September 7, 2010, Tuesday, 249

Fall 2008 Minutes

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Partial archive of minutes from Rodman Council meetings during the Fall 2008 semester.

[edit] September 17, 2008; 8:00 pm

I. Rodman Career Presentations

  • Bobby took the lead
  • Around 20 each at IBM and LM
  • 60 at the Microsoft presentation (about 20 of them Rodmans, because MS invited everyone who came by at the career fair
  • LM quite informal
  • IBM intensely passionate about EE, inspiring for SEAS students
  • APT (a startup tomorrow), with Omar's presentation to follow – hopefully people will stay
  • Definitely better than last year! LM would like to come back … unsure about IBM
  • Microsoft was the easiest to work with, provided their own pizza, prizes, etc…
  • Where would you like to see this go? Any other feedback?
    • More people to help, perhaps an ad-hoc committee
  • Do spring career fair, mostly for internships, should be great because underclassmen mostly looking - for internships

II. Garden Party

  • Generally went pretty smoothly, although not enough food, perhaps too long
  • A good mingling opportunity
  • More professors need to come (R Kelly!)
  • Food requests:
    • Take it Away = too expensive
    • Rev soup?
    • Raisin' Caines
    • University catering

III. Rodsems

  • Just enough for half the Rodmans to take a seminar this semester and half next semester, so we really have to fill these spaces!
  • Astronomy is solid, could possibly be expandecd +5
  • History on the Lawn – why only 9 people?
  • The timing – Monday evening, Greek chapter meetings?
  • Otherwise, we are golden, all seminars to start the week of Sept. 29th
  • Do underclassmen understand the concept, requirements of Rodsems?
    • Yes, generally
  • Reading Science and Religion (Doris) – her own manuscript in the philosophy religion course … interesting, should be an awesome Rodsem
  • Technical drawing Rodsem by Elzey in the spring?
    • Elzey is amenable, but we may have to discuss this more
  • SPRING: Digital Art and Beer Brewing (Bloomfield) are ready to go
    • Prof. Elzey – sketching, possibly
    • Looking for about two/three more for five total courses
  • Luke: the way Rodsems work is: if someone has a cool idea, we will look into making a Rodsem out of it, and that is how they are established
  • IDEAS for Spring –
    • FilmFest R. Kolker – something SciFi and awesome
    • Blacksmithing? Maybe… must talk to Blake about it
    • Automotive mechanics? Car restoration, or just simple repairs and such. Thus a group of professors could bring their car in each week, show different things
    • Barry Johnson – good lecturer
  • Luke has become very adept at talking to the professors, many are surprised that they will be paid
    • Usually this ranges less that $2500
    • Hopefully Blair will be able to help with this
  • Reimbursement needed for seminar trips – Monticello, astronomy field trip, etc…

IV. Rodfest 2008

  • Ttwo possible weekends, but Elzey has suggested Oct. 25th, or maybe Sept. 27th
  • Football scheduling delayed release is an issue
  • Need a date for charter buses, logistics, etc.
  • ACM (CS) competition, parents weekend, and other such things are going on
  • Football weekend is probably preferable, because our team is not stellar thus the game will probably be in the early evening
  • Parents will not be invited to this, although professors will

V. Newsletter

  • Last year, the "Fall" newsletter happened in the spring
  • Bobby will be able to compile the newsletter if others can write articles
  • Ideas for articles:
    • Rodsem experiences
    • Summer internships
    • Germany trip
    • Policy internships
    • Professor interviews
    • Horoscope

VI. Information Packets for High Schools

  • To be sent to all HS's in Virginia, esp. those which don't currently feed into the UVA system
  • Perhaps a brochure, open letter from the President/Elzey, etc…
  • Needs to be out be out by end/middle November
  • Hallett to take the lead, use all the resources at Admissions disposal

VII. Ropes Course

  • Everything is all set, around 30 each day, mostly first years
  • Must wear closed toed shoes, sign a waiver, etc…
  • At this point, it is full, but a few extra participants should be possible

VIII. rOdyssey and Alumni Contact

  • Need to start branching out for increased, nondiscretional funding
  • Some confusion about alumni mailing list, Christina and Matt F. to spearhead an effort to get a complete list of alumni contact info
  • Meeting with admissions to cap program level at 30 students (hopefully we can talk about brochure packet at the same time)

IX. Rodman Research Grants

  • On par with the layout of the Harrison grants - $4000
  • Money to be given for substantial proposals, a presentation and final report must be given
  • Would try to produce a journal, etc…
  • This may not be a good idea, for two reasons:
    • Direct competition with Harrison
    • Most engineering researchers are already paid by SEAS
  • Possible alternatives:
    • Rolling bids for printing costs, attending conferences, etc…
  • Rodman scholarships do exist, but they are generally supplied from outside sources and not even given out regularly
  • Where do we start?
    • See what Rodmans are doing already, compile and show off…
  • Another idea (Matt F.):
    • Recognition Awards for Outstanding research, SEAS-wide
    • Possibly a symposium at a nice venue
    • Similar to the URDS's award for an outstanding senior thesis
  • Another another idea
    • A "science fair" type shindig at a local high school which will showcase science work in the Charlottesville community
    • Could be done late fall for resume opportunity

X. Spring Rotunda Dinner

  • Bill Wulf (CS dept.) confirmed as guest speaker!

XI. Summer Study Abroad Program

  • On the way to getting on to getting established (Volkswagen as a possible sponsor?)

XII. Rodman Lecture Series

  • Professors from across the disciplines to give interesting lectures
  • Could give first years the opportunity to decide majors
  • May turn into a competitive event among the departments
  • What's cool going on in engineering, intriguing professors, good speakers
  • Great publicity for the program, awesome, sweet, the coolest thing ever…. WHOOOOOOO!
  • Around 4-5 UVA professors, or 2 really, really awesome speakers
  • Feedback:
    • Keith Williams
    • If we pick two speakers, we have to start now, cover everything, etc….
    • Christina – look into the relationships have with their parents…
  • We will start to do this, invest large amounts of time, etc, in the spring
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