GSG Assembly meeting July 11, 2007

Supplements: Student Child Care Assistance Program Report

Agenda

I. Call to Order and Assembly Business

II. New Business

A. Report on Student Housing’s policy on Children in the high-rise from Dan Raburn (PRESS SEC)

B. Rescheduling of the September 2007 Assembly meeting

C. A Cockroach problem in Lawrence

III. Discussion Items

A. GSG Summer Letter Writing Campaign – Shin-Yi Lin (CHAIR)

1. P-RIDES expansion (APPROVED)

2. Free meals for graduate students at undergraduate cafeterias

3. Permission to keep pets in Lawrence apartments (DISMISSED)

4. Support improvements to Firestone Library (APPROVED)

5. A letter to request that costs for doing laundry be included into monthly rent (DISMISSED)

6. 6. A letter to request making the GC dining plan an optional plan (DISMISSED)

7. Lessen increases in DCE tuition (APPROVED)

8. Improvements to the lighting on the sidewalks to Lawrence Apartments (APPROVED)

9. Request improved communication between Graduate Housing and graduate students throughout the Housing Draw process (APPROVED)

10. Request an increase in funds available for scholarly travel (APPROVED)

11. Request ….birth control (APPROVED)

12. Increase the dental subsidy to the student health plan (APPROVED)

13. Improve childcare program (APPROVED)

14. A letter to request adding air-conditioning units to graduate housing (APPROVED)

15. A letter to request an increase in office space for graduate students (DISMISSED)

16. Increase funding for outreach and community projects (DISMISSED)

17. Request expanded summer hours to Dillon gym (DISMISSED)

18. Increase the summer hours to Student Health Services (APPROVED)

19. Support of current University sustainability projects (APPROVED)

20. Request that second-year DCE students to be eligible for University fellowships (APPROVED)

IV. Reports

A. Department Reports - postponed

B. Furniture Drive report – Dan Raburn (Press Secretary)

C. Chair’s report – Shin-Yi Lin (Chair)

D. GSG Summer BBQ - Jenny He (Social Chair)

V. Adjournment and Happy Hour

Attendance

(To Be Added)

I. Call to Order and Assembly Business

The meeting started at 6:08 pm.

Quorum was not met, and thus Assembly was unable to conduct any official business. Unofficial vote counts were taken so that Exec could anticipate which letters would be approved when official votes were counted by email and start writing as soon as possible. Official e-mail tallies are included at the end of Discussion items.

In addition, these are informal minutes.

II. New Business

A. Report on Student Housing’s policy on Children in the high-rise from Dan Raburn (PRESS SEC)

The Housing department has, for a long time, had a policy that children are not allowed to live in the Lawrence High-Rise. Several months ago, some graduate students (Tim) begin discussing this policy with the Housing department, concerned about how this policy effects graduate students, as well as the relationship between this policy and state and federal law -- there's not much precedent for how housing laws apply to educational institutions. We, Exec, have been investigating this matter for the past month, speaking with the individuals involved. I don't think we should discuss this matter today, since we don't have much information about it and the agenda is already full. But, if you have any information or concerns about this, please let us know -- email gsg@ or draburn@.

Lisa Schreyer stated that she had been present for previous discussions regarding the decisions regarding eligibility of children in the one-bedroom high-rise apartments, about the available square footage which does not include space occupied by bathrooms or closets, not just the total square footage of the apartment.

Silvia Newell pointed out that by NJ law children that are less than 2 years of age are not counted when determining the minimum square footage required per person.

B. Rescheduling of the September 2007 Assembly meeting

Shin-Yi Lin (Chair) suggested moving September’s assembly meeting from its usual date (second Wednesday of the month) to accommodate the orientation week for graduate students, which falls on the second week of September this year. This could improve attendance of the September Assembly meeting by first-year students, and thus increase awareness of / involvement in the GSG amongst the first years. A motion to postpone the meeting was approved.

