2017 NAGPS Southeast Regional Conference

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Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/07/2017 - 04/09/2017
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location
University of Alabama, Birmingham

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The 2017 NAGPS Southeast Regional Conference University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

Welcome to the 2017 Southeast Regional Conference for the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS)! This event is scheduled for April 7-9, 2017 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, and is hosted by the Graduate Student Government (GSG) at UAB.

This is a great opportunity to meet and network with fellow graduate student leaders from the Southeast region – Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U. S. Virgin Islands, Virginia.

We are diligently organizing a memorable conference experience for you, with this year’s theme being “Modernizing Graduate Education.” This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with fellow graduate student leaders from across the Southeast Region – Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Virginia.. So, REGISTER NOW and submit an abstract for student presentations.

Please don’t hesitate to ask questions to the SE regional chair Dwayne Johnson (serc@nagps.org) and/or the conference director Kathryn Oliver (seconference@nagps.org). We are looking forward to meet with you!

Thank you. 

Keynote

The NAGPS Southeast Executive Board is proud to present Dr. Amy McCandless, 2016-2017 President of the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS), as this year’s keynote speaker.

Dr. McCandless received her A.B. in History from Sweet Briar College in Virginia, her M.B.A. in Personnel from the University of South Carolina, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Modern British Social History from the University of Wisconsin. She began working at the College of Charleston as one of the editors of South Atlantic Urban Studies in 1976 and joined the History Department in 1981. From January 2001 to June 2006, she served as Associate Provost. In July 2006, she became Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Provost for Research. In March 2008, Dr. McCandless was appointed Dean of the Graduate School, and served in that role until her retirement in July 2016.

During her tenure as Graduate School Dean, Dr. McCandless worked to increase funding for assistantships and research, helped establish the Graduate Student Association and the Graduate School Advisory Board, implemented responsible research training conduct protocols, and introduced an annual graduate student poster session, as well as the 3MT® Competition (three-minute thesis).

It is evident that her impact on the College of Charleston campus, CSGS, and her profession have been and will continue to be far-reaching. We are thrilled to hear her thoughts on best practices for “Modernizing Graduate Education” in 2017, and we sincerely hope to see you there!

Abstracts

To promote NAGPS values and regional collaboration, we enthusiastically encourage all attending institutions to deliver at least one platform presentation. Please submit your abstract(s) to the 2017 NAGPS Southeast Regional Conference website under the “Submissions” tab at the bottom of the page (click here). Topics of particular interest include access/affordability of graduate education, graduate school funding, effective and visionary leadership training, employment concerns, social justice advocacy, national and international student needs, work-life-balance, and the importance of collaborative capital activism, volunteerism, and service. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 17, 2017.

Birmingham

Birmingham City Guide: https://www.canva.com/design/DACQiY2NyIA/hiPo5uVjfyudtOwjw3-Wiw/view?utm_content=DACQiY2NyIA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=embeds&utm_source=link

 

RegisterAccomodationTravelChecklistElectionsConferenceScheduleSubmissions

Registration Fees

Member and Non-Member:
     $25.00 – Early-Bird (register by 6:00pm ET on Friday, March 17)
     $35.00 – General Admission

Registration fee includes:

Conference attendance

Meals and snacks (Friday and Saturday)

Promotional items

Register Now


Accommodations

We are pleased to provide you with two options for your hotel stay in Birmingham, both of which are in walking distance to all conference proceedings. In order to take advantage of the discounted group rates, please reserve your room by  the EXTENDED DEADLINE Wednesday, March 22, 2017. You may choose from the following two hotels:

Marriott Residence Inn, Downtown at UAB

– $129/night + 17.5% tax

– Complimentary parking

– Address: 821 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205

– Click here to make your reservation. The discount is already applied – no group code required.

– Should you experience any issues, please call the hotel directly at (205) 731-9595.

Doubletree by Hilton, Birmingham

– $119/night + 17.5% tax

– Complimentary parking + internet

– Address: 808 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205

– Click here to make your reservation. Insert the Special Rate Group Code: UAB.

