Here is a brief overview of what happened at the meeting today. 21 graduate 
students attended (33%). 

The following issues were discussed with Dr. Sally Woodin:

1) She reviewed the current money situation (see the email she sent yesterday).
She also urged us to get more involved with the GSA because that voice is a lot 
larger than GABS alone.
2) The department is allowing us to invite two speaker again this Spring. This 
will be done with only departmental funds and we will not hold a reception. GABS 
will still host lunch and dinner with the speaker. Nominations for spring 
speakers are being taken through November 20th.
3) Dr. Woodin strongly urged us to start attending weekly seminar. If graduate 
attendance remains low it may become a departmental policy that all paid 
graduate students have to attend seminar. This was a threat. 
4) Several committees in the department will begin to have graduate student 
representatives:
    Undergraduate Curriculum- committee meets to discuss the current and 
future undergraduate curriculum; grad input is very important since TAs often 
interact with undergrads more than professors
    Graduate Studies- committee meets to change or update graduate program 
policies
    Seminar- We will have 2 reps on this committee. The seminar committee 
encourages faculty and students to invite speakers to give talks. 
Ideally we would like to have 1 MCDB and 1 EEOB rep on this commitee
    Chair search- Sally has asked the chair of this committee if a grad rep can 
be on this committee. She will get back to us ASAP.

5) PSC Closing: Floors 5-7 are closing for renovation. All labs will be moved to 
the 4th floor or over to Sumwalt. In the future other floors may be closed as 
well. If you want more details on this ask me or Mark.

6) Dr. Woodin is going to have our water checked to determine if it is drinkable 
(as far as she knows it is)

7) The department is being audited and people may be investigating purchases and 
travel in your lab. 

8) Review papers are currently no longer an option for comprehensive exams. 

After Dr. Woodin:

1) Next week (11/22) from 12:30-1:30 there is a meeting for all USC graduate 
students and the President of USC. It is at the Russel House Theater. Pizza and 
drink will be provided.

2) We have decided to have a GABS member be a GSA representative (a liaison). 
That way we are up to date on what is currently happening with graduate students 
on the GSA level.

3) Baruch dates will either be April: 4-6 or April: 11-13. We will vote on these 
dates soon.

4) Reminder: Dr. Bill Rice will be the GABS speaker on December 2. 

5) From this day forward if the Faculty liaison can not attend the faculty 
meeting a GABS board member will attend in their place.


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Kimberly R.Schneider
Department of Biological Sciences
University of South Carolina
Columbia SC, 29208
Office:(803)777-3931
Fax: (803)777-4002
schneidk@biol.sc.edu
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