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Minutes - 30 May 2003

In attendence were:

Absences:

Guest Speakers

Tracy Stuck, Director of the Ohio Union (stuck.9@osu.edu)

Molly Ranz Calhoun, Director of Housing, Facilities & Planning (calhoun.1@osu.edu)

Stuck and Ranz Calhoun gave a PowerPoint presentation (3 MB) on the Ohio Union Feasibility Study explaining both the early considerations and new plans for the Ohio Union.

Highlights include:

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 4:10pm, J. Briggs Cormier, President, presiding.

II. Approval of 2 May 2003 Minutes

Moved by Delegate Lindberg; seconded by Delegate Pirone; approved unanimously by voice vote.

III. Unfinished Business

A. Act-0203-WI-018: An Act Amending the Bylaws on Selecting Research and Graduate Council Representatives

President Cormier reintroduced this act explaining that the Research and Graduate Council advises the Dean of the Graduate School and controls everything that relates to graduate requirements. In keeping in line with changes in college-based representation made by the University, the act requires the removal of one of the at-large positions and inclusion of an interdisciplinary position. The new apportionment of combines eighteen colleges into ten areas; population sizes were considered and there was an attempt to cluster colleges so there was more fluidity in representation.

Delegate Long moved to approve the act; seconded by Delegate Baack, and the Act was approved by unanimous voice vote.

IV. New Business

A. Act 0203-SP-031: An Act Concerning 2003-04 Summer Session Meeting Dates and Times.

President Cormier introduced this act, explaining that the purpose was to set up meeting dates for summer session; the dates being 27 June 2003 and 25 July 2003.

The motion to approve the act was made by Chair Lindberg; seconded by Chair Farrelly, and approved by unanimous voice vote.

B. Act 0203-SP-032: An Act Concerning the 2003-2004 Delegate Apportionment

President Cormier introduced this act, explaining that delegate apportionment is based on winter enrollment for all of the graduate programs at the University and needs to be set every year. Programs with one hundred or fewer students receive one delegate seat, with additional seats approximately corresponding to each additional hundred students. Some units of representation are split due to enrollment increases. The College of Law is included in this apportionment as they will soon have a graduate program. Under this act, the Council will have 148 seats to fill.

The motion to approve the act was made by Delegate Armour; seconded by Delegate Baack, and approved by unanimous voice vote.

C. Act 0203-SP-033: An Act Amending the Constitutional Duties of the Vice President

President Cormier introduced this act explaining that it amends the Constitution to clarify and redefine the duties of the vice-president. The act includes the removal of CGS (Vice President) oversight of the Welcome Week orientation. The graduate school should be handling orientation and so this will bring the graduate school to the forefront; the vice-president will be the liaison between the graduate school and welcome week committee. The other change is to put the Vice President on the Council on Student Affairs, allowing that the third seat be filled by him or her. This is the first reading of the act; it will be voted on at the next meeting.

D. Act 0203-SP-034: An Act Amending the Bylaws on Delegate Term of Service

Vice President Hodak introduced this act explaining that most delegates do not realize that their service requirement continues through the spring and summer. This will allow delegates that are recruited during spring session and then begin their term to serve spring and summer quarter. The act describes when delegates serve, when the seats become vacant, and what responsibilities delegates incur. This is the first reading of the act; it will be voted on at the next meeting.

V. Delegate Issues and Concerns

Delegate Ely inquired as to why history and math teaching assistants are paid more than the other TAs. President Cormier explained that individuals are paid by the market. The administration is hoping to look at graduate assistant stipends in comparison to market values. Cormier explained he would be having a meeting next week with human resources to look at compensation and benefits for next year.

Delegate Adams inquired as to when GAs and TAs will be asked to teach or assist in the year. President Cormier explained that individuals should receive a notification letter by the 15th of June. Those departments that invite those to contract month by month will not be included in requiring notification letters.

VI. Reports from the Floor

Time on the agenda was provided for delegates that would like to report to the council on their committee positions:

Delegate Long spoke on behalf of the Curricular Quality Control Committee, explaining that ten faculty members and three grad students meet for an hour and a half every other week as a committee. Long offered that due to budget restructuring, the university is trying to come up with more efficient programs. The Committee oversees specializations and minors, new programs, and programs for those that feel that they do not fit into any one committee. The criteria are so stringent such that this is the exception rather than the rule. This year a Master's Degree in Law was approved. The subcommittee Long spoke of serves as a quality control committee; newly formulated to ensure that curricular changes have not created overlap of classes. Long explained that the Committee was full of positive experiences and academic relationship building was important.

Delegate Mink spoke on behalf of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching Selection Committee, explaining that ninety-five nominations were submitted for this award. The Committee gave ten awards; peers and the deans will speak on behalf of the persons nominated.

Delegate Abdullah spoke on behalf of the Ohio Union Committee, explaining that it was formed to maximize use of the union until its renovation and come up with the ideas for its improvement.

Delegate Bailey spoke on behalf of the Research and Graduate Council, explaining that the Council decides how all graduate programs are run and considers academic freedom and research ethics issues.

VII. Officer reports

President’s Report

President Cormier spoke, explaining that the Board of Trustees passed two items, one of which included an increase in graduate student tuition, approximately a 9% increase. The departments will not be taxed on the 3% increase above the standard 6% increase. The departments will receive this total amount. The second item the Board passed is that the $15 per quarter Activity Fee, only to be charged to students that were not previously attending the University. This was done because of the Board of Regents' ruling that this would be included and assessed in the tuition cap; therefore, the loss of revenue to General Administration could not be replaced. The Council of Student Affairs will be readying to work the transition smoothly. After the installation of the activity fee, the Council of Student Affairs will have more than $400,000.

In addition, Sunday commencements will be effective in Autumn of 2003. Seniors will take finals with everyone else, and the new computer system by the registrar office will allow grades to be turned in early.

Cormier explained that due to budget restraints the Office of Transportation and Parking will increase costs to parking, reduce services, and minimizing summer services. In September 2003 North and South Residential and weekday Buckeye Village will be terminated. East Residential and weekend Buckeye Village will be retained.

Cormier added that the Executive Committee determined the Distinguished Service and Siddens Awards.

Delegate Pirone asked if it is still an open issue to have fees covered for Graduate Assistants. President Cormier responded that the biggest issue is benefits because this is becoming the "make or break" issue in terms of competitiveness. These items are healthcare, technology, and Larkins fees. In addition it will be in the Presidential farewell letter that the Council takes a fast and hard stance on benefits.

President Cormier concluded his final President's report with reflections on the office of President and his plans for the future which include finishing his dissertation.

VIII. Announcements

Elections will be held for Senate and RGC positions at the next meeting. Currently the Council has Senate candidates in the humanities, the arts, education, agricultural sciences, but no RGC representative candidates. The University Senate discusses every issue that affects the University. All of the debate happens on the committees of the senate. This covers a wide array of topics. Senate provides an opportunity to see how the faculty view the university and how academic freedom is viewed by the faculty. Apply and stand for election in June!

The Spring Picnic is from 4:30-7 on June 6th. Inauguration is the 23rd of June at the building at 33 W. 11th in Room 101.

Secretary Masters spoke on behalf of the Student Health Insurance Committee explaining that the group meets every Thursday from 3:30-5:30p. Masters explained that next year's plan would include Urgent Care center sites that would be available to students that need to be seen immedicately, but do not require the emergency services of the ER. In addition, after renegotiations with Koster Insurance, the increase in plan price should be around 22-23% instead of the predicted 25% increase.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 4:50pm

Respectfully Submitted,
Cristine Masters (masters.37@osu.edu)
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