Council of Graduate Students - Minutes -6 May 2005

Attendance for this meeting is unavailable at this time. It will be posted as soon as possible.

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:38pm, Barbara Pletz, President, presiding.

II. Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve minutes from the March 4th meeting was made by Chair GOrdon and seconded by Delegate Lucas. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote.

III. Old Business

No old business was raised at this meeting.

A. Act 0405-WI-018: An Act Amending the Bylaws
Rationale: Chair Daniels: The first reading of the this act was done at the last meeting. It's just Spring Cleaning for the bylaws - looked for provisions that didn't match what we were doing anymore. There are 6 to 7 fairly minor changes - things that have come up over the last year in regards to changes at the University.

Questions for the author
Without questions or debate, the motion passes by unanimous voice vote.

IV. New Business

Act 0405-SP-20: An Act Establishing the 2005-2006 Delegate Apportionment
Rationale:
At the end of winter quarter, the Registrar's office sends enrollment numbers for each department. Departments are apportioned one Delegate for each 100 students enrolled. There is an exception made for Education (Teaching and Learning), we dropped their apportionment by one because they are so large and other departments needed a second delegate within the 150 delegate range. In addition, there were a couple of new programs, that we had to add delegates for - there was no one in finance from the college of business and also in marketing. In addition, the College of Medicine added a new Masters program in Public Health and a new PhD in Occupation THerapy. Same with the college of medicine and public health—new masters program.

With no questions for the author or debate on the act, it passes by unanimous voice vote.

Treasurer Hodak asks for a motion to to close elections on May 13th 3:30pm. CHair Gordon has sent in materials. The incompleted application has been received and a request has been made that the application be completed. CHair Fout moves to close elections on May 13th at 3:30, Delegate Eggleston seconds the motion and it with no questions or debate, the motion passes.

IV.Elections


President - Barbara Pletz
I've been around for three years, and CGS has done a lot in the past year. First, we got the domestic partner benefits – that's been in the pipe line for ten years. We just got the GCBC established as a standing committee - the change was approved today at the board of trustees, that committee will reside in the senate. We now have a permanent standing committee for graduate benefits. I also have a meeting with Larry Llewellen in about three weeks to map out future benefits for graduate students. The third big accomplishment is the standard letter of offer. This will now be given to all graduate students, whether they are GRAs, GTAs, etc. One more exciting thing was the extended health care parental leave. We are one of the few universities with this benefit. It covers extended health problems as well as pregnancy. The faculty got this benefit last year and we got it this year. I hope to continue to be more vocal next year, because this year was a little bit of learning the ropes. Question from the Delegates
Delgate Corwin: Just a point of clarification, was that part of the larger leaves package from a couple of weeks ago? Yes, that is what the speakers are going to speak on today
Dean Clark: GA leave entitles you to the time off, it is no longer an ad hoc arrangement within the department or with your advisor.

Delegate Lucas: GCBC is an adhoc committee now? President Pletz: it was meeting as an adhoc committee, but is now official.

Delegate Lucas: Are there minutes for that committee posted now? That's a great question for Dean Murphy when she arrives

Delegate Lucas: how do you get on that committee? Contact someone on the organizations and elections committee. Appointments are made at the beginning of the year.

Delegate Lucas: Why are they appointed? The by laws state that's how it's done. It is difficult to get people interested in this committee, therefore it's an appointment. Priority is given to elected senators. In the past it has been mostly on a first come, first serve basis. There has been historically little competition for committee slots, especially for committees That meet 2-4 times/month

Delegate Pepper: What are the eligibility requirements for these committees? For GCBC you must have an appointment to other committees, but any gradraute student can serve.

Vice President - Cathy Baack
Hopefully I know just about all of you because I interviewed all of you. My major Accomplishment this year were the Research forum - we had 33 winners and 97 students, with 200 entries. We gave out extra money to poster winners ($200), plus $300 travel money for first, $100 for second, $75 for third. I definitely did not do this alone and I appreciate all of the help. It was a great success. In addition, I did finally manage to get all RGC positions filled – the Senate was filled early in the year, and I hope to keep working on the number of delegates. Currently, we have more than half. I greatly appreciate the work from Outreach and Engagement I and hope to continue to work with that committee next year to increase delegate numbers.

Secretary - Jane Evans
Treasure Hodak spoke on Chair Evans behalf. Chair Evans have been serving as a chair all year, and she's been filing in for Amanda Scott while she was out. She has done a stellar job this year, and she will be serving on the fiscal committee next year.

