GRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL NOTES
October 9, 2008
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, Featheringill Hall, Room 134
I. Welcome
II. Approval of October Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes from September Meeting
IV. Officer Reports
a. President: Jon Ahlbin
(a) Task Force on Graduate Education
1. Humanities, Social Sciences & Education, Biological & Biomedical Sciences, and Eng., Physical Sciences, & Math
– Purpose: review/evaluate initiatives put forth 5 years ago, create new ones
2. One graduate student per committee
i. Email jon.ahlbin@vanderbilt.edu to volunteer
ii. Include # of years in graduate school & dept.
(b) Graduate Student Meal Plan
1. Met with Frank Gladu (Head of Business) & Camp Howard (Director of Dining)
– Receptive to working with us to find something economically feasible
– Already think our offer is good enough at $7.50, already losing money
– Suggested pilot program to start maybe in January
2. Need names for a focus group
– To meet in November
(c) Graduate Development Network Update
– Grant & Fellowship Workshop had ~200 people come (success), handouts are online and at Writing Center (www.vanderbilt.edu/grantworkshop)
– Women in Academia, 10/31, 12:10-1:30pm in Student Life Center
– International LENS Film Series in Sarratt – see website
– International Education Week, Nov 14-21, various events going on campus
– GradSTEP, 1/17, multiple workshops put on by Center for Teaching
– Will be held again in the future
i. Workshops on Writing the Dissertation (8:30 – 12:00) & Writing the Dissertation Proposal (1:00-4:00), Oct. 21, 101 Buttrick Hall
ii. Take Back the Night, Oct. 13th, 7 PM, March from Olin Field to Centennial Park
b. Vice President of Academic Affairs: Molly Brown
(a) Graduate Student Research Symposium, March 30, 2009 in SLC
– Officially changed name from GSRD to reflect more professional atmosphere
– Giving away 2 free copies of Susan Basalla’s book every meeting until GSRS
– Distributing remainder of 200 books prior to talk
– Committee meeting at the end of the month, contact Molly if you want to help out, fairly minimal time committment
(b) Maternity Policy
– Seeking volunteers to draft a university-wide policy, will be working with faculty
(c) University Parking Update
– 60% discount for Music City Star
– Zipcar program up and running, www.zipcar.com/vanderbilt
(d) Center for Teaching Update
– New space at 1114 19th Ave S at 19th & Edgehill
– Fall workshops on 10/15, 11/10, details on C of T website
c. Vice Presidents of Social Affairs: Megan Johnson and Josh Barnett
(a) Upcoming activities
1. Oct 18 – Sweeney Todd 7:30 PM @ TPAC- $15 tickets still available, please contact megan.johnson@vanderbilt.edu
2. Oct 24 – Ticket pre-sale for Oct 30 Predators vs Oilers; 10-Noon outside GSC office Sarratt 353 ($12.50/ticket)
3. Oct 23 – Commodore Quake featuring Lil Wayne & Lupe Fiasco Tickets $20 available at Sarratt Student Center Box Office
4. Oct 28 – Avenue Q 7:30 PM @ TPAC – GSC Tickets sold out
5. Oct 30 – Joint Social GSC Preds Event (Owen, OBGAPs etc)
6. Nov 8 – Vandy vs UF game (tentative plans to tailgate with professional schools)
7. Dec 4 – GSC Preds Event (vs Avalanche)
(b) Check the website for specific dates: www.vanderbilt.edu/gsc
– Events are on RSS feed, can subscribe
(c) GSC T-shirts available $5 each please contact joshua.m.barnett@vanderbilt.edu or megan.johnson@vanderbilt.edu
d. Vice President of Community Affairs: Kimberly Boelte
(a) Item drive for Safe Haven Family Shelter, extended to Oct.
– Please please please bring stuff to Jon, Kim, or GSC Office when buying tickets
– List of items at www.safehaven.org
– Turn in by 10/31
(b) Commodore Trot
1. 5K Walk/Run around Vandy
2. Benefit Habitat for Humanity
3. Oct. 29th at 6 PM
– Let Kim know by Tues 10/14, $10 to participate (need to pre-register)
– If there’s any service projects/etc you have in mind, contact Kim
e. Treasurer: Samrat Chatterjee
– Fall installment of AcFee came in end of September
– We have money!
f. Secretary: Laura Williams
g. Honor Council President: Jonathan Wellons
– Just finished an investigation, will be having the hearing next week
– Always need volunteers to help with cases, especially the upcoming hearing, so contact Jonathan if you want to help out
– Next project will be the Honor Code translation project, so bilingual volunteers needed
V. University Committee Reports
a. University Parking Committee: Kimberly Boelte, Molly Brown, Samrat Chatterjee, & Jonathan Wellons
b. Student Recreation Center Committee: Josh Brooks & John Mackert
c. Calendar Committee: Jonathan Wellons & Carrie Whiting
d. Religious Affairs Committee : Jennell Talley, Alli McCoy, Mekeal TeShome, & Elizabeth Weber
e. Student Health Insurance Advisory Committee: Jon Ahlbin & Leslie Dowell
f. Graduate Development Network: Jon Ahlbin, Molly Brown & Steve Smartt
g. University Library Committee: Josh Barnett
h. Center for Teaching Advisory Board: Molly Brown
i. Student IT Leaders Committee: Alli McCoy & Brian Love
VI. Old Business
a. TA Carrels in Buttrick Hall
– Possibly being removed, Associate Dean Hetherington is forming a committee
– If you may be affected, talk to your department about the issue
– Working from our side throught he A&S Dean’s Office
VII. New Business
– Possibility of doing a sexual harassment seminar (again)
VIII. Call for Initial Concerns and Upcoming Events
a. Oct. 10th, 7 PM to Midnight, VandyLAN – www.vandylan.com to register
IX. Call for Announcements
X. Adjournment
Next Meeting:
Thursday, November 13, 2008 @ 6:30 PM
Featheringill Hall, Room 134
Please pass along the above information to other graduate students in your department