The Graduate Student Council has teamed up with Aggie Relay for Life in efforts to help in the fight against cancer. Together the impact they could make could be much greater and stronger than individual contributions. By supporting the Graduate Student Council or any other organization that is participating in Aggie Relay for Life, you would be part of a life changing event that celebrates the lives of

those who have battled cancer, remembers love ones lost, and empowers all of us to fight back against a disease that takes too much. For more information on the GSC Relay for Life team, visit http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09PL/577479903?pg=team&fr_id=16912&team_id=378729.

Aggie Relay for Life APRIL 3-4

Volunteering Opportunities for the Grads The Graduate Student Council (GSC) has a number of opportunities for you to volunteer and get connected for the upcoming year.

GSC will be hosting a Grad Camp for 100 new incoming graduate students August 13-14, 2009. Grad Camp is an extended orientation program for graduate students that will give new graduate students an opportunity to meet other students outside of their programs and learn more about life at Texas A&M. We are looking for counselors

to serve as group leaders and help the new students’ transitions. Don’t know much about A&M yourself?? Don’t worry. We will be hosting training sessions during the summer to teach you everything you need to know. To learn more about Grad Camp and to register as a counselor, please visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/gradcamp. Deadline to register is June 1.

We are looking for graduate student mentors to participate in

our Grad to Grad Mentoring Program. Mentors serve as a resource for new graduate students to answer questions, listen, give advice and someone to connect with. To learn more about the mentor program and to register as a mentor, visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/gradmentor. Deadline to register is June 15.

A Publication of the Graduate Student Council

Nth DEGREE

Inside this issue:

Volunteering Opportunities

1

Candidates 2

Internal Committee Information

3

Events 4

Study Break 5

GSC General Information

6

April 1, 2009 Volume 1, Issue 7

The elections for the Executive Committee for GSC is right around the corner, and listed below is a little information about each candidate in order for you, the student, to make an informed decision.

HUSAMEDDIN ALMADANI Husameddin is a graduate student in Petroleum Engineering. Some of his most distinguished positions were within the Society of Petroleum Engineers, where he served as the Chairman for the Young Professional Technical Symposium and the Chairman for Young Professionals and Students Outreach Committee. He is running for President of GSC.

JULIAN R AVILA PACHECO Julian is a graduate student in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Julian is a GSC representative and served on the Health, Safety, and Wellbeing committee, and is apart Biochemistry Graduate Student Association. Julian is running for VP for University Affairs and VP for Finance.

NATALIE HEWITT Natalie is a graduate student in Water Management and Hydrology. Some of the organizations she is associated with are Habitat for Humanity and Brown University Class Coordinating Board. The positions she is applying for are VP for Finance and VP for Information.

SUNG HUH Sung is a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering. The organizations Sung is a member of are American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Pi Tau Sigma. Sung is applying for the VP for Information, VP for Finance, and VP for University Affairs positions.

LAURA INGELS Laura is a graduate student in Public Service and Administration. She is a member of FFA and Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. Laura is applying to be the VP for Information and Executive VP.

BRITTANY JONES Brittany is a graduate student in Veterinary Pathobiology. She is a rep for GSC and sat on the Health and Wellbeing and Fiscals Appeals Committee, to name a few. Brittany is running to be the VP for Information.

YISHI LUI Yishi is a graduate student in Biology. Yishi was the Vice President for Entertainment in the Chinese Student and Scholar Association and serves as a GSC Representative. Yishi is running for VP for University Affairs and VP for Finance.

IRENE MIRAMONTES Irene is a graduate student in Public Service and Administration. She was a member of the Corps of Cadet and Student Government Association. Irene is applying for President of GSC

These are your candidates for 2009-2010, and for more detailed information, visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/.candidates.

Student Body Vice President. Some main points of his platform stance are to advance A&M and deepen every student Aggie experience.

BEN DEBAYLE Ben is a Senior, Finance major and is currently serving as a Yell Leader. One of his main focuses are bringing together a more unified campus and to make a positive impact on this campus.