With no objections to consent, all three officers were elected. We are still accepting applications for senate.

Delegate Issues and Concerns


Delegate Eggleston: Steve and I have had students form are area asking about increasing fees for RPAC. Is there a way to get a graduate exemption and then not use the facility? Treasure Hodak: Because of bonding every student must pay the fee. It is part of the condition of the loan. However there is a push from CGS to have those included in waivers for funded grads.

Delegate Eggleston: How can we get more involved in this process? Treasurer Hodak: Apply to GCBC.
President Pletz: I don’t like new fees – it’s a back-ended way to get a fee increase.
Treasurer Hodak: This body supported the fee and the new building when it came to the body;

Delegate Eggleston: Was this the original estimate?Treasure Hodak: Yes, but it was done in current dollars, not in inflationary dollars.

Chair Gordon: Wasn’t there a sensitivity survey done in regards to how much people would pay? Treasurer Hodak: It was done, but we asked them to redo the survey because the number was reported as 150/quarter for the new union.

Delegate Dennis: This issue comes up often. Is there a place online where we can look at these approved fees, because I’m hearing different numbers? President Pletz: the fees are incremental. Treasure Hodak: The fees are incremental because the building is opening in sections. The fee is based on the amount of square footage that is open.

Delegate Dennis: I would like to have a place to send people when they ask these questions. President Pletz: We are updating our website to show stuff like this, we could add this.

Delegate Pepper: Is the current union fee locked in? Treasurer Hodak: The 100 mil is locked in with the understanding that the fee is for all students and it should not be higher than 45 dollars. We hope it is for more like 15 dollars. We did pass a resolution against it, however the board passed the union fee.

Chair Pearson: Is there a way to write a resolution against the extra fees coming down? President Pletz: We did. Chair Daniels: It's in the Omnibus benefits and compensation resolution. Treasurer Hodak: the Board is aware of the problem. Therefore fees are now published online for incoming students. According to what the Board presented today, in comparison to other benchmarks we pay 28% less than other schools in fees beyond tuition. Chair Gordon: Does it even out depending on the amount of tuition? Treasurer Hodak: They didn’t discuss that.

Delegate Corwin: In the past couple of presentations regarding the Freeman report we've heard stuff about requiring that external grants to pay for funded students. This surprised me because it was presented as future. Dean Clark: Yes, that's been that way for a while.

Delegate Corwin. When did it begin? Dean Clark: With Budget restructuring, about a year ago.

Delegate Corwin: Why are we just now hearing about it? It's affecting students after the fact because the funds of the grants have to be redistributed and graduate students lose funding. Dean Clark : it was not grandfathered for older grants so it is unfortunate that students are losing funding. Treasurer Hodak: The Freeman report has discussed this. The deans are not happy about it; prior to the Business and Finance decision—the grant money could be used differently because tuition was less. Delegate Zacos: I think it could be a communication problem within the department. This has been the case in our dept for 10 years. And it has been known that your tuition came from grants for three years or whatever.

Delegate Corwin: Oh, so is this news just to me or is this news to others as well? It appears to be departmental how wide spread is it?

President Pletz: how many people knew about the grant structure in your dept? Show of hands indicates approximately 10

President Pletz: how many people didn't know? Show of hands indicates approximately 20

Delegate Pepper: THis is the third different location this year. We decided to meet here today because it was closer to the picnic. We are looking into consistency for next year. However it does allow delegates to explore campus.

VI.Officer Reports


President Pletz: The Board of Trustees is considering a 6%-15% increase for stipends. I also wanted to mention the proposed merger of John Glenm Institute and the Research Institute. Many faculty are against it. The merger would allow for this particular department to report directly to the Provost.

At this point, the meeting is suspended to allow Dean Paul Beck to speak. The notes and questions from his address can be found here.

Guest Speakers


Vice President and Provost, Barbara Snyder:
Provost Snyder discussed the continuing commitment to improve funding of graduate students and to improve compensation for those who are funded. New information on these initiatives and will be available in July and currently there are about 5000 funded each year. For this year, the minimum stipend increased from 900 to 1000 per month and health premium coverage increased to 64% for self and 25% for dependents, as well as making those deductions pre-tax. FOr the coming year, those rates will be increased to 75% for self and 50% for students. There are also increased guidelines for leave policies and GCBC is now a formal senate committee. Finally we've also started the formal letter of offer. These are all great improvements, even though state support looks to be flat.

