Attendance:
2. New Curriculum Feedback (All): Jen asked about the new curriculum and how the first week of the quarter went. New students described their schedules: 5-hour shifts 2 days a week, and then splitting into LIS 510 and 520. They explained that time was spent with many faculty--often in the classroom at the same time. This made for lively, fun discussion, and the in-class group exercises were also helpful in generating discussion. Balanced pronouncements were made on WebCT: some mentioned that it was good for bonding and lauded it for allowing the ability to connect with students through discussion on bulletin boards and other features. Others mentioned that it was difficult to connect the names on WebCT with the faces in the classroom--updating the photoboard will help in this respect. Students' daily schedules vary from working off campus in addition to school to extra-full days spent on campus (12+ hours). It was mentioned that taking advantage of iSchool assistantships and other opportunities would help to get acquainted with faculty.
3. Committee Representation (Lisa): Lisa announced
that procedures regarding the appointment of committee representatives
and an assessment of vacancies were being worked on. Positions on
faculty committees will work under a nomination system, with the representatives
being appointed by Mike. Other committees, for example ALISS's hospitality
committee, which fields inquiries from prospective students and hosts visiting
students, will operate on a volunteer basis. Two points were made by the
group: 1) that one could nominate oneself rather than waiting for someone
else to nominate you; and 2) that the positions were not restricted by
student status of day or evening, however positions on faculty committees
would necessitate being available during times those meetings were scheduled.
It was also mentioned that there are positions for Evening Representatives
and DISC Representatives (Disabled, International and Students of Color).
Announcements for filling these positions will go out in the near future,
probably week 3 of this
quarter.
4. UW Libraries Director Candidates: Ann Okerson (Lisa): Lisa announced the upcoming visit by Ann Okerson, candidate for the UW Libraries Director position, October 5 and 6. She mentioned that the candidates' schedules involve a whirlwind of visits with various campus administrators and Libraries' constituencies. She urged students to attend the public presentation on Thursday, October 5, at 4:00 in the Physics and Astronomy Building, Auditorium 118, and reminded present student leaders of a smaller meeting with Ms. Okerson on Friday, October 6, from 10:15-11:00 am in Gerberding 301, which will include iSchool student leaders and GPSS and ASUW officers. She passed out biographical information on Ms. Okerson to interested parties.
5. Making Connections: Mentoring and Teaching Opportunities (Jen): Jen updated the group about "Making Connections," a program to expose high school girls to professional women working in fields such as technology, engineering, and the sciences, and her conversations with Carmen Goldsmith, the program's coordinator. The program includes opportunities for mentoring and teaching, and may serve very well as a possible portfolio requirement. Jen stressed one of her reasons for getting involved in making this project happen--to institutionalize more opportunities for students to meet portfolio requirements. Library and Information Science is a natural program to be involved with Making Connections as the program has a strong representation of women, many of those quite savvy with technology. Jen also acknowledged that the project does not include the men of the department, but it is a start in the right direction for programs such as these. She will be meeting with Joe and Lynnea to discuss Making Connections in further detail.
6. Conversation with President McCormick (Jen): Jen wanted to remind the group about the Conversations about the Future with President McCormick, happening on October 12, 12:30-1:30 in the main office area near Dolores's desk. Jen stated that this will be a great opportunity to represent the future of the school, libraries and librarianship to the president, and should not be a forum for minor complaints. This is a chance to share our optimism about the direction of the School, especially considering that not long ago we were hidden in the basement of Suzzallo. It was mentioned that the progress we have made in terms of facilities, and having a physical presence on this campus can also be reflected in the ideas and energy of the students. The group discussed how to communicate our concerns about collections and budget cuts in the most constructive way possible.
7. Discussion: the School's Name Change (All): At this point the meeting shifted from announcements to general discussion, one item being the big changes in the school, most notably the name change. One student mentioned still calling it "library school" to those who inquired, like family members. It was also mentioned that the name makes a political statement in terms of the direction of the school and whether the change was in the school, the profession, or both. In terms of the library tradition, however, it may be the best time to be here; there will be a fluidity to these times, as well as a possible shake-out process for those who cannot adapt. It was stressed that "library" is still in our degree and that we are still ALA-accredited. One student asked whether we wanted the name to describe the work that we all did, or only one of the places in which it is done. We discussed the "library" tradition in the school and how some may perceive that as being hidden; however others mentioned that another great tradition was beginning. Also, being able to diversify beyond the "librarian" label will assist in finding employment, especially with employers who have certain notions of "librarian-ness."
8. Discussion: Computer Labs and School Software (All): Another hot topic around the table was the status of the School's computer labs, and when the non-classroom lab would be ready. Jen mentioned that she, Kristin, and others spent much of the Saturday before school started helping to set up the computer classroom to get that ready for classes. Scotts Barker and Schramke are quite busy working on this, but are constrained by the "construction machine." Some mentioned that the main computer lab in Mary Gates most always has a line, plus does not have, of course the extra software that the iSchool's machines provide. Jen mentioned that there will be an experimental lab space. Since the Student Technology Fee is providing for some of this, however, other students besides iSchool students will be allowed access. Students had concerns about security, especially the labs' books, and reminded one another about being careful about leaving belongings. There was a general question regarding if there was fall quarter curriculum that explicitly required the School's software. Jen said that she would email the Scotts to ask if and when there would be access to the classroom lab for the School's software, and would inquire about a policy regarding security issues and possible priority for School students. [Please note that Scott Barker announced the opening of the Computer Classroom via iannounce on 10/2/00. Additionally, Jen did email the Scotts and passed on the answers to iChat.]
Meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Spagnolo
ALISS Secretary
Prepared October 5, 2000.