GSA Steering Committee Meeting Minutes- 9/22/03

Attendance: Jim Rovira, Michael Humphreys, David Wright, Scott Elliott, Amrita Ghosh, Asa Nausner, Madera Edwards, Michael Nausner, Chris Rodkey, Michael Adams, Jack Herman, Tim Esh.

Call to Order- 6:15 pm.

Reading of the Minutes: (Minutes were handed out ) 6:20 pm.

New Business: Jim Rovira met with Laurel Kearns on July 9th about the Design team communication with the GSA; it was decided that there would be someone present from the team at every GSA meeting. This design team will meet with student representatives of each religious areas. The plan would be adopted at the end of the year and students of affected areas would be invited to design team meetings. Queries were made about the students who would be affected by this change and it was clarified that the catalogue of the student's starting time would be followed for the particular case. Madera Edwards also explained that the fundamentals are going to be the same for the different areas but the title will change and all the faculties will be under one bug umbrella. The structure is moving towards a more interdisciplinary approach but there is no student representative taking part in the design team. Asa Nausner suggested that there needs to be long time planning for courses under this plan as well. The Design team will meet twice every month and three students would be allowed to attend every meeting; the purpose of the meeting is to set up a communication, however, students will not have voting power. The motion to support this kind of communication was carried.

Area Reports:

Theology and Religion-- Comps procedure was talked about; Party at Prof. Courtney's house planned.

Arts and Letters: There was a discussion of expansion of Arts and Letters and development to be done for a broader curriculum.

Biblical Studies: Paper presentation dates announced for Sep and Oct.

RNS: Area hadn't met but a plan is being made to construct a colloquium of different aspects of teaching. Support for teaching, seminars, teaching as woman, minorities would be discussed. Professors to also speak for teaching intro courses on Biblical Studies.

President's report: Jim Rovira talked about the proposed changes to the constitution  about the drafting of the words about NY metro area to be 75 mile radius from Drew. News and Notes would only have internet edition and no print edition. There would also be email balloting in constitution. (See proposed amendments on GSA page).  Conference reimbursement policy discussed- new rule is that after conference the reimbursement application has to be filed within 30 days of travel. If the amount is more than $300 then it will go to Dean Rogers.

Steering Committee meeting adjourned at - 7:05 pm.

Respectfully submitted by,

Amrita Ghosh and Madera Edwards.