CUNY Graduate Center
Doctoral Students’ Council
Steering Committee Minutes
November 2, 2007
DRAFT

Present: Gregory Donovan, Rob Faunce, Anton Masterovoy, Denise Torres, Brenda Vollman, Danielle Wu
Absent: Alyssa Ackerman, Adelle Kudish, Nancy Medina

Chair: Rob Faunce (RF)
Minutes: Anton Masterovoy (AM)

Meeting commenced at 6:22pm

I. Approval of Agenda
RF moves to approve, Denise Torres (DT) 2nds. Agenda approved by unanimous consent.

II. Approval of Old Minutes
Brenda Vollman (BV) moves to approve, Gregory Donovan (GD) 2nds. Approved by unanimous consent.

III. Old Business, RF reporting

a. Eligibility of Reps

3 members of the DSC did not get certified nor appealed this. We should bring it to their attention. BV suggests that if students who wish to be a part of DSC plan to take an incomplete they should send a letter to the VP for Student Affairs, to avoid certification problems.

Two at-large reps (Robin Hizme and Mohammed Saad) have not shown up nor sent a letter to excuse themselves, while they did accept their positions on the DSC. Two other people want to join the DSC as at-large reps. BV moves to remove Robin Hizme and Mohammed Saad from the DSC, DT 2nds, and to fill the at-large vacancies with Amanda Springs and Caroline Erb. The reps will be given a chance to come back at the next Plenary meeting. Motion is approved by unanimous consent. Four at-large reps and four departmental reps who have not attended either Plenary will also be sent emails reminding them of the importance to quorum of attendance.

Danielle Wu (DW) enters.

b. Master Plan

RF is in contact with Provost Edwards. From the student responses it appears that the main concerns are over the proposed online degrees as well as the fact that the Graduate Center, despite providing a home for faculty as well as being a source of adjunct faculty, is barely mentioned in the Master Plan proposal.

IV. New Business

a. USS Rep

Alyssa Ackerman (AA) has resigned as USS Rep. Alysson Foster, a DSC rep from the English Department who is familiar with such work, has applied to step into Alyssa’s place. DT moves to appoint Alysson Foster as USS Rep, BV 2nds the motion, which is approved by unanimous consent.

V. Student Affairs report (by GD)

a. Elections Process

GD spoke to Vote Net (an online voting provider used by City College). They have quoted a flat rate of $1995 for a year of unlimited polls, surveys, and elections. Their software appears to be very flexible in the ways to create and change the number of ballots, tabulation methods, and proof of student status. Vote Net also offers a training session to subscribers. Once and if we agree – and this will be submitted at the Plenary session for approval – VoteNet will send a contract for review by the legal staff of the Graduate Center. The money saved via this new elections process could be used for the student travel and research fund.

b. Chartered Organizations

All forms and instructions for chartered organizations are now on our website. Students’ questions on the subject may now be addressed by the website. GD suggests that we use the website as a source/ a place to share institutional knowledge.

c. Content Update

Photos and bios of those who have not yet done so should be submitted to GD.

VI. Communications Report (by RF)

a. Meetings with Administrators

RF reports that the President is open to hearing our concerns on the use of Microsoft Hotmail as our main email server. We will draft an official letter with our opposition to the use of this server and suggest alternatives. It will be sent to the President and the administrators of IT. This issue will continue to be addressed.

RF has also ensured that there will be 2 students on the search committee for the new Provost.

A possibility for creating a “Student Speaker Board” is discussed and is slated for further discussion.

VII. Business report (by DT and BV)

We are in the process of transferring the charge of Business affairs from BV to DT.

We need to have creative and beneficiary ways of using our money. We should have a systematic way of keeping and passing on institutional memory. It is suggested that committees of the DSC can should spend money – to inform students of their activities, during meetings, etc. DW suggests that we could have mentoring program, to help CUNY undergraduates in all departments across the entire CUNY system with regard to academic success, retention, and promotion of higher education.

VIII. USS Report

As Alyssa Ackerman is absent there is no USS Report.

IX. Committee Reports.

DT reports on the Health Committee. DT has been in constant contact with Student Affairs on the stop-gap medical service and the agreement for it.

DT moves to nominate DW as chair of Health Issues Committee, BV 2nds the motion, which is approved by unanimous consent.

On the afternoon of Thursday, November 29th the Graduate Center will host an AIDS Day event with the NYC Health Department on the concourse level.

AM reports on the Library Committee. He has placed a suggestion that the CUNY Master Plan should include a new Graduate Library.

DW reports on the Community Building and Outreach Committee. Perhaps we could hand out mementos to students at other campuses, such as magnets, t-shirts or mugs.

X. Announcements

GD and AM are not able to attend the upcoming Plenary session.

XI. Adjournment

BV moves to adjourn, DW 2nds the motion. Meeting is adjourned at 7:54 pm