DRAFT

CUNY Graduate Center
Doctoral Students Council
Health Issues Committee

September 7, 2007
Chair: Denise Torres (DT)

Present: Alissa Ackerman (AA), Nancy Medina (NM)

Absent: Ericka Calton, Ian Jones, Lynda Kennedy, Chong Wojtkowski, Rex
Wong, Danielle Wu, Mirian Zavala,

Meeting commenced at 4:15pm

I. Agenda

DT, AA, NM agreed to brainstorm and develop a HIC agenda for the coming year
as described in New Business.

II. New Business

a. Wellness Center: DT reviewed the current status of the GC Wellness
Center: there is no Nurse Practitioner currently on staff, and the timeline
for acquiring one is unclear. Matthew Schoengood and the Student
Affairs office are in communication with the Executive Committee of the
DSC and will provide follow-up when a more detailed timeline is
available.
b. Additional Membership in HIC: AA, NM and DT agreed to the following
plans to increase membership in the standing committee
a. Plenary: Talk up our efforts and pass around a sign up sheet for
new members.
b. Individual outreach: We each will attempt to engage new
members especially at our home schools.
c. Raising awareness of Health Issues: AA, NM and DT discussed how
best to approach issue of increased access to health care, improved
knowledge of services available, and increased awareness and
participation in the DSC as a whole. Given the intended development of
two additional ad hoc committees that address aspects of these the
following plan was developed:
DRAFT
a. DSC Tabling: For the week of October 15 through the 19th HIC
members will table in the lobby providing information regarding
the Wellness Center, Campus Workshops, and any WC updates.
• Packets of information describing the activities of the
DSC, HIC, the Finances Committee (name and approval
for discussion at Plenary), and the International & Non
Resident Students Committee (name and approval for
discussion at Plenary) will be handed out,
• the Student Health Insurance Guide will be made
available,
• the dates for off campus workshops will be provided.
• Petitions regarding health insurance/wellness
center/financial or student status issues will be developed
and students will be asked to sign.
• stories regarding student issues and problems can be
gleaned
• Also, the Holiday Party and Plenary of October 19th
with be advertised.
b. Workshops: To address student anxiety re issues, increase
awareness in DSC activities, and provide needed information
COFFEE HOURS will be held in workshop fashion.
• Packets of information describing the activities of the
DSC, HIC, the Finances Committee (name and approval
for discussion at Plenary), and the International & Non
Resident Students Committee (name and approval for
discussion at Plenary) will be handed out,
• the Student Health Insurance Guide will be made
available,
• Petitions regarding health insurance/wellness
center/financial or student status issues will be developed
and students will be asked to sign.
• stories regarding student issues and problems can be
gleaned
• off-site visits will occur the week of Nov 6/8 and Nov
13/15 (2 per day) to the following identified schools:
Hunter, Queens, Brooklyn, Lehman, John Jay, City, & CIS
• GC site visits can occur the 11/20 before breaking for
Thanksgiving Recess
c. Advocate Article: A joint article with the aforementioned plans will
be written and placed in the Advocate with EC approval.
d. NEXT STEPS: The following responsibilities and action steps
were agreed to in order to see through the plans:
• AA: create spreadsheet for off campuses so we can be
mindful of schedules; talk to reps; speak to JJ EO
DRAFT
regarding site visit; get additional volunteers; create piece
on finances.
• NM: Gather contact/schedule information from bench
science schools; create piece on International & Non
Resident issues
• DT: contact Student Affairs for a meeting and to get
logistical advice/approval; talk to Greg re Off-site campus
visits; talk to Brenda re possible budget; explore how best
to write letters to EOs for permission to get on-site.
• HIC: Next meeting 9/27 @ 5 PM at the GC

III. Adjournment
DT reviewed plans developed and confirmed understanding. AA and NM
approved by unanimous consent.

Meeting adjourns at 5:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Denise Torres, LCSW, CASAC-T, CCJS, DSC Chair
for Health Issues Committee, on September 11, 2007