This year, Texas A&M University has 4 candidates for Student Body President. All Texas A&M students will begin voting for president on April 1st and will continue until April 2nd at vote.tamu.edu. The candidates are Eric Beckham, Ben Debayle, Logan Nichols, and Karthik “Venny” Venkatraj. Below is a bio of each of these candidates. ERIC BECKHAM Eric is a Junior , Petroleum Engineering major and currently serves as the

LOGAN NICHOLS Logan is a Ag Economics major. His plans for SBP are to find solutions, cultivate new ideas, and work to make every student’s time here the best it can be.

KARTHIK “VENNY” VENKATRAJ Karthik is a Senior in the Corps of Cadets and serves as the Vice President of the MSC. He strives to make sure that all the Aggies voices are listened to, and to enhance the entire Texas A&M

2009-2010 GSC Executive Committee Candidates

2009-2010 Student Body President Candidates

Page 2 Nth DEGREE

Currently, GSC has six (6) committee positions available for 2009-2010. The positions and descriptions are listed below. All positions are open to enrolled graduate students (Fall 2009 and Spring 2010) with a 3.0 GPR for all graduate coursework.

AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR The chair is in charge of overseeing the GSC Travel and Book Awards Program. The responsibilities expected of the chair is to coordinate with the VP for Finance to select members to be on the Awards Committee, and oversee Awards committee. For more information, visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/sites/default/files/Awards.pdf.

GRADUATE QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE CHAIR This group addresses issues concerning the quality of graduate student life inside and outside the academic experience. The responsibilities of the Quality Life Committee chair includes coordinating with the VP for University Affairs and facilitating discussions and initiatives to improve the quality of life of graduate students.

For more information, visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/sites/default/files/QualofLife.pdf.

MULTI CULTURAL AND DIVERSITY This group addresses issues unique to the multicultural and diversity issues and programs at Texas A&M University by working with relevant offices and other interested parties. Some of the responsibilities that will be expected are to keep a link between GSC and Multicultural Services, work closely with the University in order to keep up-to-date all possible opportunities for graduate students, and attend monthly International Programs Enhancement Coordination Committee (IPECC) meetings. For more information, visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/sites/default/files/MultAndDiv.pdf.

LEGISLATIVE COMMIT-TEE CHAIR This group addresses legislation that affects graduate students at the local, state, and national levels. Some of the responsibilities expected are to examine and keep up with all legislature that affects graduate students and attend The Orange and Maroon Legislative Day during the legislative session. For more information, visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/sites/default/files/Legislative.pdf.

Internal Committee Chair Positions NOW AVAILABLE! Page 3

INTERNAL

COMMITTEE

POSITIONS

**AWARDS

**GRADUATE

QUALITY OF LIFE

**MULTICULTURAL

AND DIVERSITY

**LEGISLATIVE

AFFAIRS

**MARKETING AND

COMMUNICATIONS

**PROGRAMMING

DIRECTOR

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, |creating, editing, and publishing GSC publications ( the Nth Degree monthly newsletter, Nth Degree Special Newsletter, and New Student Manuals), and any other marketing initiatives for the Council. For more information, visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/sites/default/files/MarAndComm.pdf.

PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR The Programming Director will be responsible for |coordinating all GSC events, such as Grad Camp, Grad School 101, and Graduate Mix’n Mingles; to name a few. The Programming Director will also be responsible for working with the Council to create new programs as needed. For more information, visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/sites/default/files/Programming.pdf.

