September 2008 Volume 1, Issue 2

A Degree Above the Rest

A Graduate Student Council Newsletter

N DEGREE

The Nth Degree is a publication of the Graduate Student Council at Texas A&M University.

Graduate School can be some of the most rewarding and difficult times. A sample of Texas A&M graduate students(2007), 67.9% of graduate students indicated that finding personal balance was very important to them. Not surprising to most graduate students you ask, over 50% of the respondents indicated that they are not happy with their current situation regarding the balance of their academic, work, and personal lives. 65% indicated that they experience moderate to high stress levels on a consistent basis. Being a graduate student often means sacrificing short term rest and relaxation for more long term goals. None-the-less, it is important for graduate students to strive for some personal balance. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines balance as : 1. A means to judging or deciding 2. A counterbalancing weight, force, or influence 3. a) An aesthetically pleasing integration of elements b) the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel constructions containing similar or contrasting Ideas 4. Mental and emotional steadiness In this article we will approach the concept of balance as the framework of graduate student wellness. Research on wellness is really a focus on the concept of one’s personal definition of balance or counterbalance, and one’s own personal responsibility for their health and wellbeing. Most wellness models divide a circle into three or six pie pieces and the idea is to provide a framework by which ‘you’ can measure ‘your’ growth as a whole person and determine how well-rounded and balanced your lifestyle is at any given point. In supporting graduate students, this is even more important because outside forces and pressures can distort and throw your own self ownership off course. From the Seek Wellness website (www.seekwellness.com), wellness focuses on 3 domains and 14 dimensions. They are as follows: Mental Domain • Emotional Intelligence • Effective Decisions • Stress Management • Factual Knowledge( something you are working

on right now) • Mental Health Meaning and Purpose Domain • Meaning and Purpose • Relationships • Humor • Play Physical Domain

• Exercise and Fitness • Nutrition • Appearance • Adaptations/ Challenges • Lifestyle habits This is a laundry list of things that some theorists indicated we are all suppose to work about into our daily lives. It is a lot to keep track of. Really, the question you need to ask yourself is this: Am I providing myself with the interaction among the three domains of personal wellness? Better stated, what are you doing in each area to take care of you? Don’t get us wrong– you made a commitment to the mental domain in dimension of factual knowledge. But, what are you doing for meaning and purpose– how do you play? Are you fostering significant personal relationships with family, friends, or others? What about that physical domain that we all can easily loose track of– are you eating right, exercising regularly, and taking care of yourself? Hopefully, you answered yes to all the questions above, and hopefully you are in the 43% of graduate students who claim they have balance. But admit it, balance is hard to find in graduate school. You've got classes to teach, courses to take, research to conduct, writing to complete, and a chair to keep happy! That’s a whole lot to do—we know!! However, it is important to define balance and find ways to foster growth in all three domains of your personal wellness. This article isn’t meant to promote an even distribution among the three areas, this article is meant to get you to start thinking about you and what you do and don't do for yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask for help. If you need to laugh, share a light moment with a lab mate, or visit PhD comics for a good chuckle. (www.phdcomics.com) Want to make some connections outside your lab – come visit Graduate Student Council officers and reps at social event. Consider participating in something not academically related for an hour once a month— and there are many workshops and seminars scheduled throughout the semester to do just that. And, don't forget to take care of the physical you— check out the REC center (you already pay the fee!), and this semester they are offering Graduate Student Recreation (GSRs) (see the schedule of events for more information) However, it is most important that you engage with others in the University, and take care of you. Define what graduate student balance means to you and promote personal habits that help you reach your own definition of balance and wellness. Remember, you are only as good as you can be, when be, when you take care of you first!

AGGIES WITH KIDS CORNER Are you a graduate student who has a family to care for? With money and time tight these days, you should look into the resources on campus for students with children and all the opportunities in the Bryan/College Station community as well. One of the most important details parents always need to focus on is your child’s safety. The Association of Former Students and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company teamed up to provide quality insurance and fantastic resources to the Aggie community, One of the most useful things you can pick up at the Graduate Student Services office (located in Cain Hall C114) Is a Child DNA/Finger Print/ Photo kit for free. Also, take the Child Safety quiz at http://www.libertymutual.com/omapps/ContentServer?cid=1138338466949&pagename=PersonalMarket2 Page2FpmktQuiz&c=Page and learn how to better keep your children safe.