C. A Cockroach problem in Lawrence

Clara Tuan (EAS) said that the University doesn’t take care of this, because they need consent of individual tenants. Dean Lisa Schreyer said that many tenants refuse treatment of the rooms, and this is what would be required to take care of the problems. Praveena Joseph-de-Saram (MOL) mentioned that someone told her that Lawrence Apartments is being infested with a particularly resistant strain of cockroaches.

III. Discussion Items

A. GSG Summer Letter Writing Campaign (Shin-Yi Lin)

Since 2003, the GSG has written letters during the summer to administrators regarding various graduate student issues. EXEC chooses August for these letters because administrators submit requests to the Priorities Committee (PriComm) in September. However, our issues are often addressed without needing to involve a PriComm request.

Shin-Yi Lin presented an overhead slide listing all of the letters being considered for this year’s Summer Letter-Writing Campaign (see also section III.A). She then asked Assembly whether there were any additional requests for summer letters.

1. Discussion of Choices for letters

Susan Robison (PSY) asked if we could we include the aforementioned cockroach problems as a potential letter. Silvia Newell (Parliamentary Secretary) pointed out that all issues concerning all students should theoretically be addressed by these letters, not a subset of the students, and thus the cockroach problem in New Lawrence should not be a candidate for the letters.

Grace Wang (CHM) requested that a letter be written about addressing the poor air quality in the chemistry buildings. She reported that fans are running at maximum capacity and are not able to turnover air fast enough to accommodate the hood use by students performing organic chemistry experiments. Shin-Yi Lin reminded everyone that the purpose of the campaign is to get at key issues that affect all or potentially all grad students, and since the chemistry building problem does not affect all students it would not be a candidate for the letters.

Shin-Yi asked assembly to go through each topic as a group, and evaluate whether it is appropriate for the campaign. In order to meet the highest standards of what is appropriate for the summer letter campaign, a “YES” vote for a specific topic will count in favor of writing a letter, while a “NO” or “ABSTAIN” vote will not. EXEC will write letters in the form of a resolution and decide who to target.

Kevin (POL) then asked if the letter-writing campaign required PRI-COMM funding. Shin-Yi replied that no, because some of these letters will not be a request for more funding but for reorganization of rules. For example, the letter requesting permission to keep pets in the Lawrence Apartments is not a PriComm issue, because it is not about money.

Robert Harron (MAT) asked how many letters were written last year. Shin-Yi Lin responded that ten were written last year, and that half of those were addressed by the administrators with some kind of solution.

Listed below are the topics of the 2006 letters, and the outcomes:

 
1. DCE tuition should not be significantly increased > done
 
2. A university-wide push for sustainability > Shana Weber was hired 
 
3. Provide Frist dining options during the summer > Café Vivian is opening separately, maybe by fall 2008
 
4. Improve lighting, campus safety, and sidewalks; more blue-light phones > improve lighting to GC, sidewalk to Hibben apartments
 
5. Separate Graduate College rent increases from UG room and board increases > PriComm, rent and dining was adjusted so that the increase was only ~5%
 
6. Graduate College summer rents should reflect room size > N/A
 
7. Increased P-rides express service > working on it
 
8. Improve Housing Office customer service; review housing policy; propose a comprehensive housing survey be conducted > internal review
 
9. Improve the quality of GC food > N/A
 
10. Campus Bar

Praveena Joseph-de-Saram (MOL) asked some of the problems address last year with letters were being re-addressed in this year’s letters. Shin-Yi Lin mentioned that the University responded to last year’s request for additional sidewalks and improved lighting by putting sidewalks in to Hibben Apartments, and re-writing to improve lighting may bring successful results.

Dante Ricci (BUTLER) asked whether the Firestone issue discussed in previous assembly meetings (see minutes for April 2007), which entails an ambitious long-term proposal, could be too ambitious to be taken care of by the letter writing campaign.

Susan Robison (PSY) was unclear of the purpose of the letter requesting free meals.

One concern for writing the letter regarding the GC dining plan option is that there isn’t much cooking space in the GC for frequent cooking.

