MINUTES
Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
Monday, February 4, 2011

Memorial Room, Willard Straight Hall
5:30�7:00 P.M.

I. Welcome and Introductions

Meeting called to order by J. Swartz at 5:33 p.m. Everyone went around the room and introduced themselves.

II. Presentation By President Skorton & Vice President Susan Murphy

President Skorton thanked the members for the service they do for the university and graduate and professional students. This afternoon we had a meeting of student leaders. He suggested that people send him other kinds of communications from the assemblies where you share issues, concerns, etc, even if they’re not reached into a specific resolution. It would serve two purposes: he could get more educated and give more time to communicate in a less formal way.

VP Murphy was delighted to see that a resolution related to mental health is on the docket and looked forward to receiving the final resolution. She reminded everyone about the continuing conversation with the city about means restriction. There is a grad student on the committee, Allison Nash. They are expecting this month for communication with campus at large. In March, the proposals from the consultant in Boston will be available for public commentary. They’re reaching out to the city, students, faculty and staff communities in March. Additionally, they need to move forward on doing something with Maplewood. They’re thinking about a new way to develop with a private developer which is not a model Cornell has exercised before. By 2014–5 Maplewood will come to its useful end.

T. Balcerski asked about the state of Cornell in the nation and the world. President Skorton said that despite the austere last two years, and general issues affecting all aspects of societies, Cornell is a university with a rich variety of resources. Cornell near or at the top of the nation perennially with respect to physical sciences and engineering, never lower than #4, often #1. Biomedical, agricultural, and life sciences are also very high. The social sciences and humanities’ national investment has been more meager. The humanities have been going backwards for some years. He is worried about the humanities. We need to be diligent about the advising system for graduate and professional students, which is different from advising of undergrads. The huge competition for research and faculty positions have made all people in higher education rethink career trajectories. He’d be willing to return to talk to the GPSA about this issue.

C. Mansfeldt read a question from an audience member read the editorial today in the sun and noted that graduate students’ hardest time is after the A exams relating to life, not academic. He asked about the resources. President Skorton said that there is a difference in the committed nature. His impression is, it’s easier to communicate across the board with undergrads than graduate and professional students. They need to find a more successful communication mechanism. VP Murphy said that the main focus is through the grad school and dean of students. Students aren’t aware of the resources. It may be appropriate to talk to VP Opperman and perhaps put issues that young staff and young grads have in common together.

E. Cortens asked about the progress on the issue regarding the childcare grants. B. Wickes said that the same amount is still there. Any Cornell student with children who requires day care in order that student attend, is eligible for same amount. The Cornell student childcare grant is different than employee funding. The source for staff and faculty is part of the HR package where as student is from the Provosts’ office. It is an issue the GPSA played a great role in bringing it forward.

Chris Clarke asked about the state funding alternatives due to the issues regarding limiting funding from the state. President Skorton said that portions of the Cornell campus depend more on public support. Looking at the history elsewhere in public universities who have had to deal with reduction of state support, it’d been reflected in tuition increases for undergrads. In private tuitions it hasn’t been the same kind of issue except in parts where the public decided to walk away from an area of research. If this budget, which is a proposal, passes, funding is reduced by 28% over four years. Two or three years ago, the decision was made to have the same increase for undergrads in contract and endowed to be the same dollar number. It is too early to say what the dean will decide The other aspect indirect to grad students is that as a land grant institution, they have to see how these changes and others would affect county support and services. Some of the issues were brought up in the strategic plan. It affects all 4 contract colleges to different levels, but CALS is focus of a lot of concern.

An audience member asked what steps are being taken to defend the humanities, specifically for Cornell grads. President Skorton said that he’s devoting a lot of time for people who know a lot about the area, humanists, and people who can affect the future of the humanities to talk to each other and view the plight as a serious national priority. He has spoken in general terms with leaders of humanities organizations around the country. The first thing is to educate himself. When visiting members of congress, the number 1 issue is dealing with humanities. The toughest part is what to tell current grads. He doesn’t believe the national endowment for the humanities will disappear, but they need to make sure that’s the case. Even indirect areas of budget are important for scholarly work in humanities. We need to act as if there’s a real threat to make the NEH disappear. The only thing to tell the grads is to continue the good work you’re doing, talk to faculty, and know there is a substantial amount of activity to recognize the special threat to humanities. There’s something you can be doing is let your voting representatives know, talk to people who can make their voices be heard. If anyone has any questions, the email addresses to contact are: Shm1@cornell.edu and david.skorton@cornell.edu

III. Executive Updates

a. President: Cresten Mansfeldt

To begin, they are launching an initiative where older GPSA members will be having coffee with anyone interested. This is a way for newer voting members or non-voting members to get familiar with the process. If anyone is interested, send him an email and they’ll work on a time. Also, the Leadership breakfast is on Wednesday. His report will be publically available on Friday.

b. Executive Vice President: Jennifer Swartz

The Communications Committee ordered bottle openers and stickers with the Cornell GPSA address, please pass them out to people in your department. She will have a date for the next meeting soon. Email her at jls255 if you’re interested

c. Vice President of Operations: Thomas Balcerski

The documents, charter and bylaws as they currently stand are on the Office of the Assemblies website. They’re going through a change and while this is mostly involving those members who have an interest in changing the current structure, it affects all members. They are trying to make everyone as aware of proposed changes as possible. Next time the GPSA meets is February 21, and on the schedule it is listed as voting council, but it is an important meeting for everyone. There will be discussion on proposed changes, one of which is the meeting structure.

OLD BUSINESS

IV. R.4 Opposing Proposed Changes to CCA: Discussion only

Evan Cortens explained the resolution and thinks this fits well with the discussion just had with President Skorton and VP Murphy. This is a smaller picture, on a $100,000 level on our campus. That is something we can take an active voice in. This affects funding of our own arts and humanities programs. He gave background on the issue. This is the only central way for the arts to be funded. The resolution is already having the desired effect. He took questions from the audience

V. R.5 Graduate Mental Health Care

C. Clarke explained that the motivation is to deal with an issue on everyone’s mind, mental health. The resolution the committee came up with tries to address this in a number of ways. He described the resolution.

No one wanted to speak against the resolution, so they moved into informal discussion and debate. The audience had questions and comments on the resolution.

E. Cortens motioned to amend the resolution by inserting after the 5th whereas clause, “Whereas, The Chronicle of Higher Education published an article on Jan 27, 2011 entitled “College Freshmen Report Record-Low Levels of Emotional Health,” stating that emotional health is at its lowest levels since the survey began in 1985;” By a vote of 11 —1 — 0, the amendment passes and is now a part of the resolution.

E. Cortens motioned to close debate and move to a vote. B. Hartshorn seconded. By a vote of 12–0−0, the resolution on graduate student mental health passes.

NEW BUSINESS

VI. Election of vacant At-Large Seat

E. Cortens nominated Mia Tootill. She accepted. N. Yakubu nominated Marquis Hawkins. He accepted. Michael Barnett from the law school nominated himself. Each nominee gave a speech on how they’re qualified and why they would like to run for the Assembly. All field members voted. T. Balcerski motioned to extend the meeting to 7:15 p.m. C. Heckman seconded. The meeting was extended to 7:15 p.m. Mia Tootill was the winner of the election.

VII. Break Out Sessions

There were breakout sessions in each super-field discussing various items. They reconvened at 7:05 p.m.

VIII. Motion to Adjourn

E. Cortens motioned to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. B. Hartshorn seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Brittany Rosen