Penn State-Harrisburg Graduate Student Association

General Meeting Minutes

April 28, 2005

Opening:

The regular meeting of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) was called to order at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2005 in Olmsted Building Room E-314 by Jamie Brown

A.        Approval of April 14, 2005 Minutes

The Minutes for the April 14, 2005 were reviewed by Andrew Ginder.  The Minutes were then approved unanimously by members present.

B.        Chair Report

GSA President Jamie Brown congratulated the newly elected Executive Board of the GSA and expressed great optimism for GSA in the 2005-2006 academic year.  It was announced that at least two organizational meetings are being planned for the summer.  GSA’s new faculty advisor, Dr. Beverly Cigler, was welcomed to GSA’s final meeting of the semester.

C.        Treasurer Report

Treasurer David Kratzer announced that a request has been submitted for Student Activity Fee funding for the fall semester, 2005.  The total amount requested for this semester is $5,600.  The basic rationale for this request is based upon the graduate student body comprising 51% of the total student population at Penn State-Harrisburg.  It is hoped that adequate funding will be given to maximize exposure of the organization in its first full year of existence.  It was noted that $1,000 is being requested for an open house and networking sessions with Penn State-Harrisburg’s Alumni Association.  A copy of the proposal is available for any interested members by contacting David Kratzer.  Notification will be made to all members once a decision has been made on Student Activity Fee funding for the fall semester.

D.         Webmaster Report

Webmaster Robert Bartell announced that a major redesign of the GSA website will commence in the near future.  It is hoped that each of the five schools within Penn State-Harrisburg will be able to use the website as a general resource.  Undergraduate students may be asked to update the website as needed.  It was noted that a firm, continued web presence for GSA is central to efficient communication and publicity efforts.  Dr. Cigler suggested removing the frames as part of the larger redesign project.

E.        General Brainstorming Session with GSA Faculty Advisor Dr. Beverly Cigler

The remainder of the meeting consisted of a general brainstorming session between the Executive Board, all members present, and GSA faculty advisor Dr. Beverly Cigler.  The main points conveyed during this session are as follows.

• Suggestions for social events for the upcoming year include a formal dance and a golf event.
• The possibility of sending GSA informational materials when students request information about Penn State-Harrisburg graduate programs, or upon acceptance was proposed.  Similar information could be sent to current undergraduate students for encouraging a greater percentage of the student body to remain at Penn State-Harrisburg for graduate coursework.
• A GSA summit with other graduate students and/or graduate student associations within the Penn State University system was suggested.  Additionally suggested was collaboration with the International Student Association, Alumni Association, and Criminal Justice Club for the planning of joint events.
• During the planned summer meetings, it was suggested that cooperation and dialogue be initiated with the Doctoral Student Association (DSO).
• For any planned GSA trips, the University liability policy must be reviewed.  Additionally, all gift-giving to GSA must be carefully scrutinized according to established policies.
• Additional networking opportunities may involve contacting the Capital Area Public Administration group (currently dormant) and the Pi Gamma Mu honor society.  Generally, the first step in many of the suggested collaborations is a search of the campus directory of clubs.
• In all future correspondence, it should be stressed that GSA is a revamped  organization that encourages inclusive membership among all of the five graduate schools of Penn State-Harrisburg.

Adjournment:

The General Meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. by Jamie Brown. This is the final general meeting of the spring 2005 semester.  It is hoped that approximately three meetings of the Executive Board will be held during summer, 2005.  Sufficient advance notification will be given to all GSA members concerning the dates and times of these meetings.

Minutes Submitted By:    Andrew Ginder