GPSG Minutes April 17, 2007

Groups in Attendance:

Present	ASPE, ABGS, ACGS, AGITS, ED-LEAD, EGSA, GTU, OSGA, GHA, GSWA, GSA, IOPGA, SPIE, MPASG, MASS, MGSA, MGSO, SPO, GASP, HPGSA
Absent	CIGSPA, GPPA, GPHA

Motion to waive the reading of the minutes: APPROVED

Motion to accept the minutes as written: APPROVED

Treasurer’s Report:

The last day to turn in paperwork is May 11, 2007. There was also a reminder that any travel taking place after July 1, 2007 will be counted towards next year’s budget. Those expecting reimbursement from travel should submit their forms ASAP upon returning.
There are some new travel-reimbursement policies in effect; effective immediately, reimbursement for airfare now requires a copy of your boarding pass, E-ticket, or kiosk receipt.
Budget Update: There is still no vote for our budget next year, and allocations have changed. It is projected that GPSG will receive $90-95K, which is somewhat lower than we expected. We are considering an equal-percentage decrease across the board for ALL organizations to make things both easier and fair, but the finance committee has not definitively decided this. Budget allocations should be voted on April 24.

Secretary’s Report:

As per section M of the by-laws, groups need to have their volunteer commitments completed by May 11 in order to avoid budget reallocation.

GHA and GTU have fulfilled their volunteer requirements pending information from their advisors on already completed events.
MPASG and MGSO will have their volunteer requirements met pending completion of the GPSG coffee break for grad students on April 24.

Research Fair winners:

Winners from the Research Fair were acknowledged at the meeting, and are as follows (in 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place order, respectively):
Category I: Biology

Fines:

GTU has 3 absences for the semester, and the senate was asked to vote on their $150 fine. A representative from GTU was present at the meeting, and explained that the absence was due to car trouble. As the by-laws designate car trouble as an “excusable” absence, the senate voted to table the fine pending documentation for car trouble from GTU.

Election:

The senate voted on the 2007-8 GPSG officers at the meeting. Leigh Ann read off the responsibilities for each category, and asked if there were any new nominations. There were none.

There were three nominees for President: Joseph Cochran, Cathy Moore, and Allison Shukraft. Each said a few words to the senate before voting commenced.

Harsh Chaturvedi was only one nominee for Vice President going into the meeting, but Cathy Moore nominated herself. Harsh was not present to speak to the senate, but Cathy said a few words.

Josh Eyer was the only nominee for Treasurer, and senate voted for him.
Liz Smith was the only nominee for Secretary, and senate voted for her.
Wes Williams was the only nominee for Grad Council Representative, and senate voted for him.

GPSG Events:

Senate was reminded of the GPSG coffee break on April 24 from 4-5:30. It is scheduled to take place outside of Fretwell next to the Cato lawn.
GPSG also has some extra money in contracted services, and there was some discussion on what it might be used for. Some suggestions were an end of year grad student barbeque, or some sort of finals gift bag that students could pick up. The topic was left open for decision until the next meeting.

There was a reminder that the final senate meeting will be next week on April 24, 2007 at 5:30.

Motion to Adjourn: APPROVED

Recorded by Liz Smith, Secretary.