If any of these positions interest you, and you would like to apply, please visit http://gsc.tamu.edu/elections for the application and the deadlines.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

29 30 31

GSC GENERAL MEETING 5:15pm KOLDUS 144

1

2 3

AGGIE RELAY FOR LIFE 7PM-7AM Anderson Track and Field

4

5 6 7 GSC GENERAL MEETING 5:15pm KOLDUS 144 **OFFICER ELECTIONS**

ACADEMIC MASTERPLAN UNIVERSITY-WIDE RETREAT RUDDER THEATER

8 FINANCIAL “CENTS” SEMINAR 11:30 AM OR 4:30PM CAIN C-113

9 LEADING W/ YOUR STRENGTHS PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT http://studentactivi-ties.tamu.edu/leadandserve/ programs/strengths

10 11

12 13 14 ACADEMIC MASTERPLAN UNIVERSITY-WIDE FORUM 10AM-12PM 601 RUDDER TOWER REGISTER AT:https://amplan.tamu.edu/teaching-learning/forum/register

15 16 17 18

19 20 21 GSC GENERAL MEETING 5:15pm KOLDUS 144

MUSTER 7pm REED ARENA

22 23 24 COVEY’S 7 HABITS WORKSHOP PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT http://studentactivi-ties.tamu.edu/leadandserve/programs/sevenhabits

25 COVEY’S 7 HABITS WORKSHOP PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT http://studentactivi-ties.tamu.edu/leadandserve/programs/sevenhabits

26 FAMILY SOCIAL 5-7PM VISIT:studentlife.tamu.edu/

27 28 29 30

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT APPRECIATION WEEK

Page 4

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

http://vote.tamu.edu/

Page 5

Linguistics for Academicians and Fellow Travelers The following list of phrases and their definitions might help you understand the mysterious language of science and medicine. These special phrases are also applicable to anyone working on a Ph.D. dissertation or academic paper anywhere!

• "It has long been known"... I didn't look up the original reference. • "A definite trend is evident"... These data are practically meaningless. • "While it has not been possible to provide definite answers to the questions"... An unsuccessful experiment, but I still

hope to get it published. • "Three of the samples were chosen for detailed study"... The other results didn't make any sense. • "Typical results are shown"... This is the prettiest graph. • "These results will be in a subsequent report"... I might get around to this sometime, if pushed/funded. • "In my experience"... once. • "In case after case"... twice. • "In a series of cases"... thrice. • "It is believed that"... I think. • "It is generally believed that"... A couple of others think so, too. • "Correct within an order of magnitude"... Wrong. • "According to statistical analysis"... Rumor has it. • "A statistically oriented projection of the significance of these findings"... A wild guess. • "A careful analysis of obtainable data"... Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a glass of pop. • "It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding of this phenomenon occurs"...

I don't understand it. • "After additional study by my colleagues"... They don't understand it either. • "Thanks are due to Joe Blotz for assistance with the experiment and to Cindy Adams for valuable discussions"... Mr.

Blotz did the work and Ms. Adams explained to me what it meant. • "A highly significant area for exploratory study"... A totally useless topic selected by my committee. • "It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigation in this field"... I quit.

http://www.chat.carleton.ca/~jnoakes/grad.html#bloop

Page 6 Volume 1, Issue 7

2008-2009 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: President: TRACEY WELLINGTON

Executive Vice President: BRANDI REESE

V.P. for University Affairs: PAULA LORENTE

Vice President for Finance: JEFF STANLEY

Vice President of Information: LAUREN HULSMAN

Student Research Week Director: MATTHEW KOPIL

Legislative Affairs Chair: ARLENE FORD

International Student Issues Committee Chair: DANIEL LIU

Nth Degree Staff:Autumn M. Gardner ‘10

The Graduate Student Council (GSC), which serves as the graduate student government at Texas A&M University, exists to share and discuss important information to all TAMU graduate and professional students and to act as an advocate for their interests in dealing with the University, its constituents, and all other appropriate entities. The Graduate Student Council ensures that the needs of graduate students are understood and considered when campus policies, concerning academic excellence, tuition and finance, and research are being decided.

The Graduate Student Council encourages involvement by your participating in departmental elections, by serving as a representative to your department or by becoming a GSC officer. The general meetings are held every FIRST and THIRD TUESDAY of each month at 5:15 pm, Koldus Room 144 and all interested individuals are free to come. Our hope is that you take full advantage of our resources and by attending meetings one can provide information, insight, complaints, or just voice what is on your mind. If you have any immediate concerns or questions please contact us via email at gsc@tamu.edu .

2008 GSC Aggie Relay for LIfe