January 10th Presidential Roundup

• UPPSA Board Elections- It’s just the beginning of the semester but UPPSA will soon hold its annual board member elections. Be on the look-out for information helpful if you are interested in running for President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary. You can learn about the process in the appendix to the UPPSA constitution at http://www.uppsa.org/uppsa-documents.html. In the meantime, UPPSA is looking for 2-3 people to aid the board in running a free and fair election. If you are not interested in running for office or are ineligible to run (will graduate before Spring 2012 or will not be on campus for all of Academic Year 2012), please consider serving in this very important role. If you are interested please email Bob at uppsaelections@gmail.com
• 2010 Urban Innovation Symposium- Friday, February 4th A day–long, 3–part event bringing together pioneering professionals from various industries for a series of interactive discussions and presentations on recent innovations in urban development, technology, and culture.
Opening Session (1pm, Location: UIC Student Center East (Room 602), 750 S. Halsted St.)
Introductory Presentations from: Aaron Renn of Urbanophile, Marcia Caton Campbell of the Center for Resilient Cities, James Patchett of the Conservation Design Forum, Associate Dean Annette Valenta of UIC's Health Informatics and Technology program, Elise Zelechowski of the Delta Institute, And More...
Breakout Session (3pm, Location: TBA)
Innovators hold 1 hour long discussion seminars with symposium attendants
Pecha Kucha/Networking (6:30pm, Location: TBA)
7 minute multimedia presentations from emerging innovators; Dave Snyder of the Chicago Rarities Orchard Project, Jamie Simone of the Wicker Park Business Chamber, Kyle Smith of the Center for Neighborhood Technology
Refreshments Included.
Go to uppsa.org for more info!
• General Assembly and Transit Oriented Dining- On Friday, January 21st UPPSA will hold the first GA/TOD of the new semester. The location is yet to be determined but we will meet at 6pm, have brief update of UPPSA news and then socialize. This will be a great opportunity for new MUPPs to meet returning MUPPs, for folks to catch up with fellow students as the new semester kicks off. We’ll keep you posted for the location of this meeting. Email uppsainfo@gmail.com if you have suggestions for this or future TOD locations.
• UPPSA Membership- For those students new to the program, those who have been around for a while but haven’t become members and students who became members last spring, enrollment in the Urban Planning and Policy Student Association is open during the first month of the spring semester. Visit http://www.uppsa.org/uppsa-documents.html to download the membership form. Return it and your check for $15 to Ann Barnds or any UPPSA board member to enroll or renew your membership. Membership benefits include higher reimbursement rates for approved conference travel, the annual UPPSA gift, and the satisfaction of being a part of one of UIC’s most dynamic and good-looking student associations. Email us at UPPSAinfo@gmail.com with any questions.
• APA National Conference 2011 in Boston Massachusetts April 9-12- The American Planning Association National Conference is right around to corner. Check out the APA website for details on speakers, programs, and student opportunities. http://www.planning.org/conference/
Early registration ends February 10, 2011 so sign up early to save money, or apply to be a student volunteer for a $100 refund if you are an APA Student Member. http://www.planning.org/conference/registration.htm
UPPSA will be providing more information regarding accommodations, travel, and partial reimbursement in the next few weeks! Join us for a greatnetworking and learning opportunity!
• American Planning Association- Chicago Metro Section Networking Event- Thursday, January 27th, 5:30-7:30pm at Jak’s Tap- Join fellow Chicago area planners for a fun networking opportunity to meet your peers in the profession, or reacquaint with familiar faces. We are bringing together planners from every stage of planning careers, from seasoned professionals to those new to the profession. This reception is also an opportunity for members participating in the Illinois Chapter Mentoring program to meet with students and recent graduates.
Please e-mail apachicagometrosection@yahoo.com by January 21st, please include the number of years of experience you have as a planner or if you are currently a student.
• Be the MUPP Representative to the Graduate Student Council- An opportunity to serve as the MUPP representative to the GSC, UIC’s graduate student representative body, has opened up. In an ongoing effort to get as many MUPPs involved in representing the student association and keeping the student body well-informed. Meetings take place the second Thursday of each month between now and May from 5pm to 7pm. This opportunity is open to all MUPPs who can attend this monthly meeting and will be able to coordinate with the UPPSA leadership. If you are interested please send a brief statement of interest to uppsainfo@gmail.com Thank you to Joe van Dyk who served in this position during the fall semester.
• Book Exchange- As this semester is ending, a new one is going to begin shortly. Don’t forget to sell your books for some extra holiday cash, or rent them out, if you are attached to them. UPPSA book exchange in online! Go to http://www.uppsa.org/forum.html to post your books.
• Academic or Assistantship Advocacy- Any MUPPs with concerns about department-wide academic issues are encouraged to contact UPPSA at UPPSAinfo@gmail.com with your feedback about the program. The Board of UPPSA meets regularly with the UPP department and the Dean of CUPPA. Let us be your advocate. Also, for those students with assistantships, UPPSA President Bob Fuller is also the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) steward for CUPPAH. If you feel you have been treated unfairly in your assistantship (Teaching, Graduate or Research) feel free to contact him at rfulle5@uic.edu to get connected with the GEO’s grievance resources.
• If you have important news for fellow MUPPs and you would like it included in the President’s Weekly Roundup and/or on the UPPSA website email UPPSAinfo@gmail.com by 2 p.m. each Sunday.