Are You Stressed? By Stefanie Stefancic

th

12th Man Tradition

The tradition of 12th Man was born on January 2,1922, when an underdog Aggie team was playing Centre College, the defending national champion, in the first post-season game in the Dixie Classic. As the game continued, the Aggies were forced to dig deep into their limited reserves because of the injuries received during the game. Coach Dana X. Bible feared that they would not have enough members to continue to play, but then he remembered that E. King Gill, a former football player, who was playing basketball at the time, was in the press box helping reporters identify players. Gill was called from the stands, he suited up, and stood ready throughout the rest of the game. A&M won that game, 22-14, and when the game ended, Gill was the only man that was left standing on the sidelines for the Aggies. Gill later expressed his disappointment in not being able to help in the Aggies’ victory. Although Gill did not play, his willingness to help his team left a lasting impression on the Aggie team. He came to be thought of as the 12th Man because he stood ready for duty in the event that the 11 men on the field needed assistance. That spirit of readiness for service, desire to support, and enthusiasm helped to kindle a flame of devotion among the entire student body; a spirit that has grown vigorously throughout the years. The entire student body at Texas A&M is the 12th Man, and the students stand during the entire game to show their support, and to show their waiting to be called upon if they are needed.

Aggie Spotlight: Matthew Kopil

Student Research Week Director Matthew Kopil is the Student Research Week Director. He completed his Sport Management undergradu-ate degree in three years at Texas A&M University. Currently, he is a first year graduate student in the department of Health and Kinesiology and is working toward getting his Master’s in Sport Management. I got a chance to sit down with Matt and here is a snippet of what he had to say: What is your research? I currently do not have a research topic, but I am looking towards either something like diversity in athletics– for example– Why are there few, if any, African American head coaches on both the collegiate and professional football level, how can parks and recreation centers make sports be more diverse, instead of dominated by one race, or the ethics in collegiate sports. These are just a few topics that have interested me over the years. What are your goals for Student Research Week? I have two main goals: First, being to increase public awareness and acceptance of Student Research Week, showing that it is not just a “science fair”, but that it promotes a philosophy of learning, applies knowledge which relates to active learning, and benefits all the departments on this campus through integrated academic learning . Secondly, I would like the hard work of the participants to be recognized more, by increasing the monetary value of the prizes. Ok, Now can you tell me a little bit about yourself? I am from Philadelphia, and I moved to Houston in middle school. I worked with Intramural sports, Texas A&M Men’s Basketball Team, Brazos Valley Bomber’s , a collegiate league baseball team, during my undergraduate years and did an internship this past summer with The Learning Center for Student Athletes. My wife’s name is Elizabeth, and we have a 9 month old baby girl, named Kadielyn, who will be a year old on December 7th. This is my first year being a Student Research Week Director, I heard every year this program gets larger and larger, and I just look forward to making this year as enjoyable and successful as it can possibly be.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept 17-Oct 17