Dean Lisa Schreyer wondered whether the P-Rides shuttle system was being expanded already, making the letter requesting an expansion of the P-rides express redundant. Jenny He (Social Chair) replied that the P-Rides express runs only one van at night. It fills up fast, and doesn’t run too late. We are asking for multiple vans. Robert Harron (MAT) also asked whether it would run after D-Bar closes. Lisa said that it would run until 2:30am to the GC.

2. Unofficial voting results from Assembly meeting: candidate topics for the summer letter writing campaign

The following potential letters were voted on during assembly meeting in order to get an approximate level of support from assembly. Department and Program representatives are eligible to vote. Quorum was not met at this meeting, so an official vote took place by e-mail.

1. P-RIDES Expansion (APPROVED)

Jenny He (Social Chair) spoke to assembly on behalf of Jeff Dwoskin (Facilities), who was not present at Assembly meeting:

University Services (Paul Breitman, General Manager) has been planning a large expansion to the current shuttle system. If fully funded, this will dramatically improve the service and will address most of the items we have requested, including: increased frequency and hours, weekend service, access to shopping centers, some access to Forrestal campus, designing a system where grad students don't need to own cars, etc. We should write a letter supporting the expansion, and express how glad we are that our needs are being addressed.
 
Separately from the scheduled shuttle routes, the GSG has been talking with Public Safety and University Services about expanding the on-demand shuttles (P-rides Express). This is the late night shuttle that you can call for a ride to/from anywhere on campus and for pickups from Princeton Junction train station after the Dinky. The service currently has 1 van driven by undergraduates. It is usually over-capacity so it takes too long to get a ride, and does not run late enough (e.g. after D-Bar closes) or over breaks. We should write a letter asking Public Safety and University Services to add capacity (i.e. additional vans) and hours.

Shin-Yi Lin said it would be useful for Paul Breitman to receive letters of support for things that are happening. Chris Crutchfield (CHM) asked for an explanation of the current shuttle service that links with the Dinky Train system. Shin-Yi explained that the late night shuttle express rides run after shuttle is done. Dan Raburn (Press Secretary) made a motion to dismiss. Alex Ntelekos (Treasurer) wondered whether this letter was necessary.

A motion to write the letter was made. The motion to write the letter was approved with 10 votes. (YES: 10; NO: 4; ABSTAIN: not counted)

2. Free meals for graduate students at undergraduate dining cafeterias (DISMISSED)

Jenny He (Social Chair) spoke on behalf of Jeff Dwoskin (Facilities):

This fall, undergraduates in the junior and senior classes will each be given two free meals per week in the dining halls, to encourage them to participate in the 4-year residential colleges. We suggest implementing a similar program for graduate students (2 meals per week in any dining hall).
The goals of a letter request would the following:
 - Give *every* grad student the opportunity to interact with undergrads on campus in a comfortable/social setting. (Compare this to the RGS program, which provides a lot of interaction for a few grad students, and it will mean that every undergrad should have positive interactions with some graduate students.)
 - Give graduate students a reason to go to campus and feel like they belong there (especially in the residential colleges). This will also bring more grads students in to eat with their RGS friends and participate in the colleges once there, possibly improving the effectiveness of the RGS program.
 - Give more senior graduate students a reason to go back to the GC, and interact with students outside of their departments.

Several representatives asked about the motivation for this request. Robert Harron (MAT) said that it seemed that the goal of giving junior and senior undergraduate students free meals was to bring students back to their original undergraduate colleges. He wondered why the University would agree to lose the money for this. Shin-Yi Lin –mentioned that the University currently gives the RGS’s all free meals a week.

Charles Butcosk (ART) asked if this was reasonable. Susan Robison (PSY) said she didn’t feel this was feasible, and the RGS’s not enough to serve the purpose of fostering interaction between undergraduate and graduate students? Jenny He answered that the point of RGS is also to increase the presence of graduate students on campus. In addition, the RGS’s may want to bring friends along with them to meals. Grace Wang (CHM) added that the RGS’s had a limited number of guest passes. Kevin Collins felt concerned that writing this letter and asking this of the University administration could adversely affect other requests.

