Second Autumn Quarter Meeting
October 30, 1998, 014 University HallPresent: Officers: Kathleen Carberry (presiding), Manisha Vijayaraghavan, Elizabeth Loentz.
Voting Delegates: Suzanne Bartholomae, Kevin Bish, Betsy Breseman, Tina Brice, Homero Cantu, Christine Chen, Candace Cherrington, Jill Coleman, Shann D. Coleman, Matthew Courser, Deborah Darnell, Sabiha Daudi, Janet Dean, Mark Hicar, Courtney Hopper, Susan Kulewicz, Alana Kumbier, Stephanie Libbon, Michael Liptak, Karin Maresh, Thomas McDonnell, Ron B. Meyers, Lisa Perry, Lauri Reidmiller, Brian K. Rivera, Divya Soares, John Soloninka, Juergen Steininger, Mary Tichi, Christine Wheatley.
Non-Voting Delegates, Committee Representatives, Senators, CRGS Representatives and Guests: Melanie Buffington, Sally Burma, Kelly Costner, Corey Ditslear, Heather Edgar, Michelle Field, Mark Garrett, Doug Horwitz, Siri Ibarguen, J.B. Lawton, Jeffrey Lewis, Cheng-Ta Li, Nancy Malloy, Natalie Marsh, Vicki McGovern, Lauren McClanahan, Gerald Noblitt, Ganesh Ramachandran, Nicole Sepulvado, John Shea, Robin Vann Lynch. Dean James M. Siddens, CGS Advisor.
Guest Speaker: Professor Sebastian Knowles, Department of English, Library Task Force
Professor Knowles summarized the arguments of the Library Task Force's recent report and its recommendations for library improvements. He explained that the Task Force is concerned both with addressing the library's current problems as well as creating a library for the next century. He noted that the library is important for student retention and should become a showpiece for prospective graduate students and faculty. He added that it is deplorable to have a library of which the university must be ashamed. Furthermore, the library is the only building on the oval which has not had a major renovation in the last ten years. He suggested that the library is more important and urgent than Campus Partners or other projects, as the library, which is the heart of the university, is on life-support.
Professor Knowles referred to the Task Force's Vision Statement, and showed Council a picture of the Reading Room of the NY Public Library, a model for the renovations. He added that the library cannot be funded internally, as its only income is overdue fines. He conjectured that students would rather pay a quarterly fee for the library than for a new recreation center, adding that the university has strayed from what a university should be about.
Professor Knowles summarized a number of the library's serious problems and invited Council to send any comments on the Task Force's report to Interim Vice Provost Ed Ray. He added further that the library has a number of strong points: Ohiolink and Oscar are both exemplary, OCLC and Chemical Abstracts were both started by Ohio State and remain here in Columbus, and we have a reputation for technological innovation. However, we do not have the money to employ adequate staff and to repair the building. Professor Knowles seeks to generate interest in the library project, hoping that the university will be able to attract students primarily interested in education and not in other pursuits. He advocates a grassroots initiative, noting that this has worked at other institutions. He concluded that the university should have a library of which it can be proud, the library could become the symbolic academic center of Ohio, and the university has done enough outreach, now it is time for some in-reach.
I. Approval of Minutes
Due to time constraints the approval of the minutes from the October 2, 1998 meeting were postponed until the December 4, 1998 meeting.
II. Officer Reports
A. President
President Carberry announced that CGS's new office hours will be 8:30-5:00, Monday through Friday, and introduced Lisa Perry, the new office secretary. She announced further that members of Council could obtain a copy of procedures for bills and resolutions from Parliamentarian Brian Rivera. She then informed Council that CGS had won the NAGPS Graduate Student Association of the Year Award for 1997-98 and thanked Neesham Kranz for her work in preparing CGS's entry.
President Carberry then addressed two reports which are of concern to graduate studentsthe Rhodes Report and the Research Commission Report. She added that she could provide the reports for those interested. She explained that the Research Commission Report includes specific recommendations for graduate education, and that she is involved in the Senate Steering Subcommittee that is drafting a response to the report.
President Carberry noted that Treasurer Paul was absent because she was at an Allocations Committee meeting. The Allocations Committee had recommended a 10% cut in the CGS budget, explaining that we had been given too much last year. She added that we have the support of other student governments in contesting this and that we can argue, based on our achievements, that we deserve an increase rather than a decrease.
President Carberry informed Council that Human Resources has scheduled meetings of focus groups to discuss health insurance benefits for graduate students, and that they would like to include students with various forms of coverage (with spouse, with family coverage, etc).
President Carberry concluded by referring Council to the goals and priorities, which were drafted by the Executive Committee at the Summer retreat.
B. Interim Vice-President
Interim Vice President Vijayaraghavan informed Council that she continues to fill committee positions. She referred Council to a list of committee positions, which have either recently been filled or which are still vacant. She added that there would be CRGS elections later in the meeting, and that she seeks volunteers for the Research Forum Committee.
III. Committee Reports
A. CRGS Curriculum Committee
Betsy Breseman announced that the Curriculum Committee is discussing graduate minors. Several departments currently offer graduate minors and the committee would like to hear student opinions on graduate minors. The committee is discussing ways of allowing students to design their own minor and of documenting this qualification on the transcript. Delegate Breseman distributed a survey, and asked members to distribute it in their home programs.
Delegate Meyers asked what the committee's main concern was. Delegate Breseman answered that the committee is interested in enabling students to have recognized minors. Delegate Libbon asked to whom students interested in a minor could presently petition. Delegate Breseman answered that students could petition the Graduate School. Sally Burma added that the Graduate School could provide information on which programs presently offer approved minors and which minors are pending approval. Dean Siddens added further that the Graduate School is eager to allow students to pursue officially recognized minor specializations, but that graduate programs have been slow to propose minor programs. Dean Siddens noted that minors could help in making both students and departments marketable. He stated further that individual students may, however, propose an individual minor and request that it be highlighted on the transcript. Delegate Cantu noted that a minor would be meaningless in his field, as students there already choose a number of concentrations. Delegate Meyers stated that the Council on Academic Affairs is also discussing minors, and that he would be interested in sharing information.
B. Community Service and Service Learning Committee
Delegate Cherrington announced the upcoming flu shot clinic, and asked for volunteers.
C. Diversity and International Student Concerns Committee
Delegate Daudi and Committee Co-Chair Vann Lynch announced the committee's upcoming meeting and other upcoming events.
D. Registrar's Student Advisory Council
Delegate J. Coleman stated that the Registrar is planning to begin sending student grades only by e-mail, in an attempt to reduce paperwork. Students would be able to obtain a paper copy and access their schedules via the web. Mr. Garrett noted that the university is moving away from paper in general. Ms. Buffington inquired whether the year 2000 question will pose a problem, and Delegate Coleman answered that this was being discussed. Delegate Meyers added that it was important to have an alternative to e-mail for special circumstances. Mr. Lawton noted that e-mail grade reports make sense especially for ABDs, who receive only pass/fail grades.
E. Campus Events Committee
Delegate Steininger announced the happy hour following the meeting. He regretted that casino night had been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers, but added that it would be replaced by a costume party with a prize for the best costume.
F. Legislative Affairs Committee
Committee Chair Ditslear urged Council to vote in the upcoming elections. Delegate Perry asked where new residents could inquire about their polling place. Mr. Ditslear suggested they contact the Board of Elections or the League of Women Voters.
G. Web-Mistress/Empress/Czarina
Ms. Chen asked Council to submit to her any suggestions for the design or content of the CGS web-page. She requested that committee chairs forward to her information on updates and meeting times and dates via attachments.
H. Ad Hoc Professional Development Fund Committee
Committee Chair Costner summarized the history of the committee and summarized the text of the draft for the Professional Development Fund. Delegate Libbon asked whether students could apply multiple times. Mr. Costner answered that this had not yet been determined.
IV. Old Business
There was no old business.
V. New Business
A. Election for CGS Vice President 1998-99
Interim Vice President Vijayaraghavan introduced herself and stated why she was interested in the position. She was elected by unanimous consent.
B. Elections for 1998-99 CRGS Positions
Vice President Vijayaraghavan read letters of introduction from candidates Botkin, Dugger, and Venkatraman. Candidate Buffington introduced herself. The following CRGS representatives were elected: Shamia Dugger for Administrative Sciences, Melanie Buffington for the Arts, and Sangeetha Venkatraman for Physical Sciences and Mathematics.
C. Resolution to Adopt a Family Sponsored Through the Salvation Army for the Holiday Season
Delegate Cherrington summarized the resolution. Motion to approve the resolution (Motion 98-4-44) made by Delegate Cherrington, seconded by Delegate Perry. Delegate Rivera added that he hopes many will participate, and that donations of less than $10 are also very welcome. Those with questions should contact Delegate Perry, who is also investigating the possibility of a dinner donation through a local supermarket. Delegate Daudi asked who determines whether a family is in need. Delegate Perry responded that the head(s) of the family must be working and that they must have encountered hardship this year. She added that the Salvation Army is very particular in choosing recipients, and that the recipients remain anonymous. Ms. Vann Lynch asked whether CGS may be interested in co-sponsoring, as the Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus plans to adopt more than one family. Delegate Libbon asked for a contact person at the Salvation Army for individual programs, which may be interested in sponsoring families. Mr. Hicar made a correction to the first line of the resolution: "an" should read "a." The fourth paragraph was amended to read: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of Graduate Students will, at the next meeting of the Council on 12/4/98 collect a suggested donation of $10 from each CGS member who wishes to participate." The resolution was approved by a unanimous vote.
D. Office Procedures
In the future those wishing to schedule a meeting in the conference room should either sign up on the board in the CGS office or call Lisa to schedule the room.
E. NAGPS National Conference
President Carberry asked for Council's approval to send herself, J.B. Lawton and Delegate Perry to the NAGPS national meeting. Motion to send President Carberry, Mr. Lawton and Delegate Perry to the NAGPS conference (Motion 98-4-45) made by Delegate Libbon, seconded by Delegate Hicar. Motion approved unanimously.
VI. Delegate Issues and Concerns
There were no delegate issues or concerns at this time.
VII. Announcements
Next Meeting: Friday December 4, 1998, 3:30-5 p.m., Room 014 University Hall.
VIII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Loentz
CGS Secretary
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