Date: February 1, 2012

Time: 6pm

Location: James Room, Sadler Center

 

I.  Welcome and Approval of Minutes (President)

 

II. Vice President’s Report

a.    Students should continue to make submissions to the Graduate Portfolio.

b.   Libby Cook has been in contact with universities throughout the nation in order to find out who has retirement plans.  So far, she has found only one that does – University of Massachusetts Amherst.  Libby plans to continue pursuing this in hopes of arranging for some sort of retirement plan for students.

c.    30 people attended the Welcome Back party.

 

III.      Treasurer’s Report

a.       About $500 in colloquium funding remains for the semester.

b.      Sarah Stanford-McIntyre raised question of whether or not some sort of restrictions should be put in place, in case $500 is not sufficient to fund all applicants.  Computer Science and Physics seem to use the most money for colloquiums.  Decided not to impose any restrictions at this time.

c.       About $200 was spent on the movie viewing.

d.      $500 or more is left of the Dean’s discretionary fund.

 

IV. Senate Representative’s Report

a.       We may no longer have an active Senate Representative.  Chris is waiting to hear from Kevin as to whether or not he can resume attending Senate meetings.

 

V. Old Business

a.       Parking Letter & Busing

                                                              i.      Due to various conflicts, no one was available to attend the COGS meeting.  Our letter will likely be discussed at the next COGS meeting.

 

VI. New Business

a.                   Change in meeting time

i.        Some of our members have classes that conflict with our 6pm meeting time.  Thus, we will now start meetings at 6:30pm.

b.                  Graduate Research Symposium

i.        Sarah Zimmet made a call for volunteers to serve as room proctors during the symposium.  Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Shaun Richards (sfrichards@email.wm.edu).

ii.      Sarah suggested that people attend the GRS Coffee Break on March 23^rd.  The Coffee Break is a great opportunity for networking and meeting alumni and others who support W&M grad students’ research.

iii.    Students are also encouraged to attend the GRS Awards Panel on March 23^rd from 4-5pm.

iv.    Sarah suggested purchasing a gift to present to Dean Sanderson at the GRS.  Motion made to approve $50 for purchase of gift.  Unanimously approved.

c.                   Colloquium Funding

i.        There is funding available for up to 13 applicants.

d.                  Remainder of Dean’s Discretionary Fund

i.        After allocating $50 for the Dean’s gift, we have about $450+ remaining.  Questions raised as to how we should use the money.  General consensus was to use half for something academic (e.g. colloquium funding) and use half for a social event (e.g. bowling).  Motion made.  Approved.

 

VII.    Announcements

a.       We currently have a Social Chair vacancy.

b.      Elections for the 2012-13 academic year will take place in March.

 

VIII. Adjournment