Below please find the minutes for the most recent SAGE officers' meeting.  Any questions concerning the minutes may be directed to me at aprofitt@ku.edu.  Thank you!

Aaron
 

This meeting of SAGE officers came to order at 2:49 p.m. A quorum was present, consisting of Joe Sommers, Samantha Parkes, Kristin Bovaird-Abbo, Corinee Guy, Ilona Harpe, Brian Harries, Karla Knutson, Mindi McMann, Becky Miller, Kip Smilie, Stacy Stephens, Brooke Stokley Finan and Aaron Profitt.

Sommers asked if this meeting time (2:45-3:45) was acceptable. Those present had no objection to it.

Attention then turned to ratification of the new SAGE constitution. Sommers had copies for those who had not received copies previously; he asked if anyone had any problems with the proposed constitution.

Bovaird-Abbo asked if the provision of term limits would apply to those who had held office in past years. Sommers responded that the provision would not be retroactive and that, in any case, the officers could vote to make exceptions in individual cases. He elaborated that the intent of the provision is to involve more graduate students by bringing new people into the officer ranks.

Sommers then noted a few features of the new constitution: (1) a blanket statement concerning responsibilities of committee members; (2) Article V, providing for the removal of officers, intended to ensure full participation; (3) the designation of the co-presidents, secretary, treasurer and first-year liaison as the executive committee; and (4) the provision of amendments by a two-thirds vote. [Secretary’s note: For further information and specifics, see the constitution on the SAGE Web site at www.ku.edu/~sage.]

Bovaird-Abbo moved, Harries seconded, to approve the new constitution; the motion passed unanimously.

Sommers announced that the SAGE lab is new and improved and will be opening soon. Currently it is awaiting a visit from a computer physician or exorcist.

Ilona Harpe (Hutson as of 8/30), first-year liaison, and Karla Knutson, member of the Lecturers and Readers Committee, introduced themselves; both are new graduate students at KU. The other officers also introduced themselves. Harpe and Knutson were then approved for their positions by acclamation of the previously elected officers.

Profitt asked for ideas about spreading the word concerning the new SAGE-L e-mail discussion list. It was suggested that he check with Lydia Ash and try to get a list of e-mail addresses of all graduate students, then simply add them, since they can always unsubscribe should they choose. Profitt asked that any officers having friends among the Department’s graduate students tell them about the list, encouraging them to e-mail him if they would like to be added. Profitt hopes that the list will reduce paper usage.

Sommers would like to start a speaking series to provide graduate students to present advanced (thesis/dissertation-level) work to an audience. St. Ledger mentioned that SAGE had in the past held Academics Anonymous events, lunchtime meetings where faculty informally spoke about personal interests and research. Sommers would like the graduate-student speaking series to be more formal, and discussion resulted in the suggestion that the two ideas might be combined, probably in the more formal setting, perhaps alternating graduate-student and faculty presentations. McMann and Lagaron will discuss the possibility and report later.

Officer reports then began.

Bovaird-Abbo has redesigned the Web site and sees a need to get people more interested in checking it, if SAGE wants to reduce paper usage. She would like people to suggest links to her, so that the selection can be improved.  She also is seeking volunteers to contribute to SAGE Advice; some such folk were found to contribute to the next issue. A new feature, spotlighting graduate students who have presented, is forthcoming; those who present should e-mail her concerning their presentations, if they are willing to be spotlighted. Bovaird-Abbo asked that anyone with ideas for SAGE Advice please pass them along to her.

Miller reported for the Graduate Committee, which accomplished a good bit in the spring. Currently the Ph.D. comprehensive exam format is being revised, with the committee planning to require a more extensive rationale portion which would emphasize writing a bit more in the comprehensive exam
evaluation. Apparently most advisors are already requiring such a rationale, so it should be beneficial, not an added burden. St. Ledger asked if Ph.D. exam lists could be made more amenable to the needs of rhetoric and composition studies students. Miller was unaware of any action pending in that area.

Stokley Finan and Floray-Balke reported for the GTAL Committee. Meetings last year dealt with changing the 101/102 teaching sequence for new TAs, and professional development requirements were altered. They asked that GTAs contact them with any concerns or issues. Profitt asked about the
possibility of clarifying the evaluation process to educate GTAs more fully as to how they are being evaluated and on what scale(s); he also wondered aloud if the process of assigning teaching mentors might be examined to see if, perhaps, GTAs’ interests could be more fully accounted for.

Guy reported on Graduate Assembly, the body which holds biweekly meetings (Wed. evenings) of graduate students from across campus, passing policies and taking other action relating to graduate students. She would welcome an additional person to split meetings with her.

McMann reported for the SAGE Events Committee. She and Beth Lagaron will be working to create a calendar for creative readings. Sommers asked if it might be possible to involve "professional" creative writers, from the faculty and/or community, in the readings as well as students. McMann and Lagaron will in the future be seeking help for planning the Halloween and holiday parties. Particularly needed is a location, should someone have a spare house or something.

Harpe, new to a newly created position, will be thinking and working on defining her position and role more fully. She plans to look at minutes of Departmental standing committees and engage in other fact-finding activities in order to be able to educate new graduate students as to SAGE’s role, activities, etc.

Committee reports having concluded, Sommers raised the specter of the planned SAGE Fair(e) [The e seems, to the secretary, to be optional].  Discussion resulted in moving the Fair(e) from fall to spring, to allow more time for planning. Sommers explained that hypothesized events include a dunk tank, talent show, kissing booth and pie (in the face) booth. Live music may be present, and participation from student athletes and KU athletic "celebrities" (coaches, etc.) may be sought. Sommers would like a SAGE officer to chair the committee, but no one leaped at the chance during the meeting. McMann suggested that the officers ask around, seeking for interested parties who would be willing to chair the effort, since a number of officers volunteered their assistance but did not feel available to lead a committee to plan and run the Fair(e). Sommers stated that the officers will try to find a chair by the next meeting.

Sommers announced that the bake and book sale will still be held this fall, likely in October. He would like to see a silent auction take place in the spring, with donated goods and services.

Finally, the next SAGE meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 25 September; it will occur at 2:45 in 3132 Wescoe.

Aaron D. Profitt, Secretary