Graduate Student Association General Meeting

November 17^th, 2003: 7PM @ UC 104

Attendance: Ed Lovely, Kathy Henn, Elizabeth Jarnegin, Madera Edwards, Jim Rovira, Tenley Diefenbach, Chett Ritchett, Asa Nausner, Lisa Nocks, Dawn Digrius, Michael Adams, Tim Esh, Rick Bohannon, Luther Oconer, Terry Ann Smith, Jane Ellen Nickell, Michael Nausner, Dirk Felleman, David Wright, Kevin Houk, Jody Caldwell, Michael Humphries, Timothy Salo, Laura Felleman, Carlos A. Sintado, Christopher Anderson

Call to Order: 7:03pm 

Religious Design Team Report: Dr. Stephen Moore presented sections of the first draft in response to student concerns. Goals of the Design Team include the adoption and implementation of one Religion Area with an assortment of specialized sub-areas. The Religion Department will include one faculty chair with faculty representatives from each sub-area. Most sub-areas will keep the same titles (i.e. Biblical Studies, Wesleyan and Methodist Studies, Liturgical Studies). Regular course listings would remain the same with the possibility of a required course for all areas under the Religion Department.

Dr. Moore also mentioned that undergraduate faculty with academic specialties (i.e. Islamic Studies) may be used as instructors for some graduate courses. The rationale for the current shift toward a Religion Department is to minimize administrative obstacles through simplification. The vote for implementation is in early December and requires a two-thirds approval from the faculty. Following approval from the faculty the proposal will go through the Deans of the Graduate School. The hope is to have the new Division in place by fall 2004.

A point to note: current graduate students will not be affected by the change in procedure unless they prefer to switch to the new requirements. New students in the fall of 2005 will be required to abide by the proposed changes if accepted.

Library Presentation: Dr. Scrimgeour, Jody Caldwell, and Susan Selinger were at the general meeting to represent the library.  Dr. Scrimgeour presented an update on the library including the 2003 John Wesley celebration, additional Willa Cather materials, and the availability of 1200 academic texts on the internet library. He also discussed the past and impending budget cuts which affected library personnel.

Dr. Scrimgeour mentioned the library will continue to explore and expand the library hours until 2AM for the 2003-2004 academic year. He mentioned that on average 18-20 people used the library summer hours during 2003 and that next year’s summer schedule is under evaluation by the library staff.

The private carrel discussion raised a number of concerns from the library and the graduate students. Dr. Scrimgeour mentioned the minimal use of carrels by the graduate student community based on a regular perusal of the carrels by library staff. He also feels pressure from undergraduate students who argue that there is often “standing room only” in the library. He also mentioned that the library has had problems of favoritism in the past and that these issues were eliminated. He has been urged to have a carrel policy in place for two years but desires to keep the conversation with graduate students going.

Students raised concerns that the final draft of the carrel policy was not reviewed by the GSA or any graduate students for approval. According to Dr. Scrimgeour the library is not interested in graduate student approval but feedback would be considered. He also mentioned that Baldwin is under consideration to be changed from carrel space to long tables with reading lamps. Funds for this change have been suggested by Dr. Scrimgeour.

Concern was also raised that undergraduates had the ability to change space reserved for the graduate students. It was also observed that according to current carrel policy, undergraduate students are already eligible for carrels if registered for honors.  A number of students at the meeting found it insulting that the library staff would favor undergraduate complaints over the need for graduate study space. The graduate community appreciates the services available for students but feels there is an inordinate amount of tension over the carrel space issue and that graduate students are able to claim so little space. Jim Rovira suggested that there would be less tension over carrel policy if graduate students were given some ownership over the development of future policy, and requested that graduate students be allowed to review the new policy and make suggestions before implementation. Dr. Scrimgeour concurred.

Dr. Scrimgeour concluded by saying that he appreciated the candor of the graduate students present at the meeting and will continue to evolve the carrel policy. He mentioned that the library will use a questionnaire suggested and created by Jim Rovira with Library input to evaluate the needs of the graduate community. He closed by saying the carrel check-in book will “no longer be present.” 

Reports:

Biblical Studies: Colloquia held every other week with faculty from the Area presenting.

English Literature: Dr. Jim Hala will not be able to speak at the scheduled colloquium on November 20^th. The area will still meet at 7pm in Mead Hall.

Liturgical Studies: No Report

Medical Humanities: Symposium planned for spring 2004.

Modern History and Literature: Two Works in Progress Colloquia this semester. The next is scheduled for December 2^nd at 6pm in Mead Hall.

Religion and Society: Area has met once this semester. Plans are to meet again on November 18^th. A meeting is scheduled for December 2^nd with R and S faculty. The area would also like to present three seminars during the spring 2004 semester concerning pedagogy.

