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Council of Graduate Students - Minutes - 15 February 2002

In attendance were:

Absences:

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:35pm, Eve Scrogham, Vice President, presiding.

II. Presentation

Council heard a presentation by Tally Hart, Director of Student Financial Aid (SFA).

Hart thanked the council for our invitation. She pointed out that the University Committee on Student Financial Aid normally sets aside a meeting specially for graduate/professional student issues; this year, two such meetings will take place. The committee will consider graduate issues on 14 March 2002 from 11am - 1pm in 1039 Derby Hall and professional student issues on 11 April 2002 from 11am - 1pm in 1039 Derby Hall. The meetings are open to the public.

Hart then discussed some topics that had recently been on SFA's agenda:

Hart also mentioned SFA's efforts on improving their services. They've made more use of email notices linked to webpages (over paper mailings) and have received much positive feedback about this change. They also steadily monitor the availability of phone and in-person services.

The website sfa.osu.edu has general information on student financial aid. Anyone can also email finaid@osu.edu with specific questions.

Hart then accepted questions from the audience.

I'm aware of a situation where there was a conflict between a workstudy award and an assistantship; in the end, part of the financial aid award had to be forfeited. When you look at flexibility, could you make sure all awarded funds can be used? The student had reached their loan ceiling, so conversion wasn't an option.

I didn't have a TA-ship over the summer, and I tried to work at Cop-Ez; I was told that one simply can't be on biweekly and monthly pay at the same time. Hart replied that she was unaware of such situations and will investigate. It seems quite likely that this is essentially a problem with OSU's payroll system, and not a policy problem. It may be possible for such a student to have their workstudy treated as monthly pay, or their stipend as biweekly; people in such a situation should contact SFA.

What is your position on the Sauder Amendment (denies aid to previous convicted drug offenders who had not undergone rehabilitation)? On the national scene, that issue seems to have died; no one is really talking about it now. It will certainly come up for discussion when the Higher Education Act is renewed, though; each part of the law has to be individually reauthorized.

When a student gets a loan guarantee based on full-time enrollment, how low can enrollment hours drop before money starts to vanish? This is set in federal law: Five hours for graduate students is the lowest enrollment one can have. Below five, you can't get a loan at all. There's no connection to what the graduate school uses to determine full-time status.

Do you know anything about National Defense Student Loans? That's an old name for Perkins Loans. They Used to be tied to the military, for Education students. The loans are now distributed on a broader basis. There remains, though, a limited capability to reduce the principal amount of the loan by teaching in a Title I area. The Student Loan Services office in Lincoln Tower can provide information on this. There's discussion about expanding this in the 2003 discussions, as teachers are still urgently needed in many areas.

What consequences are there to not completing FAFSA by 1 March? When we have a fixed amount of funds to give out (so-called "limited" funds, including Perkins Loans and work-study), we use the deadline to help with decide who can receive the money. But there are also "unlimited" funds (anyone who is eligible can receive them): the Pell and Stafford Loan programs. For unlimited funds, the deadline is less important.

What loan consolidation programs exist? This is a growing area with many potential options; SFA recently sent out a letter on this subject. As interest rates change, various groups will be sending out offers. But you need to know what types of loans you have. If you have a 5% loan and a 10% loan, they're weighted accordingly even after consolidation; the interest can't increase. But consolidated loans lose any other special provisions of the original loan program, so for instance, the principal-reduction provisions of a Perkins Loan would no longer apply. There's a federal Department of Education website that helps with this.

What kinds of financial aid are international students eligible for? No federally-provided monies are available for international students. But SFA does work with OIE in administering a limited amount of university financial aid funds that lack such restrictions.

III. Approval of minutes

A motion to approve the minutes from January 18, 2002, was made by Delegate Lewis and seconded by Delegate Carlino. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

IV. Delegate Issues and Concerns

Delegate Carlino: one of the students in our program is concerned about the tuition increase - what will it be spent on? Scrogham: Note that graduate tuition is being only raised by the normal 5-7%; our tuition is already nationally competitive. It's undergraduate tuition that's gotten the recent press. Cormier: This is explained in great detail in the Trustees' minutes. In general, it's to make up for the loss of state subsidy: in order for the university's goals (like competitive compensation) to be fulfilled, money needs to be obtained.

