Have you talked with a graduate student who is familiar
with the activities of the Oceanography Graduate Council (OGC) executive
board lately? Whether faculty, staff, or student-you may be interested to
learn what the OGC has accomplished over the past few years.
If, after reading this article, you want to express your thoughts
to an OGC representative, you could log onto one of the department computers
and check out our web site, learn the
latest on the OGC's activities, then come find one of the members of the
OGC executive board. If you have time to drop by a bimonthly meeting,
you are invited to the 11th-floor conference room every other Monday between
12:30 and 1:30. Or just email your ideas to OGCexecs@ocean.tamu.edu and
we will find you. Your input is welcome.
Student Travel and Research
- For many years, OGC mini-grants have helped a great number
of students to complete their research and attend national meetings. The
list is long, but among those students are John Pohlman and Celia Villac,
both of whom defended within the last six months.
- OGC recently developed a plan to make travel money from
the Graduate Enhancement Funds available to all students on a first-come,
first-served basis. Applicants are urged to find matching funds for travel
grants.
- The enhancement funds will also help improve departmental
facilities, maintain resources in the Working Collection, provide dollars
to help prepare presentations, and support student research to the greatest
extent possible.
O&M and beyond
- OGC has always provided funds and organizational time
to plan social events. Although the style of these activities may change,
OGC will continue to facilitate social occasions. Financial constraints
have led to the demise of the "Big Parties," but OGC plans to
replace them with a series of smaller events that require less time and
money.
- OGC attempts to help foster a sense of unity within the
Department of Oceanography by hosting monthly luncheons in the observatory
of the O&M Building and helping new students learn the ropes.
- OGC continues to perform community outreach programs.
This February several oceanography graduate students judged a local science
fair. The Galveston Beach Clean-Up was a huge success in 1995 (See "A
day at the beach with the OGC" in the Fall 1995 Quarterdeck).
With some help, we can do it again in 1996.
- Texas A&M University has a lot of outdoor equipment
and OGC has money for equipment use and university vans. Does anyone have
ideas?
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1993
Exams
OGC began a campaign to eliminate qualifying exams for students seeking
a master's degree. Students believed that since the degree of difficulty
and content of these exams varied among sections and annually within single
sections, they did not fairly test student knowledge. In 1994 the oceanography
department responded to student concerns and eliminated qualifying exams
for master's degree students.
1994
Search committees
OGC actively participated in the search for a new department head. Many
students had the opportunity to meet and interview one or more of the candidates,
and student input was important in the final selection.
Core courses
OGC learned that the core-courses were not adequately preparing graduate
students for future careers in oceanography. We helped initiate a movement
to give the core-courses more "core" and insure that all students
learn the necessary information. In 1995, Department Head Dave Brooks created
a committee, which included a student representative, to provide recommendations
for improving the core courses. The department has implemented the committee's
suggestions and the "core" of the courses will be more rigorously
standardized.
1995
Search committees
OGC actively participated in the search for two new faculty members. Again,
many students had the opportunity to meet and interview the candidates and
student input was important in the final selection.
Computing
OGC took steps to insure that all graduate students will be provided with
reasonable access to all departmental computer services-free of charge!
This includes use of printers, personal computers, Unix workstations, and
access to email and the internet.
The Department of Oceanography received six new Power Macintoshes. These
computers (along with user-friendly desks and chairs) were installed in
room 1102, and are available for graduate students to use 24 hours a day.
These computers have been a tremendous asset since they were unveiled. A
printer and color scanner are expected shortly. CD-ROM databases will be
purchased as soon as OGC compiles a list, and new software will be added
whenever OGC is informed of the need.
1996
Equipment
OGC anticipates the arrival of a new photocopier for general student use.
Each oceanography graduate student will receive a copier code which allows
a limited number of copies (~150) per month. |
Future Plans
During the past two years OGC has become an active governing body, and
the efforts of the executive board help shape departmental procedures, provide
needed facilities and services for graduate students, and provide outlets
for stress relief. OGC's efforts have had a positive effect throughout the
department. There is still much to do and executive board members have plans
to:
- Upgrade and rebuild the 6th-floor computer lab
- Improve student research opportunities on the Gyre
- Facilitate the planning of weekend-excursions for groups of oceanography
students
- Host informal departmental luncheons more frequently
These goals can be met with a little help from students and faculty alike.
Many OGC stalwarts will graduate soon, and the organization needs an infusion
of enthusiasm. This is a group in which individuals can make a large difference
with a little time. The foundation is there and we need to build on it.
What OGC really needs is your input. Come on -- it'll be fun! |
