GSA Reps Meeting

August 8, 2006

 

 

  1. Orientation (Mike and Jordan).  18 small groups
    1. Scavenger hunt instructions.  Give final clue to all group leaders in case want to end early?  Prove they went to each place (with picture…digital cameras/camera phones).  Prize = t-shirt.
    2. Help writing Group Leader Instructions (given during morning talks) – Ice breaker (10 min), booklet coverage (20 min), remaining Q&A.  Nikhil and Amber volunteered
    3. Grad Resource Guide Booklet and Yellow Pages update:  YP to press today or tomorrow

 

  1. GSA Lounge – Jordan
    1. 24-hour access:  granted and planned (handout)
    2. card reader access:  $7000 (most will hopefully be paid by Administration)

 

  1. Graduate Alumni Committee – Jordan
    1. Fund Approval [see letter]; giving us $2250
    2. Ice Cream Social (9/6, 4-6pm, Ray Courtyard):  2-5 volunteers needed (Neeraj, Larkin, Jordan, Cristina, Nikhil, Amber)

 

  1. Masters Degree and Loan Repayment Problems – Frank
    1. After received Master’s, records said had graduated.  Had to submit proof of enrollment to lenders (contact Registrar’s office).  Systemic problem in many departments.

 

  1. Discussion of GSA Olympics – Jordan
    1. Water sports next year?
    2. Board games, cards/poker?

 

  1. TG for August? – Jordan
    1. Thursday happy hour (8/24, 5-7PM)

 

  1. GSA Reps Retreat – Jeff:  9/29-10/1.  Need help organizing food as well as organizing activities for Friday and Saturday nights.

 

  1. New Business
    1. Budget excess . . . Current GSA balance is ~$55,000.  To be increased by ~$26,000 this year when new students arrive (~$13,000 per semester).  Our budget for the year is only ~$30,000.  What is our target fund amount?  What else can we spend on that will benefit grad students?  Stuff for lounge (e.g. $2,000 toward card reader?)?  Double amount for TGs (to $600)?  Thoughts and ideas?

                                          i.    Doubling TG amount à APPROVED

                                         ii.    Subsidize going to sporting event?

                                        iii.    Bring in something similar to PhD comics?

                                        iv.    Donation?

                                         v.    Better bands at TG?

                                        vi.    Increase award amounts?

                                       vii.    Travel grants…

 

In attendance:  Jordan Miller (President), Nikhil Gheewala (External VP), Amber Raley (Treaurer), Cristina Hofmann (Parliamentarian), Anna Kelly (Secretary).  Reps: April Smith (Bioe), Neeraj Rohilla (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering), Mike Contreras (Civil/Env Eng), Rami Nammour (CAAM), Micah Nicolo (Earth Science), Jeff Shafer (ECE), Laurie Stevison (EEB), Ann Ziker (History), Luke Chuang (Math), Kristjan Stone (Physics/Astronomy).  Other:  Matt Murphy (BIOE), Frank (Psychology).