MINUTES

 

Public Affairs Student Association

Thursday, September 24, 2009
6:00 p.m.

HHH 175

 

Present:           Dri Alexander, Megan Evans, Cardessa Luckett, Noel Nix, Abdul Omari, Nick Petersen, Ken Rodgers, Kelly Wilder, Cynthia Yuen, International Fellow Gayane Marfirosyan

 

Absent:           Sarah Berke, Jasmine Blanks, Luke Hollenkamp, Aaron Jefferson, Anne Johnson, Rebecca Wienbar

 

1)    Approve Last MeetingÕs Minutes

a)     September 9th, 2009 – approved

 

2)    Old Business

a)     Guthrie Tickets from Banquet Raffle didnÕt come through; what can we do as compensation for the winner?  Anne and PASA will look into alternative theater venues or, as a last resort we can find money to pay for tickets.

b)    Sidekick Program:  Some 2nd Year students are matched with two students due to interests and numbers.  All PASA reps matched with MPA students since MPA second-years werenÕt available. 

i)      Request to spend $200 on student/mentor reception paid for by $50 from each degree rep budget.  Motion Approved. 

 

3)    New Business

a)    Staff Appreciation

i)      Megan and Cardessa

(1)  Planned in anticipation of 200 people; so far 40 RSVPs.  Coffee, lemonade, muffins, donuts, and fruit from UDS in CSOM.

(2)  Four book store gift cards as raffle prizes; U of M colored boxes with snowman ornaments and flower vases as decorations

(3)  Schedule:

(a)   Poster board on which attendees will note what theyÕre thankful for while coming in;

(b)  Second 10 minutes: Abdul will welcome all and recognize key staff and personnel; students from each degree program will offer testimonials of appreciation; hopefully a research center representative can talk about current happenings. 

(c)   Noel, Sarah, Dri, Megan, Cardessa, Abdul available to help throughout event; Nick will help clean up if he can. 

(d)  Cardessa will revise menu/bill with UDS based on lower headcount this weekend.

 

b)    Graduate School Update

i)      Dri:  First COGS meeting of year

(a)   HHH student involved as COGS Senator

(b)  COGS proposes HHH Caucus in addition to Masters Caucus – what does this offer us? GAPSA move still best fit.  Caucus only represents another level of bureaucracy

(i)    HHH student volunteered to be part of Masters Caucus; a PASA rep will also take part if caucus formation still moves forward; others interested can email Mandy Stahre to be a part of Caucus.

(ii)  Policy and Review Council – Dri volunteered to participate

(2)  Current programs will opt-in to stay a part of Graduate School

(i)    Currently three candidates for new Graduate School Dean

(ii)  HHH would likely make decision based on where money is, whether we can get additional fellowships, etc.

(3)  Violation of public information laws to fail to disclose provost search candidates (since a public university)?; Star Tribune has filed suits in the past and won; COGS/GAPSA want to explore issue (with media help).

(4)  Noel:  HHH reps in university positions should have HHH interests at heart or else representation is diluted.  LetÕs discuss at next meeting. 

(i)    Need to invite HHH student senator to PASA meetings to share information, get on same page.  Need to agree on whatÕs best student representation for HHH. 

c)     Babak Armajani Gift Celebration, 10/9 at 9:30am

(1)  Public Strategies Group donated $25,000 to HHH in honor of Mr. Armajani; Development wants PASA suggestions as far as how endowment should be spent.

(2)  Confirmed Attendees – Jasmine Blanks, Abdul Omari, Megan Evans, Luke Hollenkamp, Cynthia Yuen, Cardessa Luckett, International Fellow? 

 

d)    Individual Updates and Initiatives – All (Present)

i)      Cynthia:  Complaints about not having Humph Night in Uptown – itÕs the third week!  Also looking into text-message reminders for Humph Night (with KenÕs help).  Starting banquet location search in many locations in Mpls and St. Paul.  Skip formality of seated dinner?  Considering mingling appetizer style and different style of program.  Looking for later Friday dates in April to accommodate students/staff/faculty. Will work on pricing out food/drink etc.  Thinking to plan a fall haunted house outing but wonÕt attend due to aversion to scary thingsJ.

(1)  Pictures from last yearÕs banquet:  too large to send to websites; working with Anne Mason to post on PASA page. 

ii)    Nick: reimbursement slips should be on blog if not already.

iii)   Ken R: meeting with Gary DeCramer next week to chat about semester.

iv)   Noel: met with Ted Peck from International Fellows office to discuss event ideas. 

 

e)    Individual Updates and Initiatives – Absent

i)      Ken S:  adding new students to student listserv; creating PASA Facebook fan page (events and photos can be posted); helping with new web page videos – need to be captioned! 

ii)    Jasmine: Business card email sent out; career smorgasbord to happen Nov 11 from 11 – 2 with Career Services help, will include interview skills, job skills strategies, DC Trip, what not to wear, international experiences, painless networking, etc.  Will need help from PASA volunteers

(1)  PASA Career Fair in Feb – what organizations do we want to attend?  50 orgs ideally. 

(2)  Matt HolmÕs international panel idea – helping to publicize.

iii)   Anne:  Brian Coyle b-ball games happening in October.  Planning Connect 2 Community lunches – wonÕt publicize event unless faculty attendance is guaranteed; should start in October. 

iv)   Megan:  Standing meeting time selected for first and third Thursday at 5pm.  Thanks to all for your patience and flexibility!  First Year Representative election process will start next week; plan to have finalists selected by October 9.

 

4)    Additional Items

a)     Jernberg Mailboxes:  being cleaned out and will be available for sign up to those who still want one. Laura Yerhot has graciously volunteered to assign mailboxes alphabetically after those interested have opted in. 

 

Meeting Adjourned, 7:30 p.m.

Next Meeting:  Thursday, October 1, at 5:00 p.m.