Purdue News

February 5, 1999 Plans under way for Graduate Student Appreciation WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Purdue University Graduate Student Association will sponsor a week aimed at creating greater awareness of the role graduate teaching assistants and research assistants play on the campus. The Feb. 22-26 event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School. "Undergraduate students can catch a glimpse of what we do through the teaching and grading demonstrations and the open research labs throughout the week. This may help them decide whether to continue their education after graduation," said Chris White, GSA treasurer. "We also wanted to provide a forum where grad students could ask questions, especially about health care and other benefits." Graduate Student Appreciation Week begins Monday, Feb. 22, with a health benefits and insurance workshop at 6:15 p.m. in Krannert Auditorium. The session will include representatives from the Purdue Student Hospital and the graduate students' insurance provider, E.F.G. Tuesday, Feb. 23, is entitled "Research Assistant Appreciation Day" and will feature a research assistant poster session from noon to 4 p.m. in the mural area of Stewart Center. Throughout the day, undergrads are encouraged to see how research assistants do their jobs by visiting some labs that have been opened to the public for the day. From 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Krannert Auditorium, graduate students can hear four speakers: Brent Bowditch, senior team leader with Academic Human Resource Services; Lucia Anderson, School of Agriculture business administrator; Candiss Vibbert, associate dean of the Graduate School; and a representative from the Compensation and Benefits Office. Wednesday, Feb. 24, is entitled "Teaching Assistant Appreciation Day" and begins with a T.A. grading demonstration from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union, Room 84A. Next, teaching assistants who have been nominated by their departments as "Distinguished Teaching Assistants" will share their lecturing tips from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Krannert Auditorium. These workshops are co-sponsored by the Committee for the Education of Teaching Assistants and The Teaching Academy. From 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m., students can attend a panel discussion at Krannert Auditorium to learn about the pros and cons of graduate student unionization. Thursday, Feb. 25, is entitled "Student Day." From noon to 4 p.m., representatives of various campus resources, including the Boiler Copy Maker, the English Department's Online Writing Lab, the Center for Instructional Services, Radiological and Environmental Management, and the Purdue Police and Fire departments, will explain what types of services are available to students. The site of that session will be announced on the GSA's Web page. At 6:15 p.m., GSA members will convene in Krannert Auditorium to elect new officers. Rounding out the week, the GSA is calling Friday, Feb. 26, "Gold and Black Day" and asking everyone on campus to wear gold and black to honor the graduate staff. Faculty are encouraged to show appreciation for their graduate assistants in their own way. In the evening, the GSA will hold a social party. The time and location for this event will be announced on the GSA's Web page. CONTACT: White, (765) 494-3462; e-mail, robot@ecu.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page