DRAFT
Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
Big Red Barn
April 24, 2006
5:30–7:00 p.m.

I. Call to Order

T. McConnochie called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

II. Approval of Minutes

a. March 27, 2006
After a few corrections the minutes were approved

III. Open Forum

A. Beggs had a letter from Z. Wang to let the assembly know that her father passed away and she wanted to thank people for their warm wishes. Z. Wang is happy that the off campus housing resolution was passed and thanked M. Bhadauria for helping that happen.

IV. Reports

a. Student Insurance Advisory Committee — Mao Ye
M. Ye said that the university said if a 2 tier plan is created, it can cause selection problems. M. Ye’s counter argument is that there are still people with high risks and those people will still buy the plan.

Stanford University decided to share information to help find solution to the problem.

An assembly member asked for clarification, and M. Ye said that student spouse has the option to choose which type of plan they want.

M. Ye said that benefits for student spouses attracts students to come to Cornell. He also mentioned that insurance in Cornell is subsidized but nobody really knows that.

Victoria wanted to mention she got 2 emails. Stanford decided to drop spouse/family coverage because of the high cost since not enough spouses use the plan. A lot of schools are looking at the same question. Stanford believes graduate students will find external sources. Yale is going the opposite direction and is going to support up to 50% of spouse coverage, increasing benefits to graduate students.

T. McConnochie wanted to say that the grad ball was a success and that the tickets were all sold out.

T. McConnochie said that the transportation referendum is on its way. Each grad student should’ve gotten an email for a survey/referendum.

V. New Business

Y. Yu said wanted to recruit members for this Sunday’s funding day and described what it is.

A. Beggs said that she is trying to get graduate feedback from the summer about the “masterplan” about the development of the university. They are going to process data in the fall.

VI. Adjournment

T. McConnochie adjourned the meeting at 6:11 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
YuhLi Tsuei
Office of the Assemblies