MASTERS STUDENTS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES

April 26, 2004 Noon

Present: Christiana DeGirolamo (), Robyn Gray (), Michael Jokich (), David Kucharski
(recorded minutes—), Katie Miner (), Kate Seldon (), Sara Talbot (), David Tyson ()

Agenda Item I: Points to Remember for Next Year’s MSA

The group discussed a number of items that will be helpful to keep in mind for next fall:

  • MSA will need to choose two representatives to serve on CUA’s Graduate Student Association (GSA), to ensure proper representation and to qualify for our program’s financial rebate. Christiana said she would like to serve as a transitional representative; other representatives will be chosen in the fall.
  • MSA members will need to choose a secretary to take the minutes at meetings. The group recognized David K. for fulfilling this function during the present year.
  • MSA members will need to decide how the group will function organizationally for the year: whether to elect officers or to workin a consensus style. It was agreed that the consensus style worked well during the current year for a number of reasons, including that it ensured continuity during the new semester’s change of class schedules, when some members were no longer able to attend meetings.
  • MSA members will take a look at the planning of social events to encourage greater participation.
  • Sara suggested having an MSW graduate who was an advanced standing student speak to incoming students at fall Orientation.
  • David T. suggested more than one person coordinate the mentor program, especially the time-consuming task of maintaining a current list of student e-mail addresses. In addition, David T. will turn over to Dr. Raber the MSA-related Excel files he has maintained this year.
  • The group agreed that it will be important to continue service activities. One suggestion was to coordinate with Dean Zabora on a particular project he may suggest.
  • The group also suggested that MSA look into having the MSW program sponsor a guest lecture, to be funded by the rebate from GSA.

Agenda Item II: Volunteer Service Activities

Kate reported that two full boxes of home cleaning supplies have been contributed for the families at Thea Bowman House in DC. Kate contacted Home Depot and they have agreed to donate whatever remaining supplies are needed. Kate stated that thegoal will be to present 14 complete cleaning kits to Thea Bowman House and then contribute remaining supplies elsewhere.

Agenda Item III: Graduation Committee

As the final business item, it was noted that the Graduation Committeewill meet at 3 pm on Tuesday, April 27.