What is the SAM Student Forum?
The SAM Student Forum is comprised of the student members of SAM. All students who join SAM are also automatically members of the Student Forum. Participating in Student Forum activities is simply one more way for students to become involved in the Society.
How does the Student Forum work for you?
- Connectivity: Using the SAM newsletter, the SAM listserv, the SAM Student Forum list, and this webpage, we keep you up-to-date on the latest student-related announcements and deadlines.
New this year is the SAM Student Forum Facebook group. Everyone is invited to join to keep up on the latest happenings!
- Conference Activities: We organize a student-only dinner and reception, and we organize session panels devoted to student concerns. (Recent sessions have included imagining an ideal graduate program in American music and alternative career paths for musicologists.) We also manage the Silent Auction, the proceeds of which help fund student conference travel. Finally, we make arrangements for a student rate at the conference hotel, help students find affordable nearby alternatives, and help students find roommates for the conference.
Announcements:
- Student List: We have recently created a formal email list to better connect with one another. With this list, students receive Student Forum emails and have access to contact information of individual student members of SAM. To sign up for the list, or for more information, please visit the sam_students page.
- Student Forum Committee: In Cincinnati a new Student Forum Committee was formed. This committee aids the Student Forum co-chairs in their efforts to support student members of SAM.
• Current members of the committee: Sarah Suhadolnik.
• Past members of the committee: Ryan Raul Bañagale, Judy Brady, Sarah Gerk, Kevin Kehrberg, Anna Ochs, Jeff Wright, Eliza bet h Yackely, Jessica Bisse tt and Phil Gentry.
Conference Information:
The Charlotte meeting is fast approaching! Here are some things to keep in mind as we gear up for the conference
• Mark Tucker Award: The Tucker Award is given yearly for an outstanding student paper read at our national meeting. The award honors the life and work of Mark Tucker, a much beloved late member of SAM. Any student planning to read a paper at the next national conference is eligible to apply. If you would like to apply, a complete version of the paper is due on 1 February 2012. For more information about the award and application instructions, click here.
• Roommate Share: The Student Forum organizes a roommate finding service to help defray the cost of attending the national conference. If you would like to be placed with a roommate, please email Jennifer Myers.
• Silent Auction: The society holds a Silent Auction at the annual SAM conference to benefit the Student Travel Endowmment. The auction is coordinated entirely by the Student Forum. More than ever, we need your help with planning and running the auction. This is a great way to get more involved and to get to know other students in SAM. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please Brian Jones.
Student travel fund recipients are required to help at the close of the auction on Saturday evening. You will not receive your check if you are not present. This will conflict with the beginning of the banquet.
• Co-Chair Elections: Students present at the Friday evening meeting will elect a new Student Forum Co-Chair. Being a Co-Chair is an excellent way to become more involved in the Society for American Music and get to know some of your colleagues! If you are interested in the position, please contact Jennnifer or Brian for more information.
• Conference Events:
Panel Discussion - "Navigating the Job Market"
Student Forum Meeting and Dinner - Friday Evening
Check the program for the location of the business meeting and keep an eye out for signs indicating where we'll have our annual student-only dinner following the meeting.Student Forum Breakfast - Saturday morning
Come to this breakfast event to thank members of SAM who contribute to the student travel endowment!
What would you like the Student Form to do for you?
The Student Forum has a guaranteed spot on the program every year. This is a great opportunity for us to put together sessions that speak to student needs and interests. We are always looking for ways to encourage student participation in conference activities, foster contacts with each other throughout the year, and encourage student members to become active, life-long SAM members. If you have any ideas or comments, please contact the Student Forum co-chairs, Jennifer Myers (Northwestern University) and Brian Jones (University of North Carolina).
Want to know more about joining SAM? Click here!