EGSA: Funding Concerns, Jobs for Grammarians, and More

Happy weekend, friends! I hope that you are all looking forward to a lovely Saturday. Even though most of us spend the whole day working, at least we can work in pajamas. Below you will find important information — first, some notes on recent funding and registration questions from Mary, and then some announcements about job opportunities, surveys, and films. – BB

*** President Mary Frank’s Letter to EGSA

From the Oval Office:
Much thanks to many of you for letting me know your questions and concerns regarding registration, funding, the new prelims study course, and the new PhD requirement. After hearing from many of you, I sent several follow-up questions to our Chair and GPD and received the following information in reply:

— The registration list entitled “Eligible for Funding” that was distributed to some students this week is NOT a comprehensive list of those who are eligible for funding or for registration in the spring. Apparently this was pages 2 and 3 of a 3-page list, and although Dr. Barcus will not be distributing page 1, those whose names are on it (including, apparently, all who need to register for dissertation and thesis hours) will be notified soon of when their registration date and time will be.

— I asked why some years on this list are split over two days, and the answer I received was that the department wants to lift registration flags for only about 9 or 10 students per day. I will keep you posted if I find out more about this.

— Those approaching the end of your coursework for either MA or PhD: you WILL be given priority for the courses you need to fill out

your requirements. It is still unclear how this priority will be given, but I advise you to make your needs known to Dr. Barcus at the time you register and he will do his best to accommodate your need. For the first round of registration, class sizes will be capped at 10, so that will reserve 2 spots in every seminar for students who absolutely need to squeeze in.

** If you have particular questions regarding your eligibility for funding or your registration date, please address them to Dr. Barcus directly. If you still have problems after you’ve spoken with him, write to Danielle Williams or to me and we will do our best to help you. **

— Regarding the 6V10 course: Dr. Barcus is double-checking, but his understanding is that enrollment in this course will qualify a student for full-time status, just like enrollment in a dissertation or thesis hour.

— Regarding the new required oral presentation for PhD students: Dr. Barcus told me that PhD students planning to graduate this fall will not be required to fulfill this. Students planning graduation in May or August of 2011, though, will apparently be expected to complete an evaluated oral presentation. I will let you know as soon as I find out more about this

Mary Frank

*** Upcoming Survey

On Monday, you should receive a survey/questionnaire from the EGSA Conference Study Committee. This survey hopes to gather feedback concerning what EGSA members want in a conference. So, think about conference ideas this weekend, and fill out the survey on Monday!

*** Movie Night with Steve!

In preparation for the upcoming Hoagwood Lecture on Film and Literature, we will host a showing of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the week prior to the lecture. For more information, see http://www.bayloregsa.org/conference/ Watch for a full schedule for Dr. Hoagwood’s visit soon. If you have preferences or recommendations about any of the details below, please let Steve know (Steven_Petersheim@baylor.edu).

Preferences: 1) which version of the movie to watch, 2) where to watch it, 3) when to watch it.

*** Opportunity for Money for People Who Know Grammar Good

An EGSA alumna, Yolanda Gonzalez, has passed along the following opportunity. Please contact Dr. Hoeffner directly if you are interested:

From: Lisa Hoeffner [mailto:lhoeffner@mclennan.edu]

If you or someone you know has graduate hours in English grammar and knows enough to edit a grammar handbook AND has an interest in making some extra money, please let me know.

I have written a grammar handbook and have a decent grasp of grammar, but I’m not a grammarian and I need someone who is to do some final editing.

Lisa Hoeffner, PhD (lhoeffner@mclennan.edu) English Professor
McLennan Community College
1400 College Drive