COGS - Council of Graduate Students

Minutes
December 8th, 2005
President’s Room, Coffman Memorial Union

Minutes submitted by Isaac Kamola (Vice President for Communications).

Food served at 5pm, meeting began at 5:15.

Welcomes (Sara Kempner)

Election for Vice President of Finance (Sarah Kempner)

Sarah explained the position.

This position starts in December but not officially until June 1st. This is especially important since the GAPSA funding request is coming up soon and the newly elected VP of Finance will learn from Andy Warta how to do this task.

Kristen Nichols was elected.

Election for Social Science P&R Council Chair

Sarah explained the position. This will just be for the Spring session because the current chair had to step down. There is also a $150 stipend included.

Susan Kang was elected.

Announcements

1) Housing Survey
The survey has been sent to 400 grads, 400 professional students, and 400 post-docs. There have been 116 graduate responses and 156 professional student responses. This information will be used by the Housing Committee to improve housing options so its important that as many people as possible respond. If you’ve been sent an email, or know someone who has, make sure the survey gets filled out. This survey is two years in the process and it is key to making the argument that more needs to be done to improve housing for graduate and professional students as well as post-docs. There is an i-pod as a prize.

2) Dance Marathon on Friday

3) Career/Life Alliance Services, Inc.
This is a service the U is subcontracted out to help faculty, staff, and students facilitate finding child care, parental information and services, adult dependent care, financial resources, and daily living resources.

4) Strategic Positioning (Sarah Kempner)
I went to a Graduate Student Forum and there were four graduate students. If we say we want to be part of the process and don’t show up then it looks bad. As such, I strongly encourage everyone to provide feedback. The different committees are accepting feedback through January 27th. You can submit feedback through the “Transforming the U” website.

5) Travel and Leadership Awards.
Last year there were 75 applications for Travel Awards. This year we changed the forms to be more in-line with the GAPSA standards. Now, instead of cutting a check we provide reimbursement thereby guaranteeing that the money was used for travel. Reimbursements can be made for any trove done between September 1, 2005 and August, 30th 2006. This year we are also asking DGSs to nominate people for the Leadership Awards. The applications are due March 24th at 1pm. Click here for a travel award application or here for a Leadership Award application.

6) Spring Orientation.
Need volunteers for skits, panel discussions, resource table, and attending the reception. (Sign-up sheet was passed around)

Updates

1) Committees (Shana)

Budget Advisory Committee: University is planning on changing how CLA is funded. Right now CLA gets money based on student enrolment then pay a “tax” back to the university to cover expenses. Starting in 2007 CLA will have to pay all of this directly. This means that if there is a budget short fall, the burden does not rest on the University but on CLA.

University Dining Services: There is currently a new coffee shop in Walther Library. There will be a Jamba Juice in the TV lounge in Coffman. The CECS Building is getting a commuter kiosk. There has been lots of discussion about lack of seating and some talk about trying to get the Blegen dining facilities open longer. Also, there has been lots of complaints that the cost of food on campus cost is higher and the quality lower than off campus. However, because of meal plans, many are forced to eat overpriced food.

Senate Community on Education Policy: Changed the policy which allows professors to know if a student is taking a class S-N. Right now professors can see if the student is taking the class S-N and some feel this can influences whether the professor gives the student credit or not. Now, the professor will enter the grade as normal but it will appear on the students transcript as an S or N. Also, the committee is trying to change some A/F classes to S-N. Also, there is talk about changes to graduate student support including access to the writing center, child care (like it is available to undergraduates), and better support at the visa office.

2) Policy and Review Councils:
Graduate school has provided $5 million dollars for fellowships ($3.5 million this year and $1.5 next). In addition there will be $1.9 million in block grants to individual departments and $1.28 million to first year students. The choice was made to increase the amount of money for the fellowships to well above the base (around $17,500 to $21,000) but keep the number of fellowships around 180. This would help recruit students for their first year.

There was a heated discussion about why the Administration did not decide to increase the number of fellowships instead of the amount. Many argues that more fellowships were better because it would encourage more well qualified students. Some argues that the presence of a fellowship was the key in choosing the UofM over other offers. As such, there should be more of a push toward increasing the number of scholarships. Some also concerned that increasing the amount of money creates inequalities in the departments that can have negative consequences on the social dynamics in the departments. Others argued that having a $21,000 fellowship first year then being cut down to TA/RA wages the next years amounts to fooling incoming students into thinking that there are more resources then there really are. Some were concerned that this was unethical. There was a stawpoll taken and an overwhelming amount of people expressed the view that there should be more fellowships as opposed to fewer, larger fellowships.

