GSS General Meeting Wednesday 11 April 2001 Noon to approximately 1:15 p.m. GUILFORD DINING ROOM -- different location! *PIZZA AND SODA SERVED* *ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS ARE WELCOME* This is our last (and most important) meeting of the year. Agenda: 1. Approve the following slate of officers / leaders for next year: Richard J. Charnigo, President Raja N. Ghanem, Vice President and chair of V-fund Appeal Committee John C. Martin, Corresponding Secretary and chair of Allocations Committee Michael T. Grossner, Recording Secretary and co-chair of Activities Committee Thomas J. Hund, Treasurer Catherine M. Corrigan, co-chair of Activities Committee Juilee Decker, liaison to postdoctoral researchers association Carrie A. Coutts, chair of International Buddies Committee 2. Vote on motions 2001.04, 2001.05, and 2001.06 (shown below). 3. Discussion with Provost Wagner about re-staffing of the Graduate Studies Office. Graduate Student Senators and other graduate students in attendance may participate in the discussion. Provost Wagner will be invited to speak first, before any questions or remarks are offered by Senators. 4. Vote on motion 2001.07 (draft shown below). 5. For IBP Coordinators: After the meeting is adjourned, you may submit the lists of incoming international students and of the volunteer Buddies within your department to Richard Charnigo. You may also submit the lists by e-mail any time before Tuesday 17 April. Motion #2001.04 Title: Support for Community Circulator proposal Sponsor: Richard J. Charnigo Whereas: there is a recognized need for and interest in more convenient transportation options for members of the campus community who live, work, and pursue leisure activities in University Circle and in close-by neighborhoods; University Circle and RTA leadership are considering the employment of a Community Circulator, a small RTA bus whose routes would be designed with the convenience of the members of the campus community in mind; institution of the Community Circulator would not require the simultaneous implementation of a U-Pass system, but neither would it preclude the implementation of a U-Pass system at some later date. Let it be resolved that the Graduate Student Senate supports the idea of the Community Circulator and urges the leadership of University Circle and RTA to act upon this proposal. Motion #2001.05 Title: Support for an elective English Course for international graduate students Sponsor: Richard J. Charnigo Whereas: there is a recognized need for and interest in an elective English course that would help international graduate students improve their command of the language and, in particular, their ability to communicate effectively in writing; to be able to express oneself well in writing, either in an academic or a professional setting, is a skill that every student who earns a graduate degree from this University should have. Let it be resolved that the Graduate Student Senate supports the idea of an elective English course being made available for international graduate students who wish to improve their command of the language and their ability to communicate effectively in writing. The Graduate Student Senate asks the appropriate members of the faculty and administration to work together to make the idea of an elective English course for international graduate students a reality. Motion #2001.06 Title: Appreciation to Outgoing GSS Leaders Sponsor: Richard J. Charnigo Whereas: Pamela Maimer has served as the Vice President of the Graduate Student Senate for the 2000-2001 academic year and, in particular, taken on the responsibility of chairing the committee that administers the Diekhoff Award for Distinguished Graduate Teaching; And, Whereas: Sathaporn "Noom" Laksanacharoen motivated the Graduate Student Senate to consider the international students' perspective and became the first chair of the GSS International Buddies Committee. Let it be resolved that the Graduate Student Senate expresses appreciation to Pam and Noom for their efforts and wishes them continued success in their endeavors. Motion #2001.07 Title: Restatement of GSS Sentiment on the Graduate Dean Sponsor: John Martin Whereas: Motion #2001.01 (which actually was the second motion of the year) was largely based on second hand knowledge and subsequent conversations have more concretely established the facts of the issue. & Whereas: The Senate desires for the official record to correctly represent the facts at hand and our evolving position. Let it be resolved that the Sense of the Senate is: -That there is agreement between the Provost and the Graduate Student body that the Graduate School should not be de-centralized. -That the fact is that the Assistant Dean position has always been staff and not an administrator. However, since the position fulfills a role important to Graduate Studies and since Graduate Studies, lacking any budgetary authority, is dependent on the influence that its leaders exercise; the Senate feels that it is important for this critical staff position to maintain a title that conveys its influence and importance. -That the Senate understands there is currently not enough of a job description to justify a full-time administrative Dean of Graduate Studies. However the Senate wishes to work with the Provost to develop a job description that warrants the employment of a full- time administrator in this position rather than a faculty member holding a half time appointment. -The Senate appreciates that the Provost understands our concern with a faculty member exercising the ombudsman role for Graduate Students. -The Senate wishes to thank the graduate student body, post-docs, and undergraduate student body for the support they have lent to the Senate on this issue.