Meeting Minutes
Present: Jaime Sky Bianco, Anton Borst, Jaime Cleland, Zach Davis, Jessica DeCoux, Lauren Elkin, Corey Frost, Cori Gabbard, Alma Gharabegian, Rachel Ihara, Kate Moss, Jody Resen Ramsey Scott, Adriana Tomasino, Eric Tribunella, Yuki Watanabe (I might be missing a few names for people who came in late—sorry!).
- Money from Spring 2003
The $191.66 left from last year’s DSC funds has yet to be spent as we are waiting for confirmation that the DSC will reimburse the ESA for receipts issued this academic year. Kate Moss and Rachel lhara will be making inquiries to the DCS. If the money is available, alcohol and beverages will be purchased for the upcoming December revels.
- Vote on the Spring ESA Conference
Although the vote was very close, those in attendance and those who chose to vote by proxy selected “Locating Love” as the topic for the upcoming ESA conference. Jessica DeCouX and Crystal Benedicks will be co-chairing the conference. Expect to hear more from them regarding the date of the conference and opportunities to get involved.
- Procedure for Electing Co-Chairs and Selecting Topics for the ESA Conference
The issue of how to decide on a topic and co-chairs for the conference was the subject of a rather lively (if thoroughly civil) debate. Although he was not in attendance at the meeting, James Hoff submitted a written proposal for an amendment of the by-laws whereby conference co-chairs and conference committee members would be voted on during the spring semester elections. While the majority of those in attendance felt that conference co-chairs should be elected in the Spring to allow for more time to organize the conference, there was disagreement on two issues: 1. whether or not conference chairs should be elected independently of a conference topic and 2. the necessity of an officially elected conference committee.
With regard to the latter, many of those in attendance felt that the election of a conference committee created more problems than it solved. Although election to a committee might instill a greater sense of responsibility in those elected, this proposed amendment might also discourage other students from participating, particularly incoming students who would not be able to run for office in the spring election.
The ñrst issue generated more disagreement. Some of those in attendance felt that the cochairs and topic should be selected as a unit. Other students suggested that co-chairs and topics be elected independently, with both co-chairs and proposed topics appearing on different sections of the ballot. Others argued that the most important thing is to elect cochairs and that the selection of the topic could be determined later, either informally on the list-serve, at the ESA meeting, or in an additional election. Since we were unable to reach a consensus on this issue we decided to turn the issue over to the ESA listserv for discussion. Zach Davis volunteered to write up threè versions of this amendment to the by-laws. Students are encouraged to attend the next meeting to vote on this issue or to submit their votes by proxy. Once one amendment is approved it will be submitted to the general student body for approval.
- An Additional ESA Election
Since amendments to the bylaws require a vote by the entire student body it, Rachel Ihara (as a member of the election committee) suggested that a “mini” election be held sometime before the spring elections. This would allow the spring election ballot to reflect any changes implemented by new amendments. Jody Rosen noted that an additional election might be expensive. This issue will be reconsidered at the next meeting after We have an estimate as to the cost of such a mass mailing.
- Changes to the General Elections Procedure
No formal proposals were submitted, but the idea of limiting the number of nominations and/or the number of positions that a person might accept came up again briefly
VI. Committee Reports
There was no time for members of the various committees to report on committee activities. Reports were made to the listserv instead and are reprinted below. In the future committee reports will be the first item on the meeting agenda.
- The Faculty Membership Committee met on 10/3.
The following report was submitted to the ESA listserve by Kate Moss:
David Kazanjian of Queens College, who has taught two courses in the department and served on multiple GC student orals and dissertation committees (five and three respectively, as I understand it), is being considered for an appointment in the department. He covers the early American period, which is only currently covered by Provost Bill Kelly and EO Joan Richardson. Kazanjian also appears to have worked with students in a number of areas besides this, such as postcolonial theory (maybe relevant students can share their experiences of working with him in various areas?)
David Kazanjian will deliver his “Faculty Membership” lecture on 3l October 2003, at 2:00 pm, in the English Program lounge: “The Colonizing Trick: National Culture and Imperial Citizenship in Early America.
I encourage students to attend this talk, and supply me with any feedback on David Kazanjian or his ìecture that you wish to convey to the Faculty Membership Committee, by 11/6. (You can also speak to the other student member of the committee about this issue–Jonathan Gray.)
The department is also considering “courtesy appointments” for Ammiel Alcalay (Comp Lit) and David Savran (Theater). These “courtesy appointments” do not, as I understand, mean those professors teach English department classes; they simply make it easier for our students to have those faculty members on orals or dissertation committees, which people are already doing.
Also, to clarify something else: Professor Menand is ofñeially on leave to Harvard, and Professor Brenkman is offîcially back at CUNY, so those lines are not vacant, and any potential hirings now are not being made to a vacant line.
