> Hi Xindong,
>
> http://www.emba.uvm.edu/~cssa/who.html
>
> explains who the CSSA is. While promoting social activies for computer
> science stduents is one of the rolls they play, and one we encourage
> (helps with retention of students if you get them involved) it is not
> their only role and not the primary role. The CSSA was founded to be a
> voice for the Computer Science Student Body. see:
>
> http://www.emba.uvm.edu/~cssa/constitution.html
>
> The CSSA has provided an important and valuable role in this capacity. It
> saddens me to hear the remark that they are just a social club.

Hi,

This is the second message I received today about CSSA. Did I ever say
that the CSSA is just a social club?

Below is what I said in the welcome letters to our recently admitted
CS/CSIS students,

 We hope you will also consider the other opportunities available at
 UVM for computer science students. The Computer Science Students
 Association (CSSA) organizes several activities every year. In the
 past, these activities have included cookouts, lectures, movies, game
 nights and hikes. The CSSA is a student-run organization open to all
 computer science students at UVM.

and the following is what I included in the Computer Science Program
Profile,

 Outside of classes, the Computer Science Students'
 Association and the Department organize seminars, computer game
 nights, and other events. Faculty members work closely with students
 both on fundamental research and on computer-based solutions to
 problems from engineering, medical, educational, and commercial
 enterprises. Our program also offers students an opportunity to
 combine their study of computer science with a wide variety of other
 subjects.

At the graduate students meeting of February 20, I asked about how
many graduate students in the CSSA and agreed to seek the CSSA's help
in identifying graduate student representative(s) for regular feedback
and collective opinions to the Department.

I made it clear at the graduate students meeting of February 20 that
any comments and suggestions about the department course offerings,
equipment, research support and other activities are always cordially
invited, and this invitation certainly applies to the CSSA and all
undergraduate students as well.

Please do let me know if I have made any inappropriate comments or
have created any misunderstandings. The Department does appreciate
what the CSSA has been doing, not just the social side of the
students.

Xindong