Shin-Yi Lin made a motion to dismiss this topic as a letter request. The motion to dismiss the letter request was approved with 9 votes (1 “no” vote and 1 “abstain” vote).

3. A letter to request permission to keep pets in Lawrence apartments (DISMISSED)

Silvia Newell (Parliamentary Secretary) outlined the motivation of writing this letter:

Many students living in Lawrence Apartments would like to have pets; in fact, some already do and were asked to give up their pets or move out following an unannounced search of the apartments last spring. Making two of the housing options pet-friendly would give students with pets or who want them a much more flexible living situation.

Dean Lisa Schreyer informed assembly that there is a legal reason why pets are not allowed in Lawrence: town regulations require that in order to have pets in the building the owner must be able to have immediate access to a private entryway. This is why pets are allowed in Butler apartments and Millstone first-floor apartments.

Shin-Yi Lin (Chair) suggested that since we don’t know the rules that apply here, we should dismiss the letter. There were no objections.

4. A letter to support improvements to Firestone Library (APPROVED)

Bob McGregor (Corresponding Secretary) informed assembly of the current status of the push for Firestone library improvements:

A group of GSG officers/reps met with Dottie Pearson (Associate University Librarian for Administrative Services) in May to voice some of our concerns. There were a number of issues:

1.) Missing books are often not replaced.

2.) No magnetic strips or RFID tags in books, making stealing easy and creating the hassle of bag searches.

3.) Bag searches - we would like to push for consistency. Let the guards know that consistency is important, and they should never just wave people through because they know them. Several guards are very lax, which creates animosity with the stricter guards, and sometimes feelings of embarrassment.

4.) Food/drink in the library. Current policy is "don't ask, don't tell." Lots of students eat and drink in the library, because they have to spend so much time there. We would like to push for either a "lounge" room in the library, or extended hours for Chancellor Green.

5.) Noise complaints.

6.) Extending library hours. Most major university libraries are open past midnight.

7.) Allow the use of digital cameras in Rare Books, since the cost of reproduction is prohibitively expensive for grad students (approx. $20/page)

The easiest of these to tackle on a short term basis are probably #3 and #7 (bag searches and digital cameras) since these are policy issues and won't cost the library much time or money. The Master Plan for the library includes gradually shifting to magnetic or RFID strips, so this already on their radar and will take time and great expense.

Robert McGregor (Corresponding Secretary) informed assembly that EXEC had talked to Dotty Pearson. The large scale things, such as placing magnetic strips/ RFID tags to every book, are in the plan already.

Shin-Yi Lin said that the letter would be about immediate rater than long term changes more policy changes, swipe for cards.

The letter would ask for a more relaxed guest policy.

Kevin Collins (POL) asked who the letter would be addressed to. Shin-Yi responded that the letter would go to the library people.

Charles Butcosk (ART) asked how much traction we were currently getting with the library issues. He said that he felt that Dotty Pearson did not understand the motivation for placing the magnetic strips in all library books.

A motion to write the letter was made by Kevin Collins (POL) and a motion to second was made by Susan Robison (PSY). The letter was approved with 8 votes.

At this point Silvia Newell told assembly that quorum is not met in this assembly meeting. Silvia made a motion vote by email. Assembly would act as if we have quorum and vote unofficially so that EXEC could get an idea of what letters would very likely to be approved during the official vote by email.

5. A letter to request that costs for doing laundry be included into monthly rent (DISMISSED)

Dan Raburn explained the current motivation for incorporating laundry fees into the monthly rent:
Currently, the laundry services at grad housing are coin-operated while at undergrad housing it is bundled in to rent. Note that while the laundry services at most of the grad housing units are (I think) handled by the University, the laundry at the GC is handled by the GC House Committee; the income from the laundry represents about half of the income of the GC House Committee and goes towards events such as social hour. One advantage of making laundry bundled into rent is that residents wouldn't need to have quarters when they want to do laundry, but students would have less control and awareness over their laundry bill. It's also possible to ask for laundry to be subsidized.

Dan made a motion to dismiss, and the motion was approved with 12 votes.

