Recently Ted Coopman, the elected AoIR grad student representative, posted the call for expressions of interest in being involved in the AoIR Graduate Student Research Group, eliciting some discussion on the list. As President I just want to emphasise that this proposal is fully supported by the executive, based on Ted's detailed planning.

Then the executive should, perhaps, consider ways to inform the graduate student constituency and the list at large of the details of Ted's planning. As yet, we have seen very little substantive information that would allow one to evaluate the worth of participation. This is a very straightforward note letting the exec know that Ted is not communicating with his constituents in any manner whatsoever, and that we expect to see that situation change post-haste.

It also follows on from some of the things that Ted indicated he wanted to do as grad student rep in the pre-election discussions in 2005.I also want to indicate (as Ted has already explained) that the GSRG is in a pilot stage and may or may not continue, or be changed, depending on what happens over the next year or so. Indeed the comments made on the list will prove useful in helping to shape and develop the GSRG in ways that are fully supportive of both the broad aims of the Association and specifically supporting and promoting graduate students.

This sort of thing would have been useful: "Dear list, We are considering spinning up an initiative that would enhance graduate student involvement in some of AoIR's internal projects (such as Z) and would do X and Y things to support and promote the needs of graduate students. We are considering proceeding by implementing A, B, and C policy changes, and by asking interested graduate students to consider D, E, and F options. Further discussion of these initial plans, as well as future brainstorming, will take place on the air-grad listserv. --The exec / Ted"

Can I ask that any graduate students who are interested in involvement in the group contact Ted directly for more information. Since it is a pilot project, involvement will assist us making sure that the GSRG continues and develops to meet a variety of needs within the Association. Shortly, Ted will provide some basic info and additional details as they emerge on the aoir website.

I will repeat, one more time, that initiatives that are planned from within a "black box" - that is, without community participation - and are specifically tuned toward graduate students may have the effect of actively ghettoizing graduate students rather than protecting and supporting said students. Having these initiatives discussed and planned 'in the open' is strongly preferable to having them spring forth full-formed like Athena from a single person's (or a small group of persons - the exec) imagination. Removing the discussion from air-l or air-grad is counterproductive, and begins to look like a silencing tactic. Perhaps Ted should initiate conversation on air-grad rather than individuals being asked to contact him off-list. --e