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Minutes - 2 May 2003

In attendence were:

Absences:

Guest Speakers

Bill Hall, Vice President for Student Affairs (hall.26@osu.edu)

Hall spoke before the Council to explain the purview of Student Affairs. For a more in depth explanation, Hall suggested that students visit the Student Affairs website.

Hall stated that the new housing units available for graduate students were almost completely full and that the University will be purchasing some private apartments to serve graduate and transfer students. In part to address disruptive behavior, the University has completed strategic purchasing of housing units, Hall added. Hall offered that off-campus safety is a major priority for the University as several unfortunate incidents this year have pressed concerns for student safety.

Hall also pointed out that all students will be required to have credible health insurance coverage next year. Hall observed that students must have some coverage to ensure that all students receive appropriate care and ensure that students seek the appropriate care.

Hall added that the recreational center is finally under construction; the planned opening is set for 2005; and fees will go into effect at that time. Hall offered that e-mails from undergraduates to grad students would soon be put to an end.

Hall opened the discussion for questions and explained that the University is currently working on exceptions such as health insurance coverage requirements for students located outside of the Columbus area. Hall added that after 12 years of work, sponsored dependants may be included in the University’s policy this year. Students traveling abroad will be covered by the Student Health Insurance policy.

Hall added that he was impressed with the stances that CGS has taken on issues; that this helps Student Affairs advocate on behalf of graduate students; and it is important to weigh in on funding issues. Hall encouraged students to vote and call, write or e-mail a legislator.

Delegate Clark asked how the hard waiver would impact insurance costs. Hall explained that insurance premiums will be increasing.

Delegate Pepper asked when, how much, and whether graduate assistantship awards would cover the recreational center fee. Hall explained he was uncertain what would be done, yet supports coverage of the fee. The cost would be $72 per quarter and would not take effect until the main building opens in Fall 2005. The west campus building will open earlier but no fee will take effect at that time.

Delegate Pickett asked if the fee would be administered in perpetuity. Hall responded, saying the fee will be administered until the debt is retired; further, a fundraising initiative is currently underway that may lower the cost to students. MOU that spells out how the fee will be retired or reallocated when the debt is retired.

Delegate Sosnoskie asked whether the Wooster campus will be subject to the $72 fee. Wooster campus students will not responsible for the fee.

Delegate Pirone offered that the current level of university subsidization of health insurance is $30 per month; next year is slated to be $50 per month; and with premiums increasing by 20%, the subsidy will be less than 50% of the cost. Hall offered that the University is strategizing to increase the stipend amount.

Delegate Angel asked about lecturers, whether they have health insurance options even though they are not taking credit hours. Angel added if one has more than 260 credit hours, than one can no longer be a GTA. Hall explained that the number 260 is significant because one loses funding from the state at that point.

Hall offered that he is concerned that certain fees are not covered by assistantships and he is working on establishing all fees being covered through subsidies to assistants.

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 4:01pm, J. Briggs Cormier, President, presiding.

II. Approval of 4 April 2003 Minutes

Moved by Delegate Dolan; seconded by Chair Daniels; passed unanimously by voice vote.

III. New Business

A. Resolution 0203-SP-029: A Resolution Affirming the Council’s Position on Unionization

President Cormier introduced this resolution, explaining that it namely reaffirmed the Council’s stance to hold no official position on the subject of unionization.

Delegate Horn asked whether the Council had already taken a stance on unionization by declaring ourselves the only representative body of all the graduate students as seen within the Council’s constitution. President Cormier offered that this could be resolved through a constitutional amendment. Delegate Pirone asked whether there was really any conflict at all between the resolution and the CGS Constitution (Article II, section 1), since the Constitution states "the Council is the representative for all students enrolled in graduate programs at the Ohio State University", while a union of graduate associates would only conceivably represent a subset of the interests (i.e. interests as employees) of a subset of graduate students. Delegate Pirone noted that this did not seem like a strong conflict. Cormier answered that considering the situation with University staff on the Steering committee, staff are not allowed to participate in the University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC) and not permitted to have positions on university Senate due to Union rules, the Council’s constitution may become inaccurate. Cormier explained that he is currently obtaining legal information about this issue and will pursue how unionization might impact the Council and its representation on University committees.

