November 2011 Minutes
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Date: November 2, 2011 Time: 6pm Location: Blow Hall 333
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 talked with Dean Sanderson about retirement options for students on stipend. Conversations are ongoing and Libby will continue to look into this to see what options are available.
III. Treasurer’s Report a. We have spent $421 of the total $1,500 on colloquium funding so far. b. Sarah Stanford-McIntyre attended the Budget Allocation Information Meeting and work on next year’s budget is under way.
IV. Senate Representative’s Report a. $25,000 approved for concert; $75 approved for pledge card for voting; T-shirt money granted, as well as money to convert Blair Hall into a haunted mansion.
V. Old Business i. Parking Letter & Busing a. W&M graduate students represent only about 7% of the bus ridership, so it may be unlikely that the bus routes would be changed for our benefit. i. Some members suggested further research on student ridership in order to determine whether or not further conversations should take place about changing bus routes. ii. Chris Martin printed out letter to COGS for GSA members to sign at end of meeting. ii. Film Screening a. PhD film is still on for screening. b. GSA approved $70 for purchase of refreshments. iii. Social Functions a. Member stated that a member of the W&M faculty has expressed interest in our use of funds going toward more “academic” events. Members discussed possible ways of making the Welcome Back Party more academically-minded (e.g. collect small entry fees to send to charity). No decision was made to alter the event.
VI. New Business i. Graduate Research Symposium a. Sarah Zimmet handed out information sheet clarifying details and deadlines pertaining to the GRS. b. Sarah requested that October GSA minutes be amended to reflect that students/departments will not be penalized for not attending December 12 GRS meeting. c. Sarah stressed that students who received conference funding in Fall 2011 semester are required to submit an abstract. d. Chris Martin suggested changing next year’s GRS application deadline to November in order to avoid overlap with final exams. Members debated pros and cons to such a change. Most felt that the December deadline was more suitable, as it give students more time to complete work that they would present; further, an earlier deadline could discourage some students from applying.
VII. Announcements i. Conference Funding a. Volunteers are needed to review conference funding forms. Libby Cook is Chair of the committee, so volunteers should contact her to get involved. b. Meeting location has changed to Tyler 216. The meeting date is November 6th (not Nov. 9th as stated on the agenda). ii. Honor Council a. Representatives are needed for Honor Council. The Council has not yet had to meet this year. iii. Spring 2012 Social Event a. Welcome Back Party will take place in January i. We have $730 left to use for the party. ii. Ben Frasier presented ideas for party themes, which included: Apple Blossom Festival Farmer’s Day Festival Heritage “ International Children’s “ Music “ Choral “ Bridge “ Arts & Crafts “ Mardi Gras Renaissance “ Cannes Tribeca Carnival Holi b. Chris Martin suggested approving $730 for funding the party. Some members expressed concern about approving funds in advance for unspecified purchases. i. Motion made to approve $300 for funding party. $300 approved (2 abstentions). c. Social Chair i. Motion made to approve Ben Fraser as GSA Social Chair. Approved.
VIII. Social Chair’s Report (Ben Fraser) i. Campus Clean-Up Day will take place at 10am on November 5. ii. America Recycles Day is November 15 in the Sunken Garden. Rain location is Chesapeake B in the Sadler Center. 1. Both events support the College.
VIII. Adjournment |