Meeting Minutes- 04 November 2013

 

Welcome

Step Up UVa program feedback (Dean Laushway):

• Bystander training program rejuvenated by undergrads
• Recent study on bystander behavior as a result of a notorious murder in NYC
• There were witnesses to an attack, but were unable to do anything to prevent it→ bystander syndrome
• 6 years ago, UVa student murdered by boyfriend while both were intoxicated
• students voiced concerns about this behavior, and the inability of others to prevent this
• Started a training program to help students be aware of and recognize the signs of domestic aggression
• Because of the graduate student role interacting with undergrads, we are in a unique position to recognize this behavior and help stop it
• We are invited to take part in this training to help students and each other
• Dean Laushway is looking for interested students who would like to be part of this training (in person workshop)→ email him fal@virginia.edu for more information, or if you are interested in the training

New Honor Committee Rep Needed (Noah Egge):

• 27 person committee
• responsible for presenting at orientations, educating grad students about the honor code
• if you are interested in being an honor rep, email Noah (noah@virginia.edu)

Awards/Events list from each department for Public Week Committee (Oat):

• University is resurrecting public week in which the university opens its grounds to the public to show what we do here
• Need our help to identify departmental events that could be going on throughout the year to avoid scheduling conflicts
• Please email Oat by the end of the month with a list of all events that go on in your department throughout the year

Individual Rep Meetings Reminder (Trish/Mike):

• Trying to start scheduling meetings for Monday evenings, but can be flexible
• List was sent out of interview topics, but also feel free to bring individual department concerns that are not on the list
• For more info about the rep interviews, see past minutes

Committee Updates:

• Research Committee (Crystal/Maduka):
• Huskey “Call for sessions” interdisciplinary sessions
• Changing part of the structure of Huskey to make it more interdisciplinary
• In addition to arts and humanities sessions, will have interdisciplinary breakout sessions to unify different disciplines
• Planning to just focus on arts and humanities for now, but might incorporate sciences as well
• First committee meeting was earlier in October, date has been set for 3/18
• To avoid problems from last year, will have an AV specialist at each session
• ProDev (Ben):
• Tentative Schedule for GradDays
• Looking to be more interdisciplinary this year with the help of the VPR office
• Working with Melissa Hurst to incorporate Pro Dev events into GradDays
• Initiatives (Amy):
• On-grounds facilities for grad parents
• Complaint raised about the lack of changing tables on grounds
• Contacted facilities about whether these are actually present, and if not, how we can get more
• If interested in this, contact Amy
• Documentation of TA workload
• Website created in history department to track TA hours and identify discrepancies
• Social (Jake/Trish):
• Halloween Party Recap
• Very successful, 200+ attendees
• Escafe was a great venue for this
• Plenty of food, great dancing
• Difficulty handing out prizes later in the night
• Novemberfest
• Horse and Hound 11/15
• Outdoor space reserved for this, but will also be selling grad council cups for $5 (also get a drink ticket)
• Will get future discounts on drinks at GSASC happy hours with cup
• Suggestion box comment that people would like to see more social events that are not affiliated with a bar/alcohol
• If you have suggestions, let Trish/Sara/Jake know via email

Budget (Danielle):

• UVA French Film Festival
• Request $1000, Recommend $500
• Approved unanimously
• EnviroDay
• Request $400, recommend $400
• Approved unanimously
• GPSA talk series
• Request $60, Recommend $60
• Approved Unanimously
• Novemberfest
• Request $500, Recommend $400
• Approved Unanimously

Meeting adjourned