Delegate Pirone asked what this resolution achieved; President Briggs explained that the resolution gave a formal position on unionization.

Delegate Baack moved to amend the resolution by striking "once again" from the first whereas clause; the motion was seconded. A voice vote was taken and "once again" was struck from the resolution.

Delegate Horn moved to amend the phrase "no official position" to "maintains its unofficial position neither endorsing nor opposing unionization at the Ohio State University." A Pro/Con debate followed. Delegate Horn spoke on behalf of his amendment, explaining that the current constitution officially states that only one body represents graduate students, the Council. The resolution should then reflect an unofficial position, rather than an official position, neither endorsing nor opposing unionization at Ohio State. The motion was seconded and passed 24-16 by hand vote with no abstentions.

Delegate Long inquired whether the second whereas clause already accomplished the Council’s unofficial position. President Cormier offered that the document brings the position before the delegate body for its approval. Delegate Pirone asked for explicit clarification that the third whereas clause, dealing with the report produced by the Academic and Human Resources Policy Committee, was intended to be completely neutral and not to suggest either support for or opposition to unionization. This was confirmed by President Cormier and Chairman Pickett.

The amended resolution was approved by hand vote, 35-6, with no abstentions.

IV. Officer Elections

Elections were chaired by President Briggs Cormier who indicated that officer terms begin the first day of summer quarter; new officers would sit with the executive committee through the rest of spring quarter. Cormier outlined the duties of the treasurer as given in the constitution and introduced candidate Ann Farrelly, a third year PhD student in the theatre department. Farrelly highlighted her involvement in the theatre department, and her work with CGS as Diversity Chair. She presented her experience with the Council of Student Affairs, the University Diversity Committee, and Student Impact grants. Farrelly concluded by advocating fair treatment of graduate students.

No objection was raised to her election.

Cormier then outlined the duties of the Secretary as described in the constitution. Cathy Baack, a Nursing student in the accelerated Masters/PhD program was introduced. Baack explained that she would be completing her candidacy exam over summer quarter. She outlined her work with the Hayes Research forum committee, and explained that last year she was not a delegate to CGS due to time constraints. She has maintained a fellowship and GA position for the last 3 years; she is a fellow at the Nissonger center, and will serve as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner upon graduation.

No objection was raised to her election.

Cormier then outlined the duties of the Vice President as outlined in the constitution and introduced candidate Kerry Hodak, a JD-PhD student. Kerry outlined her past participation in CGS and highlighted her successful efforts in filling Senate and committee seats as current Vice President. Hodak presented the success of the Hayes Research Forum and offered to improve recruitment by involving more Business and Education students. Hodak offered her decision to remain Vice President and forego running for President was a result of being a joint degree student and wishing to finish her law degree by next May.

No objection was raised to her election.

Cormier then outlined the duties of the president as outlined in the constitution and introduced candidates Jamie Depelteau and Barb Pletz. Cormier explained that both candidates would answer questions from the body before a vote was taken and that each question would be given to both candidates. Both candidates offered their experience; Depelteau with CGS, and Pletz with the Education Department.

Questions from the body to Presidential candidates:

Delegate Maltzan asked how the Presidency will affect the candidates’ degree progress. Depelteau replied that his candidacy exams will be taken in June, and his research will be done in the evenings, so he would be relatively unaffected. Pletz replied that she was in her second year, and her candidacy exam will be taken in Winter or Spring, and the presidency would not affect her progress.

Delegate Clark asked what makes you better than the other. Pletz replied she did not think it was a point of who is better or not. Both she and Depelteau were qualified, and both have passion to be a good representative. Depelteau offered that both he and Pletz were qualified, but that he had more experience with the Council and University committees.

Delegate Tripathi asked what each candidate would do to advertise the Council. Depelteau replied that he would advertise what the Council has done and how it was achieved. Pletz offered that she would use electronic dissemination to advertise town council meetings, utilizing both print and the web.

Delegate Pepper asked what the candidates would do if there was a conflict of interest between the Council and administrators, being that the President of CGS gets his/her stipend paid for by administration. President Cormier interjected; clarifying that the President’s stipend was originally paid by the graduate school, but that in order to eliminate conflict of interests this had been changed so that it was now paid by the Council of Student Affairs. Delegate Pletz offered that in order to eliminate any conflict of interest, she would do away with stipend, if the Council wished. Depelteau argued that the President’s responsibilities required many hours and that the position is justly paid.

