MINUTES
Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
November 11, 2013
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Bache Auditorium, Malott Hall

I. Welcome and Introductions (1 minute)

M. Dumas called the meeting to order at 5:35pm.

Voting members present: D. Bunck, A. Bybee-Finley, M. Carignano, M. Chen, G. Danies Turano, J. De Castro, F. Doerflinger, M. Dumas, A. M’nebhi, A. Moore, A. Powell, S. Sinha, I. Small, T. Sorg, C Yao

Voting members absent: S. Hsieh, E. Murnane, E. Newbury

M. Dumas highlighted the process and timeline of the appropriations recommendations. She said the process starts with a presentation of initial recommendations by appropriations, which was covered in last week’s meeting. Today, there will be a presentation by the organizations requesting funding. Next week, there will be a vote on Student Activity Fee Resolution. And if need be, there will be another vote on the resolution on December 2nd.

She then said there will be motions after each group’s presentation. If GPSA votes yes, the recommendation by the appropriations committee will be included in the resolution as is. If the vote is no, there will be a vote to eliminate funding. If the following vote is no, the resolution will be sent back to appropriations for reconsideration. If the following vote is yes instead, the group does not receive funding at all. She then answered questions about the timeline process.

II. Approval of the Minutes

1. November 4, 2013

The minutes were approved with no dissent.

III. Presentations by Organizations Applying for Byline Funding

1. International Student Board- Enrico Bonatti (10 minutes)

Enrico Bonatti is the President of the International Student Board (ISB). He shared that ISB is byline funded and the undergraduate finance committee covers 75% of the funding and the GPSAFC covers 25% to reflect proportions. The ISB has been operating over 20 years and it is responsible for funding further international, ethnic, and cultural programs as well as their own programs. They’re only able to fund 50% of the funding requests they receive. He believes the justifications offered by the appropriations committee to reduce their funding are unfair and incorrect. This decision will hurt international students who are part of the graduate and professional schools. He stated that the ISB has a very tight ratio of dollar to student and money is spent very efficiently. Bonatti finished by saying that ISB has served the campus for over 20 years and fulfills President Skorton’s definition of diversity as a core value and a foundation for the continued success and strength of the University. He then opened the floor to any questions and clarifications. Following a question about the main goal of the ISB, he explained that the Board is a hybrid between a funding organization and a programming organization. He answered some more questions, thanked the GPSA for having the ISB and hoped everyone would support the cause international students on campus.

1. Big Red Barn — Kris Corda (10 minutes)

Kris Corda, the manager of the Big Red Barn, let everyone know that they’re happy with their recommended allocation and that she was present to answer any questions. She shared that the extra money added to the allocation for the technological advancement aspect will take 2 years to complete. She explained some of the recent technological advancements and renovations at the barn. Ann Bybee-Finley gave them feedback that their mode of communication and email is very efficient and helpful in spreading information. She explained the 3-tier plan that the Big Red Barn presented to the appropriations committee. She shared some of the advancements associated with the allocated money will be structural renovations, the sound system, etc. She also stressed that the character of the barn will be upheld and effort will be made to ensure it remains a barn.

1. Cornell Cinema — Mary Fessenden (10 minutes)

Cornell Cinema strongly disagrees with the recommendation of the appropriations committee. The argument as well as the fact sheet shared with the GPSA is available on the meeting page.

IV. New Business

1. Initial Vote on Appropriations Recommendations (50 minutes)

M. Dumas clarified the procedure and stressed that no amendments can be proposed today. Amendments can be proposed at next week’s meeting once the resolution has been finalized. M. Dumas then opened the floor to debate.

The first organization considered was Cornell Athletics. The appropriations committee recommended that Athletics receive a funding of $7 per student. Bill Kreuser shared the justification behind the recommendation. He said this funding allows graduate and professional students, along with their families, free entry to all sporting events except men’s hockey and discounted ticket to men’s hockey. It was resolved that the appropriations committee resolution to fund athletics at $7 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 11–1.

The next organization considered was the Big Red Barn that the appropriations committee decided to fund at $11.75 per student. One of the members shared that it is a student center and that it is going under renovations and has the need for the extra money. It also shows increased attendance. Nicole Baran and F. Doerflinger pointed out that other schools at the Ivy Summit do not have a university led student center and the Big Red Barn is a great service to Cornell. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the Big Red Barn at $11.75 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 12–1.

