MINUTES
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly
December 2nd, 2013
Bache Auditorium, Malott Hall
5:30 - 7:00 P.M.

I. Welcome and Introductions

1. Introduction of Voting Members, 1 min

M. Dumas called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

Voting Members Present: D. Bunck, A. Bybee-Finley, M. Carignano, G. Danies Turano, J. De Castro, F. Doerflinger, M. Dumas, S. Hsieh, A. Moore, E. Murnane, E. Newbury, A. Powell, T. Sorg, C Yao

Voting members absent: M. Chen, A. M’nebhi, I. Small, S. Sinha

II. Approval of the Minutes

1. November 18th, 2013, 1 min.

The minutes were amended to say MINUTES at the top instead of AGENDA. They were approved as corrected.

III. Reports of Officers and Committee Updates, 10 min

1. Executive Committee (M. Dumas)

C. Yao talked about the available external committees. There is a new addition- the Gorge Safety Committee that is great for people who love the outdoors and have recommendations about gorge safety policies. One of the other additions is Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) that examines and adjusts relationships between ROTC and the University. The last available committee is Transportation Hearing and Appeals Board that reviews decisions that have been denied by Commuter and Parking Services Administrative staff on matter relating to violation appeals and special requests. She talked about a potential committee that may come up next semester that will be concerned with professionalization. GPCI is thinking about creating this new committee. E. Newbury talked about a survey that gathers information about how the semester went for the GPSA. It asks for opinions on the appropriations committee and activity fee process.

1. Appropriations (W. Kreuser)

No updates.

1. Communications (A. Staiti and G. Choe)

A. Staiti announced a new program that will be linked to the new mental health campaign. It will involve a casual weekly coffee break that would be great way to unwind and have conversations. The Communications committee has talked to the University for support and people will be available at these meetings to talk specifically about mental health. E. Newbury added that it is a great opportunity for GPSA members to interact with graduate students.

1. Finance Commission (D. Kuhlmann)

No major updates. The committee has been meeting the first Thursday of every month to allocate money for special project requests. They have another meeting this Thursday where they’re expecting to allocate a significant sum of money.

1. Graduate and Professional Student Programming Board (K. Bybee-Finley)

K. Bybee-Finley announced a Grad’s Night Out event that will be held on December 12th. There will be a live DJ and it is a fun stress buster before the end of the semester.

1. Student Advocacy (F. Doerflinger)

The committee is meeting Risk Management on Thursday to talk and discuss future programs.

1. Faculty Awards (A. Powell)

No updates.

1. Diversity and International Students (C. Carter)

At the last meeting, they had discussions with faculty and international students past week. The reception was very well attended and was followed by an after-reception. C. Carter then talked about the committee’s Facebook page that can be used to keep up with international student life.

IV. Old Business

M. Dumas clarified that a simple majority will be needed to pass Resolution 3 and 6. However, a 2/3 vote (13 votes) is required to pass resolution 5 since it is an amendment.

1. R.3- Need for Systematic, In-Depth, and Longitudinal Data about Mental Growth, 10 min

E. Newbury shared that talk of such a resolution started with the student advocacy committee and it comes from a long history of talking about this issue. It was started with a quality of life survey that provides an understanding of health issues that affect graduate and professional students. Gannett has stepped forward regarding this issue as witnessed in the beginning of the semester. The professional schools such as the Law School, the VET School, and Johnson have different ways of measuring and addressing concerns about medical health. However, the main concern is that such information is not transparent or aggregated and the studies are not longitudinal. This resolution will encourage all the professional schools to work together on this issue and improve the quality of the data. The resolution begins with applauding Gannett for taking initiative to address the needs of students and taking a leadership role on this issue. It then moves towards looking for information about mental health, using both on-campus resources and community resources. It ensures that there is collaboration on this issue from all schools. Also, the information will be transparent, at least to the GPSA, since such information is necessary to take any further steps. It was resolved that the resolution would be sent to the Deans of professional schools and this amendment was added to the resolution. There was a motion to call a vote on the resolution and it passed 15–0.

1. R.4- A Resolution to Amend the GPSA Charter and Bylaws to Change the Term of Appropriations Committee Chair, 10 min

B. Kreuser explained that turnover between chairs is hard over the summer and deadlines are hard to keep up with. Transition is easier and smooth if it occurs at the beginning of the year. M. Dumas opened the floor to formal debate. E. Newbury proposed a motion to call the question. Resolution passed 15–0.

