To be a means by which graduate students may help to shape the graduate program in the chemistry department at Indiana University Bloomington. The ChemGRC addresses issues of both academic and social nature that pertain to the graduate student population. We foster a cooperative relationship and communication channel between faculty, staff, and graduate students concerning department policy and focus. In addition, the ChemGRC promotes the professional development of graduate students, supports concerns in constructive and tactful ways, and celebrates the academic and professional successes of Indiana University’s chemistry students.
The ChemGRC, or the Chemistry Graduate Representative Committee, is a committee comprised of graduate students in the six divisions of chemistry. In 2010, the ChemGRC was created to act as the voice of the graduate student body and work directly with the chemistry department on various issues of academic or social nature that directly concerned us, the graduate students.
The ChemGRC meets monthly as a committee, and also with the Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Sara E. Skrabalak. We discuss concerns that have been brought to the ChemGRC, opportunities for student involvement and career-oriented events, and ways to continually improve and celebrate the many successes of our outstanding graduate students!
Throughout the semester, we plan social and professional events. Our breakfast socials (coffee and doughnuts and more!) promote all-inclusive interactions within the department to include staff, faculty, post-doctoral assistants, and graduate students. The newly instated ChemGRC Seminar Series highlights student research in all divisions and fosters the development of scientific communication to a diverse audience (supported by popcorn and beer!). To encourage the attendance of conferences, we grant biannual travel awards. In addition, we aim to be a welcoming team for recruited and incoming first-year students at the beginning of their graduate careers!
The mission of ChemGRC is always to serve and represent the graduate students of IU chemistry. If you have ideas (anything really!) that you would like to share with the committee, please contact us! If you have a sensitive question or concern, try out our anonymous contact form.
What We Do
So what has the ChemGRC been doing recently?
- In coordination with the southern Indiana ACS chapter, we are helping to organize ACS on Campus for 2014.
- The ChemGRC hosted a booth at the National Chemistry Week event at the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis on November 2, 2013, supporting the theme of “Energy: Now and Forever!”
- October 2013’s breakfast social featured many home-baked breakfast treats!
- ChemGRC encouraged the organization of shuttle buses to transport graduate students to and from the National ACS meeting in Indianapolis in August 2013!
- We are promoting a new resource for graduate students. Special teams have been formed on campus to deal with sensitive incidents concerning disabilities, race and religion, gender, or sexuality. More information here.
- In September, we welcomed our newest group of graduate students to IU chemistry by taking them to lunch on Kirkwood and ending the first week of classes with a cookout at Bryan Park.
- In the spring, we celebrated recruiting weekend with visiting students and took them bowling in the IU Memorial Union. Yes, it was cosmic!
We also have recurring events!
- Every semester, the ChemGRC grants two travel awards to students presenting their research at conferences.
- Throughout the year, we organize breakfast socials for the entire department: staff, post docs, faculty, and grad students all together in one breakfast-inspired room!
- The ChemGRC Seminar Series highlights two graduate students’ research the first Wednesday of every month during the school year. Students provide the research, audience, and discussion. We provide the snacks and beverages!
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