MINUTES
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly
April 26h, 1999
Big Red Barn Graduate & Professional Student Center Greenhouse
5:00 P.M.

I. Attendance:

98–99 GPSA Members 4/26 Matt Abramovitz P Dennis Carlson P Amy Carroll P Michael Cosh P Christophe Darnault Deidra Suwanee Dees P Wendy Fleischman A Stefan Hames E Sergey Kiselev A David McCusker A Purnima Menon P Yogesh Potdar A Lauren Russell A John Schwarz P A. Ramon Thomas A Linda Yannone A

Others Present: Philip McPheron, Patrick Carr, Sarah Heidt, Bill Bauerle, Bonnie Bailey, and Stephanie Tinsley

II. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by John Schwarz, GPSA President, at 5:05 p.m.

III. Open Forum

Dennis Carlson, Statistics, informed members that the Judicial Administrator(JA) search is still in process. The president will appoint the new JA after the search committee makes its recommendations.

Michael Cosh, Civil Engineering, informed members that final numbers are now available regarding the allocation of GPSAFC funds. The GPSAFC has $83,000 and has overbudgeted itself $12,000 to allocate $95,000. He noted that next year the GPSAFC allocation must go up in the Student Activity Fee in order to agree with the proposed changes in the GPSA charter.

IV. Minutes

The minutes of the 3/29/99 GPSA meeting were approved as submitted.

V. Announcements and Reports

A) Academic Leadership Series

J.Schwarz reported there would be four topic subgroups listed under the main topic of Graduate Education at the Academic Leadership Series scheduled in May. He noted that many graduate students have been invited and hopefully most of them will attend this meeting.

B) Uris Library Project

Sarah Heidt, English, reported she attended a meeting last Tuesday relative to Uris Library. The purpose of this meeting was to allow library staff to discuss ideas for improving Uris Library with graduate students. She noted that three graduate students attended this meeting. S.Heidt informed members that it appears that this particular project is moving fast and the GPSA must act now if they want to have any input. S.Heidt then distributed an information sheet which gave details about what was discussed at the meeting.

S.Heidt stated that it appears Uris Library will be redesigned in order to encourage more computer usage. The firm hired for consultation on this project has prior experience at other university libraries. The plan calls for more computers and more study space. S.Heidt remarked there are surveys available near the e-mail workstations at Uris Library asking for input regarding this topic. S.Heidt encouraged members to complete one of these surveys.

S.Heidt stated library hours would probably be extended in the fall. Because of the pace of this project the GPSA needs to find a way to communicate graduate concerns if it wishes to get involved.

D.Carlson commented that he thought the relevant committee would be the Campus Planning Committee, but the UA has yet to hear about this project. He felt this is probably more of an undergraduate concern because most graduates do not use Uris Library.

Amy Carroll, Microbiology, suggested that COR members be informed of this subject. This would allow them to pass the information on to interested constituents.

M.Cosh said he would like to have a twenty-four hour computer lab. He considered another problem with the computer lab the lack of uniformity regarding what applications are available from one lab to another. He felt it would be nice to have at least one computer lab that would house all the available applications from the assorted labs.

J.Schwarz summarized that there appear to be both library issues and computer lab issues.

S.Heidt agreed and noted that this was also distinguished at the meeting.

J.Schwarz requested that S.Heidt send information to gpsa-l so that members can forward it to their constituents if they wish to do so.

S.Heidt agreed to do this.

VI. Business of the Day

A) Student Activity Fee Charter Amendment

J.Schwarz announced that the proposed GPSA Charter amendment clarifying the setting of the graduate student activity fee passed via e-mail vote by the GPSA. The resolution reads as follows:

RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT ASSEMBLY CHARTER

Whereas, the Board of Trustees has delegated the responsibility for the setting and allocation of the Student Activity Fee to the President of the University, and

Whereas, the President of the University has delegated responsibility for the setting and allocation of the Student Activity Fee to the Student Assembly/Graduate & Professional Student Assembly (SA/GPSA), and

Whereas, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly feels that the procedures by which funds are allocated to campus organizations should be clear and unambiguous, and

Whereas, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Charter does not explicitly define the delegation of authority to the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, nor explicitly define the circumstances under which campus organizations may receive Student Activity Fee Funds,

Be it therefore resolved that the attached changes to Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Charter will be made.