1. R.6- A Resolution in Support of the GradsHaveDebt2 Campaign, 5 min.

N. Baran explained that this resolution demonstrates support of the campaign that is speared headed by the NAGPS. She explained that most of the resolution talked about how the GPSA supports the campaign as an institution as well as in terms of manpower. It details how graduate students have a great deal of debt, the interest rates are exceedingly high, and how debts interact with federal loans. She explained that the purpose of the resolution is to raise federal awareness about grad debt. The resolution is in support of the call-in campaign that is to take place on Thursday, December 4th. N. Baran proposed an amendment to correct Serena Hsieh’s, the representative of the Law School, name in the resolution. A. Bybee-Finley asked where in the university the resolution would go after being passed by the GPSA. Nicole explained that this is a complex issue that is affected by a number of institutions. The resolution is a small-scale step in supporting the campaign but, nonetheless, is a step forward. E. Newbury explained that this resolution would inform the individuals who are responsible for such matters such as the board of trustees that there are bodies in the University that care about this issue. C. Yao asked about grad debt specific to Cornell students and if including such specific information in the resolution will increase the impact of the resolution. A. Bybee-Finley proposed an amendment to include Cornell specific figures and information. E. Newbury explained that this would mean the motion would have to be tabled to include the information since a resolution can only be passed with full text. N. Baran clarified that it would be favorable and more effective to pass this resolution before the national campaign, the call-in, on December 4th. Ann withdrew the proposed amendment. There was a motion to call the question on the resolution and it passed 16–0.

V. Guests

1. Kris Corda, Big Red Barn Coordinator; and Brian Winston, Project Manager for BRB Construction Project, 30 min.

Kris Corda thanked the GPSA for their time. She explained that the Big Red Barn will be closed next summer for renovations and Brian will explain the structural changes that will take place. Brian Watson detailed the history of the Barn and its past renovations. He explained that the construction next summer will be centered around the two-story barn structure, or the main space. They will try to support the mezzanine instead of leave it hanging. One of their main goals is to fix the insulation. They plan to finish by August 22nd, before the students arrive for fall semester. Kris Corda explained that the renovation is necessary to keep the building up and that no major changes will be visible outside. All the changes will take place on the inside to the insulation and structure. Kris Corda explained that the Terrace will be used over the summer to replace the Big Red Barn for TGIF events. The team is looking for another location for Trivia Night and Salsa and Latino Dance Party. Dissertation and writing boot camp will take place at the ILR building. E. Newbury asked how the characteristic of the historical aspect of the barn will be upheld. Brian and Kris explained that the funding will dictate what happens with the building. The University has a commitment to keeping the integrity of the historical barn. If anyone has any suggestions about possible locations for Trivia Night over the summer, e-mail Kris.

1. Erica Ostermann, Assistant Dean of Hans Bethe, 15 min.

Thanked GPSA for their time. She proceeded to explain the structure of West Campus and then talked about applying to be Graduate Resident Fellows (GRF). She explained that GRF’s live in an apartment in the house along with the undergraduates, primarily sophomores and transfers, in the hall. GRF’s come from all programs across the campus. The selection process is looking for diversity in all aspects. Responsibilities will include academic support (tutoring), student development and community building, maintaining community standards, administrative programs. She informed everyone of the information session which will be held on December 10th at Bethe House. Applications are due on February 3rd. C. Yao shared from her personal experience it is an exciting opportunity and intellectually stimulating.

VI. Open Forum

M. Dumas thanked Bill for his service as Appropriations Committee Chair since he will be graduating at the end of the semester. She asked for nominations for the Appropriations Committee Chair. Bill nominated Ian Small and Ian accepted the nomination. Ian was voted the next Chair since there were no other contestants. Nicole Baran explained that the GradsHaveDebt2 campaign is trying to get 1000 likes on their FaceBook page. She informed everyone that the call-in campaign is on Thursday and she asked everyone to stop by to participate. M. Dumas thanked everyone for their hard work over the semester and their engagement in the student activity fee process.

Respectfully submitted,

Aastha Wadhwa