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Our Philosophy and Goals
I don't know if I would go so far as to call it a philosophy or even a mission statement for that matter. It's more of just a loose idea of what we're trying to do. Our main goal is to foster a better sense of community and a more social envorinment in the Physics and Astronomy Depertments. In the past few years, it seems we've been focued on accomplishing this through mostly food-based events. Everyone needs to eat, right? Barbecues have been especially great as a regular way to bring lots of majors, grads, faculty, and staff together. The SPS office (275 LeConte) and the Reading Room (251 LeConte) are also great places to either get work done or just hang out when you need a break.
It may seem like we've been neglecting to promote more academic and scholarly achievement. Which is sort of true. We do organize the Undergraduate Poster Session in the spring semester. Also, in Fall 2003, a few of us organized a weekly seminar to introduce students to several current research topics in physics. Our old exams and our library help out too...but arguably our biggest contribution to the academic environment has been the aforementioned fostering of the community, even if it's just a matter of helping (in whatever way) to get everyone to know each other better.
We also haven't focused much on the part where we're supposed to get more in touch with the campus and surrounding community because the people involved didn\'t have that much time and felt it was more important to start with our home Department. In the future we hope to maybe work our way outward, but first, we need a larger group of involved students from which we can pull more ideas and time (and labor).
Events and Such
Physics Barbecues - Every few weeks we bust out the charcoal and light up ye olde grille for some rip-roarin', flame-broilin' good times. By far our biggest crowd-pleaser, our BBQs bring out majors, grads, faculty, and staff alike to enjoy each other's company and engage in acts which can be appreciated by members of any creed, race, sex, or shoe size -- eating some good, cheap food. We host a variety of sodas, burgers, and dogs hot off the grill (except for maybe the soda...that wasn't fun to clean up the first time) and for you veggie types, we've got veggieburgers just for you! Everyone (and your mom) are welcome, so come on out for some good grub.
Career Seminar Series - We invite physics alumni back to speak to you about what they've done after college. Generally, these aren't folk who've pursued academic interests (ie grad school), but those who have braved the harsh waters of the real world.
Major's Lunches - Free food. Don't ask questions. Okay, since you asked, the Major's Lunches are put on at the beginning of each semester for all Physics and Astronomy majors to get together and chat with each other and some of the faculty and major advisors. The lunch is catered by a local establishment (historically, Mario's La Fiesta).
Poster Sessions - Impress your friends and your professors! Present your research! A mid-spring event.
Cal Day - We go out and play with liquid nitrogen and a room full of nifty physics demos. Fun for the whole family.
Services
Email & Computing - Since the Physics Library moved out of Old LeConte because of the seismic retrofit we have pretty much been the only public terminal for email and internet access in all of LeConte. Also, if you ask us really, really nicely, we'll let you use Mathematica too!
Library - Over the years, SPS has amassed quite a collection of old physics books that people have graciously donated to us. We've even got a whole section of test-prep books that you can peruse at your leisure (go ahead and say it with a snooty British accent -- peruse at your leisure -- fun ain't it?) You can even borrow a book from us temporarily if you provide us with some sort of insurance that you'll actually bring it back. Your ID card or driver's license will do quite nicely. If you bug us, we'll post a list of book titles on here for you.
Old Exams - We've got a file of old problem sets and exams for all the classes you're taking. Except for Quantum, since some jerkface stole them last year. Same rules apply here as with the books...you get to borrow stuff in exchange for your shoes and your dignity.
STAPLER - Is it Friday at 5 and you're done with your problem set but have nothing to bind yon pages together? Put the professional-looking finishing touch upon thy assignment with a shiny staple!
Moral Support & Friendly Advice - We've got a listening couch, a shoulder to cry on, and plenty of love and unsolicited advice to go around.
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