Attendees:

Mir Farooq Ali, Robert Capra, Nathan Conklin, Pankaj Poddar, Ragavan Srinivasan, Kimberly Woods

Not present: Tracy Lewis

Meetings:

The next  meeting is scheduled at 4:00 p.m. on October 2, 2000. 

Objective:

This meeting was designed to discuss status of several pending issues.

Committee Reports

 Faculty Meeting

The Faculty Meeting was geared toward discussing different teaching methods.  Faculty committees also presented updates on the status of assigned activities.  Sandy is seeking volunteers for the 30^th anniversary event.

Action Item:  Kim will distribute copies of the Faculty Committee reports to all Graduate Council members in their mailboxes.

GPC

 Funding

 The department has presented statistics that state that 50% of students in the department are funded.  All students performing research are funded.

 The Graduate Council will present alternatives for funding students including: 

• Making GTA assignments earlier.
• Making ½ GTAs available to more students.
• Making students more aware of funding opportunities upon arrival on campus.
• Allow students to assist the support team (Dan, Chris, and Gaye).

 Qualifier Exam/Milestones

 Ph.D. milestone requirements have been adjusted so that students have a maximum of four (4) years to complete their degree.  Dr. Shaffer has designed a rough draft of the new requirements.

 The qualifier exam will be modified.  This discussion will carry over to the next Faculty Meeting.

CRC/Hardware

A backup printer is available (via Sandy Birch) for the grad lab.   The printer needs to be configured.  Macintosh computers may become available for the graduate space in Brodie Hall.

Action Item: Farooq will track down the computer donated by Dr. Shaffer, which has been removed from 655 McBryde. 

Action Item: Farooq will contact Dr. Abrams regarding configuring the backup printer.

Awards/Recognition

Dr. Balci has scheduled four (4) committee meetings for this semester.   The Graduate Council will consider submitting nominations for outstanding students and/or professors.

Access

Students are unable to enter 565 McBryde.

GTAs are unable to enter 533 McBryde.

Action Item: Tracy will contact Dan Hagan to provide access to appropriate students.

Hardware/Software Support

The Graduate Council has been receiving several complaints regarding hardware failures.  Students are filing problem reports, but the complaints are not being addressed.  It is important to establish a ‘paper trail’ so that further action may be taken in future.

Software on CSGRAD is not kept current.  Problem reports also need to be submitted for software.

Resume Workshop

Thirty (30) students attended the resume workshop.  Panelists included Pete DePasquale and Craig Struble.

Town Hall Meeting

The first Town Hall Meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 11, 2000.  The topic discussed will be the Ph.D. qualifier and milestones.  Designated speakers will introduce topics, and an open forum will follow with GPC members.  Speakers should adequately represent the graduate student body.  A facilitator (possibly Dr. Williges) will also be invited to monitor discussion.

Action Item: Ragavan will compile statistical data regarding the qualifier exam at Virginia Tech and other universities with comparable programs.

Graduate Student Dues

Pankaj will establish times to collect graduate student dues in the grad lab.  Pankaj will also send an email to graduate students announcing times he will be available.  Announcements will be made in large classes regarding payment of dues.  The Graduate Council will also mount a suggestion box in the gradlab.

Space

Space in Brodie Hall will be available to graduate students.  Dr. Ramakrishnan has five (5) students performing research for him.  They can be relocated from 565 McBryde to Brodie Hall, if Dr. Ramakrishnan agrees.

Action Item: Rob will contact Dr. Ramakrishnan regarding moving his students to Brodie Hall.

Action Item: Rob and Ragavan will check Brodie 115 and 117 to determine if any excess furniture should be moved.

Graduate Lab

 The Graduate Council suggested an ‘international theme’ for decorating the grad lab.  Framed posters with international landscapes, a political world map, and flags will be used to portray each of the countries represented by our current graduate student body.  Artificial plants will also be included.

 Action Item: Kim will create a budget for purchasing framed posters and artificial plants for the grad lab and meet with Sandy Birch.

 New Graduate Student Representative

 The new graduate student representative will be selected on September 20, 2000.  The Graduate Council will welcome the new representative with a luncheon held on Friday, September 22, 2000 at 11:30 a.m.  at The India Garden.

 Social Events

 Mentoring Program

Kim and Nathan will coordinate a social event to reacquaint mentors with their students.  Possible activities include: dinner, movies, bowling, and a game show.

 Movie Night

The first movie night will be held on September 29, 2000.  Movie times will be 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.  Kim will coordinate the activity.  Suggested movies include: “The Matrix”, “Good Will Hunting”, “The Sixth Sense”, and “Animal House”.

 Happy Hour

Nathan will coordinate a happy hour, or similar activity for graduate students.

 Joint Grad Council/ACM Activity

The Graduate Council will contact Alex Verstak to discuss coordinating a joint activity with the ACM.  We will also discuss scheduling a ‘State of the Department’ address given by Dr. Kafura.

Honor Code

Dr. Schuetz has requested that graduate students be made aware of the Graduate Honor Code.  Rob has contacted the GHS to request a guest speaker.  Attendance for this event will be mandatory.

NOVA Graduate Council

NOVA students have requested representation in Graduate Council decisions.  Tracy received an email from one of the students requesting appropriate representation.  The Graduate Council will take steps to start a Graduate Council at the NOVA campus.  The NOVA Graduate Council will join our meetings via teleconference.

Constitution Changes

The Graduate Council Constitution should be updated to require that New Graduate Student Representatives submit a brief description of why they want to join the Graduate Council.  Other modifications also need to be made.

Guests

Graduate students should be aware that they are invited to attend Graduate Council meetings.  Other guests are welcome to attend by notifying the Graduate Council in advance.

Submitted by:  Kimberly Woods September 20, 2000