Respectfully Submitted,

Stefan Hames 1998–1999 GPSA Vice President March 29, 1999

As passed by the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly by acclimation 4/26/99.

Excerpt from the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Charter:

Establishment

Article 1: Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board of Trustees, the President hereby establishes the Graduate and Professional Council of Representatives and the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (pursuant to Article 4). Articles 1 through 9 of this document constitute the Charter of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly.

Authority and Responsibility

Article 2: The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (hereinafter referred to as GPSA) shall have a voice in those activities, program areas and non-academic policies that affect graduate and professional students and serve as a mechanism for the exchange of views between the graduate and professional school population and the administration as more specifically set forth below. Within this context, the GPSA shall explore opportunities to enhance the role and function of graduate and professional students, and their contribution to the well-being of the University.

The GPSA, during the fall semester of every odd-numbered year, through the authority delegated by the Board of Trustees and the President, shall be charged with the setting and the allocation of the Graduate Activity Fee, subject to the approval of the President.

2.1 The GPSA shall have the authority to examine the University policies that impact graduate and professional school students and make recommendations to the appropriate bodies and University administrators concerning these matters.

2.2 The GPSA shall be consulted with respect to the modification and development of non-academic policies which directly affect graduate and professional school students.

2.3 Actions of the GPSA will be reported to the President in writing by the chairperson of the GPSA. The GPSA will respond to the President’s request for information regarding GPSA actions. The President shall respond in writing to the GPSA recommendations pursuant to 2.1 above.

2.4 The Provost will consult with the GPSA in the formulation of the University calendar. The GPSA may review and ask for reconsideration of the calendar before it becomes final. In addition, the GPSA may propose changes in the calendar to the Provost.

2.5 The GPSA will present an annual report at the last GPSA meeting of the spring term to the President of the University and the graduate and professional student population. The report will include a summary of the GPSA’s work during the preceding year and, in addition, will describe any unresolved issues and issues that are expected to arise in the future. The GPSA of the following year is required to respond formally to the unfinished business presented in the annual report. This response should describe the actions undertaken, if any, to resolve the unfinished business. All members of the Cornell community will have access to this report.

2.6 The GPSA may obtain specific information from the President regarding any subject which it requests to fulfill its responsibilities. Requests shall not include salaries, wages, academic or financial records of specific individuals nor information which is defined as confidential or restricted by law. If the information requested is not provided, the President will report to the GPSA the reasons why the said information cannot be furnished.

2.7 The GPSA may conduct public hearings, fora, and referenda concerning topics of current graduate and professional student interest, and determine other appropriate ways to assess student needs and opinions.

2.8 Agenda and pending resolutions will be distributed to the leadership of the other Assemblies at least 24 hours prior to the GPSA meeting at which they are to be presented.

2.9 The GPSA will report its actions in writing to the Employee, Student and University Assemblies and the Faculty Senate, in conjunction with reporting of the actions to the President. The resolutions will be reported following each meeting by a GPSA member designated by the GPSA.

2.10 Upon receipt of the GPSA report, another constituency body(ies) may object, by a two-thirds vote at its next regularly scheduled meeting, to an action taken by the GPSA. The objecting body(ies) will report back to the GPSA within five working days of the vote to object. At its next business meeting, the GPSA will review the objection and either modify the original position to account for the objections of the other constituency(ies) or will reaffirm the original action. The GPSA shall report to the objecting body(ies) within five working days of reviewing the objection(s).

2.11 Continued disagreement on the issue will be referred to the UA Assemblies Review Committee. (UA Charter, Article 8.6)

2.12 If the GPSA determines by a two-thirds vote that the action of another constituency body impacts its constituency, comparable procedures for the reconciliation of the differences will be pursued.

2.13 The GPSA may appoint graduate and professional students to serve on assembly(ies) committees and other university committees that have designated seats for GPSA representatives. The GPSA may nominate graduate and professional students to serve on other university committees.

2.14 The voting membership of the GPSA will, by whatever means they deem appropriate, select three graduate or professional students to serve as delegate members to the University Assembly. At least, but not limited to, one delegate must be a member of the GPSA. Graduate/professional student at-large may be selected to fill the remaining delegate(s) position(s) only if GPSA/Council of Representatives member(s) is/are unable to serve.

