One of the issues raised at the first AGSA meeting was a plan to create a graduate communications facility. This facility would house a telephone, fax/modem, 2 computers, and a typewriter. In this way, grad students would be able to place on campus and local calls at no charge (long distance calls could be made with a credit card), send faxs, check their email, access melvyl (especially important during busy library times) -- in other words, conduct business like the professionals we are.

The cost of this facility will be minimal. The only capital investment would be the purchase of a fax/modem, about $150.00 which would be paid from the AGSA account. There is a possibility that the department might cover the phone charges and the computers will be loaned by the SSCF at no charge. Each student, however, would be responsible for his or her long distance phone and fax charges.

The proposal will suggest to the department that this facility be housed at NH 20xx, which is currently used as a TA office. The grad lounge would be exchanged and those displaced TA's would utilize the grad lounge. Although this would eliminate the grad lounge as a place for congregation, rumor has it that we are in danger of losing it anyway due to departmental expansion (by both anthro and economics) especially since this space is perceived as under utilized.

The loss of the grad lounge would, however, be somewhat temporary since the department will move to the new building in 1996. Furthermore, the grad lounge could probably still be used for TA meetings, just as long as its primary use was for TA offices.

A ballot will be distributed in the near future for all grads to vote on this proposal. Please take the time to fill out and return your ballot. I, for one will vote yes on this initiative and hope that you will also............

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