Council of Graduate Students
Second Winter Quarter Meeting
February 5, 1999
University Hall, Room 014
Present: Officers: Kathleen Carberry (presiding), Manisha Vijayaraghavan, Elizabeth Loentz, Tracy Paul. Voting Delegates: Suzanne Bartholomae, John M. Brockman, Homero Cantu', Christine Chen, Andrew Cognard-Black, Jill Coleman, Briggs Cormier, Kelly Costner, Martin Crowley, Sabiha Daudi, Janet Dean, Heather Edgar, Michelle Field, Erich Guy, Mark Hicar, Courtney Hopper, Raymond Hsiao, Orie Kristel, Susan Kulewicz, Ryan Landi, Natalie Marsh, Ron Meyers, Firooza Pavri, Stan Radzevicius, Elizabeth Rothermich, Carla Taylor, Christine Wheatley, Keith Williams; Non-Voting Delegates, Committee Representatives, Senators, CRGS Representatives and Guests: Dean James M. Siddens, CGS Advisor, Corey Ditslear, Andrew Lin, Cheng-Ta Li, Noriko Nagata, Nicole Sepulvado, Juergen Steininger, Jinji Wang.
The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. February 5, 1999, with President Carberry presiding.
Guest Speakers
A. Dr. David Allen, Director, Office for Technology Licensing, "University Technology Partnerships Task Force"
Dr. Allen stated that the Task Force was charged with investigating how OSU could become a "best practice" university in technology licensing and in promoting industrial contracts and industrial partnerships. He then explained the benefits of such partnerships to graduate students and the university as a whole. He listed first the financial advantages: 1) more industrial research = more graduate assistantships, 2) more gifts from industry = more graduate fellowships 3) more industrial research = more inventions and royalty incomes (60% of patents have graduate student inventors). He then addressed how industrial partnerships can enhance education: 1) through experiential learning, students apply conceptual knowledge to realistic applications, 2) students would learn about the business side of research, what drives research and development decisions, 3) students would be able to experience the development of new technology and become part of an endeavor that may significantly benefit mankind (have a tangible impact). He then outlined how these partnerships can enhance students' employment and career opportunities: 1) experience with industry increases marketability for students seeking employment outside of academia, 2) students gain job experience as well as connections through co-ops and internships, 3) industrial research can add economic value to a student's degree. He cautioned, however, that it is important to understand the risks of industrial contracts, including the potential for inappropriately directing results for economic gain. He noted, however, that the benefits generally outweigh the risks, and that there are strategies for managing conflict of interest. Dr. Allen was not able to provide figures on how many graduate students are currently funded through industrial partnerships or how these figures may change through increased partnerships. He offered to send these figures to President Carberry.
B. Nicole Sepulvado, Campus Campaign, "1999 Class Gift"
Representative Sepulvado distributed Campus Campaign pamphlets. She explained that the "1999 Class Gift" is a campaign for donations from prospective graduates. The suggested minimum is $19.99, and students can specify a beneficiary, such a department or organization.
I. Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes of the meetings of Dec. 4, 1998 and January 8, 1999 (Motion 99-1-2) made by Delegate Hicar, seconded by Delegate Meyers. Motion passed unanimously.
II. Officer Reports
A. President
President Carberry referred Council to her written report. She added that she and Ron Meyers had met with the prospective developers for the Gateway Project to discuss graduate student interests. Final proposals for the Gateway Project should be available for comment by the end of the month. She announced that the Ad Hoc Professional Development Fund Committee is making progress, and that she had submitted a grant proposal for additional funds. She noted finally that Provost Ed Ray had asked her and Eric Ley for input on refining the distinction between graduate and professional students (which students should be classified graduate students and which should be classified professional students). President Carberry would be particularly interested in learning the opinions of graduate students in Engineering, Pharmacy, and Business.
B. Vice President
Vice President Vijayaraghavan referred Council to her written report.
