OGS Policies: November 2010

Important information for MAEE students and faculty advisors!

Please be aware of two recent OGS policy changes pertaining,  specifically, to: (1) students planning to change degree completion options; and (2) students planning to submit theses in December, 2010 or thereafter.

1) Students planning to switch degree completion options (SEE  OGS MEMO: MemoOGSChangeofPlanNov2010)

The first policy updates the memo sent by the OGS in February, 2010 (which I forwarded to you and posted on the blog) indicating that beginning August 2010, students who wished to switch degree completion options (from thesis to comprehensive exam or vice versa) had to request an internal transfer at least one semester prior to enrolling in thesis or submitting the Request to take the Exam.  Effective NOVEMBER, 2010 this will not be necessary for MAEE students. As indicated in the attached memo by the OGS Director and the UPRM Registrar, only Engineering students will be required to request the internal transfer; Arts & Sciences students will only need to  complete the form titled “SOLICITUD DE CAMBIO DE PLAN DENTRO DEL MISMO PROGRAMA GRADUADO” (included in the attached document) and submit it to the Registrar’s Office.

2) Students submitting theses to the OGS (SEE OGS MEMO: guiaproquest.pdf)

Beginning this semester, the OGS has adopted a new protocol for the on-line publication of UPRM thesis and dissertations. While students are still required to submit the final and approved version of the thesis (in pdf format) to the OGS by the deadline established in the academic calendar, they are now responsible for the digital publication of their manuscripts. The attached memo by the OGS director includes detailed instructions on how to use ProQuest for the digital publication (and optional print publication) of your thesis.

Please save these documents for future reference.

About the CH-324 Computer

This computer is running with an operating system called Ubuntu (version 9.10), which has the following advantages:

• It makes more efficient use of the computer’s resources– that is, it starts up and runs faster.
• It is virus-free by design and is incompatible with the many viruses that attack Windows computers.
• Ubuntu is free and open source, which means that you can download it and install it in your own computers, if interested.

Differences Between Ubuntu and Windows:

• Microsoft Office files (Word, Excel, Power Point) will open in Open Office and should function with minimal or no compatibility issues.
• CDs, DVDs, and movie files will open in VLC Media Player.
• Firefox is the default Web browser.
• The “start menu” is on the top left corner of the computer.

Startup and Shutdown Procedure:

1. Turn on computer.
2. Select “Faculty” as the user. The password is etc+(the usual password).
3. Use and enjoy.
4. The shutdown button is on the top right hand corner of the desktop.

If you have any questions or need help with this computer, contact Leonardo Flores at Extension 3608 or by e-mail: leonardo.flores@upr.edu.

Writing Center — New Hours — Tell your students!

The Arts and Sciences Writing Center, SH-109, has new, extended hours. We support your classroom instruction in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Peer tutors (grad and UG) will discuss with your students the following: content, organization, audience, grammar, word choice, and more. Our tutors are not proof-readers (they do not guarantee a perfect paper), but they are trained to support your students in their second language acquisition processes. For more information or to ask how we can support you and/or your students, send  a message to jcasey@uprm.edu.

Monday 8-4:30

Tuesday 8-4:30

Wednesday 8-4

Thursday 8 -4, MAEE 4-6

Friday 8-4

Need CEP Credits??

Complete one or two assessment loops for your classes. See details here on the blog, or contact Judy at caseymayaguez@hotmail.com. Deadine? Dec. 15.

English Department Emergency Protocol

Please refer to the link below for the most recent copy of our Department’s Emergency Protocol.

Emergency%20Protocol.pdf

Arts & Sciences Blog Feed

I have added a feed of the last 10 postings to the “Artes y Ciencias Al Dia” Blog. You can find it in the right hand column of our blog.

Enjoy!

Guide to Categories in the English Department Blog

This is a brief overview of the categories in which postings are classified in the English Department Blog, which may be both useful for you to sort through the materials, but is also informative in terms of the kinds of postings you can make (or send info for us to post).
Continue reading »

How to Open DocX Files, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Microsoft

If you are having increasing numbers of problems with files generated by Microsoft Office 2007, in the new docx format, which isn’t compatible with Office 2003 for Windows or Office 2004 for Mac, then here are some solutions for the problem.

Continue reading »

The ETC Guide to the English Department Blog

The English Department Blog is officially open for posting and visiting. This posting will provide a brief tour of some useful features in the Blog that will help you access and navigate the blog postings most relevant to you.

Continue reading »

Welcome to the English Department Blog

The English Department Blog is the main source of announcements, news, and other information for its faculty, staff, and students. It is designed to not only provide up to date information, but to organize it into useful categories, as well as storing it into a searchable archive.

If you need anything posted on the blog, contact Gayle Griggs, Betsy Morales, or Leonardo Flores.

If you wish to be able to post directly to the blog follow these steps:
1. Create a WordPress account by going to http://blogs.uprm.edu/wp-signup.php

2. Check your e-mail for a response with your account password.

3. Contact Leonardo Flores with your WordPress username, so he can add you as a contributor to the blog.