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November 29, 2022In this issue: IRIS Graduate Student Summer Fieldwork Awards, animal friends, and more.
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Tips for Grads: How to keep animals in your life during graduate school
I created Pet of the Week, featured at the bottom of every issue of GradConnections Weekly, because I love animals, and I am clearly not the only one: since the feature debuted in January 2022, readership for GradConnections has increased nearly 10%, representing over 800 new readers. Owning a pet has been shown to improve physical and mental health by reducing stress, easing lonliness, and, especially in the case of dogs, increasing physical activity. I adopted my cat, Meggy, in 2017, and I am grateful every day to have her alongside me. As GradConnections student editor, I love seeing everyone else’s pets, too, and hearing their stories: when they were adopted, their favorite foods, how they got their names, etc.
I recognize, however, that not everyone is able to have a pet while in graduate school for a variety of reasons. Some Pet of the Week submissions are of family pets who have been left behind with students’ families of origin. Other graduate students are unable to have a pet due housing and financial constraints, long or unreliable hours, frequent travel, health concerns and allergies, and other realities of student life.
If you are someone who is unable to have a pet while in graduate school, there are still ways to keep animals in your life. Here are some suggestions:
- Volunteer with rescue groups: There are numerous rescue groups, such as the Dane County Humane Society, in Madison that welcome volunteers. Volunteer positions range from “Critter Cuddlers” to administrative jobs to maintenance work. Although most area shelters are a bit of a trek from campus, some are reasonably close to bus stops. Volunteering with a shelter requires a high level of selflessness and an ability to see the bigger picture of an organization’s mission. If working with animals in search of homes is too tempting or otherwise not for you, consider other options for animal interaction.
- Visit reputable pet supply stores: Many pet supply stores, such as MadCat’s three locations, have permanent resident shop cats who welcome attention and affection from visitors. An additional bonus of interacting with these cats, in comparison with those in shelters, is that there is no temptation or sadness over not being able to take them home with you.
- Hang out at pet-friendly locations: On the weekends, I have a retail job at Hilldale Mall, which welcomes dogs into most of its stores, including mine. This opportunity to pet guests’ dogs is a major perk. I particularly enjoy catching up with our regulars, such as Scout, Annie, and Bernard. However, remember to always ask before approaching another person’s dog, and never pet or otherwise distract service animals.
- Read GradConnections: Every week, you can get your animal fix vicariously through Pet of the Week. Scroll to the bottom of today’s newsletter for a special photo series featuring animal friends.
GradConnections Weekly is looking for fresh perspectives on the graduate student experience.
If you have advice, counsel, or tips for UW grad students, you’re invited to write a guest column for Tips for Grads.
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DiscoverPD is an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. Review the eight facets of professional development, complete a self-assessment, and get a customized report and recommendations.
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Delta Courses for Spring 2023 Now Registering
- Build an Inclusive Canvas Dream Course, Thursdays, 1 - 3 pm, starting January 26
- Using Writing to Teach in Any Discipline, Tuesdays, 4 - 5:30 pm, starting January 24
- Research Mentor Training, Multiple sections available
- Teaching in the Arts and Humanities: The College Classroom, Wednesdays, 1:20 - 3:15 pm, starting January 25
- Improv to Improve Science Communication and Teaching, Tuesdays, 1 - 3 pm, starting January 24
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FAFSA Frenzy
Fridays, Dec 2 and 9 | noon - 2 pm
333 East Campus Mall, STARR Lab (9th floor)
Bring your laptop and get help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Lunch provided.
The Innovation Cup is designed to support the professional development of postdocs and graduate students in natural sciences, computer sciences, and business administration who are interested in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. Participants learn how research and development in the industry works by lectures from Merck managers and scientists, and also advance an idea to a full project plan with their teams. Travel, food, and accommodation expenses are covered.
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Teaching & Mentoring
Explore more teaching-related professional development events from the Delta Program.
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Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the I-Corps program helps researchers quickly evaluate the commercial potential of a scientific discovery or technology that could lead to a path for startup success.
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- CSS 1
- Premiere Pro
- Intro to Programming
- Python Intermediate
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Special Events & Symposia
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Fall 2022 Tuition and Fee Dates- Friday, Dec 2: Graduate student segregated fees deferred due date
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- Grainger Hall (Executive Dining Room) | Tuesday, Dec 6 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Updated COVID-19 boosters are available at flu shot clinics. Students and employees can boost their immune systems and help keep campus healthy this fall with a flu vaccine and Pfizer bivalent booster, conveniently available together for no cost at vaccine clinics across campus this fall. Visit the UHS website for more information and to schedule your appointments today.
Nature Hike
Sunday, Dec 4 | 1 - 2:30 pm
UW–Madison Arboretum Visitor Center
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COVID-19 Response and Testing Information
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Mental Health Resources for Grad Students
According to the 2019 Healthy Minds Survey, 93% of UW–Madison graduate students do not think any less of a peer who seeks mental health care, and 89% of UW–Madison graduate students who used mental health care found it helpful.
- Individual Counseling. University Health Services offers individual counseling conducted remotely over phone or video, with bilingual mental health providers available in Mandarin or Spanish. Counseling topics can be any issue that causes distress – emotional, psychological, interpersonal, or academic.
- Healthy Minds Program app. Train your mind to be more focused, calm, and resilient through meditation with the Healthy Minds Program. This program is informed by research from the Center for Healthy Minds at UW–Madison and is free to use.
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UHS services available remotely
University Health Services is committed to supporting you. Many medical, counseling, and wellness services are available by phone and accessible online. Find out more on the UHS Remote Health and Connection webpage.
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| Graduate Student Support and Assistance
The Dean of Students Office provides resources to students struggling with a variety of issues and can be your go-to spot for assistance as a graduate student. To contact the Graduate and Professional Student Assistance Specialist Elaine Goetz-Berman directly, email egoetz2@wisc.edu.
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| Hostile and Intimidating Behavior
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to preventing hostile and intimidating behavior (HIB) and will take prompt and appropriate corrective action whenever it learns that it has occurred. If you have experienced HIB, there are resources to help and staff available to talk.
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Please note: Graduate students enrolled in service-based pricing programs, such as online and accelerated programs, are ineligible to receive tuition remission. Be sure to check with your graduate program coordinator and read your admission and appointment letters carefully to understand your benefits eligibility.
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336 Ingraham Hall
These awards are for graduate students in any department planning on conducting research outside the United States during the summer 2023 field season. These are one-time awards of $3,000 to be used in support of six or more weeks of summer fieldwork.
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Pet(s) of the Week: Friends
This week, we celebrate animal friendships.
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Mowgli (tortie) and Bagheera (black) are siblings who love to nap together in the sunlight after playtime. These feline friends belong to Claire Lamoureux, gradaute student in Library and Information Science.
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Barney (front) and Davina (back) took a break from their summer project of keeping watchful eyes on some free range chicken to take this photo. They immediately went back to the task at hand right after. I envy their discipline. These watchful woofers belong to Emily Fornof, graduate student in Geography.
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According to Taylor Dickson, graduate student in English (Composition and Rhetoric), "Bennie (left) and Oscar (right) are the sweetest cats you will ever encounter. I feel very lucky they let me occupy the same space as them." Fun fact: Bennie's favorite snack is duck heart and Oscar loves pumpkin!
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Tetra (left, tortie) and Sidon (right, black) probably love each other deep down, but don't always get along, and all hopes for detente are discarded when chicken is on the line. Bridget McMahon, graduate student in the iSchool, manages this sibling rivalry.
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