The SGA resolution to include student signatures on forms was passed unanimously. I hope this will help other graduate students and hope no one will be caught in the same situation I was.
The faculty member acted with good intentions, I'm sure, but it certainly caused a great deal of distress to everyone concerned. I have passed my defense and there was no dissenting vote. I am now in the process of editing my document for the final submission to Graduate School which is due June 26.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Abuse of Procedures at My University
I have not named my university and I will leave you to decide to find out or not.
On April 21, an administrator at my school sat in on my first draft meeting for my doctoral document and disagreed with some of the theoretical statements I made. Upon further research, those statements I made were incorrect and too general. I found further information to back up my new observations and made necessary corrections to my document. This prof did an analysis (still incomplete), made observations and formed conclusions, and wants me to insert his material into my document. I refused to use everything because that would constitute plagiarism. I cannot defend something I did not do. I have other reasons why I am not using his material but it's besides the point to list them here.
This fiasco delayed a possible defense before the end of May. My dissertation chair had to move to WA so he wasn't physically around. On June 1, my musicology professor had to leave the country. On May 25, this administrator attempted to replace my dissertation chair, musicology professor and theory professor (3 out of 6 people). He put himself in my committee in place of the theory professor, and changed the musicology person. I managed to keep my dissertation chair, thankfully. This change was signed off by my department chair before I could fully raise my objections. He has threatened to refuse to sign off my document unless I acquiesce to his demands. Why would someone put themselves in a committee less than a month before the submission deadline of June 26? The form which my university uses doesn't require a student's signature. The actions of this administrator is like a coup e'tat.
My final draft has been ready since May 15 and I am still waiting for a defense to be scheduled. Last I heard, it is pending for June 15. My dept chair, major professor and dissertation chair are all involved now. His actions leave me no room other than to stage a mutiny. If I have a dissenting vote on my document, it won't really matter in the long run. I need to prepare the gist of document for publication and not let his actions weight me down.
Do check procedures at your own university to ensure they cannot be abused against you at the last possible moment. If graduate school forms do not need the student's signature, lobby your SGA senator to change this. You need to know at every step of the way and be given a chance to discuss changes to your program. Be forewarned.
On April 21, an administrator at my school sat in on my first draft meeting for my doctoral document and disagreed with some of the theoretical statements I made. Upon further research, those statements I made were incorrect and too general. I found further information to back up my new observations and made necessary corrections to my document. This prof did an analysis (still incomplete), made observations and formed conclusions, and wants me to insert his material into my document. I refused to use everything because that would constitute plagiarism. I cannot defend something I did not do. I have other reasons why I am not using his material but it's besides the point to list them here.
This fiasco delayed a possible defense before the end of May. My dissertation chair had to move to WA so he wasn't physically around. On June 1, my musicology professor had to leave the country. On May 25, this administrator attempted to replace my dissertation chair, musicology professor and theory professor (3 out of 6 people). He put himself in my committee in place of the theory professor, and changed the musicology person. I managed to keep my dissertation chair, thankfully. This change was signed off by my department chair before I could fully raise my objections. He has threatened to refuse to sign off my document unless I acquiesce to his demands. Why would someone put themselves in a committee less than a month before the submission deadline of June 26? The form which my university uses doesn't require a student's signature. The actions of this administrator is like a coup e'tat.
My final draft has been ready since May 15 and I am still waiting for a defense to be scheduled. Last I heard, it is pending for June 15. My dept chair, major professor and dissertation chair are all involved now. His actions leave me no room other than to stage a mutiny. If I have a dissenting vote on my document, it won't really matter in the long run. I need to prepare the gist of document for publication and not let his actions weight me down.
Do check procedures at your own university to ensure they cannot be abused against you at the last possible moment. If graduate school forms do not need the student's signature, lobby your SGA senator to change this. You need to know at every step of the way and be given a chance to discuss changes to your program. Be forewarned.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Definitions
I have endured my studies at my university for the past four years. I believe I have learned the definition of the following words in the past two weeks.
Coup d'etat: the sudden, unconstitutional deposition of a legitimate government, by a small group (in my case, one person). The usurpers established his legitimacy if the government (my department chair) fails to thwart his attempt or the acquiescence of the populace (my graduate committee) and the non-participant military forces (the graduate students).
Mutiny: a conspiracy among members of a group of similarly-situated individuals (my friends and I) to openly oppose, change or overthrow an existing authority (the usurper above). The term is commonly used for a rebellion among members of the military against their superior officer(s).
