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20080225 R 8

R. 8 Regarding the Pay & Benefits Committee

Whereas the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) is the representative body for graduate and professional Students at Cornell, and;

Whereas in March 2003 the GPSA created the Pay & Benefits Committee was created and charged “with investigating the diverse needs and desires of graduate and professional students with regards to pay and benefits,” and;

Whereas, section 9.7 of the GPSA Charter states:

The Pay and Benefits Committee will be charged with investigating the needs and desires of graduate and professional students regarding their pay and benefits, including but not limited to stipend levels, health insurance coverage and child care provision. The Pay and Benefits Committee will work in consultation with other relevant committees and interested parties.

and;

Whereas this committee has had some success expanding dental and vision plan access for graduate and professional students,” and;

Whereas, in July 2005 the Pay and Benefits Committee submitted the Results of the GPSA Pay and Benefits Committee 2005 Survey, and;

Whereas, since that time, Pay and Benefits Committee has had four chairs resign due to various issues, resulting in a nonfunctioning committee at several points, sometimes when it was most needed, and;

Whereas, issues relating to health insurance, mental health, and general student well being have been brought up without significant community discussion and input, and;

Whereas, the current charge of the GPSA Pay and Benefits committee neglects issues of concern such as financial aid and mental health.

Be it therefore resolved that the GPSA dissolve the Pay and Benefits Committee and replace it with the GPSA Student Advocacy Committee,

Be it further resolved the Graduate & Professional Student Assembly Charter be amended to read:

9.7 Student Advocacy Committee
The Student Advocacy Committee will be charged with investigating the needs and desires of graduate and professional students regarding issues and concerns relating to their academic standing, finances, mental and physical health, and general well being. These issues shall include but are not limited to stipend levels, health insurance coverage, child care, mental health. The Student Advocacy Committee will work in consultation with other relevant committees and interested parties. The Student Advocacy Committee shall serve as the lobbying arm of the GPSA and seek to interact with Cornell, local, state, and federal offices to address the needs of graduate and professional students.

and;

8.5 Election of Committee Chairs
At the same meeting as the election of officers each spring, the GPSA shall elect by majority vote the Chairs of the Funding Policy Committee, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Finance Commission, Student Advocacy Committee, and the Events Committee. Vacancies in standing committee chairs that occur during the academic year may be filled by majority vote at the next business meeting. If necessary, the Secretary may appoint an acting chair from among the committee’s members to serve until the new chair is elected.
8.6
Members of the Operations and Staffing Committee shall include all standing committee chairs; the GPSA President and Vice-President shall serve as ex officio (non-voting) members. By the end of September, the Operations and Staffing Committee shall set the size of and appoint members to the Funding Policy Committee, Communications Committee, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Finance Commission, Student Advocacy Committee and Events Committee. These appointments shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. After initial committee appointments are made, vacancies may be filled by members appointed by the Executive Committee or appointed by committee chairs to their own committee. Any members appointed by committee chairs are non-voting members until the appointment is approved by the Executive Committee.

Be it further resolved that this resolution be sent to the Director of the Office of Assemblies, the President of Cornell University, The Dean of the Graduate School.

Respectfully Submitted,
Michael Jay Walsh
Physical Sciences Representative
2006–2007 GPSA Vice President