MINUTES
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly Council of Representatives
April 13th, 1998
Big Red Barn Graduate & Professional Student Center Greenhouse
5:00 P.M.

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:05 by Cheryl Heinz, Vice President.

II. Announcements

C.Heinz stated that after tonight’s meeting, the 1998–99 COR will meet. In addition, the last meeting for the 1997–98 GPSA will take place on April 27 at 5:00 p.m. and the 1998–99 GPSA will be meeting at 6:00 p.m. on the same date.

III. Business of the Day

A) CIT and Phone Services

Pete Siegel, Director of Information Technologies, stated he would like to address any questions or concerns that members may have regarding CIT with regards to telephone service.

C.Heinz stated that the telephone rates on campus are rather high, especially for international calls. She asked what actions can be taken to alleviate this situation, and how exactly the rate system works.

P.Siegel stated that all the different communication servers are under the auspices of one system. When the current system was formed, there was a uniform rate for all the different services. However, this has changed and data transmissions have become more costly. Therefore, CIT is trying to adjust the rate system in order to reflect this change, but it will take a year in order to get the new system in place. Under the new system, data heavy departments will be charged more. P.Siegel noted that such changes were made in order to make the system more fair.

P.Siegel stated that the structure used to determine telephone rates is complicated, and will therefore be changed. International rates are too high, and so rates to the top 30 countries will be lowered next September. He noted that the top 30 countries called are based on minutes, not on the charges generated.

P.Siegel stated that there are some advantages to keeping a campus-wide system. For example, the 911 service is dependent on the infrastructure on campus. It is currently working well; if the system was changed, and the campus rewired, then 911 service will possibly become less efficient.

Pat Searles, Deputy Director of Academic Technology Services, stated that it is hard for people to understand why Cornell cannot offer the rates advertised on television. She stated that such low rates are not available to Cornell or other large institutions since telephone companies will not give them these rates. She noted that if the current system is modified that the cost reduction in international rates will have to be made up somewhere. CIT is classified as an enterprise, yet does not make any money. She noted that carriers are beginning to offer discounts, and when such discounts are available, they will be passed on to the consumer.

P.Siegel stated that Cornell will start to negotiate for a new contract soon. When this happens, a new carrier may be found that has more competitive rates. He noted that recently, new companies have formed that are eager for business and so, offer really low rates. Because of this, the market has become more competitive, and so the next contract will hopefully be better. It is also important to note that factors other than cost need to be considered when exploring alternative companies. Service and reliability weigh heavily into the equation. The contract with AT&T lasts for another two years, and a buyout is possible.

P.Searles stated that the current rate system is based on tariff rates. Rates are modified when the tariff rates change, even though the actual billing remains the same.

In response to members’ questions, P.Searles stated that five digit carriers cannot be used on the Cornell system. Cornell has 600 to 700 lines, and it is not possible to distinguish the calls. She noted that calling card rates are even worse that CIT rates. However, if a student can find a calling card that is cheaper, they will not be prevented from using the card.

P.Siegel stated that CIT wants to be proactive, and doesn’t want the whole student population using calling cards, because that signifies a problem. He noted that once data rates are in place, long distance rates should decrease and become more competitive.

Members asked whether it would be feasible to use a computer to determine which of several carriers offer the lowest rate to a particular country at a specific time.

P.Searles stated that currently Cornell is on an exclusive contract with AT&T, and so such a system could not be used. Before, one would get the cheapest rates and best service by using just one vendor. When the new contract is negotiated, it may be possible that multiple vendors will be used. She noted that the bidding process is very long, and entails several months. Also, a potential buyout will not occur until there is only one year left on the contract due to the high cost.

P.Siegel noted that in procuring cheaper service, one might also receive worse service.

Members asked about the length of the next contract.

P.Siegel stated that the next contract will probably be shorter. Before, longer contracts were the norm, since the best deals were found in such contracts. If it appears that rates will continue to decrease a shorter term will be sought. Currently, there are a lot of new companies that have no experience in the market. If these companies are a success, then it is possible that rates will decrease. He noted that some people are worried that the FCC will not allow rates to continue to fall.

P.Siegel stated that the current contract was originally five years long. However, after two years into the contract, Cornell was offered a rather good deal to extend the contract to seven years. P.Siegel stated that he does not envision Cornell signing a five-year contract under the current market conditions. He noted that when the contract is signed, if a new carrier is found, it will take some time to switch to that carrier due to the complexity involved.

P.Siegel stated that people will be informed of any changes in the fall. He asked that the GPSA inform him of any pressing issues that may arise.

B) Transportation Committee

Stacey Kenyon, Vet Med., stated that the proposal has been unanimously endorsed by the Transportation Committee. Afterwards, it must be voted on by the GPSA and the UA. She stated that the Office of Transportation Services (OTS) will send an addendum to new students. In addition to this, information about the new programs will be sent to all graduate and professional students.

K.Ellis stated that there are several changes that will be made. There will be perimeter parking permits made available to graduate and professional students. Accompanying these permits will be a free campus bus pass. Also, students will be able to purchase one day parking permits. Such permits will be sold in packs of ten and will be available for the A-lot. K.Ellis noted that OTS is thinking about setting the price at $35 for one book of ten permits. Finally, OTS will print a new transportation brochure directed specifically to the needs of graduate and professional students. She noted that these changes are small, but will hopefully be in place by next fall.

S.Kenyon stated that communication with Transportation will hopefully improve. An emergency ride service will be offered along with the Omniride bus pass to encourage people to feel more at ease with leaving their vehicles at home. She noted that there is a special telephone number that one has to call in order to get the ride, and that bus passes are non-transferable.

K.Ellis once again asked for volunteers to be on this committee next year.

C) NAGPS Health Insurance

Bonnie Bailey stated that she had received a message from Linda Yannone, Floriculture, regarding the comparison of NAGPS health insurance with the Cornell plan. L.Yannone had stated to her that the current Cornell plan is 90% better than the NAGPS one. The only exception to this was that the NAGPS plan covered fellows and post-docs. L.Yannone wrote that she would like to give a more detailed report. Also, Jo Molnar, University Health Services, would like to meet with the COR next September.

G.Hartz noted that some students may want to switch to the NAGPS plan, depending on their individual circumstances.

J.Schwarz stated that the comparison was made between the 1997–98 NAGPS and Cornell plans. Also, everyone is still able to use NAGPS as an alternative. In general, a lower premium is offered, but one would have a higher deductible.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.