III. Committee Reports
A. Executive Committee
Secretary Elizabeth Loentz stated that the Executive Committee met on Friday, January 22. She reported that the committee had discussed the agenda items for today's meeting, and heard reports from committee chairs. Trustee Allyson Lowe shared with the committee several negative or misleading Lantern articles concerning the role of student trustees. The committee discussed further the current status of the Gateway Project and recent articles in Ohio newspapers criticizing the funding of international students at state universities.
B. Community Service and Service Learning
Susan Kulewicz announced two up-coming events at the Salesian Boys and Girls' Club, which serves inner city children ages 7-18. The Salesian Center is equipped with a swimming pool, bowling alley, computers, exercise room, and arts and crafts facilities. Children pay only $5 per school year to join.
The first event at the Salesian Boys and Girls' Club is a Health Fair. The committee asks for donations of small gifts (school supplies, OSU bumper stickers, etc.), which can be dropped off at the CGS by February 23.
The second event is a Penny Carnival. The committee requires 10-15 volunteers to help run the carnival from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. They expect approximately 200 children to attend. Pennies earned will be donated to Swim for Diabetes. The committee further requests that CGS donate a portion of the lunch for the carnival (i.e. beverages or cookies).
C. Diversity Committee
Sabiha Daudi announced that February 27 is the tentative date for the Diversity Forum. The committee urgently needs volunteers. Delegate Daudi announced further that the Senate Diversity Committee will be meeting with President Kirwan, and that graduate students can contact her with any concerns.
D. Campus Events
Cheng-Ta Li distributed flyers with a tentative schedule for the Jones Tower World Expo, which will take place Saturday, February 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The committee requires further volunteers.
E. COTA Advisory Committee
Delegate Steininger reported that attorneys from OSU and from COTA are currently discussing implementing suggested improvements in service for disabled students. He noted further that the committee is still waiting for the break-down by student populations (Graduate, Undergraduate, or Professional Students) of the COTA referendum. He expressed concern that there had been no voting site on the Agricultural Campus.
F. Physical Facilities
Delegate Brockman announced that Physical Facilities will install on a two-year trial basis emergency (blue-light) phones East of High Street (14th and Pearl). The ground-breaking will be on March 6 and the installation will be dedicated to Stephanie Hummer. He announced further that there will be an open meeting on disability issues the 2nd week of Spring Quarter. Time and location TBA.
IV. Old Business
There was no old business.
V. New Business
A. Bills and Resolutions
Corey Ditslear introduced a "Resolution on Funding for International Graduate Students." He noted two minor changes: 1) in the 5th "Whereas," "out-of-state" should read "non-public;" 2) in the 6th "Whereas," "supporters" should be replaced by "opportunities for business and academic networking."
Delegate Brockman asked what portion of international students remain in Ohio. Mr. Ditslear answered that 20-30% remain in the U.S., but that he has no figures on how many remain in Ohio. Delegate Daudi added that many international locations have OSU Alumni Associations. Mr. Ditslear noted further that the recent India trip also revealed how ties with international alumni can translate both into academic and business partnerships with Ohio. Delegate Steininger stated that an OSU partnership with a site in China had resulted in increased soybean production in Ohio.
Motion to adopt the resolution (Motion 99-1-3) made by Delegate Meyers, seconded by Delegate Brockman. Resolution was approved by unanimous vote.
President Carberry urged delegates who are Ohio natives to fill out the Legislative Affairs Survey on the CGS web-page, to aid lobbying efforts on this and other issues. President Carberry then introduced Christine Chen, the CGS web-master.
VI. Delegate Issues and Concerns
Delegate Meyers offered an update on graduate student housing. Although plans are very tentative, the university plans to move ahead on a graduate student housing project.
VII. Announcements
President Carberry announced that she will, in her capacity as Treasurer of NAGPS, travel to Washington, D.C. this weekend to interview candidates for the position of the new executive director of NAGPS.
Mr. Ditslear announced that graduate students may be able to claim their fee waiver as income to take advantage of the life-long-learning tax credit.
Next Meeting: Friday, March 5, 1999, 3:30-5 p.m., University Hall 014.
VIII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Loentz
CGS Secretary
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