In 1996, the English graduate students organized to "provide a unified voice . . . in the English department for purposes of safeguarding and advancing their position as students and instructors at the University of Mississippi and as professional scholars by 

A. disseminating information to new students; 

B. presenting the ideas, concerns and views of the English graduate students to the faculty and administration; 

C. promoting the scholastic and professional development of English graduate students within the English Department, on the UM campus, and in organizations and events outside the University's domain."