– Should you experience any issues, please call the hotel directly at (205) 933-9000.

 


Travel Info

Airline Travel

If you are flying into Birmingham, you will arrive at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Aiport (BHM), which is located ~15 minutes from UAB. You may take a rental car, taxi, or Uber ride from the airport to your hotel.

Driving Directions

Directions to UAB from all the major highways intersecting into Birmingham are provided below:

From I-65 South:

– Merge onto I-65 S.

– Take exit 259B onto 4th Avenue South; this is a one-way exit that curves to the left.

– Immediately turn right onto 11 Street South. Continue 0.3 miles.

– Turn left onto University Boulevard (8th Avenue South).

– The Conference Venue (UAB Hill Student Center) is on the corner of 14th Street South and University Boulevard. The Conference hotels are on the corner of 20th Street South and University Boulevard.

From I-59 South:

– Merge onto I-59 S.

– After I-59 S merges with I-20 W, continue for 4.2 miles.

– Take exit 126A to merge onto US Hwy 280 East (Hwy 31 South). Continue 1.7 miles.

– Take the University Boulevard exit.

– Turn right onto University Boulevard (8th Avenue South).

– The Conference hotels are on the corner of 20th Street South and University Boulevard. The Conference Venue (UAB Hill Student Center) is on the corner of 14th Street South and University Boulevard.

From I-20 West:

– Merge onto I-20 W.

– Keep left when I-20 W merges with I-59 S. Continue on I-20 W / I-59 S for 4.2 miles.

– Take exit 126A to merge onto US Hwy 280 East (Hwy 31 South). Continue 1.7 miles.

– Take the University Boulevard exit.

– Turn right onto University Boulevard (8th Avenue South).

– The Conference hotels are on the corner of 20th Street South and University Boulevard. The Conference Venue (UAB Hill Student Center) is on the corner of 14th Street South and University Boulevard.

From US Hwy 280 West:

– Merge onto US Hwy 280 W.

– Keep right when US Hwy 280 W merges with Hwy 31 N. Continue 1.5 miles.

– Take the University Boulevard exit.

– Turn right onto University Boulevard (8th Avenue South).

– The Conference hotels are on the corner of 20th Street South and University Boulevard. The Conference Venue (UAB Hill Student Center) is on the corner of 14th Street South and University Boulevard.

From I-65 North:

– Merge onto I-65 N.

– Take exit 259 for University Boulevard; this is a one-way exit that curves to the right.

– Continue straight onto University Boulevard (8th Avenue South).

– The Conference Venue (UAB Hill Student Center) is on the corner of 14th Street South and University Boulevard. The Conference hotels are on the corner of 20th Street South and University Boulevard.

From I-20 East / I-59 North:

– Merge onto I-20 E / I-59 N.

– Take exit 124A onto I-65 S. Continue 1.5 miles.

– Take exit 259B onto 4th Avenue South; this is a one-way exit that curves to the left.

– Immediately turn right onto 11 Street South. Continue 0.3 miles.

– Turn left onto University Boulevard (8th Avenue South).

– The Conference Venue (UAB Hill Student Center) is on the corner of 14th Street South and University Boulevard. The Conference hotels are on the corner of 20th Street South and University Boulevard.

General Transportation

All official conference proceedings will be hosted within walking distance of the venue, hotels, and several local restaurants and bars. Should you wish to get out and explore the city, you will need a rental car, taxi, or Uber.

– If you are an NAGPS member, you may contact Hertz Rental Car for special promotional pricing that is included in your membership benefits package. In Birmingham, the average cost of a rental car is $20-$40 per day.

– If you would like to estimate a potential taxi fare in Birmingham, please click here.

– Should you wish to estimate the cost of an Uber fare in Birmingham, please click here.


