Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 31 May 4, 1995 - GSA postpones constitution revision

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GSA postpones constitution revision

By Susan Trulove

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 31 - May 4, 1995

The Graduate Student Assembly voted Thursday evening to table revision of the constitution until the August 31 meeting to give students more time for input.

Bryan Rowland, president elect, reported that the new executive board is exploring establishing a mentoring program by graduate students for undergraduates. He invited graduate students to submit ideas for other programs and events to him by July 1. He can be reached at 1-7741. Also call that number with comments about the constitution.

In other business, Maureen Bezold reported that the Commission on Student Affairs voted to make the undergraduate representative to the Board of Visitors a non-voting member of the CSA. The commission also passed a resolution to allow any member of the CSA to chair the commission, rather than limiting that responsibility to faculty members.

Janet Wojcik reported that applications are due by July 7 for travel funds to help support graduate students who want to present their research at professional meetings between July 1 and Dec. 31, 1995. Applications are available in the GSA office, 309 Squires. During the January 1-June 31 funding cycle, the GSA program supported 32 students (out of 86 applicants) with $6,250.

Much of the last meeting of the academic year was devoted to transition to the new administration and acknowledgments of service by individuals:

* La Chelle Wilborn will chair the 1996 National Association of Graduate and Professional Students Southeastern Regional Conference, to be held at Virginia Tech February 23-25.

* An editor is being sought for APEX . The position pays one-half tuition and one-half stipend. Call the GSA office at 1-7919 or contact Andrea Lawson at AMLawson@vt.edu.

* A volunteer director is needed for the Research Development Program, which helps fund students' research.

* A sysop is needed for various electronic communication programs.

* Seven appointments were made to the Re-granting Budget Board, which distributes student center fees to student organizations. John Aughenbaugh will chair the board.

* Students are needed to represent the graduate student body on university governance commissions and committees. A list of vacancies is available from the GSA office, if students would like to indicate their interest. The GSA sent letters praising the contributions of students who were active on commissions and committees during the past year to the students' department heads to become a part of the students' files.

* Advisor John Eaton and "unofficial advisor" Len Peters were thanked. It was noted that "the GSA would not run" without Paula Williams, office manager. And the GSA thanked the Spectrum correspondent and Melinda Crowder, graduate student advisor and budgeting consultant, for their support.

The next meeting will be July 13 at 5:30 p.m. in Squires Brush Mountain Room.