There is was talk of expanding graduate education at Duluth and Rochester. As such, it is important to extend COGS representation to Duluth.

Q: Is there any reason why Duluth does not have COGS representation.
A: It is very unclear as to whether they’re part of this body or should form their own representative body.

3) Senate
Passed a policy saying instructors have the right to refuse students the use of technological devices (except for disabilities).

4) Stadium (John Troyer)
Funding for the stadium may be in jeopardy. We are fast approaching the December 31st deadline with TCF to have secured state funding. UofM says they’ll try to get an extension. However, there are reasons to believe that TCF in interested in maintaining its long term commitments to the stadium. Stadium would go where the last big surface parking lot is over on university by the gain silos. Right now the University is planning on paying 60% ($148 million) and the state pays 40% ($100 million). However, as the project gets pushed back—now a 2009 opening—the costs go up. The fee will not start until the doors open therefore the administration’s pitch as that many of the students here now will not be affects by this fee. While the Administration has rejected making the fees options they are trying to put together a benefits package which would include student reduced prices, entrance passes for free games, passes for benefits with corporate sponsors, student representation on the stadium committee, and formal recognition of student contributions at the stadium (ie a sign thanking us). However, I am skeptical of these benefits seeing as they are not mentioned or listed on the website. It is important to remember that this is still a castle in the clouds until the state money comes through. But if the state money comes it, it will all happen very quickly.

Q: What will happen to the parking?
A: They will build upscale rams and no new commuter parking. This will upset a lot of people and make it harder to drive to the university. The neighborhood business leaders do not like the stadium because they fear the loss of parking, noise, and student rabble.

Q: Before we talked about getting letters from DGS in opposition to a student fee for the stadium. Who should those letters be sent to?
A: Send one to president Bruininks and another to COGS so we can keep track of it.

5) Past Resolutions (Kris Houlton)
Eggs: Passed at GAPSA, lots of positive coverage in the Daily. However, there has been no response by UDS.
Corporate Partners: CFO Pfutzenreuter did not come to the last Senate meeting to provide counter arguments so the vote was pushed back to Feburary. There are plans to set up a Senate committee to handle this issue.
AFSCME: Went go GAPSA which gutted it. However, the union did settle for 2% pay increases and the workers did not lose their step-increases. Looks like the rank-and-file will vote to accept the contract.


