- About GAC
- Graduate life in ComS
Frequently Asked Questions
(updated and refurbished for 2006)
Just the FAQs, ma'am. This page contains questions and answers about being a graduate student in the Computer Science Department at Iowa State. The page is organized by the following categories:
- Facilities, questions and answers about computing facilities in the department
- Graduate Advisory Committee, what is this GAC thing anyway?
- TAs and RAs, resources to help with that work that pays the bills
- Housing, where should I sleep when my back's too sore to sleep on my desk
- Other, a place to put those questions that we couldn't hammer into one of the other categories
Facilities, questions and answers about computing facilities in the department
Many questions can be answered at the ComS Support SiteHow do I increase my HP/UX (ComS) disk quota?
Your disk quota can be increased in one of two ways. If the increase is related to your research, or to personal interests related to computer science, your major professor can submit a request for increase to bigjim@cs.iastate.edu. If the increase is related to work for a particular course, then the professor for the course can submit a similar request.
How do I sign up for the graduate jobs mailing list?
To subscribe to the grad job email list send mail to mdomo@cs.iastate.edu with subscribe cs-jobs-grads yournamehere@cs.iastate.edu In the body of the message (NOT the subject line). Also, one MUST supply a cs.iastate.edu email address AND the request must come from a cs.iastate.edu machine.
Research office related questions (such as "What operating systems are available for the computer in my office?)").
Your best bet is to talk to Jason Chen, the support specialist for the research labs.
What's Project Vincent? How does it work with ComS machines?
To the best of the webmaster's knowledge, it is simply the name of the accounts you receive via Iowa State (your "@iastate.edu" address) and underlying support structure. An example of it's use is for managing a mailing list via Acropolis. Some additional information about interfacing Project vincent with ComS can be found here
Graduate Advisory Committee, what is this GAC thing anyway?
What is the Graduate Advisory Committee?
The Graduate Advisory Committee, or GAC was formed in the the spring semester of 1999 to serve as an advisory committee to the department chairperson. The committee's role has since evolved. We seek to provide a common focal point for computer science graduate student concerns. By directing graduate student concerns through a single committee we are able to focus our efforts and achieve greater impact than each student might be able to achieve individually.
Members of the committee serve as representatives to the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, the awards committee, the facilities committee (which coordinates department computer systems), the graduate committee, and the colloquium committee. Additionally, through our meetings with Dr. Chang, the committee provides input to the graduate committee regarding course offerings and program requirements.
Finally, the committee works to welcome new graduate students by participating in a welcome session at the beginning of Fall semester and keep old students involved through a Fall picnic and Spring election get-together.
How can I participate in GAC?
The easiest way to participate in the GAC is to provide feedback to us on your concerns. Each of us on the committee has ideas about what issues are most important to the graduate student body in Computer Science. By giving us your feedback, either in person or via the GAC e-mail list, you help us to better represent you.
We are always looking for additional committee and subcommittee members as well as those who just want to help out. The composition of the committee changes from year to year (one year mostly Chinese students, another Indian, sometimes American) so anyone's help is welcome. Please talk to one of the committee members if you would like to get involved!
TAs and RAs, resources to help with that work that pays the bills
What is the SpeakTeach test?
The SpeakTeach test is administered to all students who have, or will have, Teaching Assistantships and for whom English is a second language. Quoting from the SpeakTeach website:
The purpose of these oral proficiency tests for new international teaching assistants (ITAs) is to find out how effectively they can communicate in English in typical American university classroom situations. Then their departments can better assign them appropriate teaching duties, and if warranted, our office can give them appropriate English oral communication classes.
Several registration times are available for the SpeakTeach test. These times can be found by following this link.
I was awarded Teaching Assistantship from the Computer Science Department, can you tell me when the first stipend draft is usually paid and, in general, when stipend checks are issued?
You need to get a Social Security number to get your payroll. For intenational students, this takes about 2-3 weeks so you usually get your first salary on September 30. Student who already have a Social Security number will receive their first check on August 31. The salary is given at the end of every month. There is a special provision by which new international students with funding can get paid at the end of August. To receive this check you need to complete a Payroll Advance form, available from the Computer Science main office (2nd floor of Atanasoff).
Housing, where should I sleep when my back's too sore to sleep on my desk
Where do most graduate students live?
There are a variety of housing options available in Ames. The three primary choices are the university apartments (Fredriksen for new/single students, University Village and Schilletter for older students and families) and off-campus apartments. See below for links to information on all of these options.
Where can I get information about University Apartments?
The ISU Department of Residence provides a web-site with complete information on all the housing options. Information on Fredriksen and University Student Apartments are included. Applications for University Student Apartment housing can be obtained online on AccessPlus and from the Dept. of Residence.
Where can I get information on off-campus apartments?
Most students also find apartments in the campus newspaper listings or by talking to other students who need roommates. Be careful about waiting too long to find housing though; apartments can be difficult to find in Ames, particularly in August. The Off Campus & Adult Student Services center has some information but the office in charge of updating it was cut from the budget.
Other, a place to put those questions that we couldn't hammer into one of the other categories
Which banks do most students use?
There are three banks that are most convenient to campus and so are used by most students. In alphabetical order, these banks are:
- Firstar, 2546 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014-7218, (515)232-8200
- First National Bank, 2330 Lincoln Way, Ames IA 50014-7131, (515) 292-6157
- ISU Credit Union, Lincoln Way & Grand, Ames IA 50010, (515) 232-6310
Who can I talk to about getting a ride from the airport or bus station?
If you have friends in Ames they should certainly be your first choice. The Office of International Students and Scholars also sometimes offers a ride service.
Where can I find information about student organizations (including international student organizations)?
Follow the link for a listing of Student Organizations
What textbooks should I bring when starting graduate school?
The department maintains a list of the required textbooks for all current courses. The list is on the department web page.
Last modified Sunday, August 13, 2006.
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