Graduate and Professional Student Council

Meeting Minutes for January 22, 2008

Kaskaskia Room, Student Center, 7:00 PM

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.

II. Roll Call

Trey Gossett (Art and Design), Ed Ford (Educational Psychology), Jennifer Mulnix (Educational Psychology), Tim Hudspeth (Law), Kyle Stevens (Law), Lance Camp (Law), Cord Wittig (Law), Sumi Rebeiro (Law), Alex Strong (Philosophy), Kristina Dzara (Sociology),Christina Bearden-White (History), Nathaniel Taylor (History), Janet Mayher (Graduate Council), Claudia Torres -Ambriz (Graduate Council), Jonathan Remo (Graduate Council), Sara Samson (Vice President for Administrative Affairs), Shelly McGrath (Vice President for Graduate School Affairs), Ashley Brown (Public Administration), Michelle Rich (Public Administration).

III. Approval of the Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

IV. Approval of the Minutes from November 27, 2007

The minutes were approved as presented.

V. Guest Speaker

A. Chancellor Fernando M. Trevino spoke about his views, goals, and issues of the university. He views the University as a flagship for the working class. This entails 5 things: 1) lead in advancements in our disciplines, 2) educate our future citizens to meet tomorrow’s needs, 3) enhance the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the region, 4) create a university that has a lifelong collaborative relationship with the alumni, and 5) develop a strong and supportive community across all groups on campus. We have a lot of issues: retention and recruitment – this fall we greeted the largest freshman class in the last 17 years and the preliminary spring figures look very promising. Trying to increase number of qualified graduate applicants. Undergraduate retention is only 41% (bachelor’s degree within 6 years). Want to increase number of international graduate students. Want to increase diversity. Recognizes cost is a major issue. Undertook first capital campaign which is at 90% of its goal with 5-6 months to go. We must do a better job of capturing the success of our alumni. Need to improve facilities for our programs such as building a new transportation education center. No capital bill from the state is really hurting us. We are working on expanding our degree offerings. We need to get the word out about how good we really are.

VI. Officer Reports

A. President: Steven Middleton

1. BOT passed the contract between GA United and the University. The University has reconvened the blue ribbon panel on plagiarism policies. The BOT will be getting the tuition and fee proposals in April and voting on them at the June meeting.

B. Vice President for Administrative Affairs: Sara Samson

1. We are pretty much on target for spending projections for salary and wages and contractual services. We are well under for travel, commodities, events and equipment. We are high on professional development and have spent a little more than half. We have spent a total of about $34,000 and budgeted about $37,000 last semester.

C. Vice President for Graduate School Affairs: Shelly McGrath

1. No report.

VII. Public Comments

A. Mr. Malcolm spoke on behalf of the Recreation Sports Advisory Board and why the campus recreation fee increase was needed.

VIII. Committee Reports

A. Graduate Technology Enhancement Grant: Jonathan Remo – There is about $40,000 that is distributed as a grant used for technology improvement. Dr. Korapchuck is proposing to use this money to improve the internet speed on campus from 100 mBps to a couple gBps. The proposal is in the very early stage but would likely cost several million dollars.

IX. Old Business

None

X. New Business

A. Executive Board Nominations and Elections – Cord Wittig, Kyle Stevens, and Kristina Dzara were nominated and elected by acclimation.

B. Graduate Council Nomination and Elections – Alex Strong was volunteered and was elected by acclimation.

C. Fee Allocations

1. 3rd Annual History Conference – approved funding up to $500 for the honorarium and $100 for advertising.

D. Resolution Regarding Contraceptive Drug Nominal Price Exemption – the resolution was approved 19-0-0

E. Vote on Fee Proposals

1. Intercollegiate Athletic Fee – do not support 1-17-0.

2. S.M.B. Primary Care – support 17-1-0.

3. Student Center – support 13-4-0.

4. Student Recreation – support 14-4-1.

5. Mass Transit – support 14-3-1.

6. Campus Recreation – support 9-7-2.

7. University Housing-Evergreen Terrace – do not support 4-9-4.

8. University Housing-Elizabeth Apartments – do not support 2-13-3.

9. University Housing-Funded Debt – do not support 0-11-7.

XI. Roundtable Discussion

A. None.

XII. Announcements

A. University wide research conference is coming up.

XIII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM.