Council of Graduate Students
Second Spring Quarter Meeting
May 7, 1999
University Hall, Room 014
Present: Officers: Kathleen Carberry (presiding), Manisha Vijayaraghavan, Elizabeth Loentz, Tracy Paul. Voting Delegates: Homero Cantu, Anil Challa, Christine Chen, Briggs Cormier, Kelly Costner, Sabiha Daudi, Janet Dean, Edwin England, Courtney Hopper, Siri Ibarguen, Orie Kristel, Susan Kulewicz, Stephanie Libbon, Natalie Marsh, Lisa Perry, Elizabeth Rothermich, Kristina Secnik, Sangeetha Venkatraman, Tara M. White. Non-Voting Delegates, Committee Representatives, Senators, CRGS Representatives and Guests: Claudia Figueiredo, Cheng-Ta Li, Allyson Lowe, Juergen Steininger. Dean James M. Siddens, CGS Advisor.
The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. May 7, 1999, with President Carberry presiding.
I. Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 16, 1999 (Motion 99-2-11) made by Delegate Cormier, seconded by Delegate Daudi. Motion passed unanimously.
II. Officer Reports
A. President
President Carberry reiterated several items from her written report. She added that she had attended a one-day conference on Professional Development for Graduate Students, which was co-sponsored by the Office for Faculty and TA Development, the Graduate School, and CGS. She also noted that she had learned at a meeting of the Board of Trustees that the Board had denied approval of student health benefits for domestic partners. Trustee Allyson Lowe explained that the Board did approve a student health insurance plan, and that the Board hopes to meet more frequently with student groups beginning in the Autumn Quarter. Delegate Libbon asked whether the Board's rejection of the domestic partner coverage was a matter of finances. Ms. Lowe answered that it was only indirectly a matter of finances. Students would not pay more for domestic partner coverage. However, there is political pressure from the state legislature to not pass domestic partner coverage. The state legislature may reduce the OSU budget for other programs if the coverage is approved. Delegate Steininger asked why there was an overall increase in the cost of student health insurance. Ms. Lowe answered that, although there is no increase in benefits, the increase in cost is below the market norm. President Carberry elaborated that there are some minor improvements, including a change pertaining to coverage for pre-existing conditions. She added that the committee had been unable to negotiate a financially feasible plan for dental coverage. A plan was proposed, which suggested an increase of $10 per quarter for dental coverage, but the committee did not opt for this change. Several delegates noted that they would be willing to pay $10 or more per quarter for dental coverage. Delegate Perry moved (Motion 99-2-12) to support an increase of up to $15 per quarter for increased services and a greater choice of providers for dental care, motion seconded by Delegate Cormier. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Vice President
Vice President Vijayaraghavan referred Council to her written report. She reminded delegates and committee representatives to fill out year end reports and return them to her as soon as possible.
III. Committee Reports
A. Executive Committee
Secretary Loentz stated that the Executive Committee met on Friday, April 30. She reported that the committee had discussed the agenda items for today's meeting, and heard reports from committee chairs.
B. Campus Events Committee
Committee chairperson Juergen Steininger announced that the CGS Spring Picnic will be held following the CGS meeting on Friday May 21 at the gazebo area behind Kottman Hall on the Ag Campus. The picnic will include a full menu, including vegetarian selections, a live band, and beverages. Coke will supply non-alcoholic beverages, and Mr. Steininger is still in pursuit of a beer permit. He asked those wishing to attend to RSVP. He added that all graduate students are invited and encouraged Council to invite guests, including faculty advisors and others who have supported graduate students throughout the year.
C. Diversity Committee
Committee co-chair Sabiha Daudi announced the upcoming event, "Valuing Differences and Leveraging Similarities: The Role of Students and Student Organizations in Enhancing University Diversity," which will feature international diversity consultant John C. Peoples. The event, which is co-sponsored by the CGS Diversity Committee, the Black MBA Association, and the Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus will be held in Page Hall Room 020 on Wed. May 12, at 6:00 p.m. A follow-up panel discussion will be held on May 20.
IV. Old Business
There was no old business.
V. New Business
A. Nominations for 1999-2000 CGS Officers
Vice-President Vijayaraghavan explained the nomination procedures to Council, and wrote nominees on the chalkboard, beginning with those nominees who had turned in self-nomination forms.
Melanie Buffington was nominated for the position of Treasurer. Hearing no other nominations, Delegate Ibarguen motioned (Motion 99-2-13) to close nominations for the position of Treasurer, motion seconded by Delegate Libbon. Motion passed unanimously.
Sabiha Daudi was nominated for the position of Secretary. Hearing no other nominations, Delegate Rothermich motioned (Motion 99-2-14) to close nominations for the position of Secretary, motion seconded by Delegate Perry. Motion passed unanimously.
Candace Cherrington was nominated for the position of Vice-President. Hearing no other nominations, Delegate Perry motioned (Motion 99-2-15) to close nominations for the position of Vice-President, motion seconded by Delegate White. Motion passed unanimously.
Juergen Steininger was nominated for the position of President. Hearing no other nominations, Delegate Libbon motioned (Motion 99-2-16) to close nominations for the position of President, motion seconded by Delegate Hopper. Motion passed unanimously.
Vice-President Vijayaraghavan reminded Council that elections will take place at the next meeting.
VI. Delegate Issues and Concerns
Delegate Ibarguen asked whether the On Campus newspaper (a faculty and staff newsletter which lists events, faculty publications, and other information which might concern graduate students) could be delivered to all graduate students. Delegate Libbon was concerned that not all students may wish to receive the paper, and that a mass delivery may be a waste of paper. President Carberry suggested that delegates let their constituents know that the paper is available, and that those wishing to receive it can subscribe.
President Carberry informed Council of several graduate student concerns which had been expressed to her via e-mail. She noted that graduate students in Linguistics were concerned that the university requires students to write their Social Security Number and address on checks. They wondered whether the university could implement a separate student i.d. number to better protect student privacy. Delegate Ibarguen noted that this may not make a difference, as the Ohio Driver's License also lists the Social Security Number. Delegate Cormier stated that it was illegal to require the Social Security Number for anything other than federal taxes.
President Carberry had also received a letter concerning a dangerous crosswalk on the Ag Campus. Transportation and Parking plans to add lighted crosswalk signs and to re-paint the markings on the street after road construction has been completed. Juergen Steininger was concerned that this may be of no avail, as many drivers do not obey the 20 m.p.h. speed limit. Secretary Loentz noted that there are stop signs at crosswalks on Woodruff, and suggested that this may be an option.
President Carberry stated further that Delegate Brockman was currently investigating the receipt of unwanted credit card applications by prospective graduate students, an issue which had been addressed at the previous meeting.
Delegate Challa noted that he had been appointed as a committee representative but had received no information concerning meetings. Vice-President Vijayaraghavan offered to investigate, and suggested that any other representatives who had suffered from a lack of communication with their committees should notify her.
Delegate White asked whether committee representatives are required to have an alternate if they are unable to attend a meeting due to a time-conflict. Vice-President Vijayaraghavan answered that it is recommended to have an alternate, and that representatives should contact the committee chair to excuse themselves if they are unable to attend and no alternate is available.
VII. Announcements
Next Meeting: Friday, May 21, 1999, 3:30-5 p.m., Kottman Hall 104.
VIII. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn made by Delegate Daudi (Motion 99-2-17), seconded by Delegate Ibarguen. Motion passed by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Loentz
CGS Secretary
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