Questions About:

CIS Department

Building Information

Building Hours

Both the main entrance and the back entrance to Deschutes Hall are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. The main office (120 Deschutes) is open from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on those days.

Keys

All graduate students are eligible for a keycard that unlocks Deschutes Hall after office hours and over the weekend, and a common key that gives them access to stairwells and the graduate lounge (otherwise known as the Colloquium Room) on the 2nd floor of Deschutes.

Authorization for keycards and common keys can be obtained from the office manager or graduate coordinator. Your student ID, issued by Photo ID in the basement of the Erb Memorial Union (EMU), serves as your key card. Once the ID is issued you need to take it, along with your authorization card, to the Office of Public Safety in Straub Hall (1319 East 15th, 6-5444) and provide them with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The Office of Public Safety will then activate your (free) key card access to the building. A $5 - $10 refundable deposit will be charged for the common key or any other key checked out.

If you need keys to specific faculty laboratories, see the faculty member to obtain signed authorization; then take that authorization to the office manager. Please remember that you must return your keys to campus security when you graduate, terminate your studies, or no longer need access to Deschutes.

Recycling is encouraged at Computer Science

Recycling containers are placed at strategic points throughout Deschutes, including rooms 100, 203 & 325, plus the main office. Divided recycling boxes (for use at desks) are also available through Campus Recycling.

Each recycle location typically has four bin types. White is for letterhead, copy machine paper, index cards, and notebook paper. Color is for pastels, as well as all white products that contain color, including printing in colored ink. Low grade is for magazines, paper items with labels still attached, paper bags, ream wrappers and all bright or neon colors. Staples may be left in recyclable items, but paperclips should not. None of these bins are for disposal of facial tissue, food wrappers, paper cups or paper plates.

Just inside the West entrance to Deschutes are bins for empty beverage containers. Always completely finish your drink before recycling.

For more detail regarding the U.O.'s well-established recycling program, check out http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~recycle/. Cheri Smith, our Undergraduate Coordinator, is a Lane County Master Recycler and a great source of information on recycling.

Bulletin Boards

There are two bulletin boards containing miscellaneous information in the hallway outside the main office and another board down the hall, designated for graduate student announcements. Check the boards often for information pertaining to graduate education, departmental colloquia, department news, sales and notices, employment opportunities, calls for papers, and graduate school recruiting posters and materials. See office personnel if you have a question about bulletin board information.

Mailboxes

The CIS Department provides mailboxes for GTFs/GRFs inside 120 Deschutes. Mailboxes for all other graduate students are located in the Student Lounge, Room 127 Deschutes.

Lockers

Lockers are available for graduate students who do not have an office. Locker assignments and keys may be obtained from the Graduate Coordinator.

Department Colloquium Series

The CIS Department invites guest lecturers to discuss current research topics at weekly colloquia. The talks are typically scheduled on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in 220 Deschutes. This includes 30 minutes for refreshments, providing an informal setting in which students and faculty may meet the speaker. Occasionally a colloquium will be held on Tuesday (same time and place) or, rarely, on another day of the week. Graduate students may register to take CIS 608, Colloquium, for 1 credit (P/N only) when it is offered.

Graduate Student Association

The CIS Graduate Student Association (CIS-GSA) was started in the spring of 1989 for the purpose of facilitating communication between graduate students and faculty. Two student representatives and two alternates are elected to facilitate the intent of the association. The responsibility for keeping the association going from year to year rests primarily with the graduate students. Some student groups have been more aggressive than others in getting organized for each academic year. The department encourages the formation of and participation in the Graduate Student Association. Any student who is interested in keeping the tradition going should feel free to play an active part in organizing the group.

All graduate students are advised to subscribe to the newsgroup uo.cs.grads, where information messages are normally posted. Also, feel free to post to this newsgroup any questions or comments pertaining to graduate issues. Keep in mind that this newsgroup is also read by faculty. For "sensitive" issues, there is a mailing list available (grads-mail) which sends mail to graduate students only. However, use of the grads-mail should be discussed first with the Graduate Coordinator. This staff person maintains the grads-mail list and is also on the list. GSA activities over the years have included bowling, skiing, miniature golf and picnics. Department funding is available for such events.

The Graduate Program

Questions on the Graduate Program

General questions on the program and its requirements should be addressed to the Graduate Coordinator, 120 Deschutes. Questions regarding specific course content and programs are best answered by your academic advisor. This person (a faculty member) is assigned by the Graduate Coordinator. Doctoral students should also have a research advisor. Questions regarding the role of this faculty member and the process for selection should be addressed to the Department Head.

Graduate Education Committee

The Graduate Education Committee (GEC) determines graduate program policy for the CIS Department and recommends action on exceptions to department regulations and requirements. Such requests should be made by formal petition (through the Graduate Coordinator). Requests for exceptions to university regulations should be made by petition to the Graduate School.

List of Useful Department Contacts

CIS Research Faculty

CIS Employment/Financial Support Opportunities

Graduate Teaching Fellowships

Students interested in GTF positions in the department are encouraged to continue to pursue an award, even if they did not receive a fellowship when they were first admitted to the graduate program. Although the majority of GTF appointments are made in March for the following fall quarter, there are occasional openings at other times. Interested students should periodically inform the Graduate Coordinator of their continued interest: and she can also advise them on finding fellowships outside the department.

Research Fellowships

Faculty members often have grant-supported GRF positions (Research Fellowships) for students. More information about GRFs is available from research faculty members.

Grading Assignments

The department employs graders for undergraduate courses on an hourly basis. Contact the Office Manager, (120B Deschutes) for further information.

Summer Session/Summer Sandwich

The summer quarter (typically mid-June to mid-August) is a little different than normal school year quarters. GTFs who are employed during the normal school year and have a GTF appointment the following fall, but do not have a position for the summer quarter, are entitled to a "Summer Sandwich". With this, they may take courses at a reduced fee (typically the same fee paid by GTFs who are employed during the summer). In order to get a Summer Sandwich, the hiring department and the qualified student needs to complete a form found on the Graduate School web site.