UT GSA Meeting Minutes, May 28, 2003

a. Co-Chairs, Eric Opiela and Joyce Banks. Joyce Banks reported on graduate student efforts to educate members of the Texas Legislature on ways in which several pieces of proposed legislation would adversely affect graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin. Discussion ensued on the various bills. Joyce also reported that a resolution she authored expressing the sense of the Graduate Assembly that the needs of graduate students should be taken into account in the legislative process passed unanimously by the Assembly at its April meeting. (Attachment 2). She said the Assembly had passed a resolution changing the designation "joint degree" to "dual degree" to reflect the reality that students receiving such degrees usually complete the full requirements of each degree rather than a blending and reduction of requirements, approved a proposal to allow master's degree projects to be submitted digitally, and recommended for future study the +/- grade proposal.
Joyce noted that the committee charged with selecting a new graduate dean was about to commence its first round of interviews and that despite concerns about diversity, the search would remain an internal search. She continued her reports with the news that the committee seeking a new head of the General Libraries had made its selection and was awaiting a response from their top candidate. Finally, she noted that at the most recent meeting of student leaders with President Faulkner she had pressed him on the effects of deregulation on graduate students.

b. Secretary, Marian Barber. Nothing to report

c. Treasurer, Greg Hammond. Ginger Gossman reported on behalf of Greg that the developmental funds allotted to GSA have begun to flow to the organizations to which the money was allocated, but that GSA has not received the money from the granting body. There is some concern about the continuing delays because if the money has not been spent by August 31, it will revert to Student Fees.

d. Special Events Coordinator, Audrey Trainor. Ginger Gossman reported on Audrey's behalf that in future we will limit people to two drink tickets each. She said the pizza and beer party at Spider House was a great success.

e. Publications Coordinator, Ginger Gossman. Nothing to report

f. Electronic Resources Coordinator, Don Drumtra. Don noted that he is revising the website and the e-mail list to reflect the changes in the membership list approved at the last meeting. He said those eliminated would receive "sign-off messages." He urged anyone who receives such a message in error to contact GSA immediately. He also noted that he had sent a message to the graduate coordinators seeking nominations for the various committee positions to which GSA appoints graduate students. Don also reported that the Parking and Transportation Committee is coping with a number of difficulties caused by construction on campus and that the Library Committee had approved changes in the way that images can be presented in electronically filed dissertations.