AGSA Minutes - October 12, 2008

1. Attendance:
   Amber Kling, Katie Neilson, Kate Whalen, Mia Jorgensen, Jennifer Odien, Denise Szafran, Jess Masciello, Andre Gonciar, Amanda Osterhoudt, Darren Poltorak, Sarah Aulenbacher, Candie Syphrit, Elijah McStotts, Joe Costa, Ben Kamphaus, Mike Rienti, Raymond Whitlow, Stephanie Aylward

2. Voted to encumber $50.00 in support of the Classics Graduate Student Association Conference- Unanimous.

   The conference is entitled "Waste: Contaminating Space, Body, and Mind in the Ancient World." The keynote speaker will be Ann Koloski-Ostrow of Brandeis University. The conference will be held Saturday, October 18th, and will also feature presentations from graduate students from Buffalo as well as other universities.

3. Voted to encumber $25.00 for the Theory at Buffalo Journal- Unanimous.

   The journal is put out by the department of Comparative Literature, and this will be its 13th issue.

4. Voted to encumber $25.00 for a conference hosted by the publishers of Umbra: Journal of Unconsciousness- Unanimous.

   The group did not receive funding from the GSA in support of this conference, so there is some question of whether it will be taking place; if it does not go through, the encumbered monies will be returned to the AGSA budget.

5. Voted to encumber $25.00 for Geography Awareness Week, hosted by the Geography Student Association- Unanimous.

   Geography Awareness Week lasts 11/17-11/21. More information will be sent out on the listserv, including a schedule of events.

6. Sub-Board Programming Grant: Anthropology Technology Lab
   1. Voted to encumber $120.00 for hard drives for computers in the Graduate Lounge- Unanimous.

      This encumbrance will compliment the programming grant monies if received, for use in making the computer lab operational. The grant has been prepared by Amber Kling (President), Ray Whitlow (Vice President) and Ben Kamphaus (Network Administrator). We have requested $1200 to buy functional computers for the lab. We will be notified by October 24th if we are to receive the grant. If not, monies encumbered for the hard drives will be returned to the budget.

   2. Vote to Create New Position as per stipulations in the Sub-Board Grant Application: Anthropology Technology Lab Director- Unanimous. Benjamin Kamphaus will hold this position, as well as maintaining title of Network Administrator.

7. AGSA Halloween Party

   Voted to encumber $150.00 for the Halloween Party- Unanimous.

   The party will be held Saturday, November 1st at 7:30, in the Anthropology Graduate Student Lounge. Please see listserv for updates regarding committees for decoration, food, etc.

8. Voted to encumber $60.00 for the Anthropology Coffee Hour- Unanimous.

   This will be co-sponsored with the Anthropology Department. More announcements will be sent via listserv.

9. GSA Conference Funding: As a reminder, the GSA offers money for help students attend conferences. Masters students can receive up to $250.00 over the course of their graduate career, and PhD students can receive up to $400.00. The deadlines for the applications are usually due by the middle of the month previous to the event. Applications can be found on the GSA website, under Funding and Forms.

10. The Eastern States Archaeological Federation- National Conference will take place November 6-9, 2008. The Archaeological Survey will be presenting a session from 9-11am on Sunday November 9, followed by a reception in the Totem Pole room at the university. Students can sign up to volunteer two hours and the $25.00 registration fee will be waived.

11. Jon Stewart will be a Distinguished Speaker at the university on November 15, at 8pm. Free tickets are available to students on October 29th at 9am, and October 30 at 6pm. One ticket per Student ID, get there early to receive a ticket.

12. Senate Report:

    The Mark Diamond Research Foundation is looking for a new head, as well as new people to serve on the committee. Please see the website for more information regarding applications.

    A new GSA Treasurer has been elected- John Heberger.

    Several new publications received funding, as well as two symposia. A new organization, the Medical Emergency Rescue Team, is looking for members.

13. GSEU Updates:

    The next meeting with the state is Thursday, October 16. Union leaders and teaching assistants will also be delivering a large amount of letters in person regarding contract negotiations and the status of the union.

Repectfully submitted,

Katie Neilson
AGSA Secretary