Monday Minutes

Here are your Monday Minutes for the week of September 14, 2020

From the Department Head 

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, 

Everyone Counts! The 2020 US Census deadline is approaching, and I encourage you to complete your Census questionnaire today if you have not already. Census data is used to determine the number of Montana Congressional seats, the amount of federal funding that Montana receives, and generates valuable data for researchers to study state and national issues. Every Montanan counted provides the state $20,000 in federal funding over the ten-year period. Funding is used for a variety of programs such as medical assistance, educational programs, need-based support, infrastructure, highway planning and over 300 other programs. The form has nine questions, takes ten minutes, and is safe and secure.

Take good care,

Dr. Ann Ewbank

Micki's Desk

• If you plan to graduate fall semester with your Masters, Doctorate or Certificate and have not yet submitted your Graduation Application, do so right away. It was due on Sept 8^th but I can still submit it to the Graduate School. 

• If you are submitting Graduate School forms please send them directly to [email protected] and I will put them in DocuSign to gather signatures and submit the form.
   

ABOUT YOUR GRADUATE PROGRAM OF STUDY

Did you know that your Program of Study form acts as a contract between the student, the Department, the College, The Graduate School, and University. The program of study defines the minimum requirements for the program and other requirements, as determined by the student's major department, may also be listed. Contact your Advisor/Chair to assist you in creating your program of study and submit the form to [email protected] for signatures.  Your program of study form is due in the following semesters:

• Certificate Programs – by the end of the first (1^st) semester of graduate study
• Masters Programs – by the end of the student’s second (2^nd) term of graduate attendance
• Doctoral Programs - by the end of the student’s third (3^rd) semester of graduate attendance 

Note: The Graduate School will place a hold preventing the student’s ability to register if this deadline is missed. 

CHANGES TO PROGRAM OF STUDY — The program of study may be amended through the course of the student’s graduate study. Changes to a student’s program of study must be made through the Graduate Program Change form and approved by The Graduate School.  A course listed on an approved program of study, if graded, cannot be removed. 

A one-time $50.00 fee is charged upon approval of a student’s Graduate Program of Study & Committee form. 

News and Announcements

• Be on the lookout for phishing scams. If you receive an email from Ann Ewbank asking for your cell phone number, or to purchase gift cards, or asking whether you are available, please check the email address- if it is not Ann’s official MSU email address, send the email to [email protected]. 

• All Monday Minutes are archived and available for your reference.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

• Congratulations to Troops to Teachers, including Robert Carson, Le Gaub, and Beverly Harrison. This important program provides a path to PK-12 teaching for military veterans. Work in the ten-state region generated 93 new inquiries about the program, 24 program registrations, and TEN new teachers hired: two in Alaska, one in Idaho, one in Minnesota, two in Washington, and four in Wisconsin! 

• Congratulations to Joe Hicks for his tireless efforts in coordinating the department’s After-School Initiative, which kicked off last week. In conjunction with community partners, the After-School Initiative provides our students a vital early field experience. This year includes a variety of experiences, both virtual and in-person, and is beneficial for our community partners, ensuring that children have excellent after-school educational programming. 

• Don’t hide your light under a bushel! Please send accomplishments and kudos to [email protected].

Professional Development & Engagement Opportunities

The MSU Writing Center is here to support graduate students! Check out these two opportunities:

Graduate writing groups offer the opportunity to collaborate on your writing with graduate students across disciplines. The groups will be asynchronous and online allowing students to receive feedback over the course of a week. Groups will be facilitated by a writing center staff member for four weeks, and up to fifteen students will be accepted for each four-week session. Students on the waitlist will be contacted as spaces open up.

Focus Friday is an opportunity for graduate writers to participate in a writing community while working from anywhere. This is a chance to connect with other graduate students working on major writing projects—arguably the best people to have in your corner because they cheer you on while holding you accountable. Every Friday this semester (excluding holidays) you can write with this online community between 9am and 3pm.

For more information and or to register for a writing group, visit the Writing Center’s page for Graduate Writers. 

AERA Rural Education SIG’s Graduate Student Fellowship and Research Grant Program invites applications due September 15, 2020. Two $500 dissertation research grants are available. Please see the attached call for more information and encourage graduate students to apply!  

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources

• Don’t forget to register to vote for the upcoming general election! Election Day is a university holiday. Civic participation is the foundation of equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

• MSU Diversity Commons sponsors Gathering All Together Honoring Every Race (GATHER), a network for faculty and staff from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups that provides opportunities to develop a sense of community, access mentoring and professional development, intentionally build support, and exchange ideas. There is a form on the website to sign up for the GATHER email list.  

Monday Minutes
9/14/2020