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Minutes - 3 October 2003

In attendence were:

Absences:

Delegate Orientation

Vice President Hodak led the delegate orientation. VP Hodak explained that name placards are being handed out in delegate binders and need to be brought to each meeting or delegate cannot vote at meeting. The attendance policy was explained. Two unexcused absences result in a letter to the delegate and the department grad study chair. Three absences in a row result in removal as delegate. Four absences over course of year result in removal as delegate. VP Hodak then went over how delegates are elected or appointed. Hodak continued by going over what CGS does, committees that CGS appoint members to, etc. VP Hodak went over parliamentary procedures.

I. Call to Order

VP Hodak called to order at 3:56pm

II. Approval of minutes 25 July 2003 and 12 Sept 2003

Moved by Chair Daniels, seconded by Delegate Hall, approved by unanimous vote.

III. New Business

A. Act 0304-AU-006: An Act Amending the 2003-2004 Budget

President Depelteau explained that the budget needed to be amended due to increase in CSA funds and carryover.

Delegate Pepper moved to amend the budget for the Govt. Relations Committee to 2 sections: Line 3410: Travel $1500 and Line 3420: misc. $500. Vice President Hodak, stated that the lobby push for tax-exemption will be in spring. The motion was seconded by Delegate Pearson, and passed by unanimous vote.

Senator Clark asked why the Exec. Committee was being given so much in funds and why the President's discretionary fund was being given so much funds. Pres. Depelteau replied that theses funds are to be used in the event of an emergency and that most funds are not used without the approval of the Exec. Committee, but can be so used.

Chair Angel moved to approve the Act as amended; this was seconded by Chair Cunningham, and approved by unanimous vote.

B. Act 0304-AU-007: CGS Goals and Priorities

Chair Daniels asked that an explanation of what the goals and priorities are be given. Pres. Depelteau: the goals and priorities are the agenda for the upcoming year for the council, some are continuing and some are new and can be accomplished and should be worked on.

Sen. Clark: Why is not having all delegate seats filled 100% not on the goals and priorities?

VP Hodak: no matter how many times we try to get 100% of delegate seats filled, this has been historically unachievable. It is not that goal is not important, it is not achievable.

Sen. Clark: There should at least a goal concerning this, it should not be dropped from the goals and priorities this year.

Mr. Frazier: why is minimum stipend only $900, and no standard of living increase noted on the goals and priorities?

VP Hodak: the stipend does go up with yearly for standard of living; CGS does advocate for 100% coverage of insurance and fees, as well as tax exempt status.

Pres. Depelteau: we get what we can, we advocate for what we can.

VP Hodak pointed out that last year, this issue was discussed and overwhelmingly voted for push for coverage of insurance & fees.

Del. Pepper: where are we at getting subsidized for fees and insurance?

Pres. Depelteau: we should be getting a letter of support for insurance subsidy this year, and are working on the subsidy of fees.

Del. Pletz: what percentage of grad students are on GA positions?

VP Hodak: 45% of grad students are funded.

Del. Clark: Historically, do the goals and priorities come out in one meeting and voted on at next meeting.

Sen. Clark, moved to postpone vote until next meeting, seconded by chair Daniels, and approved by unanimous vote.

Del. Scott moved to publish this proposal as written in the Lantern to increase interest in CGS; seconded by ??

Chair Sosnoskie: the reason for publishing the goals and priorities is to show people that we have something to build on and we are interested in input.

Del. Dodson, moved to the question, seconded by del Dzurec. passed by unanimous vote.

C. Resolution 0304-AU-008: A Resolution Supporting House Bill 290

Sen. Clark moved to approve the resolution, seconded by Chair Combs.

Sen. Clark spoke about bill introduced into (HB 290) Ohio house. This resolution is in support of the bill itself. Govt. relations committee will abdicate for the CGS and the university on this bill.

Del. Rogers: will this bill cover any other areas besides high tech? Sen. Clark stated that bill is loosely written so it can include other areas. As bill is written, high tech is the focus. Hopefully the bill can be expanded in the future. Bill is written so that can be expanded.

Del. Ma: what kind of money is going to be available? Sen. Clark: $4000 per year can be forgiven for each year work in Ohio.

Chair Sosnoskie, what percentage in Ohio is high tech and not agriculture? Unknown answer

Del. Dodson is there a review process?

