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Council of Graduate Students - Minutes - 28 September 2001

In attendance were:

Excused absences: Jill Burkart, Leigh Goldberg, Tameka Jobe, James Peters

Unexcused absences: Melissa Browning, Natacha Foo Kune, Alison Hurwitch, Sid Iyer, Pierre Jeanty, Yuqun Luo, Caryn Neuman, Brian Sandford, Reema Shafi

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:35pm, J. Briggs Cormier, President, presiding.

II. Approval of the Minutes of the 10 August 2001 Meeting

Moved by Delegate Beck; seconded by Delegate Frey. Senator Meyers pointed out several inaccuracies in the minutes and requested the opportunity to send corrections directly to the Secretary. The motion to approve the minutes with such corrections as the Secretary deemed necessary passed unanimously by voice vote.

III. 2001 - 2002 Budget Amendment

This act was authored and sponsored by the Executive Committee. Eleven budget lines were changed.

Delegate Kearns asked for a clarification of the budget format; Briggs explained that the middle column was the result of making the change listed in the right column to the previous amounts.

The act passed unanimously by voice vote.

IV. Amendments to the College of Education Apportionment for 2001 - 2002

This act was authored by Delegate Foster and Organization and Elections Chair Scrogham. It was sponsored by the current College of Education delegation: Jen DeLong, Leigh Goldberg, Christina Rivera, Scott Leppla (all Ed P&L); and Kelly Knott (Ed PAES).

Delegate Foster explained that the purpose of the act was to give the College of Education more flexibility in filling its seats on Council, recognizing the unique demands on Ed T&L and PAES students.

Delegate Wichman asked if any other units would be affected by the proposed changes; President Cormier said that they would not.

The act passed unanimously by voice vote.

V. Approval of the CGS Goals and Priorities.

This Act establishes CGS's Goals and Priorities for the 2001-2002 academic year. It was written and sponsored by the Executive Committee.

Delegate Futo observed that while graduate students have received a partial subsidy for health insurance, insurance costs have continued to rise. She asked how CGS could keep the needs of students in smaller programs in mind. In response, President Cormier pointed out that the faculty have been hit much harder with health insurance cost increases -- things are not as bad as they could have been. Senator Lowe pointed out that President Kirwan had initially committed to CGS to significant increases in insurance subsidization levels within three years; the budget situation has pushed this back to four years. In addition, the Competitive Compensation Oversight Group has graduate student issues firmly in mind.

Delegate Beck reminded Council that in the past there had been interest in an insurance plan that would offer scaled-back benefits for a significantly lower cost (beyond the two-tier system currently in place). He offered an amendment to the Act that would add language to this effect. Senator Meyers pointed out that the initial justification for the subsidy levels was that within two years, the subsidy amount would fully cover the cost of such a low-cost plan; the recent budget issues have slowed this process somewhat.

Delegate Foster pointed out that the new option for graduate students to elect Prime Care coverage (previously offered only to faculty and staff) still leaves some gaps in the student insurance plans offered by the university. Currently, the non-Prime Care plans have a cap on prescription drug coverage; this presents a hardship to many graduate students. While the Prime Care plan has no such cap, it does not provide visual or dental benefits and there is no way for students who elect Prime Care coverage to purchase a separate visual/dental-only plan. There is also no allowance for out-of-network providers, which has an impact on disabled students and others who require the services of an out-of-network specialist. Foster pointed out that not all of the faculty/staff plans have these limitations, and CGS ought to look into opening some of the others to graduate students. It was pointed out that there might be some tax disadvantages to doing so.

After some discussion on wording issues, Delegate Robinson proposed to amend the fourth bullet point under Compensation and Benefits Goals by striking "and lifting the drug cap" and inserting "and offering options to students to match their personal needs". This was accepted as a friendly amendment. Delegate Beck agreed that this amendment subsumed his, which he thereupon withdrew.

