GSG Minutes Wednesday, May 22, 2001 Frist Campus Center I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:07 by Matt Fouse. Pizza was served. II. Approval of Minutes Eric Adelizzi questioned a point in the April minutes about paying for on-campus parking. After a short discussion, the minutes were approved with no changes. III. Officer Reports A. Treasurer Matt F. reported in place of Ori Heffetz, who was absent. About $2000 remains in the budget. The Assembly discussed what funding would be necessary for the summer. On behalf of Ulli, Eric requested $850 cosponsorship for the orientation barbecue on September 8 at the Graduate College. The House Committee, the Graduate School, and probably CIGS will be cosponsoring the event. B. Social chair Yesim Tozan reported that the APGA and the Graduate School will be funding the First Chance Dance, so the GSG will not have to provide funding. The Spring Fling did not happen this year, as it was combined with President Shapiro's farewell barbecue. At some point, there will be another outdoor picnic with a party afterwards. Yesim will be gone for the summer through September. C. Corresponding Secretary Adrian Banner reported that the parking survey was set up and running. D. Chair Matt F. reported that Provost Ostriker was unable to attend today's meeting. Members of the Assembly discussed writing a letter of appreciation to Provost Ostriker on behalf of GSG Exec and the Graduate U-Councilors for his role in improving grad student life at Princeton. Matt F. suggested asking grad students for input in the search for a new provost. Amy Shuster made a motion to send a global email asking grad students to give their input. The Assembly approved the motion. Karthick mentioned the possibility of having grad students on the search committee for the new provost. Adrian suggested stating a preference for someone with empathy and interest for graduate student issues. IV. Business A. CPUC Update Matt Moore has decided to decline his nomination to the Resources Committee of the CPUC. Matt F. stated that an election would be held at the next GSG meeting. At the last CPUC meeting, President Shapiro gave the remainder of his discretionary fund ($400,000) to Princeton's workers, in response to the report made by WROC. Elliott Ratzman is currently serving on the Resources Committee of the CPUC. Elliott gave the Assembly an overview of the function of the Resources Committee. The Resources Committee originally formed in response to concerns about investments in South Africa. Jeff Herbst, chair of the Resources committee, will be stepping down after 8 years of service. Matt F. will be speaking at the APGA meeting next Friday. He asked for suggestions of topics to bring up. B. Ad hoc Post-Elections Committee Report The Post-Elections Committee, led by David Linsenmeier, has not convened yet. C. GSLI Committees a. Parking and Transportation Cindy Tobery spoke about the parking committee. The survey that is currently underway is a result of communications with Public Safety. The two-hour spaces are intended to be used by students who come to campus to bring something and then leave shortly afterwards. Yesim stated that grad students are losing a lot regarding parking (including Lot 25), and gaining little in return. Adrian reported that he had read some of the survey responses. One third to one half of the respondents included comments. The reputation of the GSG has been hurt by the global email and the accompanying survey because it was unclear that the new parking plan did not come from the GSG. Eric added that several of his constituents have concluded that it was the GSG's decision to make these changes. Adrian stated that in general, off-campus students tend to approve of the plan, while students in University housing have made the following comments: some admit that they shouldn't be driving; some who live in Butler need to drive to pick up their children; and some conclude that the proposed shuttle will be just as infrequent and unreliable as the present evening shuttle. Most respondents said that they would not take the shuttle proposed in the new plan because it would be too unreliable. In addition, students living at Hibben-Magie could have neighbors who are faculty or staff members and therefore retain their on-campus parking privileges. Karthick stated that it is important for those with legitimate needs to retain their on-campus parking privileges. He called for vigilance on the daytime shuttle. Amy made a motion to close discussion, but there was no second. Karthick added that the GSG originally had asked for a shuttle service so students would not have to walk to campus. He questioned whether the twelve proposed two-hour parking spaces would satisfy the needs of students with children. Steve Miller stated that he would second Amy's motion if she would modify the motion to allow Adrian to continue his preliminary report of the survey. Adrian continued his report by stating that students would be angry when they found out the new parking regulations in September. Eric made a motion to empower the parking committee to write a petition based on the results of the parking survey calling for the continuation and expansion of on-campus parking for grad students. The motion was seconded. Karthick suggested that the GSG be allowed to make the final recommendation. Eric stated that he would accept a friendly amendment that the parking committee check with the Assembly before distributing the petition. Karthick also mentioned the environmental impact of driving. Matt Hindman liked the idea of having a petition, and suggested that it should be written by GSG Exec in concurrence with the parking committee with approval by the assembly. Lauren added that it would be a good opportunity to show that the GSG is not responsible for Public Safety's proposal. Discussion followed regarding the details of the petition. Adrian stated that the parking committee should push for more concessions. Yesim replied that she and others had pushed for the parking survey after hearing