Delegate Oelgoetz pointed out that the Research Computing Advisory Committee recently heard a presentation on distance learning and on some of the issues surrounding the development of distance learning technologies and online coursework. It seemed to him as though faculty/staff and graduate students are treated differently in terms of how intellectual property works. He gave two examples: if a graduate student works on a process that gets patented, they probably won't be able to work on technology licensed from that patent after they graduate. It's also unclear to what extent a student can use a software tool they wrote after they graduate. Secretary Daniels responded by noting that this was probably brought up in the context of the recent changes to the University's Patents and Copyright policy. While the university has traditionally not asserted any rights over traditional textbooks, it has been decided that any non-trivial use of university facilities to develop electronic textbooks (i.e. as often used in distance-learning courses) earns the university the right to a portion of any royalties derived from the sale thereof. In general, the Office of Technology Licensing has authority over these matters; any graduate student who is concerned about the effects of this policy on their research should contact that office.

Several delegates pointed out that it is becoming increasingly difficult to schedule appointments with Student Health Services or the Student Dental Clinics. People are often being told that they will have to wait until next quarter for their appointment. Why should we be paying for insurance each quarter that we can't even use? President Cormier pointed out that with the recently reported imbalance between premium intake and payouts, this is not likely to change any time soon. Delegate Tseng, from Oral Biology, pointed out that the Student Dental clinics are quite overwhelmed. People having dental emergencies do have a few more options (out-of-network providers, or the Oral Surgery department's clinics). There's also a standby list (i.e. people who are called when others cancel their appointments). The dental plan was basically developed to cover what the "average person" needs. The price is as low as it is precisely because student doctors are being used. Delegate Boney pointed out that the problem also extends to people needing minor surgery. Delegate Knott, who works in the hospital, noted that a lack of anaesthesiologists has forced even heart surgeries to be postponed; elective surgery has the lowest priority.

Delegate Shadley raised the issue of the "closed-doors" nature of the hooding ceremony in past years (no family or friends could be present). Dean Siddens stated that something different will take place this quarter. Hooding is still not part of the actual commencement ceremony (and never was); but this year, families and friends will be invited to the hooding ceremony. It will still take place at a separate time and location from commencement itself.

Delegate Nelson asked about the availibility of information on student health insurance subsidization at various universities. President Cormier answered that the information is available to anyone who contacts the CGS office.

Delegate Pletz noted that she had known some international students who were burned while dealing with IRS. Are there any tax-assistance organizations on campus? Parliamentarian Hodak noted that several law student associations do this on an unofficial basis. Delegate Foo Kune mentioned that OIE has some information available as well, though OIE personnel cannot offer tax advice. Unmesh Kurup mentioned that there exist websites explaining how US tax law differs from other specific countries (i.e. to help students of that nationality prepare their US taxes).

V. Budget Amendment

Cormier explained that was the normal mid-year update. Its purpose is to help out the Spring picnic with funds from under-utilized budget lines. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

VI. PEGS Resolution

At the last meeting, delegates were surveyed on how the Program for the Enhancement of Graduate Studies (PEGS) has affected their programs. The Executive Committee has written a letter (available on the CGS web page) supporting PEGS, but it was felt that a formal resolution would help our case.

Delegate Knott asked that "Program for the Enhancement of Graduate Studies" be spelled out in the first clause; this was adopted as a friendly amendment.

The motion passed by voice vote with one abstention.

VII. Elections

After a brief introduction by VP Scrogham, Brendon Colaco was elected Senator from the Professional Biological Sciences.

VIII. Committee Reports

Compensation & Benefits Chair Lewis: the committee is putting together a teaching-time survey. For people who are spending much more time on teaching based on budget cuts (history saw a 20% increase in class size), we'd like to hear about this.

Diversity Chair Robinson: Both CGS's resolution on domestic partner insurance benefits and the resolution on harassment will be endorsed by the Senate Diversity Committee. That committee is recommending that a notice on harassement and policies thereto be included with paychecks. There is also interest in having a desk in the Multicultural center for North African and Middle Eastern students, regardless of religion. No university staff member is available to do this, but student organizations are encouraged to contribute.

PDF Chair Walline: In the recent round of fifty-two applications, there were thirteen awardees. Efforts are being made to give feedback to those not selected to receive funds.

