Minutes
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly
Meeting of the GPSA Advisory Body
Monday, April 5, 2010
304 Fernow Hall
5:30–7:00 P.M.

I. Welcome and Introductions

The meeting was called to order. E. Gutierrez explained the agenda and introduced President Skorton and VP Murphy.

II. Presentation By President Skorton & Vice President Susan Murphy

President Skorton said he really appreciates the work done by the GPSA. Although progress on the GCI was slowed due to the recession, he and other administrators are very committed to improving the grad student experience. He also spoke about a follow-up to the mental health issues, explaining his background and the background of mental health illnesses. He explained that in his experience, the act of suicide is an impulsive one. That is why the fences went up, to not allow the impulse. No one likes the fences, but they are an effective means of making it hard to follow an impulse. He made the decision to put them up, and he urged people who have issues with the fences to please write or talk to him. This was a short-term solution, but a long-term one will have to be made soon. He said he was very proud and moved by how the campus dealt with this. They also have been working on budget balancing. That will be sent out in the next few weeks. They are in a much better situation.

VP Murphy continued along the line of the student health issue. She approached it from a timing point of view. They first had an immediate focus, followed by a short-term focus and soon they will be working on the long-term focus. She explained the process they went through and are continuing to go through. They are looking at all factors, while making sure to keep an eye on faculty and staff as well as students. As far as the fences, it’s what had to be done. They will take any and all feedback seriously.

A question was asked about the possibility of focus groups. They had no schedule but intended to make sure the grad school and the assemblies were kept in the loop.No schedule yet but will make sure grad school and assemblies know b/c still negotiating. Dean Hubbell was asked to identify 20 graduate students to form such a group. VP Murphy said that they have been doing a lot, and are working to increase efficiency. She suggested that in their role as educator, they wish to partner with graduate students in the same ways as faculty. As students, she urged them to help keep their eyes out for each other and develop a balance in life. Dean Hubbell reminded them not to forget that they’re 1/3 of the student population. President Skorton said that they needed to help with the undergraduate population, take care of themselves, and if you become faculty, don’t forget how important this issue is. The most important thing is to take care of themselves. He also said that he would be happy to receive email at david.skorton@cornell.edu.

III. Updates & Open Forum

Executive Vice-President — Erica Gutierrez

Bring your own mug event is happening this Friday. She has a sign up sheet for anyone who wants to volunteer or help promote. They are discussing t-shirt ideas, since there may be additional funding in the Communications Committee.

Vice-President of Operations — Brian Forster

He sent message that there’s a student trustee forum where one can meet candidates on April 15 from 6:30–7:45pm. Voting begins April 20th at 8am. They are putting together a focus group which is meeting the Rand Corporation to talk about the bridges. He is looking for 20 grad students. If you are interested, please see him tonight.

Finance Commission —Asia Sikora

Last Friday was the deadline for budgets. The 2010–11 annual budgets are due April 30th if you want them decided before the start of next school year. Otherwise, groups are still eligible next school year. Applications to apply are on the website. The workshop is Saturday April 10th in 153 MVR at noon. They will go over guidelines and a tutorial since the application is available online this year. May 8th is the funding review day. The FC is looking for volunteers to help come in, as they will probably receive well over 100 groups. Get in touch with her if want to help. There will also be food. It is in 157 MVR from 12–4 on May 8th.

Events Committee- Srich Murugesan

Grad Movie Night is this Friday at Willard Straight Hall. Grads get in for 2 dollars. The Grad Ball is coming up on April 23 from 9pm-1am. The theme is Masquerade. They will be providing masks there if it’s too much work to make. The goal this year is to make 1000 dollars profit to split up between Haiti and an account to start the Big Red Barn Rejuvenation Fund. They cut some costs and are having a special grad student DJ, Cresten. Ticket prices are 15 dollars and include free food and 2 free drinks. They do need volunteers to work the event. If you’re a volunteer, you would be working a maximum of a 2-hour shift and will be compensated by going for free. Tickets will go on sale Monday April 12 in the Office of the Assemblies at 109 Day Hall and in the Big Red Barn. Get tickets quickly. The maximum number you can buy is four.

This Saturday the Vet School is having an Open House from 10–4 put on by the 1st and 2nd years. It’s geared toward children but everyone is encouraged to come. They are looking for more grad student input on planning and implementation of orientation. Also, anyone interested in Students with Families, they will be sending out notification to recruit orientation volunteers as well as people trained to be Cornell Grad Tour Guides. This would be a paid position.

Student Public Affairs is putting on a panel at 4pm in the ILR conference center. There will be free wine and cheese.

IV. Discussion/Vote of Resolution R.14

Last year’s GPSA passed a resolution about mental health. From this, the ad-hoc mental health committee with Ed Miles chairing formed. They met with Gannett and EARS. They discussed their services with respect to grad students. They explained what was in the resolution and what changes have been made. Brian motioned to close debate and move to a vote. By a vote of 14 — 0 — 1 the motion passes.

V. Discussion of Resolution R.16

They explained the problem prompting the resolution. There was a working group consisted of voting and advisory body members. If the changes are adopted, there will no longer be a bifurcated system, but 1 system. There is additional responsibility but also opportunities. In two weeks’ time, voting members will take it up. They explained the pros and cons, wanting to know how the current advisory body members felt about this additional responsibility, as well as outlining what would be expected of members. After questions and concerns, they tabled this until the next meeting where they would vote on this.

VI. Discussion of Resolution R.17

E. Gutierrez explained the resolution, gave updates on what the committee has done, and explained why they thought it should be a standing committee. C. Mansfeldt complimented the committee on its achievements. His concern with providing a grad led committee with permanency is that it is backwards to what a normal committee does. This is the first time to open a committee to apply for funds to benefit the Cornell community instead of grads directly. L. Schneider is in favor of this resolution. He was the transportation advisory lead for GPSA. A major initiative he tried to get done was providing free transportation for grads. It would’ve made a huge difference if he said he was doing it through a GPSA Sustainability Committee and would’ve made more progress toward being taken seriously. E. Strong mentioned that in light of the huge demand, the UA Sustainability Committee now has 3 graduate/professional seats allotted. That’s 2 more seats than before, allowing them to have a larger voice for comment. J. Bloomfield said there are a number of aspects that these committees don’t touch on relating to grad student life. C. Heckman is slightly concerned over making it a standing committee and limiting what it can do for grads. They do have committees set forth advocating for grad affairs and interests. It is also worth expanding what standing committees can do. E. Gutierrez recommended people post to the blog or email the people involved.

VII. Elections of 2010—2011 GPSA Voting Members

The new representatives were elected from their respective fields. Randa Adra is the Law representative; Kyle Albert, Nicole Baran, Garance Choko, and Chris Clarke are the Social Sciences representatives; Thomas Balcerski and Evan Cortens are the Humanities representatives, Billie Gould, Neith Little, and Sricharan Murugesan are the Biological Sciences representatives; Steven An, Ben Heavner, Christoffer Heckman, and Cresten Mansfeldt are the Physical Sciences representatives; Sisca Harya is the Vet representative, Bobby Hartshorn is the JGSM representative, and Jennifer Swartz is an At-Large representative.

VIII. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn. Seconded. Adjourned at 7:26 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Brittany Rosen