Carole Anderson, Interim Dean of the Graduate School
The context for all these initiatives grew out of the council, as well as the G-QUE survey (see slides 10 and 11). There are 8 broad recommendations that we'll be working toward. There will be a routine assessment every three years, and we hope to work with GCBC in 2006 to plan for the future.

Larry Llewellen, Executive Vice President of Human Resources
Llewellen provided details on the initiatives and goals. Question from the Delegates
Delegate Eggleston: If you already have your appointment for next year will you see the document? Executive Vice President Llewelen: You will see it when your appointment needs to be renewed

Delegate Eggleston: If an appointment starts in September and ends in June, reappointments for next have already been assigned. Llewelen: It is our intent that you will receive this doccument, in addition to your letter of offer. Assistant Dean Murphy: You may not get the document until the Autumn term because we are still making them user friendly online for each department.
Executive Vice President Llewellen: You should still get the offer letter in spring – and an appointment document then follows near the beginning of the academic year and is reissued as changes in appointment occur You do sign and return the form.

President Pletz: These are result of an ongoing partnership between Deans, the Provost, Chairs, CGS etc.. and we really thank everyone for helping us get this through.

Interim Dean Anderson: Some departments may not be willing to do both letters this year as a transitional year. But, you can ask for one, if you don’t get it.Let the grad school know if you don’t get one and you have asked for it.

Delegate Eggleston: Will this be posted on the grad school website? Assistant Dean Murphy: They are on the CGS website. One thing about the appointment form - the first two pages are the appointment document and the following pages are benefits that are for all funded grads.

Delegate Dennis: Is there a time table as to when this would be posted online?Assistant Dean Murphy: End of term. We are working on guidelines and FAQ’s to accompany them. Drafts are on the CGS website.

Delegate Corwin: For graduate assistants, how are other fellows treated? Executive Vice President Llewellen: This is for all funded grads.

Delegate Corwin: Then why isn’t fellow an option on the form? Assistant Dean Murphy: Fellows have a similar, but separate, document.
President Pletz: We are working so that everyone to have the same document. Delegate Mrocek: I really appreciate the leave of absence. About the health insurance--- it's great for most, but for those with serious on going medical issues, non-traditional students, etc, it is very difficult financially and emotionally. Executive Vice President Llewellen: There is a committee.
Vice President Baack: I sit on the committee. One option is to buy into faculty coverage—and you do get subsidized to PrimeCare. There was also an increase in pharmacy benefit last year.
Executive VIce President Llewellen: Susan Marceco at 292-1050 can help deal with these issues.

Delegate Pepper: Will GCBC deal with benefits issues? Executive Vice President Llewellen: Yes.

Delegate Pepper: What about fees? Executive Vice President Llewellen: That's similar to faculty and staff. It would depend - they can make recommendations but not directly decide.

Delegate Mitra : What about vacation leave? . Executive Vice President Llewellen: That would be in agreement with in your department, like 9 month faculty. It is advisor agreement.

Treasurer Hodak: Do you have to work university breaks when you are on a 9 month appointment? Assistant Dean Murphy: It depends on the appointment. For GTAs no, but GAA or GRA might have to.

Delegate Lupo: I just wanted to thank you – for the information. These are things that I didn’t know about myself as a graduate student.

Delegate Eggleston: Our graduate students are required to register for 15hours. Can a chair set the academic hours requirement above the graduate school full time requirement? It sends you to the 260 hour limit faster. Interim Dean Anderson: The Freeman committee is working on this. This is common and a issue. They are looking at this with the 260 limit as well.

Delegate Eggleston: Is there anything students can do at this point? They are currently adding research to our schedules to make us take 15 hours. Interim Dean Anderson: I will think on this.

Delegate Hudson: I was wondering about the health care subsidy with summer on a 9 month appt. Ms. Marceco: The subsidy is linked to you receiving a stipend. You can still buy in at the full price.

Chair Gray: How does this work with GRA funded by grants? Executive Vice President Llewellen: So long as its through the university, they are covered.

President Pletz (to Assistant Dean Murphy). Is there a way to get CGBC minutes?. Yes, we can send them to James for links.

Meeting resumes at 5:21pm.

VII.Officer Reports, con't


Treasurer Hodak: No additions to online report.

VIII.Adjournment


Meeting was adjourned at 5:24pm.

Respectfully Submitted, Lillian Gray and Amanda Scott