Myopia: nearsightedness or shortsightedness, a refractive defect of the eye. Close objects are very clear, but distant objects appear blurred. Metaphorically, myopia refers to cognitive thinking and decision making that is narrow sighted or lacking in concern for wider interests or longer-term consequences. It is often used to describe a decision that may be beneficial in the present but detrimental in the future.
Tunnel Vision: the lack of peripheral vision. Vision in which the visual field is severely constricted, as from within a tunnel looking out.
Yes, I should have studied political science and optometry, but not music.
Coup d'etat: the sudden, unconstitutional deposition of a legitimate government, by a small group (in my case, one person). The usurpers established his legitimacy if the government (my department chair) fails to thwart his attempt or the acquiescence of the populace (my graduate committee) and the non-participant military forces (the graduate students).
Mutiny: a conspiracy among members of a group of similarly-situated individuals (my friends and I) to openly oppose, change or overthrow an existing authority (the usurper above). The term is commonly used for a rebellion among members of the military against their superior officer(s).
Myopia: nearsightedness or shortsightedness, a refractive defect of the eye. Close objects are very clear, but distant objects appear blurred. Metaphorically, myopia refers to cognitive thinking and decision making that is narrow sighted or lacking in concern for wider interests or longer-term consequences. It is often used to describe a decision that may be beneficial in the present but detrimental in the future.
Tunnel Vision: the lack of peripheral vision. Vision in which the visual field is severely constricted, as from within a tunnel looking out.
Yes, I should have studied political science and optometry, but not music.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Lucy Pevensie & Aslan
I am in the thick of fighting for my dissertation. Not only am I fighting for it physically, but also in the spiritual.
I had two impressions concerning my battle. Firstly, I was standing, leaning against a huge being and enfolded by giant wings. No one would be able to touch me. Secondly, I was standing beside a lion, like Lucy Pevensie in the Chronicles of Narnia, poised to fight. No one would dare come close. Lucy doesn't fight, she just stands with full faith in her lion. These two impressions give me great comfort and encouragement.
Someone at church also gave a rhema word on Sunday as I was having these impressions. I knew those words were for me and spoke straight into my situation. "I have come to give you encouragement, ... encouragement that is tempered by steel so that you may stand against the schemes of the enemy." I stood taller that day, knowing that my resolved is being strengthened by God and I have to stand. Stubborn is as stubborn is and a battle of wills is going on.
I hope the next post here will be on the battle. I've already won, but I want to blog on how the battle unfolded. They don't call it a defense for nothing, do they?
I had two impressions concerning my battle. Firstly, I was standing, leaning against a huge being and enfolded by giant wings. No one would be able to touch me. Secondly, I was standing beside a lion, like Lucy Pevensie in the Chronicles of Narnia, poised to fight. No one would dare come close. Lucy doesn't fight, she just stands with full faith in her lion. These two impressions give me great comfort and encouragement.
Someone at church also gave a rhema word on Sunday as I was having these impressions. I knew those words were for me and spoke straight into my situation. "I have come to give you encouragement, ... encouragement that is tempered by steel so that you may stand against the schemes of the enemy." I stood taller that day, knowing that my resolved is being strengthened by God and I have to stand. Stubborn is as stubborn is and a battle of wills is going on.
I hope the next post here will be on the battle. I've already won, but I want to blog on how the battle unfolded. They don't call it a defense for nothing, do they?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Packing list for China
I was the shopping guru when I was in Beijing. I had to help look for some of these items. Here are some things which were hard to find (on a budget) in China last fall:
1. Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
2. Solid stick deodorant
3. Good shoes (Especially the larger sizes, women's size 8 is a little difficult to find)
4. Fabric stain remover (Spray Wash solid is a good one to bring)
5. Fabric deodorizer
6. 3X5 note cards (You could make your own)
7. Feminine hygiene stuff
8. Good thermal wear (Silk available in Beijing)
9. Dri-fit or Cool Max active wear (Sports bras included)
10. Hiking apparel & shoes
11. Your favorite candy (Bring it!)
12. Clothes for tall people :) (To give you an idea: I wear an PXS here in the USA, but had to get XL.)
13. Supplements and vitamins
14. Ear plugs
Things I didn't regret bringing so I had them immediately:
1. A good knife. I brought a Farberware parer and a peeler.
2. A set of silverware: knife, fork and spoon.
3. Multipurpose tool.
Things I regret not bringing:
1. A good can opener.
2. ... Still thinking ....
