AGSA Minutes - November 7, 2005

1. Call to Order
   Meeting called to order by Brandon Lundy at 11am

2. Attendance
   Lori Eldridge, Amanda Shero. Anna Ireland, Amberly Rounds, Brandon Lundy, Emily Hammerl, Nathan Grassi, Jacklyn Randy, Rod Salisbury, Dustin Keeler, Christopher Wahlfeld, Bonnie Vest, Rebecca Cuttinghue, Michelle Bellino, Mark Frankel, Kim Neugyen
3. Reports from Committees/Old Business
   1. The tabled vote from last meeting about Brandon's symposium was reopened. Brandon passed around info and told us that he is trying to het Jason Young as the keynote speaker to talk about the connection between Africa and the New World. He will also have seven other invited guests and seven calls for papers. The undergrad anthro group have $100. Grad club of linguistics gave $50 and the Grad club of history is giving between $50 and $100. Dec 1 he will receive the final go ahead and put out the call for papers. He is asking the Anthro. Dept to give photocopies. We also think he should ask for money since we hope this will reflect well on the Dept. We had a unanimous vote for $100. It was also stated that is cases where we give money to other grad students that we should ask for some kind of presentation or follow up letter to see what the money accomplished.
   2. Graduate Americanist Group through the Dept. of English is hosting an interdepartmental social on Nov. 11 and 3pm. Michelle and Lori are going as reps. Going to these kinds of things is good for people needing connections and doing research is the US.
   3. Deadline for the chronicles is extended to Nov. 11. We received $500 dollars from the Dept. of Anthro. (yeah) and someone of the English Dept is helping with layout.
   4. The brown bag lunches have started and are getting a good response. Rm 261 at noon on Mondays. Good job Matt.
   5. Medical Anthropology Colloqueim is 1-2 on Fridays. These week has a good speaker. People should try to attend.
   6. Faculty Meeting update
      There is a one year, three year, and five year plan to hire new faculty. The one year plan is for a new Archeology professor. The 3 year plan is to expand the physical dept. by adding one new person and the 5 year plans for another archeologist with a specialty from Europe of Latin America. The faculty also discussed 107 and whether is was good to have a grad student teach it. Also Stevens may not continue to teach the summer course for anthropology. The faculty had people who thought it should not be open to grad students and others who defended grad students. Our group showed interest in teaching both courses if given the opportunity. We did feel that people should be interviewed and compete for the opportunity and the best person chosen. We also discussed that we wish we had more venues for teaching and learning teaching skills. Perhaps a course could be resurrected dealing with teach style and presentation skills. Perhaps people who are TA s should be given more opportunities by their professors to teach. Perhaps ABD students can teach under certain circumstances.
      The faculty also opened up the subject of distance learning or online classes, but it is still being researched.
      The provost and the dean are still discussing the numbers of PHD and MA students.
      
   7. Please continue to write emails and send letters regarding the printing cap asking for there to be a difference between Grad and undergrad students. Cindi spoke to the library, nothing is set in stone. The library however is arguing that if we pay the same amount of fees, we should get the same amount of services. GSA is also fighting for the Grad students on this issue.
   8. Spring Speaker Series, We still need submissions for speakers. IF you have an idea please email Emily at ehammerl AT buffalo.edu. We also got a response from Pollock. He is willing to help per basis. He is willing to work with people as needed for hotel.
      Also on the issue of conference funding he is willing to help case by case. People who are looking for jobs and interviewing at conferences take top priority.
   9. Margaret requested a copy machine for the grad lounge. Jackie will go look at it to make sure that it is functioning. Margaret will arrange for transport. Once we get it servicing toner and paper will be our responsibility.
   10. Jackie needs to encumber money for toner for the printers. She has been using the student money to buy paper. With a unanimous vote we encumberede $100.
   11. Ethnic food night was a success. If you want to host or cook. Please contact Amanda at adshero AT buffalo.edu.
   12. Conference funding. Each student is allowed a certain amount of funding through GSA. Ma students $250 and PhD $400. This will pretty much be given in small chunks, but it depends on the month that you apply. If you apply during an off month you might get more.
   13. Wireless internet is not yet working. We may need a new computer person. Also it was suggested that people get keys for Park Hall 4th floor as we are allowed access to the Social Science Computer Lab.
   14. Criteria for the List Serve
       Hugh Jarvis admits people to the list serve. Should non matriculated students be let in? Brandon will talk to Hugh about it. We will make the decision as a group case by case. The person can't vote if they are non matriculated. If they want to be involved in the list serve they should participate in AGSA meetings and show that they are serious about being involved.
4. meeting was closed

Repectfully submitted,

Anna Ireland
AGSA Secretary