(YES: 12; NO or ABSTAIN: none raised their hands)

6. A letter to request making the GC dining plan an optional plan (DISMISSED)

Dan Raburn explained the motivations to request making the GC dining plan an optional plan:
One of the major reasons for students to leave the GC is the meal-plan, due to the limited vegetarian options, quality, and price of the meal-plan. While the dining facilities at the GC are planned to eventually be renovated, in perhaps 20 years, there has been a recurring suggestion to make the meal-plan optional. If this were to happen, it may lead to a substantial increase in the cost (or decrease in the quality) of meal-plans for students who choose to stay on the meal-plan or be a financial burden for Dining Services. Either way, this could be subsidized.

Robert Harron (MAT) made a motion to dismiss. The motion to dismiss the issue was approved with 13 votes.

7. A letter to lessen increases in DCE tuition (APPROVED)

Shin-Yi Lin reported the following to Assembly:

We wrote a letter about this issue last year, with great success. DCE tuition was reduced from $4500 to $3500 before the start of last year; and, the DCE tuition for 2007-2008 was kept at $3500. A letter should be sent to reiterate how important keeping DCE tuition down is. The Priorities committee sets the rate of annual increase in tuition and fees. We feel it is important that the increase in the "reduced" DCE tuition be considered separately from regular tuition so that it does not rise as quickly. Ideally, DCE tuition should not be increased for the following academic year.

A motion to write the letter was approved with 12 votes.

(YES: 12; ABSTAIN 1)

8. A letter to request improvements to the lighting on the sidewalks to Lawrence Apartments (APPROVED)

As many grad students work late hours and have friends in other housing areas, it is important to our safety that we be able to walk around campus at night. We have written letters in the past to request improved lighting to all of the graduate housing complexes. The sidewalks along Alexander road to Lawrence Apartments in particular do not have adequate lighting, resulting in limited vision for students walking through these areas in the dark with limited vision.

Susan Robison made a motion to write the letter. The motion to write was approved with 12 votes.

At this point, it was noticed that the total number of voters (the sum of all raised hands when asked for Yes, No, or Abstain votes) were not consistent over the past 8 votes. Abstains or No’s may not have been responding when asked to speak up.

9. A letter to request improved communication between Graduate Housing and graduate students throughout the Housing Draw process (APPROVED)

Dan Raburn said the following:

There are a number of on-going concerns with housing, such as the housing draw process being poorly explained and a lack of assistance for off-campus housing. The Housing department is currently working on these and other issues, but it may still be worthwhile for us to write a letter. We could encourage Housing to adopt specific solutions to the problems, and express our support for Housing to receive increased funding to implement these solutions; again, two of the main things that could be done are stream-lining the draw process and providing centralized resources for off-campus housing.

Kevin Collins (POL) asked, “Can we get metrics or statistics such as how many people get housed? This would help us help them, and determine how much did they improve.

Robert Harron (MAT) asked whether we had heard many complaints recently. Shin-Yi Lin responded that she felt that there were not too many complaints at the last few assembly meetings. Robert said there was no system before, now there is a system for dealing with their responsibilities

Kevin C (POL) made a motion to require the metrics, benchmark or goal to meet next year. Susan Robison (PSY) asked how this is different from what they already publish. Shin-Yi Lin said that we would ask for different metrics, such as those for customer service, or time to placement from the waitlist.

Susan made a motion to second. The motion to write the letter was approved with 12 votes.

(YES 12 NO or Abstain 1)

10. A letter to request an increase in funds available for scholarly travel (APPROVED)

Jenny He (Social Chair) reported the following to assembly:
Students in many departments have difficulty getting sufficient funding for research-related travel. Most often the travel is to attend conferences where the student is presenting a paper or a poster, but may also be for a major conference where the student is not presenting or other research travel.
We suggest:
 - A significant increase in the funds available for the Dean's Fund for Scholarly Travel and the APGA Summer Travel Grants
 - Allowing grants for students presenting posters rather than papers
 - Increasing the maximum award above $500 per year or per trip
 - Offering some grants for students not presenting at a conference, or for study-abroad or other research travel. In some fields these can be important and difficult to find funding.
 - Offering a separate fund for non-travel research funding. This might be used to buy books, equipment, or other materials needed for research

Shin-Yi Lin (Chair) added that the APGA provides the money now, and that APGA and the University would be asked to supplement the funds.

