15 October 2008

PSANA EXCO Meeting
Monday 15 October 2008
FABI Seminar Room

Disclaimer: Please note: the matters discussed herein are the personal views and opinions of the members present at the meeting. They are therefore not the views or policies of PSANA or the University of Pretoria and PSANA and the University of Pretoria therefore do not accept liability for any damages or implications arising from the correctness of the facts stated in these minutes, unless specifically stated.

Present

• James Mehl (Chairperson)
• Inger Fabris-Rotelli
• Osmond Mlonyeni
• Ernest Rambau

Apologies

• Werner Barnard

1. Welcome (James)
- James welcomed the new committee and said he would rather have only 2 committee members who want to be there and are committed than have other students who are obliged to be part of the committee and do not want to be there. The committee is a big responsibility and a lot of time but not difficult.

2. Committee Responsibilities
- Postgraduate Students approach the committee for help in various circumstances.
- Own projects you feel need attention within the faculty for postgraduate students.
- Sit in on the following meetings:
  Faculty Executive Committee Meeting
  Head of Departments meeting (next on 10 October, Ernest to attend with James)
  Program coordinators meeting
  Senate Committee for Research
  Appointments Selection Committee
  Other meetings where a student representative is needed.
- The Faculty is currently being restructured: No more Chairs of Schools - instead 2 Deputy Deans.)
- James to send new members all meeting dates for the rest of the year.

3. Current Projects
- Memorandum of understanding currently being circulated in the faculty for approval. This deals with the expectations of student and supervisor.
- A Memo of Understanding and Guidelines for Study Leaders (only in Afrikaans now – in English by next year).
- Postgraduate open day – no longer done but the new committee is welcome to reinvestigate making it a success.

4. New Committee Suggestions
- An office for the committee? May be useful for student communication.
- Osmond requested the old committee stay on as a support structure as the new committee learns the ropes. Everyone was in agreement.
- Osmond also requested we have an interim committee for some set time after which we organize new elections to get a full committee. The old committee started with representation from every school so this should be aimed for at the next elections. According to the constitution there should be 9 members.
- To recruit possible committee members, it was suggested that postgraduate students in each school be approached and informed of PSANA in person.
- Chairman? Joint? To still be decided.

5. Next Meeting
- James suggested a meeting with the Dean to introduce the new members to him and inform him of our plans.
- New committee members will also meet with Mrs Beresford, head of Faculty Administration, so that she is also kept in the loop.
- Meeting with the Dean will be on Friday 24 October at 10.30. All 5 members to be present at this meeting. Next meeting date and time will be discussed after this meeting.