2.15 The GPSA will interface with the Student and Employee Assemblies and Faculty Senate by sending one representative to each group as an ex-officio, non-voting delegate.

2.16 The GPSA will have authority over matters concerning the internal operation and maintenance of the GPSA and its committees, including the proposal of amendments to

the GPSA Charter pursuant to Article 3 and creation of bylaws and procedures consistent with the obligations of the GPSA as set forth in this charter for the GPSA.

2.17 The GPSA may establish such standing and ad hoc committees as are appropriate to the performance of its functions.

2.18 The Graduate and Professional Student Activity Fee shall be established every two years, with the extensive participation and active input from the graduate and professional student body, by the last day of classes in the Fall semester of the fee-setting year. In the event that the GPSA cannot meet this deadline, the Activity Fee shall be fixed at the amount and allocation currently in effect during the fee-setting year.

2.19 The following guidelines shall be adhered to in the allocation of the GPSA Activity Fee:

2.19.1. In order to be considered for funding from the Activity Fee, organizations must meet the following criteria: a. register as a student or university organization with the Student Activities Office; b. allow students equal access to services and participation in activities; c. be operated primarily for students, by students, with funds disbursed through a University operating account; and d. have an advisor, to assist with oversight of the account.

2.19.2. In order to be considered for funding directly from the Activity Fee (“by-line funding”), organizations must also: a. demonstrate that the programs to be funded are of direct and primary benefit to graduate and professional students; and b. demonstrate a minimum budgetary need equivalent to 50 cents per student, per year; and c. be funded at the rate of 50 cents per student, per year.

2.19.3. The GPSA may also elect to provide by-line funding for other programs and services, which are not registered organizations but whose purpose and operations are consistent with the criteria outlined above for by-line funded organizations, with the approval of the President.

2.19.4. The GPSA shall ensure that an appropriate balance is maintained between funds allocated to by-line funded organizations and to the GPSA Finance Commission (GPSAFC). The allocation made to GPSAFC shall be set at no less than 35% percent of the total funds available from the Student Activity Fee in any year.

2.19.5. Neither a check-off option nor an option to pay extra will be allowed to exempt a student from paying the Student Activity Fee because of the funding instability inherent in such a system. Exceptions may be considered if recommended and approved by the GPSA, and approved by the President.

B) Committee Appointments

J.Schwarz requested that members let him know if they would like committee appointments. He noted that he could send an e-mail to gpsa-l asking committee members if they wish to continue serving on their current committees.

Deidra Dees, Secretary, expressed interest in the Minority and Third World Affairs Committee.

C) Discussion on GPSA Future

D.Carlson asserted that some issues were handled very well this year, even with the “breaking-in period” for the officers and the GPSA. He stated committee reporting must be improved. The GPSA needs to become more pro-active in addressing the needs of the graduate community. Therefore, a better committee structure is needed.

Members noted that the GPSA should have more contact and communication with its constituents so that students know about the GPSA.

M.Cosh suggested that members form a student group in their particular field or school. The engineering students recently formed the EGSA, and this has been helpful in communicating information both from and to the GPSA. He believed this system is working well for the graduate engineering students.

A.Carroll stated she believed that a newsletter would be a useful tool, even if it were only an e-mail newsletter.

Purnima Menon, Nutrition, suggested the GPSA make an information sheet about itself to distribute to graduate and professional students. She stated that she believed paper is better since e-mail can be trashed so easily.

Bonnie Bailey, Office of the Assemblies, noted the graduate school has a newsletter and they devoted a piece on the GPSA at the beginning of the year. She added that various methods are usually used to distribute information since different people prefer to get their information in different ways.

Members suggested informing new students about the GPSA during orientation. This can be done directly, by having a speaker, or by simply passing out information sheets.

P.Menon suggested that the GPSA have a table at the International Students Orientation.

D.Carlson stated that these ideas are good and would likely inform interested people about the GPSA. He stressed that communication must go to and from the GPSA’s constituents in order to ensure that the major issues are covered.

J.Schwarz stated the GPSA helps to fund the regular graduate student orientation and consequently the GPSA should be involved in that. He noted the GPSA should also try to get involved with the International Students Orientation.

P.Menon stated she is on the committees for both of these orientations. She stated she would bring up these issues at the next meeting for each of the committees.

VII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by J.Schwarz at 5:47 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, Stephanie Tinsley