NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, November 13, 4:00 (location TBA)

--Discussed the shortage of funds (no exact numbers) and the resulting need to hold a booksale.

--Booksale

• Instructors have been asking whether we will be holding a booksale and at least some of them have an excess of books that they would be happy to donate.
• The booksale is tentatively being planned for the Spring semester, sometime after Spring Break (when the weather is warmer).
• Donated books for the sale will be stored in the Computer Room and in Kirby's office. Donations are welcomed any time.
  • Volunteers are needed to help with the booksale. Matthew C. has volunteered to coordinate the sale.

--SAGE Advice

• Contributions for the first issue are due on Friday, September 14 (electronic or hard copy accepted).
• Release of the first issue is scheduled for Monday, September 24.
• So far, the first issue seems to be on schedule.

--Open House

• The University open house has been scheduled for Saturday, October 6
• Prof. Hartman has suggested that we do "literary street readings" outside of Wescoe
  • Students could read poetry, prose selections, drama, or anything else they choose (including their own writing). We might try to organize some sort of a theme, such as banned books, but that is still undecided.
  • Some concern was expressed as to whether there would be enough of an audience to make this activity worthwhile.
  • The entire department (as well as people from outside the department) is welcome to participate.
  • Further information to come

--Creative Readings

• The first creative reading is still planned for September 28 (the call for contributions is to go out shortly)
• Café Nova was chosen as the location for the reading (some concern was expressed that the room at Café
• Nova is a smoking area, although it has not turned out to be a problem in the past).

--SAGE Computer Room

• Prof. Hartman has inquired as to whether we would like to convert the SAGE Computer Room for another purpose, since the GTA offices all have their own computers
• Support was overwhelming for retaining the Computer Room because A) only GTAs (not all graduate students) have offices with computers and B) even those who do have computers in their offices often use the computer room when their office mates are holding student conferences or using the computer themselves.
• We are reminded that the Computer Room is ours to do with as we please-any recommendations for change are welcomed.

--"Academics Anonymous"

• Suggestions were sought for professors who would be willing to spend a lunch hour discussing their research with students (see the minutes from the previous meeting for details).
• Suggestions for this semester included:
  • D. Bergeron
  • A. Devitt
  • B. Hirsch
  • G. Anatole
  • K. Branch (maybe)
• The decision was made to approach Prof. Anatol about doing the first session, which is likely to be held on a Tuesday or Thursday between 12:30 and 1:00, probably in early October.
• The expectation is that the professor would talk for about 15 minutes, with the rest of the time open for questions and discussion.
  • The issue of food was discussed as an incentive for students to come to these sessions.
  • The idea of a potluck was broached, but discarded for now in favor of having people bring their own lunches
  • It was suggested that cookies and juice/punch might be provided by volunteers as a little extra incentive for coming

--SAGE Website

• What changes or additions would we like to see made to the website?
• Suggestions included:
  • Links to outside sites, especially students' own websites and favorite useful (or just interesting) sites.
  • a page to which only graduate students have access could be created. This would allow students to (anonymously) converse about prospective courses and professors and make decisions about which classes to take, etc.
  • A blurb will be printed in the upcoming issue of SAGE Advice to find out who would be interested in having links to their own sites from the SAGE website.

--Lecturers and Readers

• Prof. Harrington is pressing for nominations for lecturers and readers to visit the campus next year. Submit any suggestions as soon as possible to Prof. Harrington or Prof. Hardin.

--Advisory Committee Meeting (See Emily W. for more information if you are interested)

• The goals for the "October Conference" are being reconsidered
• Concerns have been raised about hiring practices in the department
• The Advisory Committee plans to meet weekly (every other week at the least) on Monday afternoons.

All members of standing committees are automatically members of the Voting Department and are encouraged to attend meetings!