MINUTES
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly
September 9, 2013
Bache Auditorium, Malott Hall
5:30 - 7:00 P.M.

I. Welcome and Introductions (M. Dumas)

The meeting was called to order at 5:40 pm.

1. Introduction of voting members, 1 min.

Voting members present: D. Bunck, K. Bybee-Finley, M. Carignano, M. Chen, G. Danies Turano, J. De Castro, M. Dumas, S. Hsieh, A. Moore, E. Murnane, E. Newbury, A. Powell, T. Sorg, C. Yao

Voting members absent: C. Morris, D. Westgren

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

K. Hubbell welcomed everyone to the new academic year. He said each new year and new members of the assembly bring with themselves a defining character. The GPSA has become more influential over the years, with the leadership becoming more proactive. The power of the GPSA should not be underestimated since graduate student population increases 1% every year and with that comes increasing influence. The graduate students constitute 1/3 of the student body proving that Cornell University is not predominately an undergraduate population. Hubbell presented himself as an advocate for graduate students going forward, promising to be as vocal as need be when the opportunity presents itself. He recommended that the GPSA engage with the undergraduate student assembly, mentor them, and overcome challenges together. He finished by presenting his excitement to find out what can be accomplished this year and the advances that are made.

II. Reports of Officers and Standing Committees

1. Executive Committee, 10 min.

1. President’s Updates (M. Dumas)

Nicole Baran and president of GPSA from last year wrote The Graduate and Professional Community Initiative (GPCI). It is a document that highlights the strategic plans for the year. The GPSA should go in the direction according to GPCI and have already seen changes based on it.

2. Field Representatives (E. Newbury)

E. Newbury introduced the GPSA and its overview. Visit cornellgpsa.come to learn more about the student body. She emphasized the role of a field representative which is to be a voice for their respective field and relay information from the meeting to the field. It also includes presenting any ideas that is in the interest of the their field to the GPSA. The overarching job is to ensure that there is a link between the field and the GPSA.

3. Committee Staffing Procedure (X. Yao)

X. Yao present the internal committees, one of the ways to go above and beyond and take greater initiative. You do not need to be a field representative to be part of one of these committees. There are other external committees. A majority of these committees meet only once a month but they cover fundamental campus governance. This is one of the ways to get involved hands-on and see how a large institution like Cornell University functions.

2. Standing Committees, 10 min.

1. Appropriations (W. Kreuse)

No updates.

2. Communications (D. Westgren)

D. Westgren was absent.

3. Finance Commission (P. Mahanti & D. Kuhlmann)

D. Kuhlmann explained that the finance commission is currently going through a transition from an old system to OrgSync. The transition is a little bumpy right now but it is a lot easier to use and has more functionalities. Contact GPSAFC for more information.

4. Graduate & Professional Student Programming Board (K. Bybee Finley)

K. Bybee-Finely announced an inter school mixer on Thursday, September 12th from 7–10 pm at the Big Red Barn. It will be an opportunity to meet new people from other fields and mingle. Different fields are targeted and this event is being targeted towards plant sciences, mathematics, and electrical sciences. However, everyone is welcome to attend. On Saturday, a free canoeing trip will be organized on the Beebee lake from 1–2:30 pm. 15 slots available. The programming board is in the process of looking for additional members and everyone is encouraged to apply.

5. Student Advocacy (F. Doerflinger)

No updates. Although the townhall meeting did not receive a great turnout, the committee wants to get things rolling on well-being and mental health. F. Doerflinger encouraged everyone interested in healthcare to apply to the committee of student advocacy since they are looking for additional members. The committee meets once a month.

6. Faculty Awards (A. Powell)

No updates since most activity takes places halfway through second semester. This committee gets together as a group, deliberates on the nominations and applications, and then has an award reception.

7. Diversity & International Students (C. Carter)

C. Carter announced this is a brand new committee. Opportunity to lay groundwork for what they would like to transpire for the graduate student population. The committee is looking to recruit for the Colors Committee.

III. Approval of the Minutes

1. September 9th, 2013, 1 min.

Motion to correct the attendance of the voting members which was approved.

IV. New Businesses

1. Election of two master seats - M. Eng. and At-Large, 15 min.

Voting members are generally elected at the end of second semester except these two seats that are to be filled during fall semester. Asmaa M’nebhi and Varun Bharadhwaj nominated themselves for the position of Masters of Engineering.

Asmaa M’nebhi said she is an electrical and computer engineer and she is really excited to be part of GPSA, which is an amazing opportunity to make a difference to make a difference among the graduate and professional students. She wants to give a voice to everyone, especially the international students.

Varun Bharadwaj is an electrical and computer engineer to. He knew he wanted to make an impact on the student body when he applied to be part of this community. Everyone broke out to vote. Asmaa M’nebhi won and was appointed as the Master of Engineering voting member.

E. Newbury explained the distinction between a voting member and a field representative. A field representative can address, talk on, and amend a resolution but cannot actually vote on it.

Maggie Zou nominated herself for the Master At-Large seat.

Elections for the second seat were withheld to give a chance to the individual who did not win the Engineering seat to run for the At-Large seat.

Asmaa M’nebhi won the Masters of Engineering seat.

Since V. Bharadwaj did not wish to run for the At-Large seat, Maggie Zou was appointed as the Master At-Large voting member.

V. Break-Out Session, Learning about the GPSA Committees, by division: Humanities, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Professional Schools: 30 min.

VI. Open Forum, 4 min.

Open Forum is an opportunity for any topic to come up and and for anyone to speak. Stephanie Seller spoke about an event for the following Friday at 9:00 pm. There will be a date auction at the Big Red Barn. It is a fundraiser for the VET fraternity. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Light refreshments and drinks available.

Anyone interested in joining external committees can talk to Christine Yao or email her at cy295. More information is listed on the Cornell GPSA website.

Nicole Baran talked about a new organization- Cornell Graduate and Professional Women’s Network that was started last year. One of the resolutions was increased professional development for women on campus. There is a need for more organization to let each other know what they are doing. Started Graduate Professional Women’s Network (GP Women). The two organizations are co-sponsoring their first event on Women in Leadership at the Goldwin Smith Auditorium On Tuesday at 5 pm. Cornell alumni will talk about what it means to be a women leader.

This is one of the examples to which the resolution that the graduate school responded to immediately and supported them.

Cornell is a now a member of American Association of University Women which provides support to women students.

E. Newbury explained the purpose of the University Assembly. It is a joint assembly of the Faculty Assembly, GPSA, SA, and Employee Assembly. Representatives from each assembly are sent there to talk about campus wide concerns. Some of the issues addressed at the UA are about campus welfare, infrastructure, and code of conduct. It is a great place to network and witness how the other assemblies work.

Respectfully submitted,

Aastha Wadhwa