Hi Everyone,

Since things are coming to the end for the semester, I thought I'd not 
only let you know how the survey presentation for the faculty went, but 
also wrap-up some of the things we've been working on this semester.

I presented a report on the results of the survey during Wednesday's
faculty meeting.  You all should have received a copy of the faculty
report in your mailbox.  If you did not, just let me know and I'll run you
a copy.  The faculty who were present were very receptive and friendly and
asked lots of questions.  Prof. Emeritus Larry Evans was not at the
meeting, but submitted a written response to the survey that is now
available at the survey website:

http://www.phy.duke.edu/people/org/gso/resources/survey/

At the meeting we discussed how to improve non-academic career planning.  
The faculty discussed working more with the Grad School's career planning
office to make sure they were providing physics-related information, as
well as adding more support within our department.  We talked about
keeping in better contact with recent grads as a resource as well as
making sure there was a person outside one's research group with whom one
could get non-academic career advice.

We also discussed course availability and distribution, and it seemed like
the faculty was already working a number of angles to improve things.  
There is a new faculty committee dedicated to examining and improving the
graduate curriculum that has two graduate students as members.  There is
also an effort to begin teaching a shop class for experimental students.  
Survey aside, the GSO is planning a topics in physics course in which 
three or four professors will cover advanced topics not otherwise covered 
at Duke.  Look for an e-mail soliciting topic suggestions soon.

During the survey report I tried to put some emphasis on the organization
of the introductory lab courses that most first-year students TA.  I think
the faculty was very interested.  I pointed out that several people had
mentioned not even having the basic equipment needed to teach lab.  No
easy answers came out of the meeting, but the topic has been raised and
the faculty is now aware of the issue if they weren't before.

The faculty mentioned two things they would like to see for next year's
survey.  They feel that an even higher turnout (we had about 50% of the
students respond this year up from roughly 33% the year before) would make
sure that all graduate student perspectives are represented.  They also
would like more information backing up criticism so that serious problems
can be investigated and not deflected as "personal attacks".

In addition to the survey, the GSO has been active on a couple of fronts.  

We have been meeting with faculty members to try to improve graduate
advising.  A couple of ideas are being considered, including assigning
advisors to students individually and then having the DGS oversee and
approve any plan developed by the student and her or his personal advisor.  
With a new DGS to be selected, it is very likely that many changes will be 
coming.

With Maxine Stern's help, we have also been tackling taxes.  Because
international students pay different taxes based on their treaty, the
actual take-home pay students receive can be very different.  Right now,
the best we can do is make sure that we at least receive as much back from
taxes paid over the year as possible.  To help out, there is now a
collection of all the relevant tax information in Del Avent's office.  We
would also like to collect example forms (with any identifying information
removed) that can serve as a starting point for filling out your income
tax forms.  If you have been happy with your returns in the past, please
consider giving us a copy -- just send me an e-mail and we'll set things
up.  Also, Maxine Stern is a CPA, and has been pretty much under-utilized
in the past.  If you have a tax question, she's a good place to start.

Finally, various GSO apointed representatives have been working busily
with the faculty all semester on a variety of projects.  Like the graduate
curriculum committee, the faculty also have an undergraduate committee on
which Julie Zeigler has been serving.  They recently made the Chronicle
with a whole new introductory physics curriculum which will be in the 
trial stage next semester.  Samadrita Roychowdhury has been serving on the 
colloquia committee, and has helped really turn things around.  The 
speakers are much more lively and the attendance has been great -- of 
course the good food has helped a lot too.

I hope this has been a good semester for everyone.  Please keep the ideas 
coming and don't wait for the next survey to let me know what you think.  

If you're taking a break in the coming weeks, I hope everything goes 
well.  If not, enjoy the peace and quiet.  Happy holidays,

John


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