ALISS Open Meeting

Friday, April 16, 2004, 12:30-130

Attended by 18 students

Announcements

Karen Estlund has formed a Spring Fling Committee.
There is a new, ALISS-funded microwave in the iSalon. The old one is up for grabs.
Students have donated silverware to re-stock the iSalon drawer.
A new digital camera has been purchased with money from the GPSS Student Activity Fund.
A book exchange has been installed in the iSalon; the system works on a “take one/leave one” basis.

Class Reports

580

Students expressed their concerns that Maurice Green’s syllabus is overly-weighted toward diversity issues while ignoring the “management 101” aspect of the class. Students argued that the iSchool policy on Core class syllabi should restrict the instructor’s ability to steer Core courses away from main course objectives.

Faculty Meeting

Dave Ballantine reported that several program changes are in the works. There will be more Informatics students next year. The day MSIM program will begin in 2005, and there are plans to grow the DMLIS program.

DMLIS

Dave Ballantine expressed the desire of ALISS to support Distance students who wish to celebrate Spring Fling but who cannot make it to Seattle. ALISS is considering a way to help fund smaller celebrations.

Evening Program

Students agreed on the need to support evening students. An evening meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 20, from 6-7 pm.

ALISS Web Site

Dave Ballantine reiterated the need for an overhaul of the ALISS web site and suggested a content management format. It was suggested that the site be moved to the iSchool directory. The new site is envisioned as an ongoing project to which future students could contribute.

Concerns Raised by Students

Students were frustrated that classes are advertised on the website but not offered in the quarter in which the students need to take the classes.
Students expressed frustration at the tendency of the class schedule to change. They said it is difficult to plan classes.

Prerequisites (Cataloging); A student commented that the prerequisites in the 530 decade make it difficult to enter the field of cataloging late in the program

Two students said that prerequisites for Summer Field Work make it impossible to do certain types of field work in the Summer. Summertime is considered the most convenient time.

Another student stated that a willingness on the part of a Field Work site to teach students the needed prereq material might make it possible to avoid having to take the prereq classes.

A student commented that First Year Orientation should better prepare students for the difficulties of choosing a path through the program, especially for students who do not know which track to pursue in the beginning.

Student Services Office: Eight students expressed dissatisfaction with the Student Services Office, claiming that the office is unsatisfactory in the following ways:

Lack of an “open door” feel
Not receptive to students
Lack of career counseling/advising
Job contacts not being posted to MLIS list serves

In addition, many students are wondering what, in the absence of the above services, the Student Services Office is for. Finally, students expressed their desire to document this dissatisfaction.

Open Meetings hard to get to: Several students suggested that a web-based forum be created to allow students to communicate with ALISS; it was suggested that ALISS adopt a more permanent forum than a Catalyst board can provide.

Student Directory Down: Students pointed out that the directory has been down for a month. Many students use the pictures and email list to communicate with one another.

Dave Ballantine suggested that a temporary list of names and email addresses be posted until the directory is back up.

iSalon Mess:

One student suggested a once-a-month work party to keep the lounge clean.
Others suggested that student groups should collaborate to clean the lounge.
One student suggested allowing only authorized students and staff into the lounge.
This issue remains undecided.