Things you should always have with you:
1. Kleenex or toilet paper
2. Hand sanitizer
3. Your own shopping bag
4. A camera
5. A sense of humor & adventure
Things you can get for cheap:
1. Socks (all materials and lengths)
2. Winter coats, scarves and gloves
3. Clothing & other accessories
4. Stationery
5. Umbrellas (get the UV-coated kind, makes a difference in the heat)
6. Clothing alteration (hem pants, repair seams etc.)
7. Gel insoles
8. Prescription glasses
9. Wet wipes
10. Blankets
11. China licensed DVDs and CDs (real and fakes)
12. Surface shipping China Post (All my stuff arrived, undamaged and it took 2 months China-USA. Bring your stuff unpacked and they will pack it for you. If you're planning to ship DVDs and CDs, make sure you save all the receipts and show it to the post office agent for customs clearance.)
Things you should get:
1. Local SIM card for your unlocked cell phone.
2. Travel guide: the local insider's guide written by Beijing expats is a good one. Lonely Planet's Beijing too.
3. Chinese-English/ English-Chinese dictionaries (electronic or otherwise)
4. Chinese-English books, poems
Things you may need to find out more before buying:
1. Musical instruments (apparently there's some paperwork involved)
2. Knives and other traditional weapons (there are restrictions depending on where you buy them)
Random advice:
1. Remember the bus numbers when you get on one. Get a bus/subway card and be adventurous. I familiarized myself to different areas by riding on the bus with no particular destination in mind. I got on a bus and rode for several stops. Then, I got off the bus and walked the bus route, exploring all the shops and places in between.
2. Dab clear nail polish on all the buttons of cheap clothes you buy. This will help them stay on for longer :).
3. There's no return or exchange policy in the bargain areas. May not be able to try on clothing. Bring a tape measure if you're a serious shopper. I brought my fav pair of jeans and used it to measure. This worked well.
4. Cheap scarves sewn together make a good sleep sack.
Will update this page when other things come to mind.
1. Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
2. Solid stick deodorant
3. Good shoes (Especially the larger sizes, women's size 8 is a little difficult to find)
4. Fabric stain remover (Spray Wash solid is a good one to bring)
5. Fabric deodorizer
6. 3X5 note cards (You could make your own)
7. Feminine hygiene stuff
8. Good thermal wear (Silk available in Beijing)
9. Dri-fit or Cool Max active wear (Sports bras included)
10. Hiking apparel & shoes
11. Your favorite candy (Bring it!)
12. Clothes for tall people :) (To give you an idea: I wear an PXS here in the USA, but had to get XL.)
13. Supplements and vitamins
14. Ear plugs
Things I didn't regret bringing so I had them immediately:
1. A good knife. I brought a Farberware parer and a peeler.
2. A set of silverware: knife, fork and spoon.
3. Multipurpose tool.
Things I regret not bringing:
1. A good can opener.
2. ... Still thinking ....
Things you should always have with you:
1. Kleenex or toilet paper
2. Hand sanitizer
3. Your own shopping bag
4. A camera
5. A sense of humor & adventure
Things you can get for cheap:
1. Socks (all materials and lengths)
2. Winter coats, scarves and gloves
3. Clothing & other accessories
4. Stationery
5. Umbrellas (get the UV-coated kind, makes a difference in the heat)
6. Clothing alteration (hem pants, repair seams etc.)
7. Gel insoles
8. Prescription glasses
9. Wet wipes
10. Blankets
11. China licensed DVDs and CDs (real and fakes)
12. Surface shipping China Post (All my stuff arrived, undamaged and it took 2 months China-USA. Bring your stuff unpacked and they will pack it for you. If you're planning to ship DVDs and CDs, make sure you save all the receipts and show it to the post office agent for customs clearance.)
Things you should get:
1. Local SIM card for your unlocked cell phone.
2. Travel guide: the local insider's guide written by Beijing expats is a good one. Lonely Planet's Beijing too.
3. Chinese-English/ English-Chinese dictionaries (electronic or otherwise)
4. Chinese-English books, poems
Things you may need to find out more before buying:
1. Musical instruments (apparently there's some paperwork involved)
2. Knives and other traditional weapons (there are restrictions depending on where you buy them)
Random advice:
1. Remember the bus numbers when you get on one. Get a bus/subway card and be adventurous. I familiarized myself to different areas by riding on the bus with no particular destination in mind. I got on a bus and rode for several stops. Then, I got off the bus and walked the bus route, exploring all the shops and places in between.
2. Dab clear nail polish on all the buttons of cheap clothes you buy. This will help them stay on for longer :).
3. There's no return or exchange policy in the bargain areas. May not be able to try on clothing. Bring a tape measure if you're a serious shopper. I brought my fav pair of jeans and used it to measure. This worked well.
4. Cheap scarves sewn together make a good sleep sack.
Will update this page when other things come to mind.
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