Dept of Education will review each applicant and will be involved in business loans, etc.

Del. Scott: How many students at OSU will be eligible? Clark: A total of 500 awarded each year, the number eligible to apply will be approx. 30%

Dr. Clark: how many of OSU high tech students are using loans to fund school? Does this bill show that Ohio is blamimg the flight of high tech students from Ohio on the high cost of higher education?

Sen. Clark: not enough people in Ohio choose to go to grad school. Only 30% of targeted area are remaining in Ohio.

Del. Sosnoskie: Who will make the decision on who the 500 will be?

Sen. Clark: A committee will make this decision.

Del. Gray: Is this a loan or a grant?

Sen. Clark: this is a forgivable loan, so if you stay in Ohio, you don't have to pay it back.

Del. Ma: is this supposed to draw more industry to Ohio by keeping high tech grads here?

Sen. Clark: yes, it is a symbiotic relationship.

Del. Bedekar, will this be eligible for international students?

Sen. Clark: Yes, international students will be eligible.

Del. Gray: How long a grace period do you have? Do you apply for these monies before school or after you get done?

Sen. Clark: you apply and get these loans while you are in school. These are supplemental loans.

VP Hodak: Will taking out these loans affect your eligibility for fed student loans?

Sen. Clark: This will not affect your fed income level because these are considered loans.

Mr. Frazier: is this going to end up being a program for white middle class people, and not diverse groups?

Sen. Clark: no, this program will be diverse as possible, geared initially towards international students.

Sen. Clark, called the question. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

IV. Elections

Tara Bartz, RGC candidate for biological science seat. No objections.

V. Delegate Issues & Concerns

VP Hodak: if you are involved in a graduate student organization there is approx. $90,000 available to fund events. Your organization must be a registered group with the University. Inquiries can be sent to hodak.2@osu.edu, or to the Ohio Union web site.

Sen. Clark: Would you like to respond to the opinion page of the Lantern?

Pres. Depelteau: I wrote a letter of response to the Lantern, but it didn't get published.

Sen. Clark: With respect to Homenet and forgivable loans, Homenet didn't get any funding, and there was not a chair person on Govt. relations committee.

Pres. Depelteau: our resolution on Homenet was given to Senate and Steering Committees

VP. Hodak: CGS was effective in getting Homenet not dropped and it is still in existence at this time. Our letter will probably not be printed due to the track record with the Lantern.

Del. Pepper: What is the procedure for appointing chairs to committees?

Pres. Depelteau: According to our bylaws, the appointments are at the discretion of the Pres.

VI. Committee Reports

A. Public Relations

Chair Sosnoskie: We want to make our issues and activities more published. The Graduate E-voice will come out around the first of each month, so I would like you to disseminate this info and get stuff to me to put into the E-voice.

B. Events

Chair Cunningham: upcoming events: Explore Columbus, have pens; Homecoming posters to put up in departments; check E-voice for events; Tour Columbus scavenger hunt; Grad/professional happy hours; free concert tickets for Red Wanting Blue

C. Outreach and Engagement

Chair Combs: get involved in the community, in November will work with Habitat for Humanity (8th & 15th of Nov.); Intermural sports subsidies available for grad student teams to get involved.

D. Ray Award

Chair Daniels: Soliciting applications for Autumn Qtr. to present; deadline is October 10; need committee members to decide what applicants get awarded.

E. Goverment Relations

Chair Pletz: Lobbying Washington for tax exemption; developing relationships with Ohio House & Senate.

VII. Officer reports

President’s Report

The Co-chair for Diversity has resigned. Please let me know if you are interested in this position. Congratulations to VP Hodak for filling all Senate and RGC positions.

Still trying to get issue of sponsored dependents benefits, this issue will not be voted on until next year.

VP Hodak: sponsored dependents is not just for domestic partners, but any one who is dependent on you for care.

Treasurer's Report

Report online

Vice President's Report

Need organization and delegate committee members to help interview delegates and volunteers.

VIII. Announcements

Comfest is this weekend.

Next Delegate meeting Oct. 31, 2003 3:30pm-5:30pm Drinko Hall

RGC committees have begun to meet. First RGC meeting is next week.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Baack (baack.4@osu.edu)
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