	Home About COGS Current Issues Meetings Publications Getting Involved Representatives The Endowment Resources and FAQs Contact COGS		Minutes December 8th, 2005 President’s Room, Coffman Memorial Union Minutes submitted by Isaac Kamola (Vice President for Communications). Food served at 5pm, meeting began at 5:15. Welcomes (Sara Kempner) Election for Vice President of Finance (Sarah Kempner) Sarah explained the position. This position starts in December but not officially until June 1st. This is especially important since the GAPSA funding request is coming up soon and the newly elected VP of Finance will learn from Andy Warta how to do this task. Kristen Nichols was elected. Election for Social Science P&R Council Chair Sarah explained the position. This will just be for the Spring session because the current chair had to step down. There is also a $150 stipend included. Susan Kang was elected. Announcements 1) *Housing Survey* The survey has been sent to 400 grads, 400 professional students, and 400 post-docs. There have been 116 graduate responses and 156 professional student responses. This information will be used by the Housing Committee to improve housing options so its important that as many people as possible respond. If you’ve been sent an email, or know someone who has, make sure the survey gets filled out. This survey is two years in the process and it is key to making the argument that more needs to be done to improve housing for graduate and professional students as well as post-docs. There is an i-pod as a prize. 2) Dance Marathon on Friday *3) Career/Life Alliance Services, Inc.* This is a service the U is subcontracted out to help faculty, staff, and students facilitate finding child care, parental information and services, adult dependent care, financial resources, and daily living resources. *4) Strategic Positioning (Sarah Kempner)* I went to a Graduate Student Forum and there were four graduate students. If we say we want to be part of the process and don’t show up then it looks bad. As such, I strongly encourage everyone to provide feedback. The different committees are accepting feedback through January 27th. You can submit feedback through the “Transforming the U” website. *5) Travel and Leadership Awards.* Last year there were 75 applications for Travel Awards. This year we changed the forms to be more in-line with the GAPSA standards. Now, instead of cutting a check we provide reimbursement thereby guaranteeing that the money was used for travel. Reimbursements can be made for any trove done between September 1, 2005 and August, 30th 2006. This year we are also asking DGSs to nominate people for the Leadership Awards. The applications are due March 24th at 1pm. Click here for a travel award application or here for a Leadership Award application. *6) Spring Orientation.* Need volunteers for skits, panel discussions, resource table, and attending the reception. (Sign-up sheet was passed around) Updates *1) Committees (Shana)* Budget Advisory Committee: University is planning on changing how CLA is funded. Right now CLA gets money based on student enrolment then pay a “tax” back to the university to cover expenses. Starting in 2007 CLA will have to pay all of this directly. This means that if there is a budget short fall, the burden does not rest on the University but on CLA. University Dining Services: There is currently a new coffee shop in Walther Library. There will be a Jamba Juice in the TV lounge in Coffman. The CECS Building is getting a commuter kiosk. There has been lots of discussion about lack of seating and some talk about trying to get the Blegen dining facilities open longer. Also, there has been lots of complaints that the cost of food on campus cost is higher and the quality lower than off campus. However, because of meal plans, many are forced to eat overpriced food. Senate Community on Education Policy: Changed the policy which allows professors to know if a student is taking a class S-N. Right now professors can see if the student is taking the class S-N and some feel this can influences whether the professor gives the student credit or not. Now, the professor will enter the grade as normal but it will appear on the students transcript as an S or N. Also, the committee is trying to change some A/F classes to S-N. Also, there is talk about changes to graduate student support including access to the writing center, child care (like it is available to undergraduates), and better support at the visa office. *2) Policy and Review Councils:* Graduate school has provided $5 million dollars for fellowships ($3.5 million this year and $1.5 next). In addition there will be $1.9 million in block grants to individual departments and $1.28 million to first year students. The choice was made to increase the amount of money for the fellowships to well above the base (around $17,500 to $21,000) but keep the number of fellowships around 180. This would help recruit students for their first year. There was a heated discussion about why the Administration did not decide to increase the number of fellowships instead of the amount. Many argues that more fellowships were better because it would encourage more well qualified students. Some argues that the presence of a fellowship was the key in choosing the UofM over other offers. As such, there should be more of a push toward increasing the number of scholarships. Some also concerned that increasing the amount of money creates inequalities in the departments that can have negative consequences on the social dynamics in the departments. Others argued that having a $21,000 fellowship first year then being cut down to TA/RA wages the next years amounts to fooling incoming students into thinking that there are more resources then there really are. Some were concerned that this was unethical. There was a stawpoll taken and an overwhelming amount of people expressed the view that there should be more fellowships as opposed to fewer, larger fellowships. There is was talk of expanding graduate education at Duluth and Rochester. As such, it is important to extend COGS representation to Duluth. Q: Is there any reason why Duluth does not have COGS representation. A: It is very unclear as to whether they’re part of this body or should form their own representative body. *3) Senate* Passed a policy saying instructors have the right to refuse students the use of technological devices (except for disabilities). *4) Stadium (John Troyer)* Funding for the stadium may be in jeopardy. We are fast approaching the December 31st deadline with TCF to have secured state funding. UofM says they’ll try to get an extension. However, there are reasons to believe that TCF in interested in maintaining its long term commitments to the stadium. Stadium would go where the last big surface parking lot is over on university by the gain silos. Right now the University is planning on paying 60% ($148 million) and the state pays 40% ($100 million). However, as the project gets pushed back—now a 2009 opening—the costs go up. The fee will not start until the doors open therefore the administration’s pitch as that many of the students here now will not be affects by this fee. While the Administration has rejected making the fees options they are trying to put together a benefits package which would include student reduced prices, entrance passes for free games, passes for benefits with corporate sponsors, student representation on the stadium committee, and formal recognition of student contributions at the stadium (ie a sign thanking us). However, I am skeptical of these benefits seeing as they are not mentioned or listed on the website. It is important to remember that this is still a castle in the clouds until the state money comes through. But if the state money comes it, it will all happen very quickly. Q: What will happen to the parking? A: They will build upscale rams and no new commuter parking. This will upset a lot of people and make it harder to drive to the university. The neighborhood business leaders do not like the stadium because they fear the loss of parking, noise, and student rabble. Q: Before we talked about getting letters from DGS in opposition to a student fee for the stadium. Who should those letters be sent to? A: Send one to president Bruininks and another to COGS so we can keep track of it. *5) Past Resolutions (Kris Houlton)* Eggs: Passed at GAPSA, lots of positive coverage in the Daily. However, there has been no response by UDS. Corporate Partners: CFO Pfutzenreuter did not come to the last Senate meeting to provide counter arguments so the vote was pushed back to Feburary. There are plans to set up a Senate committee to handle this issue. AFSCME: Went go GAPSA which gutted it. However, the union did settle for 2% pay increases and the workers did not lose their step-increases. Looks like the rank-and-file will vote to accept the contract.