Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
Big Red Barn
August 27, 2007
5:30–7:00 p.m.

I. Welcome and Introduction

Y. Yu called the meeting to order at 5:39pm.

II. Open Forum

L. Diaz said that there is a Vet School Benefit Concert on September 6.

Brenda said that the childcare grant subsidies are available as of today. She said it is for those with children and it is due by September 14. It is also for all graduate students.

Kent said that he negotiated for free music.

III. Executive Updates

a. President: Yu Yu

Y. Yu said that she went to NYC to meet with the Weill Medical College counterpart. She said that they have 2 student government organizations and that one of their members agreed to be a liaison to both.

Y. Yu said that all of the executive board is going to the Ivy Summit.

Y. Yu said that the discount bill for contraceptive has expired and that the graduate student health insurance has also expired.

b. Vice-President: Michelle Leinfelder

M. Leinfelder said the GCI met in June and they had some short, mid and long-term goals. She said there will be more updates to come.

M. Leinfelder said the GPSA softball team this summer did well, they had fun and it was recreational. She said orientation last week was a huge success. During orientation the executive board gave a brief talk.

c. Secretary: Amy Richter

A. Richter said she is working to staff the committees. She said the SLAC is looking for representatives.

A. Richter said the childcare services committee is formed.

IV. Committee Chair Reports

a. FP: Shawn

S. Kong said that this semester’s budget needs to be approved by the time the funding groups and they need to decide how much. He said that the GPSAFC decides on the final amount. Cornell will host the Ivy Summit in the next 3 years. He said that they need to build this into the budget.

S. Kong said that Slope Day may need to come out of the budget. He said there was some money carried over from last year.

b. Events: Philia

P. Rentea said that the graduate ball was a huge success last year. He said that there are more events coming�such as a retreat and the ropes course. P. Rentea said there will also be some grad nights out, the graduate ball again and one event with the Weill medical college.

September 23 is the date for the retreat.

c. FC: Liang

L. Chen said it is the first year for summer funding.

L. Chen said Janet reports the calendar is fixed, such as when events are in. She said they will download this to a page on our website.

V. GCI Update

There will be forums and discussions in the year.

VI. New Resolution (R. 1 Charter changes) Amy Richter & Michael Walsh

The resolution was introduced. It changes the role of the GPSA secretary. This used to be the same person, but it does not have to be.

A. Richter said she has a conflict�she needs a member who can devote more time to it.

M. Walsh said he is trying to create good representation. He wants another person from the voting body in it, there are other 2 positions open. M. Walsh said to send the names to A. Richter.

VII. New Resolution (R. 2 Charter changes) Amy Richter

A. Richter said she is looking for better reporting and better representation. She said the issues are big this year and communication is critical. A. Richter said some committees do not meet regularly, e-mails of a few sentences is sufficient.

VIII. Election of Pay and Benefits Chair

There was an open floor for nominations.

Rei nominated herself, she has health insurance as a concern.

A. Richter discussed the pay and benefits issues for campus.

Y. Yu said that several years ago there was a survey done, but there was not much action or follow up from it.

P. Rentea seconded the nomination.

A. Richter closed the nominations.

A. Cowan seconded.

There were no objections, there was a unanimous vote for Rei.

IX. Updates

a. Bus Service Concerns

A. Cowan from the law school talked about bus service changes. He said that there was a change in the Maplewood and East Hill #51 bus. A. Cowan said the bus no longer goes to collegetown. He discussed this and hope that they restore the bus.

A. Epstein talked about the TAC. He said that on September 17 David Lieb will be there and that Dan Brown is heading this up.

A. Richter talked about the TGEIS and said they will be here soon at the September 24 meeting. She said they need grad representatives. B. Forster said he knows a person who got a free pass for one month which ended in August. He said it should be good for one year no matter when it starts.

b. UNC

N. Brideau said that in collegetown, in one month there will be a new signal at Dryden and College Ave. He said the task force has a temporary moratorium on construction for one year.

N. Brideau said there will be a bulletin board for events like VA tech.

N. Brideau said all grad families who wanted to return to Hasbrouck were granted their request.

He said TCAT added two new routes to the mall from the PG area and Hasbrouck to the mall and Wegman’s. N. Brideau said the buses are free after 6pm and on weekends.

N. Brideau said Ithaca carshare.org is a new thing in Ithaca. He said there are 10–15 cars with a yearly fee. They are trying to show this idea and see if it can work in a small city. He said he is also looking for a bike rental service.

X. Discussion of our goals in this coming year

Y. Yu asked, what can the GPSA do this year to be effective? How can it be remembered? She said the GCI is critical and that they need feedback.

Brenda said that the GCI has raised the profile of graduate students and she commends them.

Tamara hopes that the GPSA continue supporting graduate students.

S. Kong hopes the GPSA keeps reminding the administration that we need support, money and resources.

M. Leinfelder hopes we continue to support the GCI, and that if we show active support, the resources will come. She said the COR needs to be fully staffed and keep showing participation.

M. Walsh said that the GCI and activity fee are the top issues. He said we need to start thinking about how we can work better together at the GPSA and the COR. He said the charter needs work.

Janet asked how can we raise our profile. She said maybe we can do an AIDS ride team or other things besides work groups. M. Leinfelder said maybe we can write for the Chronicle or the Sun. Tamara said intramural sports is a good iea.

Y. Yu said she will continue this discussion at the retreat.

A. Richter reminded the assembly to submit their comm. apps online.

XI. Adjournment

Respectfully submitted,
YuhLi Tsuei
Office of the Assemblies