CGS Goals and Priorities 1994

CGS PRIORITIES FOR 1994 - 1995

Approved October 30, 1994

It is the intention of the Council of Graduate Students to represent all graduate students at The Ohio State University, whatever race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, age, disability, Vietnam-era status, employment status, or part-time status The Council's primary aims are to serve as an advocate for graduate students as they pursue their education and to identify and promote necessary support services in all areas of the University.

There are several areas of concern for graduate students which the Council has determined will be key priorities for 1994-1995.

Graduate Student Representation and Participation

The Council will continue to promote graduate students' right to representation and associated responsibilities at the college, school, and departmental levels. Last year the Council's Graduate Student Representation Committee surveyed the Patterns of Administration in the different departments. This survey showed that in many cases graduate student representation was nonexistent or inadequate. The Council on Research and Graduate Studies (CRGS) has strongly recommended to graduate chairs that graduate students be included on graduate studies committees. Therefore, our activities this year should include, but not be limited to:

encouraging deans, department chairs, and school directors to follow the recommendation made by CRGS to include students in the Graduate Studies Committees

encouraging the creation and support of departmental graduate student organizations and their activities

identifying key student leaders

encouraging improved communication of CGS delegates with their constituencies

Restructuring

The Ohio State University is engaged in a major restructuring of academic programs. We are concerned about the adequate participation and consultation of students in the restructuring process. Participation of graduate students in all aspects of the process is essential and should include, but not be limited to:

continuing CGS dialogue with the Provost and the President

communicating between administrators, faculty and graduate students advocating an open restructuring process

ensuring that problematic consultation is corrected in departments or colleges where it has previously been inadequate

enhancing communication between CGS officers, delegates, and graduate student representatives with their constituencies

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees affect unsupported graduate students severely, while supported graduate students are concerned peripherally. In representing all graduate students, CGS should keep this issue as a high priority. CGS should

closely monitor and review computing fees in Engineering and Business

continue the position adopted in the 1992 "CGS Resolution on Fees" opposing differential fees

advocate for university-wide referenda for approval of fees that would provide the major source of funding for a project or service

Diversity

In a university such as The Ohio State University, diversity should be not just a concern but a necessity. Our education is incomplete if we are not exposed to the greatest variety of people, ideas, and lifestyles. Several committees have addressed this issue; however, many questions remain unanswered. CGS should focus on, but not be limited to:

the evaluation of recruitment and retention of faculty, staff and students from minority groups and their distribution at the department, school, and college level

promoting diversity both internal and external to CGS

the elimination of university practices that reflect intolerance and discrimination

an active outreach to students traditionally not represented in CGS and University governance

Health Care

The availability of affordable, adequate, and accessible health care is a main concern for graduate students. The proposal to merge the Student Health Services with the College of Medicine would have a direct affect upon these three factors. To decide the feasibility of such a merger, the process should include participation and broad consultation of graduate students. CGS should:

look for the broadest participation and consultation of graduate students

be an active participant on the committee(s) created to discuss these issues

work for containing health care out-of-pocket expenses for graduate students while maintaining a high quality of care

support nondiscriminatory policies for Student Health Insurance

study the benefits and disadvantages of including health insurance payments as a benefit for graduate students

investigate alternatives to the current student health arrangements

Graduate Associate Workload and Financial Support

The greatest concern of supported graduate students probably revolves around their stipend and workload. To properly serve these graduate students, CGS must act as a voice for these concerns. CGS should:

collect data, preferably through a partnership with the Graduate School and CRGS, about the level and distribution of stipends

verify that the average increase in stipends from last years level coincides with the recommended increase

compare graduate associate stipend data with similar universities

investigate if a 50% GA appointment is reflecting 20 hours of performed duties across the university

Day Care

Graduate students have specific needs that must be met to proceed with their education. Students with families should be provided with adequate and accessible day care for their children. CGS should actively promote:

student-first policy on the day care waiting list

the creation of a representative committee to oversee University Day Care policies

short-term day care options (1-2 hours)

alternatives to University Day Care

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