Agronomy Graduate Student Club Minutes
November 14, 2001
Alison Carpenter (President) brought the meeting to order. She reminded us of GIS day
going on today at Durham Center.
Secretary Report
Indi Braden (Secretary) read the minutes from the last meeting held on October 3, 2001.
Treasurer Report
John Kost (Treasurer) reported that the club has $1323.07 in the account. We got a check
for helping with the Soil and Water Conservation Club groundwater flow models. There
are coffee mugs available for $5/mug.
Graduate Student Senate Report
Carla Rogis (GSS representative) mentioned that there was no new report, but that we
needed a representative to fill in for Lori for the meeting after Thanksgiving.
Old Business
 GSS grant proposal
Brad VanDeWoestyne reported on the proposal for the Reading Room. He and Carla
Rogis submitted a proposal requesting a computer, 17” monitor, a video card, and a
printer. Al Vogl told him that he will be updating computers in the department
computer labs and will donate one of the replaced computers for our use. We will not
hear from the GSS until after semester break about funding.
 POS committee seminar
POS committee management panel discussion went well. All comments were
positive from both faculty and students. Notes from this discussion will be provided
to incoming students in their handouts and via a departmental web page.
 Graduate School / Professional Career Day
Indi Braden reported that the day was successful. However, it would be nice to have
more student involvement next year because undergraduates sometimes feel more
comfortable speaking with other students.
New Business
 Soil and Water Conservation Club models
They are caught up for now, but they will probably need some help in the spring.
 Children’s Museum day at the public library
In the past, our club has helped with this day. It is a natural world theme, and Dr.
Moore has requested our help. John Guretzky reported that last time they had a pasta
maker (from Adam Davis) to show process from grain to food, various vegetables to
show and discuss, seeds to plant, and the groundwater model. Discussion was held
for activities to do. It was decided that we would show the groundwater model and
discuss and plant grass seeds for them to take home. Volunteers included: Lisa
Duppong, Carla Rogis, Alison Carpenter and Gabe Tarr.
 American Society of Agronomy feedback
Alison Carpenter reported that Dr. Don Bullock from University of Illinois had
started a discussion with several students about what to change for graduate students
at the meetings. He was asking for student input on benefits and needed changes for
ASA. Dr. Moore spoke about why this is a concern. There was some discussion and
ideas given which included cost, time, and a need for smaller mixer groups to get to
know people of your division of interest. John Guretzky reported that he found the
journals to be a positive benefit. Eric Hurley mentioned that it costs too much to
travel, and students sometimes don’t feel “welcome” to meetings, especially division
meetings. Dr. Moore said to just show up to the division meetings; they will notice
you some day. Jerry Neppel said that it was too expensive, money and time, if
students have gone to other meetings during the year; John Kost agreed. Dr. Moore
mentioned that a mixer with a focused group for the division of interest might help.
Also, he mentioned a need for students to introduce themselves to people. Alison
Carpenter mentioned that it was nice to present our data with professors of our same
topic of interest. If anyone has further comments, please let Alison know. Jerry
Neppel reminded us that the Regional ASA meetings are smaller, closer and possibly
more accessible for students. Next year will be in Indiana, so let’s all go.
 Departmental committees
Alison Carpenter handed out a list of volunteers. If you need to make changes, let her
know. Many don’t meet often and when they do just give us and update.
 Web page
Indi Braden reported that she is still working on ideas and making our web page more
interesting. Work is progressing, but slowly.
 Holiday party
Alison Carpenter asked if we could get a party together with the department. There is
one for the department already, but we might try to be involved as a club. Discussion
for this went to having a holiday/welcome-back party after the break. It was agreed
that this would allow us to welcome new students as with the fall picnic. Since
classes start January 14, the date was set for January 11. Terry Loecke and
Apsornsawan Arwatchanakarn volunteered to find a location and time for the party at
University Village. Indi Braden suggested the possibility of a progressive dinner
later next semester. These take a lot of work and planning, but it is worth it.
Information for next meeting
At the December meeting, we will be having elections for our officers. There will be
positions for president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, 4 GSS officers, and a
recycling committee. The meeting was tentatively set for December 5. Clint
Turnbull reported that the ASTA meetings will be held then, so the meeting was
rescheduled for December 10.
Guest speaker
We may have a guest speaker, Todd White, for the January meeting.
Alison Carpenter brought the meeting to a close.