DTSA Board Meeting Minutes
10/2/2013
Present: Bess Rowen (President), Pamela Thielman (Curriculum and Exams Committee
Representative), Stephanie Vella (DSC Program Representative), Shiraz Biggie (Treasurer),
M. Shane Breaux (Secretary), Maria Mytilinaki (Representative to the Graduate Council), Kate
Sidley (Professionalization Committee Representative), Brooke Christensen (First Vice
President). Absent: Chloë Edmonson (Second Vice President), Benjamin Gillespie (Admissions
and Awards)
Meeting called to order by Shiraz Biggie at 7:31pm in Room 3107.
SB moves to approve the agenda. Pamela Thielman seconds. SB calls for a vote. All vote in
favor. Agenda Passes.
Bess Rowen moves to approve May minutes. SB seconds. All vote in favor. Minutes are
approved.
Old Business
PRIMP
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There was small attendance. Benjamin Gillespie moderated, Stephanie Vella, PT, James
Armstrong presented. Successful event based on the conversations that occurred.
Good to get to know students’ work.
Would like to see students at all three levels present. Conversations are happening to
invite those who are dissertating.
There was interest about it after the event.
Reports & Business
Bess Rowen, President
Discussions have begun with Chloë Edmonson and Marvin Carlson about planning a Theatre
Program social event at ASTR this fall.
Brooke Christensen, First Vice President
Nothing to report.
Maria Mytilinaki, Representative to the Graduate Council and Alumni Engagement
Representative
The Graduate Council meetings for the academic year have been announced, and the first one
this semester will take place on October 16th from 2:30 to 6pm. The agenda is not circulated
yet.
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Joe Heissan, the DSC Fundraising and Alumni Commission Coordinator, and MM have
scheduled a meeting on Tues., Oct. 8 to evaluate the plans from last year and enhance our
strategy for involving Theatre alumni. One of the issues to be discussed is also possible DSC
funds available for alumni events. MM will explore the possibility of subsidizing cost of theatre
tickets for a group outing.
Kate Sidley, Professionalization Representative
The events are going well. Events have had some low attendance, but after speaking to the first
year students, it seems that was a result of miscommunication with them about their required
attendance at these events. Things have been cleared up.
Shiraz Biggie, Treasurer
Attended PRIMP.
Pamela Thielman, Curriculum and Exams Committee Representative
Nothing to report.
Stephanie Vella, DSC Representative
• There has been a problem with adjuncts at the community colleges not being placed onto
payroll in a timely fashion. If you are having a problem getting paid, please contact Anne
Donlon, the DSC Co-Chair for Communications.
• There are a wide variety of safer sex supplies available for free in the Wellness Center,
Room 6422. Also, if they are not stocking something that you want, just ask! Jennifer
Prince is the DSC Officer for Health and Wellness. [email protected].
• After meeting with DSC reps, IT is working on developing a better system for student
printing in the library, which will get rid of the log in screen and print quota.
• If you are having any problems with library services or technology, or if there is
something you would like for them to provide, email Madhuri Karak, the DSC Officer for
Library & Technology at [email protected].
• IT also has a small amount of money left over from the technology fee that is available to
provide an honorarium for student-led technology workshops. If you have a technical
skill that you would like to share with your fellow students please email Madhuri Karak,
the DSC Officer for Library & Technology at [email protected].
• Below are the grant deadlines for DSC funding for student-led activities:
1. September 20, 2013 (mtg 9/30)
2. October 18, 2013 (mtg 11/4)
3. November 15, 2013 (mtg 12/2)
4. January 17, 2014 (mtg 2/3)
5. March 21, 2014 (mtg 3/31)
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The next Plenary will be held on October 25, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. It will be followed by the
first DSC party at 8:00 p.m. (You should come!)
Shane Breaux, Secretary
Nothing to report.
New Business
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Curriculum & Exams
1. PT discussed Judith Milhous’s request for student input regarding her course
offerings for the spring semester. The board agreed to reach out to our respective
cohorts to stress the importance of this survey including those students who are no
longer in course work.
2. Curriculum meeting today where they addressed the spring schedule. The
information should be made available soon (likely mid-October).
3. Curriculum survey for long-term course schedule consideration is being created.
4. First and Second Exams: there will be a survey for students who have recently
taken these exams. Discussion of the questions and rhetoric of the survey. In the
interest of time, PT will circulate a draft of the survey amongst the Board via
email before the next meeting.
5. Language Exams: discussion of clarifying the language of what is expected in
these exams and what constitutes a passing or failing exam. PT will create a
survey to garner student input on these.
6. Discussion of a forum for students voicing their concerns and questions about
curriculum and exams.
Library Working Group
1. MM expressed concerns about the changing culture in the library such as people
eating food, taking phone calls, or talking loudly.
2. There is also concern about the problems with technology.
3. MM proposed some ideas for addressing these issues with the DSC, and Madhuri
Karak has a meeting scheduled with the library staff to discuss them. MM is
working in conjunction with Karak on addressing the challenges.
Upcoming PRIMP Events
1. BR will moderate the next event (Oct. 16). The CFP will be distributed
imminently.
2. We should publicize this event among our colleagues to keep the momentum
going.
3. We, as Board members, should attend as many of these events as possible.
ASTR Alumni and Current Student Gathering
1. See R&B.
Meeting Space for Board Meetings
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1. The Thesis Room has been explicitly designated as a DTSA Board meeting room.
2. SB moves to make Thesis Room the official room. BC seconds. Passes
unanimously.
BR moves to adjourn the meeting. SV seconds. Approved and meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm.
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