A motion to write the letter was approved.

(YES 12 ABSTAIN 1)

11. Write A letter to Student Health Services to request a subsidy for birth control (APPROVED)

Silvia Newell (Parliamentary Secretary) explained to Assembly that Exec is working with Health Services to ask for a subsidy for birth control for graduate students following the legal change that rendered universities unable to buy birth control at a discount. We are hoping to have this in place for the upcoming academic year.

University Health Services is currently coming up with statistics. We will write a letter based on previous meeting with VP Dickerson, two representatives from Health Services including the CMO and the president of the Undergraduate Student body. VP Dickerson supports the idea and seemed open to this idea.

Kevin Collins said that he would like to make an amendment to improve the University’s lobbying arm. Shin-Yi Lin said this is already happening. Dan Raburn mentioned that this kind of action may be supporting someone to follow a political cause.

The motion to write the letter was approved with 12 votes.

(YES 12; NO 0; ABSTAIN 1).

12. A letter to increase the dental subsidy to the student health plan (APPROVED)

Currently, there are two options for dental care for students: 1) if the student is enrolled in SHP, they are eligible for a $125 annual reimbursement. For students who simply use the SHP benefit, it is impossible for the amount to even cover the recommended two cleanings a year. 2) If a student opts to pay an extra $71 per year, they have access to more services through Eastern Dental. Currently the only dental offices on the optional Dental plan Eastern Dental are not in walk-able distance, and the choices are extremely limited. Previous attempts to recruit more dentists to the Eastern Dental plan have been unsuccessful. We would like to see an increase in the dentists affiliated with the plan, preferably some in downtown Princeton, as well and an increase in the subsidy for students who choose to see a dentist outside of the plan.

Chris Crutchfield (CHM) asked whether there could be a shuttle that transported students to these dentists. Shin-Yi Lin responded that we could bring that option up to Jeff Dwoskin (Facilities).

A motion was made to improve the dental subsidy to the current Student Health. The motion was approved with 8 votes in favor.

(YES 8 NO 2 ABSTAIN 3)

13. Improve childcare program – Karin Sigloch (APPROVED)

While the new child care subsidy program is much welcomed by the graduate student community, we feel there could still be substantial improvements, such as:
- improving the University’s statistics of graduate student families
- including a graduate student parent as a member of the Child Care Working group
- sticking to its promise to not financially disadvantage families of children currently enrolled at U-NOW and U-League upon implementation of the new program
- reconsidering the spouse employment requirement (and perhaps adjusting the per household child care award to serve the graduate population better)
- reconsider the 12 month distribution of funds

Karin Sigloch (CPUC, RRR) informed assembly that said there have been recent changes in University policy regarding maternity leave. Now a student is eligible for 3 months of paid-maternity leave, and a one-term extension of student status. We are trying to lobby for SCCAP (see SCCAP.PDF). Currently, student assistance awards two working parents $5000 for childcare. In order to be eligible, a student’s spouse must be employed 50% of time.

Dan Raburn (Press Secretary) asked how successful applications for exemptions have been so far. We currently don’t know for hardship claims.

Karin made the following additional points:

- Child care costs may add up to more than 5k in Princeton.

- Pre-school education for children is becoming more of a requirement and not an option. This may not be affordable without the SCCAP.

- In order to drop the parental employment requirement and include the extra groups not currently eligible, we may have to reduce the base amount awarded.

-To avoid abuse, the parents could have to pay some minimal amount before being awarded the fund, like a deductible

-Transparency is needed for how the amount of money is distributed, who is eligible, how the money may be used, and how this applies to students specifically rather than applying the staff rules to us.

Charles Butcosk (ART) asked whether the money awarded was limited by federal money.

Susan Robison motioned to write the letter, and Robert Harron (MAT) seconded it.