Delegate Braun asked what the candidates would do in respect to electronic dissertations.

Depelteau offered that he would continue working with the graduate school, and he would aggressively work to accomplish those things that would serve everyone. Pletz offered that student should at times own their work; especially when it was solely his/hers.

Delegate Robles asked about the candidates’ experience working with administrators. Interface with administrators, and how have the candidates used that information. Pletz offered that she currently serves with administrators at the college of education, and has had experience with politics at all levels. When working with administrators, she has been able to compromise to achieve mutual goals. Depelteau replied, stating that his experience at the University’s Diversity retreat allowed him to understand that beneficial compromise is the key when working with administrators.

Ballots for election of the President were distributed to the Council and recollected to be counted by President J. Briggs Cormier and Secretary Cristine Masters.

V. Delegate Issues and Concerns

Drastic Reduction in CABS service

President Cormier asked the body if they were willing to pay $3-5 fee for continued CABS service, adding that elimination of service, such as the core circulator, will occur during the summer. Cormier added that North and South residential services might be eliminated, and Buckeye Village services will be changed.

Delegate Tripathi offered that most people willing to pay to maintain bus services. Delegate Pickett asked what the Office of Traffic and Parking could do within their budget to save CABS services, offering that they increase the sales of parking permits in new parking lots currently being built. President Cormier offered that new parking lots were being built to alleviate the current parking problem. Vice President Hodak added that A permit holders are not getting what they are paying for, and the Office of Transportation and Parking is focused on using the new parking lots to assure permit holders parking spaces. Delegate Bailey added that the new parking lots are also being built to remedy current problems with patient parking.

Delegate Dolan offered that an informal vote was not a good method of acquiring delegate opinions on the future of CABS services. Delegate Burton offered that due to safety issues, the Council be more active and push for the retention of CABS services. Delegate Gossom offered that parking pass prices be increased so that CABS services be retained. Vice President Hodak replied that due to the current state of parking availability, the Office of Transportation and Parking could no longer raise parking prices.

President Cormier took an informal vote of the delegates willing to support a $3-5, a $6-10 fee, or no fee respectively.

President Cormier thanked Kerry Hodak and Deb Cunningham, who ran the office for the last few months. Cormier announced that students would have access to registration until 4 am in the morning. He added that the student government presidents reached final agreement and decision on the Activity fee and this will be given to the Council of Student Affairs. The Board of Trustees may decide to do things differently.

VI. Officer reports

A. Vice President’s Report

Vice President Hodak explained that the top placers of the Hayes Research Forum had an opportunity to speak before the Board of Trustees. Hodak asked for nominations for the Siddens award including a nomination letter and vitae by the 16th of May.

B. President’s Report

President Cormier explained he had been working on apportionment and will be working on getting new delegates involved. At the next meeting the Council will be electing Senate and RGC delegates for the next year. There are approximately 10 Senate seats and 10 RGC seats. Cormier added that this was a better system of apportionment to fairly represent graduate students.

The next meeting will be the final meeting of Cormier’s administration and Cormier stated he would have an annual report to the Council by the end of the academic year. The next Council meeting will include the Ohio Union feasibility study that is presented for the renovation. Cormier added that the University’s new Vice President of Governmental Affairs is committed to team building and interested in meeting monthly with the Council’s Legislative Affairs committee.

Cormier extended thanks to Deb Cunningham for her dedication and extraordinary efforts; the Council will be losing the current Office Manager and will be interviewing for this position in the weeks to come.

Cormier added that he was pleased to hear that NAGPS and Office of International Affairs was becoming more involved on behalf of international students. The University Steering Committee and faculty were appalled to find that 150 fewer international students will attend in the fall than expected.

Delegate Long asked how will committee members will report their efforts. Vice President Hodak explained that committee members will fill out a questionnaire with a survey. President Cormier offered to reserve time for the committee members to speak at the next meeting.

President Cormier announced that Jamie Depelteau would be the next Council President.

VII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:45pm

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