate students who need assistance to carry out research that advances their progress toward their degree. Applicants must be in good academic standing in a Rackham degree granting program and the proposed research project or activity must directly relate to and help achieve progress toward his or her degree. A master's student is eligible for one Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant during his or her graduate program up to $1500. A doctoral student is eligible for two Rackham Graduate Student Research Grants during his or her graduate program, one before candidacy up to $1500 and one as a candidate up to $3000. Students who receive a master's award will not be eligible as a pre-candidate. Complete guidelines and applications available online at http://www.rackham.umich.edu/rns.php?faqid=1604 *** Rackham Graduate Student Emergency Funds The Rackham Graduate Student Emergency Fund is intended to help meet the financial needs of Rackham graduate students who encounter an emergency situation or one-time, unusual, or unforeseen expenses during their degree program. Situations eligible for funding include such events as: Personal or family medical, dental or mental health emergencies Major accidents and events such as fire and natural disasters Expenses related to the illness or death of an immediate relative Normal living expenses such as rent, car repairs, child care, and utilities are generally not considered emergency situations. Students must be in good academic standing in a Rackham degree program. Awards may be up to $2,500. Rackham graduate students will be limited to two emergency awards. Complete guidelines and applications available online at http://www.rackham.umich.edu/rns.php?faqid=1603
Are you an advanced graduate student looking for a course specifically designed to meet the needs and demands of graduate level writing? The Sweetland Writing Center can help. Apply by November 7, 2008 for SWC 630: Advanced Writing for Graduate Students. This writing course is designed for graduate students who have made significant progress in their degree program and are thinking ahead to larger, ongoing writing projects: a prospectus, conference paper, article, or groundwork for a dissertation. The first four weeks will be spent in a traditional discussion forum, reviewing the basics of clear academic writing and of the demands of writing in graduate school. Topics will include argumentation, drafting, revision, grammar, audience, tone, and incorporating sources. During the second four weeks you will share portions of your work, in class, for peer review and discussion. This will focus on material you are already working on. The remainder of the course will be individual conferences with the instructor to discuss the results of the peer reviews and their application to your work. Students will be placed into separate sections specifically designed for writing in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. This course is not designed to provide intensive language study for non-native speakers of English. Class time will be Monday 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm; Monday 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm or Tuesday 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, depending on your field of study. Permission of the Sweetland Writing Center is required. Please visit the Sweetland Writing Center website to apply. You will need to complete a hard copy of the form and return it along with 5 pages of academic writing (excerpts from longer works are welcome) to Patrick Manning, Sweetland Writing Center, 1135 Angell Hall, 1003. Please note, electronic applications will not be accepted. The deadline for submissions is November 7, 2008. Decisions will be made and students notified by November 21, 2008.
