MINUTES
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly
GPSA Discussion Meeting
Monday, August 27th, 2012
Bache Auditorium, Malott Hall
5:30–7:00 P.M.

I. Welcome and Introductions (M. Paine)

1. Introduction of the voting members, 5 min.

Voting Members present: N. Baran, A. Black, G. Turano, J. Drewes, A. Elliot, A. Enders, T. Gandhi, J. Hill, M. Holden, W. Kreuser, H. Liu, A. Moore, R. Moore, E. Newbury, M. Paine, R. Moore, E. Rager, E. Smith, M. Tootill, T. Gandhi, X. Zhao.

2. Kent Hubbell, Dean of Students, 5 min.

Dean Hubble gave a brief introduction of himself and encouraged GPSA members and graduate and professional students to come to him with their ideas so that they could work together to improve graduate life on campus.

II. Reports of Officers and Standing Committees

1. Executive Committee, 10 min.

a. President’s Updates (M. Paine)

Anyone interested in attending Ivy Summit should email Mitch Paine at mcp235.

N. Baran said Ivy Summit is a meeting of different Ivy League schools where representatives from each school’s GPSAs attend workshops and find out what’s going on at these schools and what’s going on in their student governments.

E. Cortens said it is a good opportunity to find out what other schools did that worked well and what didn’t work as well.

b. Committee Staffing Procedure (E. Smith)

E. Smith said there are many opportunities for people to get involved in the GPSA if they can. Visit committees.cornellgpsa.com to fill out the online questionnaire and find a committee to join. The Operations & Staffing Committee approves appointments. Once “staffed”, you represent the GPSA in your committee. The goal is to fill all of the committee positions this year.

c. Field Representatives (N. Baran)

N. Baran said field representatives are encouraged to attend all GPSA meetings. They should provide updates to their constituents regarding GPSA events and initiatives and solicit feedback where appropriate. They should also attend at least one “area” summit each academic year, where voting members meet with field representatives. Field representatives also elect the GPSA voting members, officers, and committee chairs. It is highly recommended that field representatives serve on a GPSA and/or university committee.

Those field representatives that did not receive an email from Nicole Baran should email her. Finally, if you don’t think that you are being effectively engaged as a field representative, please don’t hesitate to talk to the e-board or other GPSA members.

2. Standing Committees, 15 min.

a. Appropriations (W. Kreuser)

W. Kreuser said that his committee handles group reimbursements. He also creates and monitors the GPSA Operations Budget. All things related to the graduate and professional student activity fee go through this committee as well. There isn’t as much work for this committee this year because it is an off year for byline funding applications. However, this year, responsibilities will include reviewing the activity fee funding guidelines and deadlines. Those interested in joining this committee should contact W. Kreuser at wck38@cornell.edu.

b. Communications (M. Cerroni)

M. Cerroni said that everyone should have received “The Buzz” on Friday. The content of the Buzz and GPSA Facebook events includes both fun social events and professional development information. Those interested in joining the Communications committee should contact M. Cerroni.

c. Finance Commission (V. Pagay)

V. Pagay said the Finance Commission manages a lot of money for various Graduate and Professional student groups. They meet until the money runs out. It’s a good way to get to know the organizations in the graduate and professional community. First meeting will be Tuesday, October 2nd. Contact him at vdp4@cornell.edu.

d. Graduate & Professional Student Programming Board (K. Roosa & G. Danies Turano)

The Graduate & Professional Student Programming Board is responsible for coordingating social activities and special events for all graduate and professional students and their families. They are currently looking for people to fill the treasurer and communications chair positions. If you are interested, contact Kristen or Giovanna. Programming Board events will be part of the GPSA Buzz that goes out to all students.

e. Student Advocacy (Y. Izrayelit)

Y. Izrayelit said the purpose of the Student Advocacy Committee is to support the well-being of graduate and professional students. They are charged by the GPSA charter with “investigating the needs and desires of graduate & professional students.” They have one meeting per month, which will be announced at the next GPSA meeting. They are also tasked with hosting an annual forum to focus on a specific topic. This forum is conducted in a town hall format that also includes a “dine & discuss.” The forum gives students the opportunity to meet with various decision makers on campus. If interested in joining, contact yi62@cornell.edu.

N. Baran said those interested in learning more about the GPSA committees should visit the GPSA website for an explanation of each committee.

II. Approval of the Minutes

1. April 23rd, 2012, 1 min.

The minutes were approved with no objections.

IV. New Business

1. Election of two masters seats — M.Eng. and At-Large, 20 min.

M. Paine said these two seats are elected each fall, according to the charter. In order to be elected, students must be nominated during the meeting.

R. Moore nominated himself for the masters of engineering seat.

R. Moore said he is a systems engineer and is looking forward to being engaged with other graduate and professional students.

As there were no additional nominations, R. Moore was appointed to the M.Eng seat.

E. Rager from the Hotel School was nominated as an at-large masters candidate.

As there were no additional nominations, Rager was appointed to the at-large seat.

C. Yao, V. Pagay, T. Gandhi, P. Mahanti were then nominated as at-large representatives.

Each of these candidates gave a short speech about why they deserve to be elected.

There was a vote and then a runoff vote between P. Mahanti and T. Gandhi.

T. Gandhi won the election and became the new at-large representative.

2. GCI Update Resolution, 10 min.

N. Baran said the GCI talked about important issues to the GPSA community. It has become a living document and the administration uses this document to check their response to the graduate and professional community. This resolution creates an ad hoc committee to work on GCI-related issues. The committee’s purpose is to research what has been done with the GCI thus far and to present its findings to the graduate and professional community.

E. Cortens said the GCI is one of the GPSA’s greatest accomplishments. The GCI is one of the most effective advisory documents ever prepared by the GPSA.

D. Evensen said the GCI is extremely helpful and administators always talk about whether or not they are doing their best to follow its guidelines.

There was a call to question. The resolution passed by a vote of 15–0.

V. Break-Out Sessions, by division: Humanities, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Professional Schools, 20 min.

VI. Open Forum, 4 min.

No one spoke up during the open forum.

M. Paine adjurned the meeting at 7:02 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Allison Bazinet