2008 GSA Minutes  19    
Meeting Date: March 5, 2008                                                             
Meeting Time: Wednesday 1:15 PM
Meeting Place: UC 215
                                                     
Meeting called by: All
Type of meeting: Weekly meeting
Advisors present: None
Note taker: Allison Nordahl, Secretary
Attendees: John Copeland, Christina Van Roekel, Allison Nordahl, Phil Matteson, Cayla Watson, Tessa Johnson, Nestor Cordova, Troy Foster

Topic 1:  Meet and Greet
-GSA will hold a St. Patrick's day Meet and Greet
-Thursday, March 13, 2008
-Press Box 7PM
-$5 for unlimited keg beer
-be on the lookout for an email flier (to be sent out by Troy), and feel free to post them around your building!
-we hope to have a great turnout!

Topic 2: GSA survey
-You should have received an email with a link to our survey from Kelly Speer
-please fill this out!
-We are hoping to better understand the needs of Grad. Students, and we need your help
-your email address is optional
-you can also find the survey on our website: http://www.umt.edu/gsa  (front page-needs assessment survey)
-PLEASE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY SO THAT WE CAN BETTER HELP YOU!

Topic 3: Grant Writing Workshop thank you notes
-thanks to everyone who attended the meeting and signed the thank you notes for the workshop speakers
-John has taken care of mailing the notes to the speakers

Topic 4: Grad. Student & Faculty Research Conference
-the abstract submission deadline for this conference is March 8th, and the conference is April 5th
-GSA would like to have a delegate on this organizing committee for next year
-this is a copy of the email I received (as did you, probably) from Kelly Speer about the conference:

7th Annual Graduate Student and Faculty Research Conference
Saturday, April 5, 2008, in the University Center
Call for Submissions (March 8 Deadline)

The Graduate Student and Faculty Research Conference at The University of Montana is accepting abstracts for poster and oral presentations from UM faculty and graduate students.  Now in its seventh year, this conference brings together graduate students and faculty from a variety of disciplines to present their research.  It offers graduate students an opportunity to gain valuable professional experience by presenting their work in a formal and intellectually supportive environment.  It also fosters greater understanding among graduate students and faculty of the various disciplines' approaches to and methods of research.  

This year, the interdisciplinary focus will be highlighted by a roundtable discussion on the topic "Ethics in modern Graduate Studies" featuring faculty from various departments around campus.  Conference events include: concurrent sessions of oral presentations; poster session; complimentary lunch; awards for the best student posters and oral presentations; closing reception.  Childcare will be available. 
Please consider participating in this year's conference! Abstracts (of up to 500 words) are due by March 8. 
For more information about the conference and to register online please visit the conference website:  http://www.umt.edu/gradfacconf
       
Topic 5: Travel Awards
-there were 56 applicants, and 28 recipients
-all qualified applicant names were put into a lottery drawing
-GSA is thinking about extending the deadline for the next awards (this needs to be fine-tuned)

Topic 6:  Student groups workshop
-the Student Groups 101 event workshop was held Thursday, March 6th at 6PM in UC 330

Topic 7:  Subcommittees
-GSA is planning on organizing 3-4 GSA subcommittees
-As of yet, we have discussed having this committees for event planning/social events, recruitment, fund raising, and grad. rights
-several officers/reps have spoken up about which subcommittee they would choose to be on
-it is planned that these committees will meet every other week, and all of the GSA comm. would meet on the off week to discuss what was talked about
-it is hoped that more students will be involved since they can choose what to focus on/when to meet
-John is to send out an email about these subcomm. to see who would be interested (please show your interest/be involved!)
-if you have another topic/idea that you are passionate about, please contact us!
-grad. students have the potential to have lots of influence with these subcomm.

If you have any questions/comments, please do not hesitate to reply! Thanks, Allison Nordahl


UM Graduate Student Association
umgsa@umontana.edu
University Center 201 J, Mailbox #8
Student Organizational Suite
http://www.umt.edu/gsa