AGSA Minutes - April 23, 2008

1. Attendance:
   Mia Jorgensen, Tera Thompson, Ashley Hansen, Ray Whitlow, Mark Frankel, Patrick Fazioli, Amber Kling, Jose Power, Katie Neilson

2. Voted to Encumber $100.00 for Qualifying Exams Typing Party- Unanimous

3. End of Year Party at Fat Bob's- Voted to encumber $250.00- Unanimous. The party will be held on May 10th, please RSVP to Patrick so we can have a head count.

4. Voted to Encumber $100.00 for printer toner in graduate lounge- Unanimous

5. Voted to Encumber $50.00 for printer paper in graduate lounge- Unanimous

6. GSEU Update- Mia Jorgensen: Mia is serving as the new business agent in the union, since the previous business agent was asked to resign. Because of issues regarding state level government, meetings that the union has set up to negotiate the contract have been repeatedly canceled. The co-pay on health insurance may go up since the union is negotiating for new types of coverage including:
   • 12 months coverage for outgoing TA's
   • No prescription drug cap
   • Dental coverage to include extractions and root canals
   • Increased insurance to TA's making $4000.00 or less
   • Better options for purchasing eyeglasses under the vision plan
   New meetings are supposed to take place from April 28-30, and if this set of negotiations is canceled the union lawyer is considering taking action against the state. However, the contract should be ratified by Fall 2008. More updates from Mia will be posted on the listserv.

7. Faculty Committee- No updates as of time of the meeting. The discussion about qualifying exams was postponed; please look on listserv for updates as they arrive. The Medical Anthropology Masters students will not be taking a qualifying exam this year.

8. GSA Update- Ray Whitlow. Elections for next year have taken place. The meeting on the evening of April 23 will discuss current issues regarding presidential action within the GSA.

9. Spring Speaker Series: Douglas Feldman is the speaker for Friday, April 25, 5pm in 355 MFAC. The last speaker for the series will be Paul Shackel, the archaeology focused speaker, at 5pm in 351 MFAC, on Friday, May 2.

Repectfully submitted,

Katie Neilson
AGSA Secretary