The motion to write the letter was approved with 13 votes in favor.

Karin Sigloch encouraged assembly to contact parents they know of to talk about this, whether or not they are applying for it.

14. A letter to request adding air-conditioning units to graduate housing (APPROVED)

Students have understandably voiced a desire for air conditioning in all graduate housing. Currently the University does not permit or supply any kind of air-conditioning units in the GC dorms, and permits personal air conditioning units in the Hibben/Magie apartments. The feasibility of air conditioning in the GC is questionable, since the electrical lines can't carry the load, and centralized A/C might not be able to use the same water loops as the heating system (although it can in many facilities).

Dean Lisa Schreyer informed assembly that in fact, a study done four years ago was found that the GC wiring system cannot bear the electrical burden of air-conditioning.

Somebody in assembly asked whether air conditioning could be supplied to the common spaces in the Graduate College. SYL agreed that we could request it in the letter, to include the common room, the MAT, wherever we can in the apartments, and including the GC and annexes.

A motion to write the letter was made by Susan Robison. The motion to write was approved with 12 votes in favor.

15. A letter to request an increase in office space for graduate students (DISMISSED)

Office space varies widely by department, and some graduate students feel stranded without a place to call their own. For example, students in the History department do not have their office space. We could push for a university-wide mandatory requirement (such as a desk or carrel per student in such departments), and we could also recommend to incorporate graduate student space in the proposed graduate student center (although this is better dealt with outside the letter writing campaign).

SYL asked if AI’s (Assistants in Instruction) get immediate office space. Someone said is not required for AI’s.

LaTonya Trotter (SOC proxy) asked who makes the decisions for which departments get space. Silvia Newell said that these spaces may come from Graduate Student Center space, and Shin-Yi Lin added that space may come with future library renovations. Susan Robison (PSY) said that since this is a primarily department-specific concern, she motioned to dismiss the letter. Charles Butcosk (ART) suggested that this issue be added to the letter supporting Firestone library renovation. The motion to dismiss the issue was approved with 12 votes (1 “abstain” vote).

Shin-Yi Lin asked Assembly to write to inform EXEC how allotting office space to graduate students works in each department.

16. A letter to increase funding for outreach and community projects (DISMISSED)

Shin-Yi Lin explained the motivation to write the letter:

 
Currently we plan events with funding that comes from grad student fees to be used for graduate students. If we want to plan an event or activity that involves outreach or the invitation of undergraduates, alumni, post-docs, or faculty/staff, we need outside funding. Maybe we could ask the provost or dean of the college/faculty to give some one-time funds to the events board for this broad category, and we could use it for any outreach, or we could do more targeted things and seek out existing funds on a case-by-case basis.

Karin Sigloch asked whether this was a current problem, and what is the nature of this funding. SYL said the idea of having this source of funding would be to encourage the graduate student body to sponsor such events.

A motion to dismiss the issue was approved, with 13 votes.

17. A letter addressed to Facilities requesting expanded summer hours to Dillon gym (DISMISSED)

Dan Raburn explained the motivations to request expanded summer hours at Dillon gym:
There are already some plans to replace many of the machines in the Stephens fitness center in Dillon gym. We could voice our support for that, and ask for the hours to be increased, particularly the summer hours. Current hours for Dillon gym are 6:30am - 8:45pm on weekdays and noon - 5:45pm on weekends; Dillon pool: 6:45-9am, 11:30am-2pm, 5-8pm on weekdays, 1-4pm on weekends. We could ask that Dillon gym be open until 9:45pm everyday during the summer.

A motion to dismiss the issue was approved, with 12 votes (and 1 “abstain” vote).

18. A letter to request increasing the summer hours to Student Health Services (APPROVED)

Shin-Yi Lin said the following to assembly about what motivated writing the letter:

During summer and winter breaks, on-campus University Health Services are greatly limited. McCosh is open Monday through Friday only (typically, 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.) with no weekend or inpatient services after hours. Students seeking medical care after-hours must often go to the emergency room at local hospitals, which is extremely expensive even with insurance covering 80% of the cost. An alternative to extending McCosh hours and services is increasing the coverage for emergency care. Note: The extent of counseling services is reduced as well.