Checklist

  1. Please Review all the Tabs for detailed information about registration and contributing to the conference.
  2. Register for the Conference
  3. Book your hotel
  4. Submit your Abstract for student presentations (topics listed in the submissions tab)
  5. NAGPS Members: Nominate someone or yourself for the Southeast Regional Board
  6. NAGPS Members: Submit a Bid to host the 2018 Southeast Regional Conference

 


Executive Board Elections

Interested in being more involved in NAGPS? Why not start with a regional board position? Elections will be held during the regional business meeting for the following positions (full description of positions here):

 

-Vice Chair
-Director of Outreach
-Director of Legislative Affairs
-Director of Communications & Administration
-Employment Concerns Chair
-Social Justice Chair
-International Student Concerns Chair
 

During the business meeting of the conference, elections for regional board will take place. For each position, each candidate will get the chance to give a 3 minute “campaign speech” followed by question and answer session by the membership. Afterwards, a closed discussion and closed vote will determine who is elected. (NOTE: Regional Chair positions are elected at the National Conference).

 

If you have any questions or want to run for a position but cannot attend the business meeting please contact the Southeast Regional Chair, Dwayne Johnson at serc@nagps.org:

Self-nominations are encouraged!

Nominations


Bids for the 2018 Southeast Regional Conference

 

If you are interested in hosting the 2018 Southeast Regional Conference, you must submit a letter of intent to the NAGPS Executive Committee (excomm@nagps.org) AND Regional Chair (serc@nagps.org) before the regional conference, April 1, 2017. This letter shall provide two important elements: (1) approval of the graduate-professional student organization (GPSO) to host the regional conference; this can include approval from your GPSO, Dean, or Administrator, and (2) a named Director of Regional Conference to coordinate planning and volunteers of the regional conference (the Director must be a member of the host organization).

 

After submitting the letter, you would present your bid proposal to the membership at the 2017 Regional Conference. Please limit your presentation to no more than 10 minutes and 10 slides. Click here for an example bid. The presentation shall include, but is not limited to:

 

  1. Dates of conference (must occur between March 1st and April 30th)
  2. Location and member organization overview
  3. Meeting facilities
  4. Accommodations
  5. Projected budget
  6. Projected expenses for an attending organization
  7. Name of the Director of Regional Conference
  8. Required assistance from the Association

 

Time will be allotted for questions on each proposal. After all regional bid presentations have concluded, there may be a closed discussion followed by a vote of the membership. The majority vote of the regional membership will elect the host institution for the 2018 Regional Conference.

 

Host institutions shall secure funding for the conference. It is the responsibility of the host school to lead fundraising efforts. All fundraising and other partners must be submitted to the Board of Directors, which reserves the right to reject any partnership. Host institutions shall adhere to the NAGPS Constitution, Bylaws, and Standard Operating Procedures. All approved written and verbal communications to host the conference are binding.

 

For more information or questions, please contact the Vice President, Joseph Verrado at vp@nagps.org.


Schedule

Schedule

Conference Map/Key

 

Call for Presentations

To promote NAGPS values and regional collaboration, we enthusiastically encourage all attending institutions to deliver at least one platform presentation. Please submit your abstract(s) to the 2017 NAGPS Southeast Regional Conference website under the “Submissions” tab at the bottom of the page (click here). Topics of particular interest include access/affordability of graduate education, graduate school funding, effective and visionary leadership training, employment concerns, social justice advocacy, national and international student needs, work-life-balance, and the importance of collaborative capital activism, volunteerism, and service. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 17, 2017.

NAGPS regional conferences serve as a forum where student leaders from the region come together to share best practices, learn about national platforms, and grow in their understanding of issues relevant to graduate students in the Southeast. As such, we invite each school that will attend the conference to present for 30 minutes, about an issue relevant to graduate student government and graduate student life. Topics can be as varied as:

 

  • Increasing Leadership Capital
  • Increasing Advocacy Activities
  • The importance of Collaborative Capital Activism, volunteerism, and service Graduate funding
  • Graduate student leadership
  • Health, wellness, and student welfare
  • Professional development and networking

 

Submit Your Abstract

If you have any questions please contact Dwayne Johnson by email at serc@nagps.org

More details are forth coming, so please check back soon!