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2008 GPSAA 11 R 8

R. 8 Regarding the Pay & Benefits Committee

Whereas the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) is the representative body for graduate and professional Students at Cornell, and;

Whereas in March 2003 the GPSA created the Pay & Benefits Committee was created and charged “with investigating the diverse needs and desires of graduate and professional students with regards to pay and benefits,” and;

Whereas, section 9.7 of the GPSA Charter states:

The Pay and Benefits Committee will be charged with investigating the needs and desires of graduate and professional students regarding their pay and benefits, including but not limited to stipend levels, health insurance coverage and child care provision. The Pay and Benefits Committee will work in consultation with other relevant committees and interested parties.

and;

Whereas this committee has had some success expanding dental and vision plan access for graduate and professional students,” and;

Whereas, in July 2005 the Pay and Benefits Committee submitted the Results of the GPSA Pay and Benefits Committee 2005 Survey, and;

Whereas, since that time, Pay and Benefits Committee has had four chairs resign due to various issues, resulting in a nonfunctioning committee at several points, sometimes when it was most needed, and;

Whereas, issues relating to health insurance, mental health, and general student well being have been brought up without significant community discussion and input, and;

Whereas, the current charge of the GPSA Pay and Benefits committee neglects issues of concern such as financial aid and mental health.

Be it therefore resolved that the GPSA rename the Pay and Benefits Committee as the Student Advocacy Committee,

Be it further resolved the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly Charter be amended to read:

9.7 Student Advocacy Committee
The Student Advocacy Committee will be charged with investigating the needs and desires of graduate and professional students regarding issues and concerns relating to their finances, mental and physical health, and general well being. These issues shall include but are not limited to stipend levels, health insurance coverage, child care, mental health. The Student Advocacy Committee will work in consultation with other relevant committees and interested parties.

Be it further resolved that the GPSA charges the 2008–2009 Student Advocacy Committee to develop a working model of the committee’s operation, that includes a monthly public meeting where issues germane to the committee’s purview are addressed, and a suitable course of action recommended.

Be it further resolved that every graduate or professional student appointed to Assembly or University committees whose purview is in concert with the GPSA Student Advocacy Committee, shall serve as full members of the GPSA Student Advocacy Committee and shall report to the committee regularly.

Be it further resolved that the 2008–2009 Student Advocacy Committee recommend further changes to the GPSA Charter by the first assembly meeting of spring semester of 2009 that further refines its goals as a committee.

Be it further resolved that this resolution be sent to the Director of the Office of Assemblies, the President of Cornell University, The Dean of the Graduate School.

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael Jay Walsh
Physical Sciences Representative
2006–2007 GPSA Vice President

Cristian Morales
At-Large Representative
Pay & Benefits Chair
2007–2008