A motion to write the letter was made, and the vote was unanimous.

SYL informed assembly that we need information and anecdotes from their constituents.

19. A letter to support current University sustainability projects

Last summer, the University hired Shana Weber as the new Sustainability Manager. We should write a letter supporting her work to improve the sustainability and efficiency of our campus, and encourage the University to provide the necessary staff for the coming year.

On a related note, HVAC should be reassessed in university buildings to make sure that we aren’t over heating or cooling buildings unnecessarily.

The issue was approved, with 9 votes (1 “no” and 2 “abstain”)

20. A letter to request that second-year DCE students to be eligible for University fellowships

For background on this issue please see the minutes for May 2007 (link)

Charles Butcosk (ART) felt that fellowship boards should go over this policy – there should not be a blanket University fellowships. This should definitely include the Hyde and Whiting completion fellowships.

Jenny He said that it seems like the letter would be asking for policy not for money; would letter writing be the correct forum? SYL said that the letter-writing campaign should not have to be money based.

Susan Robison (PSY) made a motion to write the letter. The letter was approved with 12 votes (1 “no” vote)

Grace (CHM) asked if it would make sense to lump letters #1 and #20 together. SYL said that it doesn’t have to be. Charles Butcosk (ART) added that the issues were not mutually inclusive.

3. Official voting results by e-mail: candidate topics for the summer letter writing campaign

Exec agreed to begin writing the letters approved at this assembly meeting, but would conduct a formal vote by email since quorum was not met.

Results from email votes: We had quorum with 15 of 27 voting members responding.  The letter topics were approved with a 15-0 vote in favor of the following: (the original votes from the assembly meeting follow each topic)

1. Not significantly increase DCE tuition - 12/0/1
2. Improve sidewalk lighting to graduate housing units - 12/0/0
3. Improve Housing and housing process - 12/0/1
4. Expand the after-hours P-Rides services - 10/4/0
5. Subsidize birth control to compensate for the recent price increase - 12/0/1
6. Improve dental subsidies for basic student health plan - 8/2/3
7. Improve child care program - 13/0/0
8. Add air-conditioning units to graduate housing - 12/0/0
9. Increase office space for graduate students - 12/0/1
10. Improve Firestone library - 8/2/1
11. Increase summer student health plan services and hours - 13/0/0
12. Continue to emphasize sustainability - 9/1/2
13. Allow 2nd year DCE students to be eligible for University fellowships - 12/1/0
14. Increase travel funds - 12/0/1

IV. Reports

A. Department Reports

The Department Reports from representatives from Art & Archaeology and Chemical Engineering were postponed until the next assembly meeting.

B. Furniture Drive report – Dan Raburn (Press Sec)

 
The furniture drive was held from Monday, June 4th through Wednesday, June 5th. Many items were donated by seniors and then sold to grad students or picked-up by local charities. We took in $3588 this year, up from about $2000 last year and $1500 the year before that; this money was also given to the charities. I encourage everyone who's interested to help organize or volunteer during the furniture drive next year. If you have any questions or would like to see the full report, please let me know -- email gsg@ or draburn@.

C. Chair’s report – Shin-Yi Lin

In the last two months, Exec has met to work on the following projects:
1)    Meeting with administrators about the possibility of a graduate student center -- following up on our Assembly discussion earlier this spring.
2)    Meeting with administrators about the possibility of the university subsidizing birth control pill costs in light of the new changes in the federal law.
3)    The Furniture Drive -- you will hear more about this from Dan Raburn.
4)    The Summer BBQ -- you will hear more about that from Jenny He.

D. BBQ report – Jenny He (Social Chair)

The GSG-sponsored Summer BBQ in conjunction with Frist concert night was a success. The Barbeque was held on Wednesday June 2007. Over 500 people attended and it cost about $1500. The food was catered by Princeton Dining Services and they gave us a good deal.

V. Adjournment and Happy Hour

The meeting adjourned at 8:04pm.