Minutes of the 15 April 2005 meeting of the Graduate Representative Board:

Present: Full Board

Omar and Alex, undergraduate reps. for the Society of Physics Students, came to the meeting to discuss their recent 'sit-in' in protest of the loss of the SPS lounge to make way for the Faculty-Staff-Student Lounge. We understand that this is a sensitive issue. However, this Board represent the Graduate students, and we must also keep in mind the Graduate student's place in the Department as a whole. In particular, we feel that there is much to be gained from collective meeting space, and think that graduate/undergraduate interaction can benefit both sides. In addition, many graduate students signed the SPS petition. We therefore agreed to meet with SPS.
Both the GRB and SPS agree that the FSS lounge is an excellent project and support it fully. The undergraduates feel that it is unfair that they are getting a much smaller meeting room, and stressed the importance of a physical meeting point. The GRB suggested that SPS try talking with the Department about alternatives. For example, maybe responsible students would be permitted to use a classroom after hours. We wished them luck and gave them some advice. We will continue to monitor this situation with the welfare of graduate students considered foremost, but seeking a win/win situation.

The rest of the meeting was conducted after the SPS reps. left:

• Grilling Sessions - Ion informed us that the funding source that was used for last year's Grilling Sessions had dried up. He will look for more funds, but if anyone wants to give a practice talk let us know and we will try to set something up. There may not be BEvERages, but hopefully we can find other ways of getting people to come.
• Recycling - Stacy learned that paper recycling bins can be requested on-line here (UTDIRECT). She will find out more about can bins.
• Bulletin Board - P.J. Talked with Eric at PCG, and it looks like the Grad Student Bulletin Board could be ready by Fall. We hope this will foster communication and social interaction between an otherwise relatively isolated group. This will be separate from the Survival Guide. The tentative sections on the board will be:
  
  • Housing/Roommates needed
  • Social Events
  • Academic Advice
  • For Sale/Wanted
  • Job Listings/Career help
  • Living in Austin
  • Destination: Procrastination
• Peer-Mentoring - Jesse has not heard back from the Graduate Outreach Office. He will go talk to them to see if they have any suggestions about starting a mentoring program. The Board hopes that the Web Bulletin Board will help students with questions find students with answers.
  

There will be a full GWC meeting on April 22, and a GRB meeting on Apr 29.

Specific comments and concerns should be sent to the GradReps.