GRACS

* Office of Sponsored Projects - Susan Sedwick addressed the assembly - Reminder that OoSP has information regarding external funding ofresearch projects, including a PhD Thesis - Contact Susan @ sedwick@austin.utexas.edu for more info.

* GAIN 08 - Ben Spivey addressed the assembly - Reminder that the Graduate Engineering Council operates the Graduateand Industry Networking Conference - They have a call for presentations, Comp. Sci. Allowed! - Website: http://www.engr.utexas.edu/gec/gain08/ - Contact Ben @ ben.spivey@gmail.com for more info.

* Student Library Council - The SLC will be providing new technology services in the Spring:+ Print using Bevo Bucks+ Color Printing ($0.80/page)+ Wireless printing through utexas wireless APs - http://www.lib.utexas.edu/vprovost/meetings/slcminutes/slc_index.html

* AR-2: “In Support of UT Families and Graduate Student Housing” - A new resolution was passed by the GSA - AR-2 acts as a formalization of our commitment to graduate studenthousing

* President Powers RE: Brackenridge Tract concerns - In an unprecedented event, President Powers answered questionsdirectly from the assembly. - He emphasized his focus to increase in the priority of graduatestudent life at UT. This includes the housing situation. - He made note to mention that no decision will be made to endgraduate student housing without a lengthy process in the board.

* “In Support of UT Families and Graduate Student Housing” - A new resolution to emphasize our commitment to student housing. - The GSA is working in conjunction with the SG to pass this as a joinresolution. - Voting will take place on Nov 27th.

* NAGPS - The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students'conference is here! - Still looking for volunteers. - For more information, visit: http://www.nagps.org/ - GSA contact: Rotimi Ojifinni - rojifinni@mail.utexas.edu

• Student Library Council's Software
• The Student Library Council has a central resource which provides links to services that may help with paper authoring.
• Examples: * Google Gadget for UT Libraries * Endnode firefox plugin * CD/DVD search plugin for UT Libraries
• http://www.lib.utexas.edu/tools/

• Division of Statistics ramp-up
• The GSA has been pushing to centralize the statistics courses offered across the university.
• If you're interested in seeing this happen, contact Brian Gatten and let him know: gatten@mail.utexas.edu

• Brackenridge Tract
• Graduate student housing + golf course deemed “too valuable” by an external advisory committee.
• President Powers is to attend a future GSA meeting to hear our concerns about losing the graduate student housing.
• If you have a concern related to this, contact Bradley Carpenter: bradleywcarpenter@gmail.com

• The Committee on Graduate Student Funding
• I have joined the committee
• Committee's primary concerns: * discrepancy across schools within UT in average student stipends. * discrepancy between UT and analogues in average student stipends.
• If you have any concerns which should be brought to the committee's attention, contact me.

• GSA social: HAPPY HOUR
• Bi-weekly starting Wednesday, Nov 7, 2007.
• Location: Hole in The Wall
• Time: 5-7pm

• GSA social: TAILGATE PARTY
• Nov 10 when Texas hosts Tech.
• Details TBA.

* AWARENESS: *

* Intellectual Entrepreneurship (IE):

A pre-graduate school internship which connects motivated undergraduates to graduates to gain experience conducting research. A limited number of $500 stipends to participating graduate students are available. If you're interested, visit www.utexas.edu/coc/cms/faculty/cherwitz .

* The Graduate School

Help for your writing (papers, projects, disertations, etc.) is available at the graduate school. Contact Dr. Tommy Darwin tdarwin@mail.utexas.edu for more information.

* UPDATES: *

* Statistics department - Previous efforts to centralize statistics instruction on campus havelost momentum because of a funding shortage. Currently stalled.

* Flat rate tuition - TPAC is going forward with a proposal for a flat rate tuition planfor all schools except law and business.

* Health insurance for fellowship recipients - the GSA has brought this issue to the attention of severaladministrators. A task force is being formed.