Delegate Foster then asked if language could be added that would place GAs fully under the Office of Human Resources (OHR). President Cormier pointed out that GAs currently occupy a grey area between being treated as staff and as students, and that this situation has historically worked to our advantage. Dean Siddens pointed out that the Graduate School currently performs many of the functions (including grievance and stipend issues) that such language would give to OHR, and so the Faculty Rules would have to be changed in order to effect this. He asked Foster if she could clarify what she thought the advantages of such an arrangement would be. Foster explained that she had no complaints with the Graduate School's handling of these areas but thought it would help graduate students to have all services in one place and codify the treatment of GAs as simply another category of staff.

Delegate Robinson pointed out that the language in the goals and priorities is merely a first step -- something we can accomplish within this year. Delegate DeLong proposed an amendment to the seventh bullet under the Compensation and Benefits Goal inserting the words "with the intention of presenting this to the Graduate School or the Office of Human Resources as our estimation of the current situation" after "appointment". This amendment was accepted as friendly. Delegate Robinson then proposed the insertion of a ninth bullet point in this section which would read as: "Explore ways to centralize and strengthen oversight of all GA employment issues." This amendment was taken as friendly.

Delegate Foster then moved to strike the last bullet point under the Administrative and Professional Support goal. This motion was seconded by Delegate Wichman. Delegate Foster explained that this bullet point seemed redundant, given the role that the Graduate School already plays in mediating grievances. Delegate DeLong mentioned that there had recently been a student in her department who had needed support beyond that which the department or the Graduate School could provide. President Cormier added that the point of the bullet is not to have CGS act as a mediator itself but merely to provide contacts and advice for students facing these kinds of issues. The motion was defeated by a voice vote.

This act was thereupon approved by voice vote.

VI. Resolution to Donate Refreshment Funds to the American Red Cross

Authored by Delegates DeLong and Goldberg. Moved by Delegate DeLong and seconded by Delegate Robinson.

Delegate DeLong began by explaining the purpose of the resolution. She felt that spending $1500 on refreshments was a waste of CGS's money and that the money could be better spent elsewhere. She observed that the current CGS budget lacked any funds dedicated to charitable donations and saw that the refreshment funds could easily be reallocated to such a purpose.

Delegate Robinson spoke in favor of the resolution, observing that students at the university owe a lot to the local community and that this would be a good opportunity to help out in return.

Senator Leppla asked if student governments were even allowed to donate to charitable organizations. President Cormier answered that yes, we could: this is one of the things that distinguishes student governments from normal student organizations. Leppla then observed that he would prefer to see some sort of event involving active participation, rather than just sending money.

Delegate Kearns questioned whether the intention was to donate to a fund dedicated to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, or instead to the local chapter's efforts. Delegate Reed pointed out that the local Food Pantry had completely exhausted its stores after sending food to relief efforts at the affected sites.

Delegate Harris asked if this donation was intended to be a one-time event, and if so, could CGS think about ongoing efforts that could be put into effect. Vice President Scrogham pointed out that CGS has already been involved in selling ribbons, both at the Graduate Orientation and at the Fall Picnic, and has also helped sponsor a blood drive held at the Ohio Union.

Delegate Beck said that he supported the idea of a donation to the American Red Cross (ARC), but questioned the need to take the money from the funds dedicated to refreshments. He pointed out that one of the Organizational Strength goals was to increase membership. Delegate DeLong responded by saying that the idea of a donation was really a secondary aspect of her resolution -- her primary goal was to prevent an excessive amount of money from being spent on refreshments.

Treasurer Lasseigne pointed out that the refreshments line in the budget covers various committee meetings as well as the delegate meetings, which often need more help in ensuring membership. He pointed out that there was plenty of flexibility in the current budget for donations.

Delegate Bonner pointed out that a two-hour meeting does take a significant portion of the day, and the rearrangements she has to make to her schedule leave no time for lunch until the meeting. She also pointed out that there are other budget lines that might be worth questioning before questioning the refreshments line, like the lines for office equipment and furniture.

Parliamentarian Hodak observed that the nature of the debate so far had pointed out a natural division in the resolution between the issue of making a donation and the issue of determining where the funds for that donation would come from. She mentioned that the floor could easily move to Divide the Question.

