SoPS-Comm Meeting 2 - Apr26, 2006

Attendees: Graham Davies (GPD), Katherine Peebles (KP), Tracy Daniels (TD), Serapio Baca (SMB) and Ajay Gopal (AG).

The meeting focused on populating the Survival Guide with information that is relevant to its most common viewership - new postdocs. Based on an idea from SMB, the top-level organization of information was decided to be topic-based rather than time-based. This was followed by a brainstorming session where everyone contributed from their knowledge of local experiences. The transcript of this session is below and will be integrated into the Survival Guide.

malls
santa monica 3rd st
sherman oaks
beverly center
the grove
dsw
westside pavillion
century city
fox hills

other shopping
REI
adventure 16
sports authority (Sepulveda)

Electronics
Fry's

household goods
Target
Best buy
Sears
Bed bath & beyond
Linins & things

furniture etc.
ikea
target
korea town
goodwill/salvation army
craig's list

groceries
whole foods
bristol farms
wild oats
gelson's market

ralphs
von's
albertsons

99 c store
food for less

trader joes

bulk foods
smart and final (like costco, no membership required)
big lots

Drug stores
cvs
long's
rite aid
UCLA pharmacy (westwood medical plaza)

Hardware
home depot

ethnic food

King's head
Tudor house

India sweets and spices

Soliel (Qeubec)

Cost plus (also furniture)

Mitsuwa (Japanese)

Artesia Blvd. (little india)
Sawtelle (Japanese)
European Sausage Co (South African) on Pico somehwere...

Cars:
????

repair: find a mechanic on klick & klack website: cars.com
insurance

Comparison shopping:
consumer reports
consumer reviews

Car Rentals
Rent a Wreck
UCLA travel Center
FlexCar

Car Repair
Pep Boys
Firestone
Kragen
Autozone
76 Gas stations / Shell
Costco Fuel / Tires

Shoes
DSW
Shoe Pavillion
Aldo
Footlocker
Footnotes

Bikes
Helen's Cycles
Wheeles (sepulveda)
Craig's List
University Impound lot
Sports Authority
Costco

Museums
Hammer
Moca
Getty Center
Getty Villa
Huntington Gardens
Rodeo Drive Art Galleries
Science Museum Park (near USC)
UCLA Live
Aquarium of the Pacific
Museum of Jurasic Technology

Mainstream Vistors
Universal Studios
Rodeo Drive
Disneyland

Visitors
Zuma Beach
Santa Monica Mountains
Will Rogers Park & Hike
Venice Canals
Bike Venice Beach
La Brea Tar Pits
Hollywood Blvd
Cantalina Island
Channel Islands
Mullholand Drive
Disney Concert Hall

Snowboarding
Big Bear
Mountain High
Mammoth
Mount Baldy

Discount Airlines
Southwest
Frontier
Jet Blue
Alaska

Travel Agencies
STA Travel
Travelocity
Expedia
Travel worm
Orbitz
hotels.com
sidestep.com
priceline.com

Hiking
A foot and a field in LA County
Another book
Amalfi
Wesrtidge
Pallisades
Temescel
Topanga
Trippet Ranch
Malibu Creek

Personal Finance
http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/contact/retire_save.html

SoPS-Comm Meeting 3 - May31, 2006

Attendees TD, KP, GPD, AG.

The discussion revolved around two topics:

1) SoPS Newsletter --- KP updated the group on the latest form of the Newsletter. GPD suggested that it be an automated text output from the webpage. AG suggested that KP get the weekly web update and add extra notes to it if required and post it as a more personal communication towards other postdocs.

2) Survival Guide --- We went over the different headings under which the current version imported from the old website is. It was decided to abandon the "before you arrive" section since most people will be able to make their deductions from the remaining content which would have diverse time-based information. The "Shopping Guide" section needs to be reorganized using more general themes. Sports and Recreation need to be clubbed with "things to do". It was decided to focus on "Accomodations" for the rest of the meeting since it was one of the first things new postdocs seek. The following points were decided as essential for the page:

1. Picking where to stay - include links to zip code based Safety and Census information
2. For postdocs moving from elsewhere, provide a cost-of-living calculator.
3. Remind international postdocs that most rentals are *unfurnished*.
4. Provide links to rental agencies
5. Provide information on Rent Control
6. Mention that a good way to rent is to drive around and look for signs.
7. Provide links to UCLA buses and discounted bus routes.
8. Check on upcoming ruling for mandatory renter's insurance.

The above themes will be added to the page by AG and the link sent out to the rest. The team will populate material as they find.

3) AG also mentioned an article he was writing titled "Postdoconomics" that estimates the spending power of a UCLA postdoc at the base salary level.

SMB and DV informed AG by email that they were not able to make the meeting due to unavoidable circumstances.

SoPS-Comm Meeting 4 - June28, 2006

Attendees: Sehat Nauli (SN), KP and AG.

This was a short meeting which primarily discussed the details and possibilities of joint events between the career (and other) committee(s) and communications. The aim was to identify facets of other committee events that dealt with periodic information delivery to postdoc community.

SN suggested a workshop that presents statistics about job availability in contrast to the number of postdocs to reveal the reality of the supply&demand equation. A possible format is to have a speaker present statistics followed by a discussion panel that would evaluate strategies for personal decision making from multiple perspectives.

SN would try to set up sample polls to gather information from postdoc community about the direction to tailor future events.

KP and AG discussed releasing another newsletter in july if not superceeded by the townhall meeting.

SoPS-Comm Meeting 5 - August 2, 2006

Venue: Kerckhoff Patio, Noon -1:10pm.
Attendees: QL, SMB, KP, Anne Simon (AFS), KP, SN, GPD, AG, Akila Shanmugam (AS).

--- Topics Revisited from Previous Meetings and Events:
* SoPS-Comm members revisited the neutral position of SoPS on the issue of unionization and it was decided that direct communications would be made through this committee on this matter.
* SN would test out a new web-form module to be utilized as a survey tool (as per June 28 meeting)
* Career Info session on statistics to be on back burner until more important events are completed between now and November.

--- Main Discussion
* AFS suggested the possibility of making a version of the postdoc cheat-sheet on magnets on a small budget.
* The possibility of having an optional mentorship program for new postdocs was also discussed as a possibility for the future.
* It was decided that a two-part series on immigration information for international postdocs will be held between now and november. The first part of the two would be a joint panel from UCLA (OISS) and their recommended law firm - addressing issues on switching visas for current postdocs. (Webcast for future postdocs?) The second part of the series will consist of an info-session on the green-card process by the firm that spoke on the issue through SoPS over a year ago. AFS would be the main contact for the second part. SN reminded that these events should not clash with the planned career event in mid Sept. Tentative date for first session set as late Sept to mid Oct. And second one a week after the first.
* AG suggested that an info-session on healthcare options be held. QL and SMB pointed out that there are many differences in available options between departments. SMB has followed up with information on events organzied by the office of UC health plans. This info to be communicated to postdoc committee. If further need is felt, SoPS will organize additional event targeted towards postdocs.

--- Actionable Items
* AG would contact OISS (susequently Wolfsdorff) regarding setting up an info-session about Immigration for Postdocs
* After the date for UCLA seminar is decided, AFS would set a date with the immigration law firm for a special green-card related information session.
* Once dates are decided, venue and time will be decided.