* Graduate Student Housing - The Brackenridge Tract Task Force Report suggests the removal ofgraduate student housing from Brackenridge. If you might beaffected, you should contact Bradley Carpenter atbradleywcarpenter@gmail.com and tell him your story.

* Announcements: *

* Happy Hour!! - Free drinks for all graduate students hosted by the GSA at the Holein the Wall on Weds 24th from 5-7pm.

* Talk with Powers - PhD students are still needed to discuss issues they care about withPresident Powers. Contact gatten@mail.utexas.edu if interested.

Join us in celebrating National Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week. Events include Graduate Student Pizza Party, Professional Development Workshops, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, and much more. A full schedule of events along with details can be found at this link.

The Natural Sciences Dean Review Committee is hosting an open forum to hear student feedback on Tuesday March 27, 2007 from 5-6pm in PHR 2.110. Please come voice your opinion!

Is the Dean accessible to hear your concerns? Is there anything you think our college/Dean does better than other colleges? Is there anything that you wish our college/Dean would do better? Grad Students, how do you feel about: Amount of TA positions, Stipends for TAs, Teaching support and help, Career advising, Department research support, Department support in general?What have we left off the list? Come let us know!

• Tuesday, March 27th: Keep UT Hate Free Day Rally and Keep UT Hate Free
• Wednesday, March 28th: Celebrating Religious Diversity
• Thursday, March 29th: Dimensions of Diversity
• Friday, March 30: Looking to the Future

Read more for details and RSVP information.

The happy hour for the month of March is this Thursday, March 8th from 5-7pm at The Draught House (4112 Medical Pkwy). GSA will pay for drinks via tickets until the allotted money runs out (and appetizers are free while supplies last)! Spread the word and get there early!

Invtation to volunteer with the SG Campus Environmental Center for one of several upcoming environmental service events: Trash to Treasure, Beautiful U Day, or the Waller Creek Cleanup. Please consider signing up as a group. Read more.

The GSA Election Oversight Board is seeking volunteers to proctor polling locations for this week’s officer elections. The elections will be held Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 8am until 9pm and Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 8am until 5pm. If you are interested in volunteering as a proctor, please reply to liztexas at mail.utexas.edu with your name, contact information, and hours of availability on either or both of these days.

If you are a Ph.D. student, you have an opportunity to meet with President Powers to discuss Ph.D.-related issues, ideas, and concerns. If you are eligible and interested in this opportunity, please email bonnierust at gmail.com by Friday, March 2, 5 PM, with your name, department, year, and a short paragraph about why you are interested and what issues are important to you. The committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 1, from 3 PM to 4 PM.

The University of Texas Graduate Student Assembly is pleased to announce the 2007-2008 officer elections to be held in conjunction with campus-wide elections on February 27th and 28th. Vote here https://utdirect.utexas.edu/student_gov/sg_election.WBX

Running unopposed for the office of President is Brian Gatten, a doctoral student in English. His personal statement may be found at www.utsg.org/1bg.htm.

The two candidates for the office of Vice-President for External Affairs include Bradley Carpenter, a doctoral student in Education Policy and Planning, and Travis Witherspoon, a master’s student in Energy and Earth Resources. Witherspoon’s statement may be found at www.utsg.org/2tw.htm; Carpenter’s at www.utsg.org/3bc.htm.

No candidates filed to run for the office of Vice-President for Internal Affairs. That position will be filled in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the GSA.

The Friar Society is the oldest and most prestigious honor society at The University of Texas at Austin. Since 1911, the Friar Society has recognized students who have made significant contributions to the university. The only prerequisite for applicants is the completion of 75 undergraduate hours or to be a graduate student.The Friar Society will start accepting applications for membership today, Monday, February 19, 2007. Applications will be available in the Student Organization Center Office (right off the elevator on the 4th floor of the Student Services Building) and at www.friarsociety.org starting at 12:00 PM. They will be due on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 5:00 PM to the Student Organization Center.

The February happy hour will take place at The Cedar Door (201 Brazos) from 5-7pm on Friday, February 23rd. Once again GSA will be paying for drinks via tickets while the allotted money lasts! Please share this information with other graduate students.