At this point, debate was interrupted for a scheduled presentation from the Office of Human Resources, summarized in section VII below.

Delegate Frey motioned (with Delegate Beck as second) to divide the question as follows: "whereas" clauses 3, 4, and 8; and the section from "the funds...$1500" from the "resolved" clause would form a separate resolution, herein referred to as the "refreshments" resolution; the original would become the "donation" resolution. This motion carried by voice vote.

Delegate Beck then proposed to amend the donation resolution to insert the words "funds raised up to the present date and matching donations made during the month of October, up to a maximum of $1500" after the word "donating" in the "resolved" clause. Delegate Frey seconded the motion. Delegate Beck asked who would handle the logistics of managing a matching donation program; President Cormier indicated that the CGS office would take care of such a program. Treasurer Lasseigne pointed out that delegates could encourage people in their department to contribute. Chair Walline pointed out that soliciting donations from graduate students, many of whom have very little disposable income, might prove difficult. The motion passed on a vote of twelve in favor, eleven against, with one abstention.

Delegate Robles asked if it would be in order to move to table the refreshments resolution. Parliamentarian Hodak replied that it would be in order to table either or both of the resolutions on the floor. Delegate Knott then moved, with Delegate Foster as second, to table both resolutions. Delegate Beck pointed out that a matching funds program would be more successful if initiated immediately. The motion to table both resolutions failed on a vote of 3 in favor, 20 against.

Delegate Bonfiglio then moved to table the refreshments resolution; this was seconded by Delegate Robles. The motion passed by voice vote.

The question on accepting the donation resolution, as amended, was then called by the Chair. That motion passed by voice vote.

VII. Presentation by the Office of Human Resources

Speakers: Larry Lewellen.1 and Susan Marsico.1 from the Office of Human Resources and Zach Waymer.1 from Student Health Services.

Lewellen began by calling delegates' attention to a report that had been jointly produced by CGS and the Office of Human Resources (OHR) last year. The report focused on various issues of interest to GAs, including comparative data on stipend levels and health insurance subsidization at benchmark institutions. Lewellen then introduced Susan Marsico, who would outline several recent developments that OHR had been involved with.

Marsico began by mentioning the recent Premium Contribution: a $15/month subsidy to health insurance for graduate students with at least a 50% appointment who receive a stipend through OHR. The contribution will be reflected in monthly statements as a reduction in the payroll deduction amount. In other words, a student who pays $251/quarter for insurance would normally have $83.67 deducted each month; with the Premium contribution, the deduction will be $68.67. The amount of the Premium contribution will increase next year and the year after.

The University is now allowing students to enroll in the Prime Care insurance plan. This plan covers medical expenses and prescription drugs, but has no visual or dental coverage. In addition, there is no general out-of-network benefit (aside from a temporary out-of-area allowance); those covered under this plan need to select a primary care physician. The Premium Contribution still applies to students who elect this plan. People interested in Prime Care coverage are encouraged to contact OHR at 292-1050 to speak to a benefits counselor. The Prime Care election must be made within 30 days of appointment and lasts for a full year.

There is now the option for GAs to enroll in 403b and 457 retirement plans. These plans set a portion of pre-tax earnings into a tax-deferred savings account. There are 17-18 different vendors that can be chosen from. These new offerings come alongside the already-existing (but not too publicized) Public Employee Retirement System, which features employer contributions.

Finally, the WILCE pharmacy now has dependent pharmacy access for individuals enrolled in the student health insurance plan. Information on this change is being sent to those who signed up for dependent/family coverage.

Marsico then mentioned two areas of potential change. The Student Health Insurance Committee will be looking at offering some kind of discount program for alternative therapy providers (i.e. massage therapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, etc.) which would also include a website dedicated to wellness issues.

OHR is also involved with discussions on a formal bereavement leave policy that would cover GAs.

The floor was then opened up for questions.

What happens if we have to pay for health insurance before the system recognizes our appointment? Marsico replied that a refund would be sent, just like in any other overpayment situation.

I wasn't on an assistantship over the summer, but the system still thought I was paying for insurance through Payroll Deduction -- my check for insurance was returned twice!