International Concerns Chair Kendall: the committee was planning three focus groups to see how graduate student needs can be addressed; response so far has led to a fourth focus group being planned. Anyone interested in helping with planning for the International Student Concerns Symposium should contact Marie.

Forum Chair Scrogham: There were 141 abstracts submitted, the committee is currently waiting for the judges' responses. The Forum will take place in the basement of University Hall. Volunteers are needed: greeters, people to monitor breakfast, etc. The committee still needs a few presentation judges: these people will get the papers for their area in advance and then need to attend and judge the oral presentations. Judges from biological sciences, social and behavioral science, and administrative sciences are still needed.

IX. Officer reports

President J. Briggs Cormier reported that the GQUE report has finally been released; all delegates will soon be receiving a copy. CGS has also received the check-off funds for Autumn (approx. $700) and Winter (~$600) quarters. Please consider asking members of your department to check this box when they register for classes.

The Council on Student Affairs is looking into West Campus services: specifically, now that Drake is no longer a union, the restaurants that were there are gone. There's now Viewpoints (an experimental restaurant run in part by the Hospitality Management program) and a branch of Oxley's (which tends to run out of coffee for the day at 10am). Students seem to want food services over there. Anyone with ideas about this is encouraged to contact Briggs. Delegate Kearns pointed out that there needs to be an Arabica-like place on West Campus with long hours.

The Provost has received colleges' budget proposals. In preparation for a meeting with him, Cormier needs feedback on increased class sizes, elimination of GA lines, etc. Nelson (Physics) - students are now restricted from taking classes in other departments: they need their graduate studies chair's approval to do so. Kurup (CIS) - students used to be guaranteed 6 qtrs of funding after passing qualifying exams, and then another 6 qtrs after passing the candidacy exam. The latter guarantee has now been eliminated. Coleman - now 85 students (from 50) in one class. Broz (Journalism and Communications) - program is talking about having all TAs be responsible for two sections instead of one (on the same amount of assistantship). Lipinski (Art) - cuts in photocopier access for TAs, no more models can be hired for drawing classes. Long - one TA in our department was asked to take a 25% assistantship for the amount of teaching normally done for a 50% assistantship. Delegate Foster asked if anything more direct, like a Lantern ad, could be done to gather this kind of information.

Cormier mentioned that delegates should expect to see a resolution on this topic as CGS gathers more data.

A Student Health Insurance focus group will take place on Feb 21; contact Cormier if interested in participating.

Vice President Eve Scrogham mentioned that the student health insurance committee has some openings. The committee meets during delegate meetings, so committee members can't be delegates.

Secretary Mike Daniels had no report.

Treasurer Ed Lasseigne observed that his report predated the just-approved budget changes and that CGS is helping Student Affairs test a new auditing process.

X. Announcements

Delegate Burkhart: Next Thursday, Feb 21, there will be a GESO meeting at 7pm, in Ohio Union Grey Suite H. Contact geso@osu.edu for more info.

Delegate Thorne serves on the construction, traffic, and parking committee. People who notice problems with accessibility in the medical area (i.e. the sudden disappearance of a sidewalk) should let him know.

Delegate Foo Kune: On Tuesday, in Hale Hall, some asian-american professors will be talking about academic careers and their observations on being minority professors.

VP Scrogham: There will be a dinner and discussion on February 28 concerning career options in not-for-profit agencies; contact feld.3@osu.edu for information. Information on United Black World Month events can be found at this location. Anyone interested in joining a Men's Field Hockey Club should contact Tristan Wallhead at wallhead.2@osu.edu. Volunteers are needed to help judge State Science Day exhibits; contact Eve if willing to help.

Delegate Kearns asked how to get a traffic light put up on campus near the East Stadium parking lot. Cormier replied that she should email him, and he could locate the appropriate contact.

Cormier also announced that the groundbreaking for the new graduate/professional housing center will soon take place (see written president's report). The theatre department is also opening shows in the near future. On March 5, two new works programs will debut; The Shoemaker's Holiday by Thomas Decker will open during the last week of February.

XI. Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was moved by delegate Lewis and seconded by delegate Breseman; it passed by unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 5:11 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Daniels
CGS Secretary
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