The next organization considered was Cornell Cinema that the committee decided to fund at $10.05 per student. It was discussed that it recently underwent renovations and was in need of more money. Another member pointed out that the recommendation is a fair percentage of the budget of the GPSA that corresponds with graduate and professional student usage of the Cinema. Some members were of the opinion that Cornell Cinema provides an alternative mode of cultural enhancement as well as entertainment. The GPSA representative to the Cornell Cinema strongly felt that the assembly should vote against the recommendation of the appropriations committee. William Nicholson, the representative of the statistics department, stated that raising prices and decreasing showcasing per week would help the internal budget of the Cinema. Christine Yao stated that the humanities department unanimously appreciates the cinema and this would be a representative of the interest of the population. It is an enhancement to academics. Examples such as the Cinema bringing in an Oscar winning film writer were shared to support voting no to the resolution. A member of the appropriations committee offered a point of clarification that the GPSA would still allocate over $70,000 to the Cinema and that only a small number (30%) of the 24% of graduate students who attend the Cinema benefit from the allocation since the $11 previously allocated is a subsidy to ticket prices. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the Cornell Cinema at $10.05 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 9–4.

The next organization considered was Cornell Concert that the appropriation committee decided to fund at $5.75 per student. B. Kreuser shared that this organization brings big acts to Ithaca and gives a $5 subsidy. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the Cornell Concert at $10.05 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 11–0.

The next organization considered was CUEMS that the appropriations committee decided to fund at $1.80 per student. CUEMS provides essential services in general for departments and events. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the CUEMS at $10.05 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 12–0.

The next organization considered was CU Programming Board that the appropriations committee recommended to fund at $3.55. B. Kreuser shared that the Board brings in known speakers from around the world that represent Cornell. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the CU Programming Board at $3.55 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 13–0.

The next organization considered was GPSA that the appropriations committee recommended to fund at $1.95. B. Kreuser shared the justification behind the recommendation that was that the GPSA looks out for graduate and professional students. Effort is being made to drive down the budget of the GPSA since it is over the allocated budget. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the GPSA at $1.95 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 12–0.

The next organization considered was GPS Programming Board that the appropriations committee recommended to fund at $3.00. B. Kreuser shared that it helps students at Cornell. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the GPS Programming Board at $3.00 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 13–0.

The next organization considered was International Student Board that the appropriations committee recommended to fund at $1.35. B. Kreuser shared that this Board is involved in promoting dialog and events that enhance culture. The justification given to reduce the allocation was that there is too much overlap between the Board’s function as an organizational program and its funding activities. The redundancy of the Board funding organizations already funded by the GPSA was pointed out. It was suggested that the organizations that need money can be recommended to the GPSAFC and SAFC and that the Board does not need to serve as an umbrella organization itself. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the International Student Board at $1.35 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 9–5.

The next organization considered was Orientation that the appropriations committee recommended to fund at $1.00. B. Kreuser shared that this organization welcomes new students to Cornell every year. A motion was proposed to proceed to the final resolution that was seconded. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the Big Red Barn at $10.05 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 13–0.

The next organization considered was Risk Management that the appropriations committee recommended to fund at $5.50. B. Kreuser shared that there is no flexibility concerning this recommendation since this fee covers the insurance of all other organizations. A motion was proposed to proceed to the final resolution that was seconded. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the Risk Management at $5.50 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 14–0.

The next organization considered was GPSA Finance Commission that the appropriations committee recommended to fund at $28.35. B. Kreuser shared that this organization funds all other organizations that require byline funding. A motion was proposed to proceed to the final resolution that was seconded. It was resolved that the appropriations committee’s recommendation to fund the GPSA Finance Commission at $28.35 per student be included in the resolution. Motion passed 14–0.

V. Open Forum (3 minutes)

Kent Hubbell informed the GPSA about a recently published guide that is titled TA on recognizing student distress. He then distributed copies among the members.

F. Doerflinger announced an advocacy meeting on Wednesday and invited anyone interested to attend it.

Ann Bybee-Finley announced an Interschool mixer scheduled for November 14th and a grad’s night out on November 15th.

The meeting adjourned at 7:15pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Aastha Wadhwa