GSA General Meeting
September 22nd, 2003: 7 PM UC 104

Attendance: Tim Esh, David Wright, Jack Herman, Michael Adams, G. Kaplan, S. Gutamarutotir, Jane Ellen Nickell,  Natt A, Chris Rodkey, Scott Elliott, Michael Nausner, Asa Nausner, Luther Oconer, Rick Bohannon, Jim Rovira, Michael Humphreys, Eric Thurman, Madera Edwards, Kendrick Weaver.

Call to Order: 7:07 pm.

Motion to adopt minutes: 7:10 pm

Religious Design Area: Representative of the Design team hadn't arrived yet but the proposed communication for Design team with GSA was discussed. There would be no direct student representation in this team but student representatives would be allowed to attend the meetings; up to 3 people per area is possible and student representatives area conveners will be there in effected area, plus one in dissertation phase. Discussion was there on how to get student voices heard in this design team. Some questions were put forward on whether students will have any say in these meetings. Jim stated that student representatives would get the facts out there and areas would stay in touch. Motion called for accepting with mode of communication with the team. It was accepted.

Library Representative: Mavis Johnson is not the library representative anymore. Jane Ellen Nickell is the student representative. There were some rumors of pilling area going on; these are untrue according to Scrimgeor. Lockers are new and move to try and help graduate students.

Proposed GSA constitution amendments: 1. Residence regulations changed to 75 miles radius instead of NY metro area. Motion was accepted to carry this change. 2. Second proposal for change of dates of term for GSA executive committee terms- motion carried for the amendment unanimously. 3. Proposal for Internet format for News and Notes: Motion carried.  4. Proposal for email voting but not for constitution - the change needs to be there in the language to reflect what the GSA does. The benefits for this are that it can be done off campus and anonymously with web form, and can bring constitution to speed. Motion carried. 5. Voting for internet voting- change in language that has been added is- "this process shall be reserved for urgent or necessary occasions". 6. Conference Reimbursements: The most one can get for conference fees is up to 250$. The new policy wants students to provide proof of participation by showing schedule. Level one is as participant, or job interview, or editor for publisher or respondent for chair panel at the conference. Level 2- is for students who just attend. Students need to fill out forms and send receipts within 7 days of travel. The goal is to have it processed within 30 days. Motion carried for conference reimbursement.

Budget: Co-sponsorship  would have to be cut in a big way. GSA has one single line item and the line can be amended in the course of the year. Some proposal was there was for more money in the areas and less money for conference reimbursements by 50$; it was also proposed to have stricter guidelines for reimbursement. Finally, it budget was approved and end result was to be frugal. The entire budget can be tracked online.

 Reports:

English Lit: Inviting Jim Hala for the development of book and Chaucer's program. To also have separate colloquia's throughout the year.

Arts and Letters: To develop curriculum, design group to work with this; utilize Dorothy Young School of Arts. Also rooms should be there for plays, readings, documentaries but it was discouraged.

Biblical Studies: Meeting for Colloquia. Presentations announced.

Liturgical Studies:   No Report.

Modern History Literature: No report

RNS: To initiate teaching seminars on how to teach ; email Asa if you want to get involved.

T&R: Party at Prof. Courtney's house; comprehensive exams talked about.

Wesleyan and Methodist Studies: Welcome picnic for Morris Davis on Thursday arranged. Colloquia to happen each month. See website for papers and information.

Medical Humanities: No report. Gabriala Kaplan represented.

Academic Standing: Met once; All maintaining matriculation students must register.

Revenue: No representative yet. Please volunteer.

Affirmative Action: Three meetings per semester. Change needed in hiring practice.

Bookstore- No reports

Language- No report.

Library- Did not meet.

Multicultural Events- Sarbani Bose will represent this group.

NAGPS: international concerns petitioned by Sigradour.

News and Notes: 1st issue came out on Oct 7th.

Orientation: Thanks to Madera, it went off very well.

Policy Planning: Talk about Irish Studies, Creative Writing and conference.

Public Advisory: no report

Sexual Harassment- no report

Social Committee: Oct 31st Halloween Party.

Space: no report

Student Life- TBA

Teaching Task force: no report

UPB: no report

Theo Faculty Committee: no report

University Senate: no report

VRC Liaison: Caroline Young is interested in getting involved. No report.

President's report: Summer activities discussed; housing survey results, Library director etc. Housing for new students discussed.

Vice President's report: Committees need to be filled. Update on housing needed.

Secretary's report- no report.

Treasurer- Conference reimbursements, and budget discussed.

Meeting Adjourned.

Respectifully submitted by,

Madera Edwards (for Amrita Ghosh)