Second Language Studies Student Association (SLSSA)

Fall 2009 SLSSA retreat


2009-2010 A Year in Review

by Susannah Welch, Co-President

The ’09-’10 academic term was a busy year for SLSSA. We coordinated the typical social and academic departmental events and also helped to organizing a few new ones.

In August 2009, SLSSA hosted the annual Welcome Potluck event. This dinner, held at the HELP lounge, gave new students the opportunity to meet one another as well as to mingle with the “old” or returning students. Shortly following, SLSSA assisted with the new student orientation. We introduced the organization using a colorful PowerPoint presentation explaining the functions of SLSSA and the benefits of joining the organization. Because this was the first year that SLS MA students were granted spring admission, SLSSA gave a repeat performance of the orientation in January.

Directly following the new student orientation, we held the semester’s first Cooler for students and faculty alike. At the monthly Coolers, coordinated by Social VPs Daniel Fan, Ritsuko Iyoda, Leslie Reynolds and Jake Kletzien, SLSSA provided not only food and beverages, but the opportunity for SLS students, faculty and family members to connect and interact outside of the classroom. The end-of-the-semester Coolers were the biggest and most widely attended. The Bley-Vroman’s generously offered their home as the locale for the December Cooler and the May Cooler was held on the NFLRC lanai with the assistance of Jim Yoshioka. During both Coolers, SLSSA recognized Fall and Spring SLS graduates respectively with name announcements and lei-giving by department Chair, JD Brown and department Graduate Chair, Thom Hudson.

Another great way for students, new and returning, as well as faculty to connect is through the SLSSA annual retreat, organized by Co-Presidents Sakol “Pok” Suethanapornkul and Susannah Welch. This year the day-long retreat was held at Camp Timberline, mauka of Makakilo. The event included a faculty panel to field student questions and to explain various components of the department, including topics ranging from specialization to SP writing. In addition to addressing academic matters, SLSSA also held get-to-know-you ice breakers, trivia games, a t-shirt design contests, and matched mentors and new student mentees. We concluded the day with outdoor activities like swimming and basketball and a delicious potluck meal. It was both a fun and productive event…and what a view!

In addition to nurturing the social needs of the department, SLSSA also organized its semesterly academic events. Academic VPs Bal Sharma and Amy Goodman-Bide organized this year’s two academic events for SLS students. The first was held in October and presenters Dr. Richard R. Day, Dr. Christina Higgins, Hakyoon Lee, and John Davis talked about publishing in the SLS field and covered topics such as the points to consider while preparing manuscripts, choosing the right journal, following the submission guidelines, turning terms papers and SPs into journal articles, etc. In April, SLSSA hosted the second academic event focusing on the IRB process and related issues in SLS research. Dr. Lourdes Ortega discussed the process and the ethical issues involved in research involving human subjects. MA students Heejin Kim and Ritsuko Iyoda shared their research and experiences with the IRB process.

The Coolers and academic events are normal undertakings for the student association, but this year our group went above and beyond the typical duties of SLSSA board members to help organize additional events.

Working collaboratively with a faculty committee and under the direction of Barbara Cooney, SLSSA helped host the SLS department’s 40th anniversary celebration! We coordinated the efforts of student volunteers who helped set up, clean up, and to ensure that the event ran smoothly…and it did! SLSSA held its annual auction with the help of MCs Kenny Harsch and Steve Jacques. We were able to offer fun goods and services to the SLS community and raised over $2,700, which was donated to the Craig Chaudron Memorial Fund. At the event, SLSSA also presented lei to formally recognize Dr. Richard R. Day and Dr. Robert Gibson who have been around since the early days of the SLS department.

Because Dr. Gibson will be retiring at the end of this year, he generously donated many of his books for SLSSA to sell. The book sale was a huge success! The sale generated over $450 which Dr. Gibson kindly donated to SLSSA. He will be missed by students, faculty, and the entire SLS community.

In April, SLSSA held elections for next year’s Graduate Student Organization (GSO) representatives and SLSSA Executive Board members. The votes were tallied and the torch was passed. Best of luck to the new SLSSA Board in the year to come!

Overall, SLSSA had a great year and provided many opportunities for students, faculty and alumni to connect and contribute positively to the SLS community! Mahalo to everybody for your support!

Fall 2009 Graduates

Fall 2009 Graduates with SLS Faculty and Staff