Graduate Students Present:
Ian Dobbs Dixon, Astronomy, Committee on Planning and Budget
Joni Wajaryb, Politics, External Vice President
Vicky Tarumoto, Education, Internal Vice President
Emily Robinson, History, President
Susanne Altermann, Ecology and Ev… Biology, Secretary
Marla Holt, Ocean Sciences, Student Fee Advisory Committee
Allison Luengen, Environmental Toxicology, Treasurer, Representative
Abhijit Sen Gupta, Economics Representative
Beth Daniels, Psychology Representative
Dirk Robinson, Electrical Engineering Representative
Ge Yi, Computer Engineering Representative
Karen Artiles, Molecular, Cell…Bio Representative
Kelly Reine,r Education Representative
Lisa Downward, Physics Representative
Meredith Armstrong, Ocean Sciences Representative
Sajeemas Pasakdee, Environmental Studies Representative
Vicki Wedel, Anthropology Representative
Yan Zhang, Dept?
Ameer Martin, Economics Visitor
Erik Dedini, Physics Visitor
Joe Schwartz, Physics Visitor
Joy Hagen, Environmental Studies Visitor
Raj Gupta, Physics Visitor
Sina Farsiu ? Visitor

Brainstorm
We broke into small groups and discussed grad concerns as they relate to GSA.

Agenda
Approval by consensus. Minutes from the June meeting were not available for approval.

Elections
Department Representatives – Department representatives as listed above were approved by consensus.
Internal Vice President (IVP) – Candidates were Yan Zhang, Marla Holt, and Vicki Tarumoto. All candidates described their qualifications. Vicki won the election by a plurality.
Graduate Student Housing Representative – Emily explained that it would be a good idea for GSA to create a Graduate Housing Representative. In order to give that person a vote, we would have to change the Constitution. Since a constitutional change requires a referendum, she proposed that we offer the position without voting power. She suggested we change the Bylaws to create a Graduate Housing Rep and compensate that position with $50/quarter like other reps.

Motion (AL) to fund a Graduate Housing Representative is approved by consensus.

Clarification: The representative must live in Graduate Student Housing during the term(s) that they serve.

Budget
Treasurer’s Report (Allison Luengen)
We have a total of 92,000, including over 60,000 in “roll-over” money from last year. The 2003-2004 budget we approved last year allocates 68,000. There is money in the budget to fund all sorts of events that grads may want to organize. Organizers themselves are also eligible for $50 stipends for their efforts.

Travel Grants
GSA had requested funding from SFAC to increase travel grants. (MH) John Simpson is not accepting any SFAC requests until the recall election is over, maybe later. In the meantime, GSA can increase travel grants on its own. There was a long discussion about whether this would jeopardize our ability to get SFAC money in the near future and whether this would inappropriately mine our budget. "Travel grants" is already the largest single item in our budget, and about 30 grads are funded per quarter.

Motion (SA) to double GSA travel grants fails by a vote of 8-7.

Motion (JW) to increase travel grants to up to $225/year is approved.

Laptop Computers (Yan Zhang)
GSA is purchasing two laptop computers for the Graduate Student Commons: a Toshiba and a Power Book. These will be available for check-out within the Commons. Wireless access is already available in the entire quad area. Emily suggest we email grads to remind them about 24 hour access to the Commons.

Report from the External Vice President (Joni Wajaryb)
UC level: The University of California Student Association (UCSA) is very active, and other GSAs are sending three people to each meeting. (AL) Clarification that we do regularly send $600/quarter to UCSA to support their work. (JW) There is a lot of anti-Prop 54 work. How involved do we want to be in UCSA issues and meetings? (Unresolved).

National level: The National Association of Graduate and Post Doctoral Students (NAGPS) Conference is coming up in Washington DC November 4-9. We could send one or two people if anyone is interested. A big issue at the national level is getting rid of federal income taxes on fellowships. (EM) Estimates are that grads could save $1000 per year. There is general agreement that we should send out an email to recruit for this kind of participation.

TA Union (Joni Wajaryb)
Last Wednesday talks between the United Auto Workers and the University broke down. The Union says that UC is using unfair labor practices in their bargaining. Examples are that UC sends people who do not actually have authority to make a “yes” decision. Information that the Union requires from the University has been denied…and other issues. The contract ran out on September 30. The Union is striking on Friday October 3, UC-wide.

Funding Requests
New Students Welcome and Chinese National Day Celebration (YZ). Event welcomes new grads and provides campus wide cultural exchange. Oct 16th or 17th, Grad Commons 7:30-11.

Motion passes to fund this event for $500.

Women, Work and Worry: Meeting Work-Life Challenges, co-sponsored by the Women's Center and the Career Center. Nov 6 Grad Commons, 11:30 am.

Motion passes to fund this event $100.

Committee Recruitment
Officers recruited others to join various campus and GSA committees. There was no associated motion.

Adjourn