Minutes from meeting of
October 8, 2000

Call to Order 6:35

Visitors

none

Secretary's Report

Minutes for last month incomplete (waiting for Treasurer's report) and not posted due to webmaster transition

Treasurer's Report

trying to figure out what we have exactly due to Oracle hell
Robert met with Jamyce; as far as we can figure out, as of the beginning of Oct.: $13,313; expenditures for month of Sept: $795, leaving us with: 12,518.38 - we should be getting another $15-16K we don't know if it should be there and isn't showing up, or if it is pending we have tons of money & we should look for exciting ways to spend it
Robert will follow up with Jamice to get more precise information

President's Report

Cav Daily article re: poor grad funding, Chronicle of Higher Education report listing UVa near bottom in terms of funding in the Humanities

Professional Development

Robert - talked with Dean Osheim about providing $ for fellowships for professional development
upper level teaching is a big factor on the job market
? fellowship for teaching higher level course; even if only for one semester; opportunity to teach something in your specialty
particularly those in humanities and social sciences need more language study and we should get money to fund some time for language development discussion of variations btwn depts.; what are the needs of each dept? figure out how to present a unified idea of what "graduate students" need in terms of professional development
If you have ideas pls email Robert or Kelly so they can bring these suggestions to the "Envisioning Meeting"
stress to admin that we will become alumni
Robert - UVa doesn't even tap possible donors outside the state of Virginia; "the development office is run by incompetent people" "Virginia's development office is in the Stone Age"

How to get more funding requests?

we have too much money
ad in Cav Daily
generate list of previously funded
suggestion that we could set aside some $ for travel expenses for students at dissertation level (generally thought to be a problematic situation)

Presidential Dinner

Todd ate well & Casteen talked about buildings
Casteen out of touch with day-to-day workings of univ.

Student Center

undergrads wanted new activity center, looks like they're going to get it
not looking like there will be exclusively grad student space

Faculty Senate Retreat

Todd was at table discussing tuition differential; boring but complicated issue that is causing a lot of problems for funding; univ wants to change it, but there is resistance from the BoV
Fac Senate grad funding is pet project; An unnamed GSC member encourages everyone to complain to their dept

Old Business

Starr Hill Party

smashing success
sold out 425 capacity, went through 8.5 kegs
rough est. $7-800 (rental, bartenders, door -> beer)
not unlimited beer, but coupon system
another one - Feb?
can we rent out whole place?

Orientation Book and Orientation

Todd talked w/ Ellen Sparagana in Orientation office - someone in the office is heading this up
perhaps form a committee
sets nice tone; incl for faculty as well?

Health Insurance Vouchers

no increase in funding
bidding out for new contract
panel that makes decision is comprised of students
ask Gene Block about the stability of funding; how are they going to handle the long-term funding; Kelly - check Chron. Edu article about funding
handling yearly roll-over: accidents; continuous medication; smooth process

NAGPS

what do they do for us?
answers: just hired someone to update their website
lobbyist on the Hill (20 hours/ week); Va legislator
access to discounts
how do we get info about what is going on the Hill?
moved to renew

'Husky' Grants

less $ than last year; Husky was way over budget
back to previous levels of funding
English dept was given control over their own large endowed fund; Eng. students will mostly be expected to apply to their dept for money, but will also be eligible for- English dept was given control over their own large endowed fund; Eng. students will mostly be expected to apply to their dept for money, but will also be eligible for extra funds thru "husky" $ if needed for travel abroad, etc
should we push for this at the dept level - general sentiment - no, but some feeling that it needs to be better advertised

Research Exhibition

Kelly passed out handout with timeline & list of needed volunteers
$4000 prize money
Fair will coincide with Jefferson Scholar visits and alumni will also be present, possible way to garner donations
Q about expanding out to grad biosciences - definitely yes
plea for volunteers
prize money from Dean Osheim

New Business

Cocktail Hour

Colonnade Club has faculty cocktail hour, maybe grad student cocktail hour on Thurs/ every other Thurs

Summer Gym Access

how much of our activity fees go to gym access?
see if we can get this for free

Access to Athletic Events?

grad student was told he would have to pay $98 a year to be able to attend athletic events
no one else had this experience, not sure what the situation is

Pre-tax Accounts (for health expenses)

possibility of setting aside pre-tax $ for health ins; day care; eyeglasses...
Dean Osheim trying to set it up for us

Departmental Concerns