PhD committees: share defense and meeting availability as text
Dissertation meetings span advisors, outside members, and students on different campuses. Nobody wants another scheduling account for a one-hour proposal review.
Each person can generate plain-text free times from Google Calendar, paste into the shared thread, and the student or chair finds an overlap. The invite still goes out after agreement.
Example note from a student to the committee
Example only — sample times, not live calendar data.
Looking to schedule the proposal meeting (90 minutes). Here's my upcoming availability (EST): Mon (9/28): 1-4pm Wed (9/30): 10am-12pm, 2-5pm Fri (10/2): 9am-12pm If you reply with windows that work on your side, I will find the overlap and send the Zoom hold.
Get your availability for phd committees as text in 30 seconds – free with Google
Connect your calendar, generate pasteable free times, and reply in the same thread.
Free · Read-only calendar access
Practical tips
- 1
Collect lists, then find overlap
Have each member paste a short free list. Merging three lists beats endless reply-all.
- 2
State defense length up front
Proposal, practice, and formal defense blocks differ — name the duration beside your times.
- 3
Use a poll only when needed
If five or more people must attend and lists conflict, escalate to a poll instead of more email.
Frequently asked questions
Does everyone need Google Calendar?
Only the person generating a list needs Google sign-in. Others can reply with typed times if they prefer.
Can this book a room on campus?
No. It only shares free times. Room booking stays with your department process.
Is this better than Doodle for three people?
Often yes for small groups — plain text in the existing thread is enough when calendars are mostly open.
Ready for your real calendar?
Generate pasteable availability for phd committees from Google Calendar in about ten seconds.
Free · Read-only calendar access