What is the Chowder and Marching Society?
"The Chowder and
Marching Society is a student organization at the University of Rhode
Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) whose major objective is
to address GSO students' changing professional, academic, and social
needs and concerns. The Society achieves this objective by providing a
framework which enhances communication between GSO students, faculty,
and administration. By improving communication, the Society is able to
identify and address specific issues of concern to GSO students.
Academic and funding issues are primary concerns of the Society,
including course offerings, student seminars, curriculum, and
assistantships. The Society also focuses on career issues such as job
hunting skills and organizing career forums. In addition, Chowder and
Marching provides information to the student community on the concerns
of new students, campus activities, and life in Rhode Island. Finally,
the Society works to improve the social environment of the Bay Campus by
sponsoring and organizing traditional GSO activities such as Boat
Burning and weekly happy hours, sports, and special events. The Society
determines its specific goals based on the input of the student body at
the annual Student Forum held each December. Progress on these goals and
proceedings from University committees are reported and discussed at
hour-long meetings held on a monthly basis.
"The Chowder and Marching Society is led by an Executive Committee
comprised of four representatives, one from each discipline (Biological,
Chemical, Geological, and Physical Oceanography). The duties assumed by
the Executive Committee include: communication, record keeping,
accounting, student representative coordination (SARC, EPC, etc.),
social activities, academic programs, and career functions. Yearly
elections are held within each discipline for their representative based
on nominations made at the Student Forum.
"The primary source of revenue for the Society is from weekly happy
hours, and moderate funding is available from the Graduate Student
Association (GSA) for events sponsored by GSO which are open to all
graduate students. Valid expenditures of these funds are those which
promote the goals of the Society."
- from the C & M Society charter
(revised April 1994)
The Chowder and Marching Society has sponsored some great GSO
traditions including:
How did C&M get its start? We have some folks on campus who recall
the early days of Chowder and Marching.
- Jane Miner's proof that the C&M was not always so easy to join.
- Michael Pilson's testimony on the "how and when" of the C&M at GSO.
