Graduate and Professional Student Council

Meeting Minutes for February 5, 2008

Kaskaskia Room, Student Center, 7:00 PM

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:22 PM. Officer reports were given prior to this but without quorum.

II. Roll Call

Trey Gossett (Art and Design), Ed Ford (Educational Psychology), Tim Hudspeth (Law), Kyle Stevens (Law), Lance Camp (Law), Cord Wittig (Law), Andrea Jones (Law), Kristina Dzara (Sociology), Mike Stahl (Zoology), Gargi Bhattacharya (Psychology), Janet Mayher (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).

III. Approval of the Agenda

The agenda was approved as presented.

IV. Approval of the Minutes from January 22, 2008

The minutes were approved as presented.

V. Officer Reports

A. President: Steven Middleton

1. Vice Chancellor Dietz is dropping the proposed recreation $25.60 fee increase. Also, GPSC needs a representative to serve on the election committee for the spring student trustee and student government elections. This is a paid position open to any graduate student. We also have an opening on the affirmative action committee if anyone is interested.

B. Vice President for Administrative Affairs: Sara Samson

1. No report.

C. Vice President for Graduate School Affairs: Shelly McGrath

1. Executive council meeting for grad council was held last week. One of the committees is looking at giving the principal investigator a percentage of the indirect cost that would normally go to Korapchuck’s office (1%-2%). Also, the cost of lab animals is going up significantly. We are looking at new recruiting tools such as videos on Youtube or TV commercials. Printed copies of the new GA contract are in the works. On March 1, GA contracts will reflect the raise and on April 1 GAs will receive their back pay. The university is still looking at what to do about the fellowship issues.

VI. New Business

A. Fee Allocations -

1. Cognitive Sciences 2008 Lecture Series: Dr. Paul Gold – FAB recommends funding up to $50 for advertising and $100 for speaking fees on the condition advertising is approved, completed, and distributed at least one week prior to the date of the lecture. The motion passed unanimously 15-0-0.

2. Cognitive Sciences 2008 Lecture Series: Dr. John Kruschke – FAB recommends funding up to $50 for advertising and $200 for speaking fees on the condition that advertising is approved, completed, and distributed at least one week prior to the date of the lecture. The motion passed unanimously 15-0-0.

B. Campus Recreation Fee Proposal -

1. Campus Rec. is proposing an increase of $.60 to help fund sports clubs on campus. Sports clubs currently get about $20,000 a semester and this would double that amount. A motion to support the fee increase passed 8-4-2.

VII. Roundtable Discussion

A. Steven has been working with Dr. Korapchuck’s office to set up a listserve for all graduate and professional students. The problem is many students don’t use their SIU e-mail so any messages sent out to these accounts would not be received.

XII. Announcements

A. None.

XIII. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned quickly due to the tornado sirens sounding.