Since its establishment in September 2002, the GSAC group has been working hard to improve the CoE graduate school experience. These are some of the things that have been accomplished so far:
Advocacy
- Worked with Parking and Transportation Services to create new parking permit options for graduate students, and a new bus route for the commuter lot in the evening
- Established a new channel of communication with the Housing office to discuss the changes made to North Campus housing
- Encouraged the Engineering Career Resource Center to offer more programs for graduate students
- Provided feedback to the UM Benefits Office for ways to improve their website and services for graduate students
- Made suggestions for ways the NCRB could improve its facility
Communication
- Each GSAC member also serves on their department’s advisory committee to promote collaboration between faculty, staff, and students
- Created INK (Info You Need to Know)–a resource guide for new graduate students
- Provided input on the College’s email communication system for announcements and events
Initiatives
- Helped to develop department-level advisory committees
- Created a new process for the PhD Annual Milestone Review and implemented a new form to be used across all departments
- Ran the Outstanding Mentor Award program for three years
- Conducted a survey of graduate students in their second year and higher to obtain information about areas that need improvement
- Ran a pilot project to offer mid-term class evaluations on-line, to provide students with a convenient and confidential mode of reporting
- Plan and host personal and professional development workshops and social events