CUNY Graduate Center
Doctoral Students’ Council
Steering Committee Minutes -- [DRAFT]

May 15, 2009

Attendance: Jill Belli (JB); Anick Boyd (AB); Gregory Donovan (GD); Rob Faunce (RF); Kyle Ferguson (KF); Allyson Foster (AF); Kimberly Libman (KL); Christine Pinnock (CP); Shawn Rice (SR); Jared Simard (JS); Chris Alen Sula (CS); Suzanne Tamang (ST); Denise Torres (DT); Tashajean Youstin (TY)

Absent: Anton Masterovoy (AM)

Chair: CS
Minutes: ST

Meeting called at 5:17

I. Approval of Agenda

CS adds item D., Succession of SC Alternates for Grad Council, and E., Albany Budget Director to New Business. RF motioned to approve agenda; DT seconded. Approved by unanimous consent.

II. Approval of Old Minutes

JB motioned to approved Minutes; CD seconded; approved by unanimous consent.

III. Old Business

opencuny.org:
GD described the goal of opencuny.org. The project provides server space for students and student organizations to run a blog, provide information about research projects, and other purposes. Currently the system (hosted on the same server as DSC submit) is small additional cost to run cost and used by a several student organizations and groups. To facilitate the adoption and initial development of this site, GD suggested formalizing a proposal to provide resources for a student involved in managing and assist users with the website. The student would provide support for legal or other issues concerning content, material and an appeals process. CS suggested DSC should install Opencuny.org as a new medium and recommends GD draft the proposal in the form of a bylaw. Office space issues for Opencuny.org was then discussed by SC. DT notes that other orgs in the office space queue should receive preference. GD noted that office space has been given to all orgs that qualify and there still is additional space. RF motioned that a one-year measure for office space the academic year 2009-2010; seconded by ST. Results: 5 approved; DT opposed; JB abstains.

Meeting paused 5:32

Resumed 5:34

IV. New Business
a. SC Duties and Responsibilities - CS described the function of DSC. GD and RF added details. Constricting a CUNY flow chart was discussed. GD mentioned some issues that are not likely but could happen; for example, that you may need to mediate or assist belligerent students. GD states that it is just a crazy system and they are going crazy.

b. Keys and Building Access - CS arranged for keys and finalized some desk key issues. SR noted that there will be an office training later on and more of this will be covered. CS will email about 24 hr access on Monday that will be effective until June 2010.

c. Retreat and Team Building - CS noted there will be funds for SC development in August. SR is planning the event and will be contacting everyone for ideas.

d. Succession of SC Alternates for Grad Council – Bylaw 16 specifies that a SC member can attend for Co-Chairs and that the order of succession is TBD by SC. The following order of succession is proposed for 2009-2010: KL, AB, KF, JS, JB and CP. SR motioned to approve the alternate order of succession; seconded by KL; approved by unanimous consent.

e. Albany Budget Director – CS discussed the issue surrounding the hiring of the new director. GD motioned that a resolution be drafted to be voted on at the first plenary in the fall. CS adds a friendly amendment that EC draft a resolution to be voted on at the first plenary in the fall.

f. Committees – CS noted that each SC member is expected to chair a committee and suggested that in addition to the mandatory committees, the formation of ad hoc in place of traditional committees would be possible. Mandatory committees for 2009-2010 are:

a. Constitution and Bylaws
b. Cultural Affairs and Professional Development
c. Health Issues

CS gave background on the Scholarly Awards, Library, and Community Building Committees from last year and problems they had maintaining membership. GD motioned to dissolve Scholarly Awards Committee, Library Committee, Community Builiding Committee; seconded by ST; approved by unanimous consent.

Committee elections:
GD nominates KL for Health Issues Committee; seconded by JB. TY moved to close nominations. CS adds friendly motion to elect KL by unanimous consent; approved by unanimous consent.

GD nominated KF to Cultural Affairs and Professional Development Committee; seconded by JB. CS moved to close nominations; approved by unanimous consent.

CS nominated AF to Constitution and Bylaws Committee; seconded by GD. ST moved to close nominations. Approved by unanimous consent.

Possible new ad hoc committees:
KL plans to focus with in regard to building design.

JB is interested in a committee that will work to assess the electrical outlet issue.

JS wants to address governance issues and discussed ergonomic assessment of the building.

AB is currently working on students that have issues with sexual harassment and would like to help work with the DSC to inform adjuncts about the issues that may surround issues around the campuses. SC discussed most effective time for tabling new and existing adjuncts would probably be the beginning of the fall and allowing for the use of discretionary funds for early projects.

SR discussed the idea of an information intake committee.

CS notes that Tech Fee has set aside a considerable amount for assistive technologies. GD suggested that tech fee could come in with issues that they want to fund for next year. CS stated that proposals should be submitted by September, for the first tech fee meeting.

V. Student Affairs Report (GD): Student Affairs is concerned that many clubs aren’t submitting their rosters and he encourages anyone that knows of someone in a club to tell them to send them through ASAP. GD discussed an issue around the lack of clarity in the qualification of a departmental subprogram. GD is working to get back to the rep from these departments about this. GD added a report about the chartered orgs and where they stand. All the orgs that entitled to office space currently have it. The two that have been chartered are pleased.

VI. Communications Report (RF): RF briefed the incoming committee with affairs about communication.

VII. Business Report (CS): May 31st official last day for check requests.

VIII. USS Report (AF): AF briefed the incoming committee with USS issues.

IX. Committee Reports

X. Announcements
CS kindly thanks GD and RF for laying good ground work.
JB invites us to the English party in 4406!
JB motioned to adjourn; seconded by GD; approved by unanimous consent.

Adjourned at 7:44pm
Respectfully submitted,

Suzanne Tamang