Minutes for EGSA General Meeting 10.09.2009
I. EGSA Council
Steve updated all EGSA members about the recent additions to the EGSA Council, including Laura Bedwell as the at-large representative for PhD students, and Naomi Tober as the at-large rep for MA students. Additionally, Virginia Jarell will serve as the contact for RAs (in addition to her role as Treasurer), and Bethany Bear will serve as the contact for TAs.
If you are an RA, please email Virginia (virginia_jarrell@baylor.edu) to be put on her list.
II. Top EGSA Goals for this Year
A. GSA Involvement
After encouraging EGSA members to consider joining some of the GSA committees, Vivien made several exciting announcements:
– TAs will receive free student parking stickers next year
– English now has more representatives on GSA committees than any other department. We have surpassed Religion, which once had the highest number of involved students. English students currently serve on the policy, diversity, parking, and sustainability committees.
– During the first and second week of November, GSA will be hosting focus groups on student health insurance. Email Vivien (Vivien_Zelazny@baylor.edu) with comments about insurance, or if you are interested in participating in these focus groups.
– Thanks to the Graduate School, all English grad students will receive a stipend increase next year.
B. Professional Development
Our PDCs are working possible Heteroglossia sessions for this and next semester. Possible topics will include preparing a strong CV and planning a research agenda. Email Cameron (John_C_Moore@baylor.ed) or Lanta (Lanta_Davis@baylor.edu) with other professional development suggestions.
C. Building an Alumni Network
EGSA is working on informal plans for developing a network of alumni of the English Graduate programs. Contact someone on the EGSA council with suggestions for the possible uses and structures of such a network.
III. Upcoming Events
All EGSA members were encouraged to attend the upcoming EGSA events:
– picnic (Oct 10)
– Hamburger Supper (Nov 6)
– next EGSA meeting: November 13 at 2:30 in CS 301
IV. Conference Report
Kathleen made the following report concerning our spring conference:
– The CFP will be posted on the UPenn website
– Committee Chairs have been selected
– Hospitality – Margy
– Finance – Virginia
– Public Relations – Danielle
– Technology – Jeff and Kalani
– Logistics – Cameron and Naomi
Contact Kathleen (Kathleen_A_Miller)  if you are interested in serving on a committee. All graduate students are encouraged to participate in some way, whether by working at the welcome desk, serving on committees, presenting papers, attending, encouraging submissions and attendance from other departments.
– We have a keynote speaker! Terrence Hoagwood, a specialist in Romantic and Victorian Lit, as well as film and literature, will come from A&M as our keynote speaker.
– The conference will be April 16-17, 2010.