Meeting starts at 7:10 pm, Sep. 16th, 2007.


  1. Approval of agenda


  1. Introductions: Who’s here? All group representatives and GSA committees introduce themselves.


  1. New Business:


    1. Recognition of new GSOs:

      1. Theatre GSO Departmental group. Recognized.

      2. Taiji Club Recognition pending vote at next meeting.

      3. Rutgers SPIE Chapter Recognition pending vote at next meeting.

      4. Social/Health Psychology Departmental group. Recognized.

      5. Radical Faculty No representative was present.

      6. Black GSA: Recognition pending vote at next meeting.

    2. Approval of Budget 2007-08 Projected budget announced. The Treasurer explained the new procedure for budget approval for each of the GSOs filling out the funding application. Groups are encouraged to apply again in the Spring semester if new funding needs arise or if they were not granted all funding requests.  Also, while it is not customary for the GSA to reverse funding allocation decisions, we do consider appeals if and when they arise and, in a small number of cases, make adjustments. Budget approved; No objections from any of the groups to the 2007-08 Budget.

    3. Approval of External Allocations Fall 2007 The president announced the amount of money allocated for each of the GSO. Some GSOs have forms missing in their application. The treasurer will email the group and ask them to submit the missing paperwork. Those GSOs having questions regarding their allocation are encouraged to talk to the treasure after the meeting. Application approve; No objections from any of the GSO groups.

    4. Proposals from the floor? Please post the external allocation form online for future references. Treasure: Yes, a PDF version will be provided.

  1. Issues of the day

    1. Funding rules Benjie Peters: PER forms must be filled out and submitted to GSA within 90 days of event. Attendance sheet must be submitted. Funding guidelines are posted online. Make sure that the receipt only contains items that are approved by GSA. Original Receipt crucial. Event must be announced by the Sunday prior to the week in which the event takes place. GSOs should submit event announcement via the GSA website. Events without approval from GSA will not be reimbursed. Checks are only good for 90 days. GSA supports events serving alcoholic beverages but will not sponsor the alcoholic beverage.

    2. Football tickets Graduate students don’t pay the athletics fee and thus cannot enter a game hosted by Rutgers for free. For each game, GSA will be granted 50 tickets to distribute. We have 75,000 graduate students but only 50 tickets available. The president advises the students refrain from leaving messages for football games in the answering machine. Also, GSA is in the process of creating a website for obtaining the tickets. One GSO representative suggests that a lottery scheme be devised to distribute the tickets.

    3. New contract for TA/GAs New contract for TA/GAs are available as of Sep. 21st. 8% increase in salary for TA/GAs for the next four years. By 2011, TA/GAs will be making 24,962 per academic year. Now, TA/GAs will be paying 1.5% of salary for their health plans. 8 weeks of paid leave for parents in addition to the 6 weeks for maternity leave for birth mothers. Enforceable Work load protection: 15 hours per week for full-time TAs and 7.5 hours per week for part-time TAs. Health insurance coverage for part-time TAs available also.

    4. Sustainability Conference: Conference will be held Oct. 23rd.

    5. Party: GSA will hold a party on Sep. 29th, 9:00pm at the Graduate Student Lounge.

    6. Room/Space reservations: Free space in student centers should be available for any GSO wishing to hold events. GSO representative must identify themselves as a group sponsored by GSA. Room rental should be free of charge. However, if equipment is needed, set-up fee will be charged. The GSO holding the events is responsible for obtaining the invoice for rental first and then attach the invoice in their PER. GSA will then reimburse the group for the rental.

    7. Housing: Housing fee has been increased every year. 1% increase for family housing.

  2. Reports

    1. GSA Officers: Ryan Fowler – Senate meeting is coming up. A preview of the topics to be discussed by President McCormick is given. Academic Integrity procedure is being revised currently. The process of converting part-time to full-time faculties and converting full-time non-tenure to full-time tenure faculties will also be reviewed.

    2. Internal Committees

    3. External Committees

      1. University Senate / BOT: no meeting

      2. EC of the Graduate School (Ryan Fowler)

    4. Administrative Assistant & Events Coordinator (Benjamin Peters and Ben Arenger)

  3. Questions and Announcements