GSG Minutes
January 16, 2002
Frist Campus Center


I.  Call to Order
	The meeting was called to order by chair Matt Fouse at 6:06.

II.  Approval of Minutes
	The minutes were approved with minor corrections from Eric
Adelizzi.

III.  Officer Reports
A.  Social Chair
	Yesim reported that the Valentine's Day party would take place at
the D-bar on Friday, February 15.  She estimated that the GSG would need
to provide no more than $800.  The theme will be "Lovefest".  Music will
be provided by a DJ.  Yesim suggested giving out tickets for one free
drink per person.  Members of the Assembly made suggestions for other
possible locations for the party and discussed ways to make this party
different from other D-bar parties.  The Assembly agreed that it would be
better to have the party on Saturday, February 16, since the D-bar is
traditionally already quite crowded on Friday night.  Kerry Bystrom and
Sinead MacNamara volunteered to set up the Love Match survey.  The
assembly approved an $800 co-sponsorship.
	The spring salsa party will be held at the Third World Center on
March 8.  The total cost will be $7500, which includes the cost of a live
band for $3500.  A DJ will be hired for part of the night.  The APGA will
cover the cost of the band and the light and sound equipment, estimated at
$5000.  The Graduate School will cover half of the remaining costs.  Yesim
suggested that GSG cover the remaining cost, approximately $1200.  The
Assembly approved the $1200 co-sponsorship.

B.  Chair
	Matt Fouse brought up a concern about graduate student involvement
in graduate admissions processes.  In some departments, graduate students
are involved in reading and evaluating applications for prospective
graduate students looking to enter their own departments.  Many students
feel that this causes problems with privacy and creates potential
conflicts of interest.  Matt suggested writing a letter to request that
graduate student involvement in admissions processes be discontinued.
Eszter Hargittai expressed her opposition to such a letter.  Eszter has
served on admissions committees in her department and felt it was a
valuable experience.  The admissions process in her department was formal,
and all information was kept confidential.  Members of the Assembly
debated about students' legal rights to see other students' files.  After
much debate, the discussion was tabled.
	Matt Fouse announced that President Tilghman would attend the next
GSG meeting.
	Matt recently received an email about a push to make graduate
student stipends tax-exempt.  He asked the Assembly whether the GSG should
become involved in this issue.  There was no consensus within the
Assembly.  Matt will send an email to request more information.
	Matt stated that the Ombuds office referred a student to the GSG
about a grievance in a department.  He asked for volunteers to represent
the student in the proceedings.  He was unable to give more details
because of confidentiality issues.

IV.  Business
A.  Elections
	Donnell Butler, representing the post-election committee, recently
sent a report to the Assembly containing a suggested timeline for officer
elections and a proposal for changes to the bylaws of the Constitution.
The elections committee will consist of three individuals who are not
planning to run for a position.  The chair of the elections committee
should be Matt Hindman, the parliamentary secretary.  The Assembly voted
and approved the nomination of Lauren Hale, Matt Fouse, and Matt Hindman.
Matt Fouse stated that the elections committee would write a proposal to
change the language in the bylaws from "his" to "his or her".

B.  Committee Reconstitution
	Matt Fouse suggested that the committees that were involved in
writing the GSLI reports last year should be reconstituted to continue
their work or to write a progress report.  The committees are:  campus
relations, elections, post-enrollment, OIT/computing, housing, health
care, and parking/transportation.  An updated list of committees and
members will be posted on the GSG web page.  

C.  GSLI Committee Reports
The post-enrollment committee has been working on communicating with the
administration and collecting data with the ultimate goal of having the
University treat post-enrolled students as students.  
The parking and transportation committee has been working on getting a
shuttle that serves graduate student residences regularly and reliably.
The parking committee has also been working on having the GC parking fee
eliminated.    
The campus relations committee is planning an ice cream social with the
USG on March 13.  
The OIT/computing committee has successfully gotten the UNIX quota
increased for graduate students.

D.  Presidential visit
	Matt Fouse suggested that the GSG write a letter to President
Tilghman prior to her visit.  The Assembly agreed to focus on
post-enrollment.  In addition, Matt suggested that all members be present
and on time for the meeting.

V.  New Business
	Huiyan asked about health coverage for family members of graduate
students.  Lauren stated that coverage is limited and students must
purchase the plan.  
	Huiyan asked that the GSG send a global email about the Butler
Chinese New Year party.