Academic Advising
September 7, 2017: Dr. Rubenstein reached out to me to ask how I chose OU. My first semester, I was enrolled in her 5033 class. We are both from Vermont, and she started a dialogue with me. I asked her if she would be my adviser, and she immediately told me what I needed to do, to switch to her. She also reassured me about being nervous in class on the discussion boards, as she pointed out that everything was new to everyone.
October 10, 2017: I emailed Dr. Rubenstein to ask her about signing up for classes for the next semester. I was unsure of how I went about the order of taking classes, and if it was acceptable to take electives before finishing core classes. She answered me by telling me to take electives where I could get them as they are not taught every semester and suggested what to take next for core courses.
December 19, 2017: I emailed Dr. Rubenstein to ask her how to make my intent known that I had chosen the portfolio route for my final. She let me know that if I hadn’t already, I should fill out my program planning form. She also let me know that she and I should meet once a semester regarding the portfolio. She let me know where to find the form, and I immediately took care of it. She suggested I talk with her during the winter break via teleconference.
December 20, 2017: Dr. Rubenstein received my MLIS planning form and launched the ball for the portfolio plan. She sent me examples of other students' work in prior years, and she pointed out the handbook for portfolio on the website.
January 8, 2018: I talked with Dr. Rubenstein using Skype. She and I talked about my portfolio plans and answered several questions I had about the different components in the portfolio itself. She told me to contact her with any questions I had, and we made plans to meet in person in summer, 2018 because she was coming up to Vermont to visit family.
January 11, 2018: Dr. Rubenstein emailed me to let me know that she was sending me some writing materials to give me examples of different types of analytical writing. She knew I was worried about writing literature reviews, and had questions. She later sent me some examples that she recommended I look at, along with several websites she used to refer back to.
January 17, 2018: I emailed Dr Rubenstein to ask her about taking hybrid courses and what the requirements were for my physical presence. I found that most archival classes were not online, and I was so distressed about not being able to take them due to my being a distance learner. She immediately contacted Dr. Burke, and I found I had a few options, including contacting the instructors and asking if I could teleconference in. Between Dr. Burke and Dr. Rubenstein, I was able to take most of the classes offered by attending virtually.
April 18, 2018: Dr. Rubenstein emailed me to check in and see if I was doing well and that she was thinking of me. I returned the email and told her that I was well and working hard. I was in the beginning stages of designing my portfolio at that point. She proposed meeting up in July, and I gladly accepted.
June 6, 2018: Dr. Rubenstein emailed me to let me know that she had submitted a Student Annual Progress Review form for me. She explained it's required by advisers. She said she hoped I looked at it with satisfaction on how I was doing so far.
July 7, 2018: Arranged to meet Dr. Rubenstein on the Saint Michael’s College campus in Colchester, VT on July 18. She is visiting Vermont for a few weeks.
July 18, 2018: Dr. Rubenstein arrived at the SMC campus where I work. I met her in front of Durick Library where I gave her a tour of the facility and had her meet my manager, John Payne, Director of Library and Information Services. We walked the campus and later sat and talked about what my thoughts were on my experience thus far in the degree program, also how portfolio was coming along. I was concerned because I was not as far along as I wanted to be. We talked about that and what my plans were going forward. She gave me her support and told me that I should not worry as I was doing well and gave me good tips for components that I wanted further clarification on,
October 15, 2018: Dr. Rubenstein responded to my questions regarding what her opinions were on my course selections for my final four classes. I also wanted to get into Archival Representation without having to be there in person. She gave me her advice, agreed with my selections, and gave me some tips on contacting the professor for Archival Representation. She also answered my questions about my Intent-To-Graduate form in order to make sure I had everything in place, with the help of Sarah Connelly.
October 19, 2018: I emailed Dr. Rubenstein to let her know I did get my summer Archival Representation course and shared my final selections for classes with her.
February 6, 2019: Dr. Rubenstein contacted me to ask how things were going this semester. She asked me where I was on portfolio, and we had an email exchange over a few days regarding my worries. She assured me again my finished product will be wonderful. She asked me to consider who to have on my committee. I followed through on invitations and her further advice on portfolio. We both thought Dr. C. Brown would be a perfect committee member for me. She agreed to join us. I also shared that I would have Stacey Knight on my committee; she is a colleague, librarian, and director of metadata and systems at Durick Library.
March 25, 2019: I emailed Dr. Rubenstein to respond to her asking me if she owed me an email regarding the portfolio. I assured her all was well. She was very supportive and again put my mind at ease with the process and that she was thrilled Dr. Brown agreed to be on my committee.
May 20, 2019: I emailed Dr. Rubenstein to let her know that I had overlooked my Intent-to-Present Portfolio form and was worried I would not be allowed to present this fall. She signed it and emailed Sarah Connelly to ask her if we could get me in to present for fall. Sarah agreed.
June 11, 2019: Dr. Rubenstein sent me my annual student evaluation form indicating satisfactory progress.
July 18, 2019: Dr. Rubenstein visited Vermont again this summer and we met in person for lunch and to talk. We reviewed my progress, talked about my experience, and I gave her feedback on my opinions of the program, and where I stood with my portfolio. I did talk to her about a difficult situation with an instructor and how I should carry out feedback in the survey, and she suggested following through with Dr. Burke as well. It was a helpful conversation, and it was truly a joy to see her in person again.
July 28, 2019: Dr. Rubenstein emailed me to ask where I was regarding internships outside of OU, as I made the move down to Georgia sooner than expected. I let her know that I was volunteering at Gordon State College in the archives, working remotely with the Allman Brothers Band museum to archive some of their digital photos, and that I had an interview with the Atlanta National Archives. She helped me decide on what was the best options for me, and I ultimately ended up turning down the National Archive interview in order to work closer to my new home, and to network locally.
August 15, 2019: I emailed Dr. Rubenstein to let her know I was making a last-minute change to my schedule and taking an internship online with instructor J.A. Pryse in order to gain more practical experience by working on the Dick T. Morgan collection. I dropped my class I was going to take, and she directed me on getting the internship set up.
August 19, 2019: Under Dr. Rubenstein’s direction, I set up the portfolio defense date and time with the committee and Sarah Connelly and requested the technology for the conference. It will take place on 11/19/19
September 7, 2019: I emailed Dr. Rubenstein to ask her about the presentation part of the portfolio and what that involved. She explained to me that it must be a 20-minute presentation, and I could use the actual portfolio instead of making slides for it. She also gave me some tips on what should be in the presentation.
October 15, 2019: I contacted Dr. Rubenstein to ask for final instructions for finalizing portfolio and submitting to panel for review. She also answered a few questions regarding the presentation.