GSA MEETING MINUTES

Date:  1/11/2008

Time:  11:00-12:00 am

Location:  Broughton 3217, Duke Energy Conference Room

Attendees: James Deon Pearson,

Scott Hays

Nancy Moore,

Mitesh Ghelani,

Chris Basciano

Dr. Robert T. Nagel (faculty)

In Absentia: David Padgett

Time:11:00

Discussion

• Introductions and greetings

• Scott Hays is appointed as an officer with the MAE GSA for the period of one year.  He is appointed as Alternate Representative.  David Padgett is appointed to Secretary and Chris Basciano is appointed to Vice President.
• Mitesh Ghelani agrees to attend the monthly UGSA council meeting this semester.
• Dr. Nagel suggests waiting until after the census date (2 weeks, or 10 days after the first day or courses) to solicit send out an email soliciting for new officers to the MAE GSA.  The email listserv for the MAE graduate students will be settled at this point.
• James Pearson agrees to hold an introductory meeting for the new officers after they apply, and Scott Hays will be present at this meeting to become caught up on the GSA's operations and history.
• Dr. Nagel reminds the GSA one of their purposes is to take graduate students gripes and complaints and to bring these to the attention of the administration when appropriate.
• Nancy Moore suggests installing a public free printer on the fourth floor of the diesel wing for the graduate students.  After brain storming, the resolution is made that Dr. Nagel will investigate the possibility of installing a single computer (not hooked up to the internet), laser printer, and scanner in the fourth floor graduate phone room.  A lock can be installed to restrict access only to graduate students with keys to the Mail room.
• Dr. Nagel agrees to obtain copies of the key to the display case outside his office.  The GSA will use this display case to display their information and activities, and will keep the informational sheet in the main display case by the main office with the list of student organizations.
• Dr. Nagel recommends the GSA start publicizing and updating the recent graduates display case outside of the graduate office.
• Dr. Nagel indicates the new student introductory seminar will be held next Tuesday or Thursday
• Chris Basciano and Mitesh Ghelani agree to attend the seminar and present a short, few slide powerpoint presentation about the GSA after Dr. Nagel finishes all necessary business.
• Dr. Nagel reminds everyone the department will give each faculty $500 once per semester to send a student to present at a conference, similar to the UGSA Travel grant.  Faculty are aware of this and are aware of the process required to submit applications and receive refunds.  he further recommends to bring up the UGSA thesis and travel funding avenues at the new student orientation.
• James Pearson brings up the idea of collecting ideas for how to interact with another (possibly the BME) graduate department and obtain a $250 block grant from the UGSA.  Possible ideas include hosting a seminar event with the BME department where a ME and BME professor would present for 30 minutes and much free food would be provided.  All agree to continue thinking of other possible events for the block grant.

Time:11:45

Discussion

• Meeting End.
• Next meeting to be held when new officers are inducted.