EGSO Conference - Organizers Needed

EGSO is pleased to announce that our annual graduate conference will be held on Saturday, February 25th, 2012. The theme this year is an interdisciplinary understanding of "Revise, Remix, Recreate," and we'll be sending the call for papers out shortly. 

At this point we’re asking for assistance in organizing the conference. It takes a lot of work to plan a conference, and we appreciate all the help we can get! We have several committees set up to organize specific parts of the conference:

Panels Committee

• Write "Call for Papers" notice
• Read abstracts
• Determine panels
• Select papers
• Choose panel chairs
• Schedule panel time table
• Get necessary information to Communications Committee

Logistics Committee

• Secure rooms in Shanks for conference
• Set up and break down conference rooms
• Arrange for A/V equipment
• Manage panel presentations to help with A/V equipment

Hospitality Committee

• Organize breakfast
• Organize lunch
• Ensure availability of water throughout the day
• Man registration table/secure tags for everyone
• Generate checklist of hospitality tasks

Communications Committee

• Design/update flyer
• Develop registration form
• Design/update website
• Design/produce signage

If you want to be part of any conference committee, send an email to EGSO’s gmail account (VT dot EGSO) with your preference, and we'll contact you with more information.

Not only is organizing the EGSO conference a lot of fun, but it also is a great line on your CV.

Fall Book Fair

EGSO will be hosting the fall semester book fair on Tuesday October 11th from 10am to 3:30pm in Shanks 370/380.

We will have representatives from Pearson, Bedford St. Martin, and Cengage there to answer all textbook related questions.

For those of you who haven't been to a book fair before, this is a great opportunity to peruse the selection of composition books that exist (and there are tons!) and order desk copies.

Plus there's going to be free coffee and snacks. Books, coffee, and snacks, what more could you want? Feel free to contact EGSO through our gmail account (VT dot EGSO) for more information.

September Social @ The River Mill

Hopefully the first few weeks of your semester have been going well. EGSO would like to invite you to relax and socialize next Thursday, September 22 at the River Mill for the first social of the semester!

EGSO will sponsor get-togethers such as this one about once a month, and it is an opportunity for PhDs, MAs, and MFAs to all get together. We will host this event at the River Mill from 6-8 p.m. Drinks will not be provided, but good conversation and people will! Please come out!

Stay tuned for updates concerning the October gathering, "Shanksgiving" in November, and a social in December. Hope to see you all soon!

EGSO Welcome Picnic

The English Graduate Student Organization is kicking off what promises to be another fantastic school year with a welcome picnic.

When: Friday August 19th, 5 to 8pm

Where: Tom's Creek Park (2100 Tom's Creek Road, about 1/4 mile past the 460 bypass on Tom's Creek)

Who: New and returning graduate students, faculty, staff, as well as guests

Food: EGSO will provide delicious food from Due South BBQ, vegetarian options, and drinks  
RSVP by Wednesday August 17th to EGSO’s gmail account (VT dot EGSO) with number attending and any special diet accommodations

Returning students, faculty, and staff: We ask that you please bring a contribution to the picnic, such as a side dish, bag of chips, baked goods, napkins, etc. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated. Please include what you plan to bring when you RSVP.