Humanities Graduate Student Association
Board Meeting Minutes
Date – 10 June 2013
Time – 4:00 pm – 5:20 pm
Location – Linguistics Lounge
Attendance
HGSA Board Present
Kelly Weber, President Present
Anthony Koth , Internal Vice-President Present
Michael Heyes , External Vice-President Present
Carolyn Van Wingerden , Treasurer Present (as of 4:23)
Larry A Butz , Secretary Present
Blanket Tax
Has been set up. $2.50 in the Fall and again in the Spring for a total of $5 per student.
Professional Development
Anthony sending around sorted list.
English Department Letter
Representative from English (Derek Woods) has asked that the HGSA officially support the letter.
Officers discussed how to support it and which parts of the letter to support specifically.
Ask departments to be informed about how the process of how funds are distributed works and how the new funds will be distributed.
Because more information regarding new funding and stipends has come to light, it was suggested that only parts of the email be supported. Importantly, the source and details of funding decisions is secret and undisclosed to students. The officers agree that there should be more transparency and that this information should be made available—a position held in backing of the English department graduate students.
Anthony suggests going to departments for more transparency first, rather than the Dean. Agree among the officers. The officers agree that it must be made clear to the university that the stipend situation is a blemish that needs to be remedied. Michael suggests the letter of support should emphasis this point and outline the argument more fully. This is agreed.
Michael suggests HGSA should explore alternatives to stipend increases in the event that stipends cannot be raised across the board to meet student needs. Should expand our thinking to include “total pay packages.”
Program in Writing and Communication. We could ask to try to designate x number of positions of humanities graduate students.
Action: At next meeting, recommend committee be formed to author a letter of support to the English department in their letter.
Action: At next meeting, recommend to committee content of letter.
10 votes are required so we need to solicit for attendance.
For the future, HGSA should attempt to arrange a meeting with the President’s Office to discuss the issue.
Constitution
Kelly suggests that something needs to be updated in the constitution. She will report to board on this.
Action: Kelly will send copy of Constitution to Larry (lab20@rice.edu) for website.
Kick-off Party
Michael Heyes reports.
Date and time set: Thursday, August 22. 4-6 pm.
Funding: HUMA and Dean’s Office each donated $200, total $400.
Rice Gallery donated 10 bottles of wine.
Still need to contact Valhalla and St Arnold’s about donations of libations.
Rice Gallery needs $100 for food and nonalcoholic drink.
Need certified Rice bartender. $40/hour?
Speeches and Announcements. PA System? Yes. Do we want to make a speech, and the Dean as well. HRC too (Melissa Baylor). 3CT (Cary Wolfe). CSWGS.
Action: Michael will make contacts for the PA and speeches.
→ This could serve as an informal orientation.
RSVP. Should we send one out? Interested in getting accurate count for food and drink.
→ Try to get on orientation schedule. Contact GSA and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) Office. GPS takes care of the mailings (Carolyn thinks).
