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SAGE Home > Minutes SAGE Meeting Minutes Sommers requested a report from the First-Year Liaisons, Klinker and Wall, who were to have contacted first-year graduate students to determine their concerns, interests, etc. Wall, speaking for both, reported that the two items first-year students would like to see addressed are (1) general improvements to the south side of the first floor of Wescoe and (2) the creation of a graduate-student lounge in an office on the first floor. The officers discussed these concerns, generally thinking that the second is likelier to be accomplished. Parkes reported for the Blaeser visit subcommittee. Prof. Blaeser will be visiting KU on 20 and 21 November. Bob Elliot informed the subcommittee that Department faculty will hold a reception for Blaeser on Thursday evening. Elliot would like the SAGE event to be held jointly with Indigenous Nations Studies. While some have suggested Thursday afternoon as a good time, Elliot suggested a Friday morning reception, which he would like to see be more formal than otherwise. Snacks were discussed. The subcommittee will be seeking input from creative writers, as they would likelier be interested in meeting with Blaeser. Lagaron and McMann reported on the Halloween party plans. The party will be held on 31 October at 7:00 p.m. at Louise’s; apparently it will last as long as the people do. Costumes are more than encouraged; Sommers wondered if there would be a competition. McMann was concerned about who could judge; St. Ledger suggested bartenders and other similar sorts. When the issue of prizes was broached, Harries stated that $30-40 could be used for prizes, apparently from the cash fund. Lagaron announced an upcoming meeting of the feminist discussion group and a poetry event to be held 15 November at 8:00 p.m. at Café Luna. Harries then gave the treasurer’s report. A previously-approved expenditure (a Gullah video Prof. Farmer had requested) will not be made, at least not this year, as Farmer has decided against using it. The video will go on a "want list" that will be maintained throughout the year. At the end of the year, SAGE will decide which items on the list to purchase for the SAGE library. Harries is seeking items to put on the list. Further, volunteers are needed to work on a grant-writing project to seek funds and equipment for a computer classroom to be "owned" by the Department for the use of technical-writing classes. Sommers, Harries and Profitt are already willing to work on this; St. Ledger volunteered as well. [Secretary’s note: Subsequent research by Sommers uncovered problematic news. Neither the Department nor the University will support or approve of this kind of effort, for varying and, apparently, rather acrimonious historical reasons. Consequently, the project has been declared dead. Sunt lacrimae. . . .] Stokley Finan, reporting for the GTAL Committee, announced that this committee has had no meetings. Smilie reported for the FSE Committee. A recent meeting addressed three issues. Writing@KU, a Provost-directed initiative, has made certain proposals for writing instruction, among these some WAC-related notions. Of particular concern, the group has suggested that 200-level English classes be converted to discipline-specific writing courses, such as "legal writing," "medical writing" and the like. According to Prof. Johnson, the Department will work against this proposal. Second, Johnson expressed a concern about grade inflation, wondering what to do about GTAs who do not hold "the standard." Smilie reported that some members of the committee took pains to point out that grade inflation is hardly restricted to TAs. Also, descriptions for 105 and 205 may be changed, but this will not affect SAGE constituents. Sommers turned the meeting’s attention to the book sale, and Klinker reported that the Center for Campus Life has killed plans for a bake-sale component. Bovaird-Abbo will be distributing reminders and overseeing signing up to work the sale; also, collection of books continues. Sommers then raised the issue of spring fund-raising and the planned silent auction. SAGE needs to solicit donations to be auctioned. Further, it was decided to donate 25% of the proceeds to charity. St. Ledger suggested that the Children’s Miracle Network, which would use the money locally, be the selected charity; the officers agreed with this suggestion. St. Ledger will contact CMN to seek a letter stating that SAGE will be donating a portion of auction proceeds; this letter can then be used to aid in soliciting donated items. McMann volunteered to draft a letter from SAGE to be used in this solicitation. Sommers suggested that local merchants, alumni, faculty and the Athletics Corporation are likeliest donors; further, SAGE can give merchants free advertising at the auction itself. Sommers raised the issue of attendance, both at SAGE officers meetings and at standing-committee meetings. While Article V, Section 1 of the constitution makes removal possible, Sommers sought input on what precise action to take. Harries suggested that those officers eligible for removal be contacted and warned, told that their status will be reviewed by the officers at the end of the semester with removal from office possible if these officers are not fulfilling duties and obligations. This issue was of particular concern because of apparent absences at standing-committee meetings, undermining the principle of graduate-student representation and input at these meetings. The officers charged Profitt with contacting the officers with three or more, or two consecutive, absences from officers meetings, whether excused or not. Sommers expressed concerns he personally has with the MFA proposal and the absence of an 800 or 803 requirement. He is concerned that, as future professionals and especially as GTAs, these students needed the theoretical and disciplinary grounding provided by such an introductory course. Bovaird-Abbo stated that SAGE should see what other schools require before taking an official position on the issue. Harries suggested that 803 might be a better option than 800, since it could "fill in gaps" in grounding while being targeted to creative writing. Harries shares Sommers's concern, feeling that perhaps some creative writers are insufficiently prepared for seminars when they do not have the 800/803 experience. Wall articulated his view, that a class somehow similar to 800 could be beneficial to those creative-writing students who plan to teach at the college level after completing their training, but that 800 is not necessarily the best vehicle for this since it does not at all "target" creative writers in its concerns. Wall also concurred with Bovaird-Abbo's view that other MFA programs should be studied to see if something along these lines is required there; he pointed out that this could make a sizable difference in the marketability of KU's MFA program. From the views expressed by all, a compromise suggestion evolved, that 800/803 (or something similar) should be required of those MFA students who serve as GTAs. This statement was accepted by acclamation; this consensus suggestion for thought and consideration will be expressed to appropriate Department figures. Sommers then raised some concerns with the FSE program. He, and others, expressed concern with the idea of grade inflation and mysterious "standards," with tying raises to student evaluations and with the mentoring system as it exists. Stokely Finan stated that she would take these concerns to the GTAL Committee. Sommers particularly wants to see clarification of raise-granting methodology and of the particulars of grade inflation. This was discussed, with Harries noting that mediocre teachers will very likely have lower grades and with Profitt making overheated and hyperbolic statements about "norms," Bell curves and similar things. Before adjourning, officers agreed to hold the next meeting on Tuesday, 18 November, at 2:30 p.m. Aaron D. Profitt, Secretary This site is designed to be best viewed with Internet Explorer. |