that Public Safety was ready to go forward with its plan. Elliott suggested ways to mobilize grad students, including having grad students drive around Princeton with signs during Reunions, or threatening to park in all parking spots during move-in times. Scott pointed out that the Mayor of Princeton Borough would be concerned about the new plan because parking is already scarce, and metered parking spaces in town would be taken up by grad students if they are no longer allowed to park in lots on campus. The mayor has a web page where he takes suggestions. The Assembly voted and approved the motion for a petition. Karthick motioned for an event during reunions co-sponsored by the GSG to address the Baccalaureate shut-out, the housing crisis, and the parking shortage. He suggested that students could hold placards publicizing these problems. Adrian motioned to close the parking survey because of issues of time. Anyone interested in being involved in the parking issue should email Yesim. The Assembly approved a motion to end discussion. b. Housing 124 grad students have been denied housing so far. Karthick noted that at a CPUC meeting Joann Mitchell said that they would continue to look for additional housing spaces. Eric updated the Assembly on the progress of the long-term housing committee. The next meeting will be on June 11, and the committee will give a preliminary report. The committee does not have oversight on the Lawrence project. The current plan is to build new units for 150 to 300 grad students near Lawrence apartments. These units would be similar to the low-rise Lawrence apartments and should be ready in about two years. c. Computing Next year the cost of dormnet will be rolled into the room costs. d. Post-Enrollment Lauren reported that at a recent CPUC meeting, Provost Ostriker had stated that Dean Wilson had been talking with the GSG. So far, the GSG has not heard from Dean Wilson on this matter. D. Communiversity Kerry Bystrom thanked Amy, Matt F., and Eric for their participation in Communiversity. The event was successful. E. Furniture Drive Kerry reported that the furniture drive is scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, June 5, and all day Wednesday, June 6. The leftover furniture will be picked up by representatives from five different charities during the furniture drive. The money collected at the furniture drive is split among these five charities. This year, the furniture drive will be held at two different sites. The Assembly thanked Kerry for her work in organizing both Communiversity and the furniture drive. F. Departmental Survey Lauren is currently working on preparing the departmental survey that will be ready to administer within the next couple of weeks. G. Grad Student Liaisons Those interested in becoming a representative to an undergrad group should talk to Karthick. H. Graduate Alumni Trustees One graduate alumnus/a will be elected to the Board of Trustees by the graduate alumni. Candidates will be nominated by the GSG and the APGA. The Trustee Report may not have reached the entire Board of Trustees. Although the Trustee Report proposed that this new trustee be a recent graduate, the Board of Trustees will not require this new graduate trustee to be a recent graduate. Matt Hindman suggested pushing the APGA and the GSG to only nominate graduate alumni who have graduated in the past six years or less. V. New Business A. Summer Meeting location and time Matt F. stated that the GSG needs to find a new place to meet in the summer, since Frist will not be open in the evenings. He suggested meeting in Murray Dodge. The next meeting will be scheduled for June 13. B. Committee Representation Dean Montero will now refer committee heads to the GSG to fill positions on various committees. On the GSG web page, there is currently a list of committees that have spaces available, but this list is out of date. Adrian said that he would post an updated version on the web page if someone would give him the information to post. C. Summer Stipend Advances Several members of the Assembly stated concern over the slow response time of the Graduate School for summer stipend notification. The Assembly voted and approved a motion for GSG Exec to draft a letter to Dean Wilson protesting the way the notification works and suggesting faster notification in the future. GSG Exec will ask for consent from the Assembly before sending the letter. D. Baccalaureate tickets In the past, the chapel had 2000 seats available for seating at Baccalaureate, but this year there are fewer seats due to the renovations. This year, graduate students are only permitted to attend a live simulcast of the event. Historically, Baccalaureate has been an undergraduate event. Amy stated that the speaker invited for Baccalaureate actually belongs at Commencement. Moreover, as Baccalaureate is a religious service, having the main speaker at this event may not be appropriate. An email received by the GSG confirmed that grad students are not allowed to attend Baccalaureate, but the situation will be reviewed in the year 2002 when the scaffolding is removed from the chapel. Amy proposed that a grad student(s) be appointed to the graduation committee. Matt F. agreed to look into the matter. E. Student Activities Fair Last year, Lauren was the only grad student present and had difficulties at the student activities fair. The event needs to be advertised to grad students groups this year for a larger turnout. To be included in the fair, groups need to reply by around June 8. This year's activities fair at the Graduate College was successful; members of the Assembly recommended continuing this one as well as having a greater presence at the general student activities fair. Lauren will email leaders of grad student groups. Amy stated that the student activities fair could be a way to let grad students join undergrad groups that they might be interested in. The GSG will give out bottle opener keychains again to the first year students. VI. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.