Theological and Religious Studies: Scheduled colloquia for the fall 2003 semester included: Dr. Wesley Ariarajah, Dr. Walter Lowe (Emory University), Dr. Virginia Burrus, and Dr. Courtney. Dr. Corrington was scheduled to present and sign copies of his new book but was not able to do so.

Wesleyan and Methodist Studies: The Area held a welcome picnic for new faculty member and area faculty convener Dr. Maury Davis. A colloquium was held on November 10^th at the archives building. Jennifer Tait presented research from her dissertation in progress on the history and theology of grape juice. A colloquium with Laura Bartels-Felleman is scheduled for December.

Women’s Studies: No Report

Arts and Letters: No Report. The Arts and Letters Area Convener, Jack Herman, has stepped down. Jim Rovira asked if anyone was willing to step forward and assume this position, as per his e-mail request sent one week prior to the meeting. No one did so.

Academic Standing: Two meetings since September 22^nd. The last meeting was via electronic mail. Concern was expressed of the accuracy of the graduate student enrollment numbers. New procedures for billing suggested that would encourage registration and maintaining matriculation.

Affirmative Action: Discouraging statistics reflected the number of people of color hired at Drew was minimal. President Kean plans to address the issue of diversity at the next university-wide meeting at Drew. Gay and Lesbian students have felt they needed to leave Drew in the past because of discrimination. Jim Rovira plans to represent the GSA concerning issues of diversity at the university-wide meeting in February.

Bookstore: Walter from the University bookstore wants to work with graduate students and would like suggestions for titles at bookstore. He would like graduate students to suggest titles that others students might need.

Expense/Revenue: No Report

Graduate/Faculty: Looking for students with webpage experience to update department websites. Let Ken Newquist know if interested. New faculty were nominated to teach at the Caspersen School include Dr. Maury Davis, Cassandra Laity, and Dr. Leonard Sweet. Both will teach in the Wesleyan and Methodist Studies Area.  

NAGPS: No Report

International Students: No Report

Language: No Report

Library: No Report—consider going to Graduate School as a group concerning the carrel and space issues. It was suggested to go formally to Dean Pain concerning the new policy to be implemented in January. Discussion to include faculty considered and a concern was expressed that graduate students will be absent for the January library meeting.

Multicultural Awareness Week: Looking for someone to serve from graduate school.

News & Notes: No Report

Orientation Committee: No Report

Policy and Planning: The appointment of Dr. Maury Davis as Wesleyan and Methodist Studies faculty convener was recognized. The concern for parking was discussed as well as the parking survey.

Pub Advisory Board: Changing by-laws to Pub. No more membership and Madera encouraged more graduate students to check out the Pub.

Sexual Harassment: Forty representatives met to be familiarized with policies. Graduate students were encouraged to pick up a copy of the policy and look it over. Forms are available from Dr. Wendy Kolmar. Complaints should be referred to someone on the committee or online. It was also noted that Public Safety has not always been aware of how to handle situations. Some officers don’t know the policy or decide to take matters into their own hands.

Social Committee: Pictures of the Halloween party on the GSA website

Space Committee: Working on producing “white paper” dealing with space issue on campus. Work needs to be completed on Bowne, Hall of Sciences, the UC, and Seminary Hall. Green Villa plumbing is a mess and the University needs to decide what to do (fix or sell and purchase another building). Plans to extend internet and phone systems on hold until decisions are made concerning the building.

Student Life Advisory Board: Concern expressed on how to get information to graduate students. Electronic mail seems most useful. Also a public bulletin board is being considered to dispense information.

Teaching Task Force: Email Christopher Rodkey at CDRodkey@yahoo.com if interested in helping with non-credit teaching seminar.

Theological Faculty: GSA representative not invited to meeting. Last year’s GSA President Laura Bartels mentioned that she petitioned to have the GSA represented on this committee, but the petition was denied.

UPB: Ad-hoc sub-committees

Volunteer Resource Center: Desires graduate students to know that the Center is a great place to network.

University Senate: email Dawn Digrius about concerns

Motion to adopt minutes: Laura, seconded Madera

President: Jim gave reports from areas not able to make meeting. The Cost of Attendance survey was updated to reflect student input, with international students being given separate categories, and a line for commuter rent/ultities being added as well. It was distributed to students in November and the survey has now closed with approximately 325 respondents.

Vice President: If you are giving any papers, presentations, conferences and/or publishing please make sure you alert News and Notes and the Dean's office.
News and Notes reminder: it's online!!!

Secretary: Thank you for the opportunity to serve on the GSA.

Treasurer: Arts and Letters $400 cannot be used elsewhere due to a $500 deficit. If money is there the $400 will go to the GSA budget.

[follow up: This deficit is the product of a lower income from student fees than anticipated -- it means we have budgeted $500 more than our income. Student fees from students starting in the Spring 2004 term should offset this deficit. -- JR]

Meeting adjourned at 9:30PM

Respectfully submitted,

Christopher Anderson

GSA Secretary