Graduate Student Commons

Grad Student Commons at UCSC

Located right above Joe’s Pizza and Subs in the Quarry Plaza, the Graduate Student Commons exists solely to serve the needs and interests of grad students at UCSC. In fact, The Commons is the only building on campus that is owned and operated entirely by graduate students! It provides a comfortable and welcoming space, fostering graduate student interaction and a sense of community. The Commons offers a variety of events and resources throughout the year.

Amenities and services provided:

Private study/meeting rooms
Space for TA’s to hold sections and office hours
Multimedia equipment including Nintendo Wii, DVD player
Plenty of board games (and a foosball soon to come!)
A lounge area and balcony to read, study, relax, and hang out with other grads
Free printing (up to 10 pgs/day)
Wireless internet as well as desktop iMac and PC access
Kitchen includes water cooler, microwave, and small refrigerator
Photocopying
Lockers

In addition, the Commons holds numerous events each quarter to enrich grad student life and cultivate professional development.

Open Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm

24hr access available here.

Spring Fling 2012

Wed, 05/16/2012 - 14:26 — webmaster

Check out some photos from our Spring Fling!

Check the rest out on Facebook!

Grad Commons Needs Board Members!

Sun, 05/13/2012 - 17:37 — gscgb

Hey Grads!!

Join the Graduate Student Commons! This year has been marked by the
highest level of events and programming by the Grad Commons in our 11
year history. We have increased our social and professional
development programs to unprecedented levels. We need new Board
members to help continue our programming. Board member
responsibilities include attending and voting at monthly meetings and
helping out when able to with the monthly/bimonthly social programs.
If you have enjoyed our social events and benefitted from our
professional development programs, please consider joining the Grad
Commons Board to help keep it going next year.

Please note, the Grad Commons is a separate organization from the GSA.
The GSA is the official voice of graduate students and advocates
politically for graduate students on the university level. The Grad
Commons is a building owned and run by graduate students to provide a
comfortable and welcoming space to foster graduate student interaction
and a sense of community. In addition to being a facility available
to graduate students to study and relax, the Grad Commons holds
numerous events each quarter to enrich graduate student life and
cultivate professional development. Below is a list of some of the
programs we have offered this academic year - all of our programs are
completely free and open to all graduate students.

Please contact the Grad Commons Board President Mark Mozena

(mmozena@ucolick.org) if you are interested or have any questions.

Thanks and see you at the 1st Friday Social on June 1st!

Grad Commons Social Programs:

1st Friday Socials
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party
The PhD Movie Screening
Speed Mingling
End of Days Party
Spring Fling Cocktail Party
Grad Student Art Show
Mural Competition and Commissioning

Grad Commons Professional Development Programs:

Preparing for Your Qualifying Exam Workshop
Convert Your CV to Resume Workshop
Writing a CV and Cover Letter
Effective Communication
Resumes for Industry
Cover Letters for Academia
Preparing a Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Preparing a Diversity Statement
Developing a Professional Web Presence
Making the Most of Your Mentorships
Becoming a Professor Workshop
Self-Management
Grant Writing
Resume Marathon
Managing Conflict in Professional Settings

Grad Commons Health and Wellness Programs:

Weekly Yoga, Meditation, and Campus Hikes
Quarterly Accu-Pressure and Massage Tables

Grad Commons Travel Grants and Group Sponsorship:

Provide $18,000 per year for Travel Grants
Provides thousands of dollars per year to co-sponsor various graduate student groups and activities

Visit our website (http://gradcommons.drupal.ucsc.edu/) to learn about upcoming programming and ways to get involved with the Grad Commons.

gscgb's blog

Self Management for Grad School and Beyond

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 19:57 — webmaster

Check out the slides from Executive Coach Fehrunnisa Moore's presentation "Self Management for Grad School and Beyond"
Slides (PDF)

Diversity Statement Workshop

Sun, 04/15/2012 - 12:45 — prog.coordinator

Here are the powerpoint slides from the Diversity Statement Workshop presented by Suzanne Martin.
Powerpoint
PDF

prog.coordinator's blog

Photos

Tue, 04/10/2012 - 15:39 — webmaster

Hi grads,
We've put some photos up from our previous events. Check them out below
Halloween 2011
First Fridays

webmaster's blog

Spring Quarter Events

Mon, 04/02/2012 - 20:59 — prog.coordinator

Check out our events for the upcoming quarter!
Events PDF
Events Word File

prog.coordinator's blog

GSCGB meeting this Thursday (March 8) 1:30-3pm

Tue, 03/06/2012 - 10:17 — gscgb

Agenda as follows:

report on meeting with Dean Miller to move Grad Commons under Grad Div
Diane midyear review process - Sayo
Danielle fall overview and prof develop activities - success of events in fall and presentation of the 'research' aspect of her position
mural - update
continue Prof Coord with grad div - decide on process for position - 2yrs with spring training period of shadowing for new person?
ideas to enlarge board - how will we democratically enlarge our voting board?
Diane's Job Description and full time continuation
remaining events in winter - success of current events
spring events (professional development, social - what party theme and when) and making new flier
website improvements - how can we make it better (past events photos, clubs at commons -names and contacts, comments/feedback page, what else to add/modify)

All grads are welcome to attend!