AGSA Minutes - October 3, 2005

In Attendance:
Rob Hoke, Anna Ireland, Amerbly Rounds, Nathan Grassi, Jacklyn Ramsley, Emily Hammerl, Tae-woo Kim, Bonnie Vest, Dustin Keeler, Christopher Wahlfield, Michael, Roets, Rebecca Cuddahee, Matthew Smith, Patrick Fazidi

1. Rebecca told us that 2 search committees are looking for new faculty members.
2. Also the president of UB is visiting departments because funding is changing. Instead of funding per student another formula may be used and this could adversely affect the Anthropology Dept. There may be possible avenues for protesting at a later time.
3. The Halloween party will be held at Brandon's house this year on Sat Oct. 29. It will be potluck, BYOB, and snacks. $100 was unanimously encumbered for this event.
4. Emily, Tae-Woo, and Patrick are getting together dates for the spring speaker series. If you have any ideas about speakers, please contact them. Also a discussion was held regarding honorariums which result in people outside the SUNY system will receive $5O honorarium. Those outside Buffalo will be compensated with a hotel room and not the $50. Renee will bring up the issue at the next faculty meeting asking for their support in money and in attendance. The honorarium issue maybe reopened at a later time. A discussion about the location also took place. Last years time of Friday and 4pm worked because of classroom availability. It will be looked into again this year.
   $300 was encumbered for this purpose with a unanimous vote.
5. Brown bag lunches will be starting again at noon on Mondays. This will be a forum for those working on Masters to present ideas. Someone will talk to Margaret about getting names of people who recently finished. It will be open to professors as well.
6. Matt is accepting submissions for the Anthro. Chronicles. Submissions of poetry, plays, photos, etc. are also welcome. Interviews with new staff would be a good addition as well. Undergrad work is also encouraged. Anyone interesting in editing or helping should contact Matt. Funding is still an open issue. Rebecca will bring it up at the staff meeting. GSA funding is out. October 28 is the deadline for admissions. We encumbered $100 to get started in a unanimous vote. This maybe added to later on. Chris suggested the possibility of getting a laser printer as well.
7. Conference funding from AGSA brought up a lot of controversy. Brandon suggested a mandatory meeting is which the money set aside would be divided equally among participants limited to presenters only. Chris suggested a more rigid qualifying guideline with a formula including distance, degree of presentation, PHD vs MA students, and size of conference. Other avenues of funding was discussed including other fundraising parties or events and writing letters to representatives to ask for money for the department which must be done together with the faculty. This issue was tabled
8. Computer stuff. If you need specific programs installed talk to Jesse. If you use the lab please give $5 per semester to Jackie to cover printing costs. Please use double sided printing to conserve. We have the equipment to go wireless but it is not yet installed.
9. Brandon's symposium. Brandon is doing a multidisciplinary symposium which he hopes will include lunch and dinner and speakers. He will find out on Dec. 1 if he is getting GSA funding to run it. He put out a call for papers. He needs $100 commitment for us and he is also asking other depts. for money as well. Vote tabled until further info is available.
10. We have been getting duplicate and triplicate emails on the list serve. We will talk to Margaret about it, but we would rather get them multiple times than not at all.
11. Please go to happy hours. If you have location suggestions talk to Maragaret. Bi weekly is better than weekly
12. Ethnic food night was fun and excellent. Thank you Lori and Amanda
13. Meeting was closed.

    Repectfully submitted,
    

    Anna Ireland
    AGSA Secretary
    

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