SOCIALS Sunday, Sept 21: Graduate Student Recreation (Contemporary Dance) 7:00-8:00pm REC Center Room 301 ** Pass IS required** (You can pick your pass at Cain Hall C114 M-F 8am-5pm. Passes may be picked up Anytime until the Friday before the Sunday Class. Class is limited to the first 40 people.) Sunday, Sept 28: A Night at the Movie “Eagle Eye” 8:00pm Premiere Cinema HWY 6 Access Road Bryan, Texas -and/or- Graduate Student Recreation (Contemporary Dance) 7:00-8:00pm REC Center Room 301 ** Pass IS required** (You can pick your pass at Cain Hall C114 M-F 8am-5pm. Passes may be picked up Anytime until the Friday before the Sunday Sunday, Oct 5: Graduate Student Recreation (Contemporary Dance) 7:00-8:00pm REC Center Room 301 ** Pass IS required** (You can pick your pass at Cain Hall C114 M-F 8am-5pm. Passes may be picked up Anytime until the Friday before the Sunday Class. Class is limited to the first 40 people.) Sunday, Oct 12: Graduate Student Recreation (Yoga) 7:00-8:00pm Student REC Center, Room 301 ** Pass IS required** (You can pick your pass at Cain Hall C114 M-F 8am-5pm. Passes may be picked up Anytime until the Friday before the Sunday Class. Class is limited to the first 40 people.) Friday, Oct 17 Graduate Student Social and Midnight Yell Learn the yells, and then go to Midnight Yell MSC 292 9:45 -11:30pm **We will leave MSC 292 at 11:30pm to head to Kyle Field**

ACADEMIC Friday, Sept 26: Master’s Non-Thesis Option: *Last day to submit “Request and Announcement of the Final Exam” or 10 working days prior to the exam, which ever comes first to the OGS office *Last day to Submit “Request for Exemption from Final Exam” -or- Doctoral Degree: *Preliminary exam results must be received by our office at least 14 WEEKS prior to the final exam date *Last day to submit “Request and Announcement of the Final Exam” or 10 working days prior to the exam, which ever comes first to the OGS office Friday, Oct 10: Master’s Non-Thesis Option: Last day to take final exam. (defend thesis) -or- Doctoral Degree: Last day to take final exam. (defend dissertation or record of study)

Tuesday, Oct 7: GSC Meeting 5:15pm Koldus Room 144 SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS Monday, Sept 22: Thesis Overview w/ Laura Hammons 5:30-6:30pm Rudder Tower, Room 401 Tuesday, Sept 23: Gas Savings Seminar 11:30-1:00pm or 4:30-6:00pm Rudder 502 -and/or- Big Help for Small Talk Skills 3:00-4:00pm Rudder Tower, Room 302 Monday, Sept 29: Writing an Abstract w/ Jack Vitek 5:30-6:30pm Rudder Tower, Room 401 Monday, Oct 6: The Library and YOU! w/ Anne Peterson 5:30-6:30pm Rudder Town, Room 401 Monday, Oct 13: What you need to know about Health Insurance w/ Courtney Waggoner 5:30-6:30pm Rudder Tower, Room 401 Wednesday, Oct 15: Insurance 101 11:30am-1:00pm Rudder Tower, Room 502 -and/or- Immigration and Employment Panel 1:00-3:00pm Rudder Tower, Room 301 -and/or- Insurance 101 4:00-6:00pm Rudder Tower, Room 502 Friday, Oct 17: The Perfect Dissertation: The I Dos and I Don’ts Noon-1:30pm Sterling Evans Library 204E

MIX AND MINGLE SOCIAL: WIINE TASTING

2008-2009 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

PRESIDENT: TRACEY WELLINGTON gscpresident@tamu.edu

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT: BRANDI REESE brandi@ocean.tamu.edu

V.P. FOR UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS: PAULA LORENTE plorente@tamu.edu

VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE: JEFF STANLEY jeffstanley@tamu.edu

VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMATION: LAUREN HULSMAN lhulsman@tamu.edu

SRW DIRECTOR: MATTHEW KOPIL srw@tamu.edu

Nth Degree Staff: Autumn M. Gardner ‘10 Executive Assistant to the Graduate Student Council President

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 student are understood and considered when campus policies; concerning academic excellence, tuition and finance, and research, are being decided.

The Graduate Student Council would like to encourage graduate student involvement in GSC initiatives. The general meetings are held the FIRST and THIRD TUESDAY of every month at 5:15 pm in Koldus room 144, and all interested individuals are encouraged to come. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please contact us via email at gsc@tamu.edu.

**If you would like to join the Nth Degree listserv and receive these monthly newsletters, send an email to listserv@listserv.tamu.edu with the message type subscribe GSC-NTHD firstname lastname, and no subject line is needed.

(Example: subscribe GSC-NTHD John Smith)

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