January 24, 2000
Call to order: ~ 6:37 p.m.
Agenda:
I. Visitors
- Lisa Mignone, Classics Graduate Student Colloquium Funding Request
- Robin Field, Graduate English Conference Funding Request
II. Secretary's report
III. Treasurer's Report
IV. President's Report
- Spring Meeting Day decision
- Fellowship Forum
- Research Exhibition - website and poster
- Recruitment
- Elections
V. Old Business
- Spring funding solicitation
VI. New Business
- Budget increase request
I. Visitors
The council was presented with two funding requests that evening: the first from the Fourth Annual Classics Graduate Student Colloquium and the second from the Graduate English Conference. Representatives from the Classics Colloquium were not present when the meeting was called to order, so the council considered the Graduate English Conference first.
Robin Field, Graduate English Conference Funding Request
Entitled "Millennial Histories and Prophecies: Literary Truth and Scientific Method," the conference seeks papers that explore the interconnections between science, technology, and literature. While the relationship between science and literature may seem more apparent in contemporary literature, the conference also encourages paper from the Early Modern Period. All departments are welcome to submit proposals.
The conference primarily draws participants from UVA, although other schools do participate, and provides students with a low-stress environment to present their work. This year, the keynote speaker will be Franco Moretti, from Columbia University. Moretti will receive a $1,000 honorarium for his services.
The conference will request funding from other departments.
Todd Price asked for further information about the keynote speaker? Moretti applies scientific models to literature, i.e. Darwinism, etc.
Patrick McGuinn asked if the sponsoring group, the Graduate English Student Association, had provided any funds? They want to be the last group to fund.
Richard Pierce asked if the keynote fee could be negotiated down? Although Ms. Fields was not sure, it appears that the fee had already been negotiated down from $1,500.
Discussion:
Maura Tarnoff, English Department representative, abstains.
The Conference had requested $1,000. Treasurer McGuinn reported that we have $3,300 for the semester and a carry over of $750, for a total of $4,000 to allocate this semester.
Palma suggested that we fund $600 for keynote travel. It was suggested that they could return later in the semester for additional funding. Last year, we funded the conference at $850.
Eric Smith moved that we fund the conference at $600; Kishna Ramaraju seconded that motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Lisa Mignone, Classics Graduate Student Colloquium Funding Request
Lisa Mignone presented the proposal of Fourth Annual Classics Graduate Student Colloquium, entitled "Love of Power. Power of Love. Eros and Imperium in Classical Antiquity."
Currently, the colloquium has secured $1,000 in outside funding from Special Lectures, the Classics department has said nothing, and other departments have contributed $300.
Francis Cairns, who is considered to be one of the top scholars in the field of classics, will be the keynote speaker. Eight graduate students will present papers, 2 from UVA, one from Stanford with a UVA M.A., and others from U. Michigan, U. Chicago, and UNC. The biggest cost for the conference will be keynote. Steady attendance is expected from Classics and other departments.
Palma asked if they have spoken to Dean Husky yet? They have not. Palma urges them to do so.
Department has already purchased ticket for keynote, and the conference will reimburse department.
Impressive poster displayed.
McGuinn asked about other publicity? Classics e-mail list has been notified. Other UVA departments have been contacted.
Discussion:
Difficult history of the proposal discussed. Treasurer
reports that we have $3,400 after funding the English
Conference.
Question was asked about the volume of funding requests in the spring? McGuinn reports that last year we received 7 or 8 requests in the spring and only 2 in the fall.
Question raised of whether we should adopt a first come, first serve policy and not fund based on hypothetical future requests. Eric Smith suggested that we require groups to request at the start of the semester.
Concern was expressed that Classics have not sought more outside funding.
Concern raised about funding the travel expenses of graduate students from other universities.
Eric Smith moves to fund at $750; Ramaraju seconds. Passed unanimously. Recommended that funding go towards travel and lodging for keynote.
II. Secretary's report
Secretary Elena Murgu absent. Patrick McGuinn noted that minutes for last meeting incorrectly noted an allocation. The minutes read $1,600, but should have read $1,100.
III. Treasurer's Report
Reports have been reorganized for greater clarity. Prior to allocations at this meeting, the council had $4,046.40 for the spring semester.
Fall 1999 Budget (revised): $3,336.40
Approved funding requests Fall 1999:
1. Chronic Aporias/German Department ($1,100)
2. Buddhist Studies Graduate Student Conference ($1,000)
3. Women's Center-Betty Williams ($300)
Total approved funding as of December 1999: $2,400
Additional expenses for Fall 1999: ($190 pizza)
Remaining funding from Fall 1999: $746.40
Preliminary budget for Spring 2000: $3,300
Total available funding for Spring allocation from 1999-2000 budget: $4,046.40
(Note: The Spring budget figure is preliminary and may change slightly.)
Report of Treasurer's meeting with Dean Huskey:
Unfortunately, it is too difficult to determine our account
balance and we should continue to allocate based on
budgeted figures. There is no easy way to improve
accountability of our funds. Huskey approved a new procedure
for funding, whereby the council will notify his office of
the amount of each funding allocation and the name of one
contact person who will be able to withdraw the funds.
Also, in the future funds must be accessed by the end of
the academic year. Huskey also reaffirmed his commitment of
$4,000 for prize money at the Research Fair.
IV. President's Report:
Oliver has requested moving the meeting time. Denied due to other representatives' scheduling conflicts.
Oliver has agreed to take charge of the Fellowship Forum. Todd has agreed to assist. More help would be appreciated, especially from someone in the sciences.
Alumni Hall, at a cost of $500, has been reserved for April 10 and 11 for the Research Fair. Huskey continues to be supportive and has pledged $4,000 in prize money. This money will be distributed evenly across four categories. Judges will set amount of each prize, with a minimum amount to be established by the council. Five faculty members and one graduate student will judge each division. Application deadline will be March 20. An information session will take place in Clark 140 on Feb. 29th. An impressive web site has been developed by Josh Kemper. More funding is needed for Alumni Hall and publicity. Block's office will be contacted. The council is not sure where it can find poster boards. McGuinn suggested that the council maintain a visible presence at the research fair in order to meet older graduate students.
Palma suggested sending an e-mail through Doris Lamb to drum up more representatives.
Chris discussed problems with the election process and asked who might be interested in any posts.
V. Old Business
We should encourage more people to seek funding. Palma will include information about this in the e-mail.
VI. New Business
Patrick McGuinn presented a draft of his proposal to the Board of Visitors to increase the student activity fee for Graduate Students. This proposal will be presented to the BOV at their February meeting. Huskey says the fee has not been increased in at least seven years. Our fee is the lowest of all the graduate schools at the University. Given the large tuition increase next year, no one will probably notice this modest increase. No one objected to increasing the SAF and it was suggested that we should request a fee of $5 per semester.
February's meeting will be the second week of the month, due to increased activity.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 pm.