Sage Minutes
February 23, 2005
4:00 p.m., 3132 Wescoe

Present: Kristin Bovaird-Abbo, Matt Candelaria, Jen Humphrey, Karla Knutson, Mindi McMann, Brooke Stokley Finan, Alicia Sutliff, John Wiehl

I. Call to order. Kristin and Karla called the meeting to order

II. Approval of Minutes. Minutes were approved

III. President’s Report (Kristin Bovaird-Abbo & Karla Knutson).

a. The department would like to extend a thank you to all of the graduate students who met with and provided input on the recent job candidates. They really appreciate our feedback and concerns.

b. The code for the SAGE computer lab is, brace yourself, it’s hard to remember: 1234

IV. Secretary’s Report (Mindi McMann) No Report

V. Treasurer’s Report (Jennifer Floray-Balke) $425.00 We have until May 15th to spend our University funds

VI. First Year Liaisons (Leslee Friedman & Alicia Sutliff) No Report

VII. Professionalization Workshops (Jen Humphrey): Moved from “Old Business” the matter of professionalization workshops, as it always gets the last 30 seconds of the meeting. Jen met with Dorice and Byron, and here are some of the proposed workshops: conference preparation and attendance; creative and critical publishing; research skills; and graduate study (during and after). These workshops will be offered over the course of two years. Two potential workshops being offered this spring are: Graduate Study, During and After and Creative Publishing.

VIII. Committee Reports.

a. Advisory Committee (John Wiehl)

i. GTA harassment concerns have not turned to professor harassment concerns. Recently the College Appeals Committee dismissed an email threat to a professor in the department which could be construed as a hate email.

b. FSE Committee (Brian Harries, Shelly Manis, & Joe Sommers)

i. 4 pilot 102s are being taught this semester by Dr. Farmer, Greg Brister, Joe Sommers and Samantha Parkes. Any changes to the FSE curriculum will not go into widespread effect until probably Spring 2006. If you would like more information, please contact Joe Sommers.

ii. The short list of FSE Handbooks is currently available in the FSE office (I’m sure you all got the emails). Please fill out a survey and give your opinion. If you have further questions please see Brian Harries, who is on the textbook subcommittee.

c. Graduate Assembly (Kristin Bovaird-Abbo & Matthew Candelaria)

i. Matt and Kristin have been attending the meetings.

ii. Kristin sent out an email earlier for a Research Competition sponsored/coordinated by the GA.

d. Graduate Committee (Jennifer Humphrey):

i. They are meeting this Wednesday.

ii. John, however, would like to see the Graduate Committee address the issue of standardizing English 800.

e. GTA/Lecturers Committee (Brooke Stokley Finan & Corinee Guy):

i. They are concerned about the teaching advising system, and want to make sure that the student is equally responsible for initiating and maintaining the relationship to gain its full benefits.

ii. Full time lecturer position: This is not a national job search, and the committee is currently drafting a position description. They will be hiring three over the next four years, and are aware of the ongoing concerns regarding the status of other lecturers.

iii. Also, there is concern that the GTAs may be working more than the 20/week stipulated in the GTAC contract. Please see Brooke for further information about this, particularly if you are interested in collecting information regarding teaching responsibilities and time spent on such responsibilities.

iv. Also considering capping 200 level course at 25, but this will cost an additional $60,000/year.

f. Lecturers/Readers Committee (Ellen Fangman & Becky Miller): No Report

g. Library Committee (Will Ferleman, in absentia):

i. Please see Mike Butler’s email sent out earlier this semester. The department has some funds for purchasing volumes, and you should address any feedback and/or requests to Mike Butler.

h. New Literacies Conference (Lesley Bartlett & Shelly Manis):

i. They needed volunteers, but this has passed. It was a great conference and everyone involved, both in planning and presenting did a STELLAR job!

i. Supplemental Funds (Karla Knutson):

i. Gave money to three individuals in the department this semester. This is travel money for conferences.

ii. The questions was raised if these funds could be used for research travel. It was decided to ask Dorice for clarification on this point.

j. Academics Anonymous (John Wiehl):

i. Matthew Candelaria will be presenting on March 3rd in a yet to be untitled presentation having to do with bugs.

ii. If you have suggestions for the next Academic Anonymous, please see John.

iii. It was suggested that we have a creative writer presents, or somebody from an earlier period.

k. SAGE Events Committee (Beth Lagaron & Mindi McMann)

i. There will be an end of the year party at a yet to be determined place and date.

l. SAGE Advice (Kristin Bovaird-Abbo) – “Student spotlight” & conference announcements needed

IX. Old Business.

a. “Thank You” gift

i. It was mentioned that we really should do something for Dr. Barnard as the outgoing (gone) Graduate Coordinator.

X. New Business.

a. Travel Awards:

i. We need to develop a standard process for distributing these awards, as well as keep a record of past recipients to give as many individuals the chance to apply and receive funding.

ii. Jennifer volunteered to draft an application form which will also include a question regarding participation in SAGE and SAGE events.

b. Mabel S. Fry award:

i. Tabled for next meeting, but think about nominations!

c. Book Sale:

i. It was decided to begin collecting books and see how many we were able to get. We will then decide if it is worth the effort to have a book sale, or if we should wait until the fall.

d. Elections at the end of April

e. Amendments

i. We need to make several amendments to the constitution, regarding standing committees (Academics Anonymous & Professionalization Workshops). We also need to address the number of meetings per semester and the attendance policy.

f. Next meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, March 30th.

XI. Meeting adjourned.

Minutes submitted by Mindi McMann, Secretary.