Waymer replied that this was likely the result of the student's department not removing the old appointment from the system. Individuals in such a situation should contact either OHR or their department office.

Can we opt out of the payroll deduction and still receive the Premium Contribution? Marsico replied that the current payroll system cannot handle that kind of situation. OHR will make every effort to try to change this when the software is next updated.

We're getting a $15/month contribution, but insurance costs have also risen by $6/month. Will the planned Premium Contribution increases take rising costs into account? Marsico replied that this year's insurance rates increased by approximately 6%, which is actually fairly low compared to many other plans. Insurance costs increase as new utilization data is received and as newer medical technologies are developed. The Student Health Insurance Committee is working closely with Koster Insurance to keep the increases manageable. Lewellen added that we should probably expect 8-10% increases each year.

I was at WILCE the other day when I was told that I was not currently insured, even though I signed up for coverage on time and should have the premium deducted from my next pay statement. What's happening? Marsico replied that they are still working out some timing issues: the data on insurance elections comes from one place, the data on GA appointments from another, and the computers that keep track of insurance enrollment are in yet another place. In theory, all appointments for a given quarter should be entered by a certain point, but some people unfortunately fall through the cracks. OHR is working to try to improve this situation.

VIII. Resolution on Tolerance and Respect for Diversity

Authored and sponsored by Delegate Robinson.

Delegate Robinson introduced the motion by discussing recent reactions to the September 11 attacks around campus and in the media, including a recent comment by the Italian Prime Minister declaring that the attacks proved the superiority of Western culture.

Delegate Frey moved to amend the resolution by taking the words in the second "calls upon" clause from "for to sink" to "the events of September 2001" and making them an independent "whereas" clause. This motion was taken as friendly.

Delegate Bonner mentioned that although she believed in the statements expressed by the resolution, it was not clear what it would accomplish. Senator Meyers responded that the resolution should be seen as a call for graduate students, who often occupy a place of authority in the classroom, to be on guard for incidents of intolerance and act accordingly. Delegate Wichman pointed out that although the sentiment expressed by the resolution might seem obvious to many people, recent events have shown that it is not obvious to many people.

The resolution passed by voice vote.

IX. Elections

After brief statements, three representatives to the Research and Graduate Council were elected: Mike Denison, RGC Representative from the Engineering Sciences, Gill McIntosh, RGC Representative from the Humanities, and Kim Foster, RGC Representative-at-large.

X. Delegate Issues and Concerns

President Cormier asked delegates to confer with their constituencies on what they would like to see changed about the Ohio Union; now that there is a new Director for the union, student governments have been asked for feedback.

Delegate Knott asked when the New Delegate Orientation would occur. Vice President Scrogham said it was scheduled for 3:00 pm, right before the October meeting. Delegate Futo asked if the list of committee openings on the web was up-to-date. Scrogham replied that it was, but several committee appointments are in progress and will be removed from the list shortly. In the next week or so, delegates looking for a committee assignment should contact Scrogham directly (scrogham.1@osu.edu) for a list of open committee positions.

A delegate asked who ran the Preparing Future Faculty program; Dean Siddens replied that it was Peter Kower (kower.1@osu.edu).

President Cormier introduced the new International Student Concerns chair, Marie Kendall, and pointed out that Outreach and Engagement and Compensation and Benefits chairs are desperately needed.

Delegate Robinson mentioned that an appeals court in currently considering a case that could impact the availability of affirmative action programs in Ohio and several other states; a petition drive has been formed to present to the Court.

Delegate Robles mentioned that the OSU/COTA partnership committee is having an open forum on October 10 at 6pm in 162 Hopkins Hall; students with questions or concerns about bus services are encouraged to attend.

Delegate Beck thanked the Executive Officers for their adroit handling of parliamentary procedure during the meeting.

XI. Officer and Committee Reports

Delegates were referred to the written reports provided in the meeting packet.

XII. Adjournment

Delegate Wichman moved to adjourn; this was seconded by Delegate Kearns; and passed by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:40pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Daniels
CGS Secretary
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