Steering Committee
Minutes
November 4, 2011

In attendance: Anne Donlon (AD), Jared Simard (JS), Colin Ashley (CA), Christen N. Serrano Madsen II (CNSMII), Monique Whitaker (MW), Sarah Jordan (SJ), Eero Laine (EL), Annie Dell’Aria (ADA), arrived late: Nicole Hanson (NH), Christina Nadler (CN)

Absent: Patricia Stapleton (PS)

JS calls the meeting to order at 6:11 P.M.

I. Approval of Agenda

SJ asks to move item V.e. to item V.a
MW motions to approve the agenda. CNSMII seconds. The motion passes unanimously.

Nicole Hansen arrives at 6:15pm

II. Approval of Minutes of October 14, 2011

CNSMII motions to approve the minutes. AD seconds. The motion passes unanimously.

III. Executive Committee Reports
1. Co-Chair for Student Affairs (Eero Laine)

EL reports on the proposed BoT Bylaw changes. Some of the changes demanded by the DSC have been adopted. Many have not. This will be an ongoing discussion.

EL report that he has been in contact with both the Japan Studies Association and the Turkish Students Association. Japan is making a good faith effort to remain chartered. TSA may have had a change in leadership. More communication will be necessary.

2. Co-Chair for Communications (Jared Simard)

JS reports how to sign up to speak at the BoT hearing meeting that will be held on November 21st, 2011. Instructions have been circulated via email by AD

JS reports that the EC met with Bob Hatcher and John Flaherty

JS reports that Acting Chief Librarian, Polly Thistlewaithe will be speaking at Plenary

JS reports on the Career Planning Office Committee. The committee continues to meet and will report more when information is available.

JS reports that the scanning project is complete and under budget. The project is now moving to the archival stage.

CN joins the meeting at 6:20 P.M.

3. Co-Chair for Business (Annie Dell’Aria)

ADA reports that she will be contacting President Bill Kelly regarding the clarification of policies on reserving space and space rental.

ADA reports that there was a conflict with the room reservation and emphasizes the importance of clear communication with students reserving rooms.

ADA reminds Steering members to check the mail during their office hours.

ADA is in the process of updating the budget and will have a report by the next meeting.

4. USS Delegate (Christina Nadler)

CN reports that not much has happened at USS in the past week.

CN reports on developments with her discussions regarding fellowships and transparency on the program level. Discussion ensues.
CN reports on inappropriate and offensive discussion and personal attacks on the USS listserv.
Discussion ensues.

5. UFS Liaison (Anne Donlon)

AD reports that she forwarded the resolution on the change in BoT bylaws to various administrators.

AD has drafted an email to forward to students regarding UFS elections on CUNY campuses.

AD reports that each campus is being asked for a response to the Pathways issue.

AD reports that IRB is being changed across CUNY. Each campus will no longer have its own IRB office. UFS will be following this development. Discussion ensues.

IV. New Business

a. Ratification of New Committee Members
SJ presents Valia Mitsou and Amy Martin
SJ motions to ratify Valia Mitsou and Amy Martin to the Student Life and Services Committee. MW seconds. The motion passes unanimously.

V. Steering Officer Reports

a. Officer for Student Life & Services (Sarah Jordan)

SJ reports that some students have expressed interest in holding dance classes.
SJ reports that she is preparing surveys on students services and tudent housing.

b. Officer for Funding (Colin Ashley)

CA reports that the the grants committee met and reviewed the grants. The committee has thus far allocated 22 of its grants budget.

CA has met with FAC coordinator Alana Valdez regarding a grants website. He will reach out to Bob Campbell to discuss the possibility of a CUNY- or GC-wide information page on funding. Discussion ensues.

c. Officer for Governance & Membership (Christen N. Serrano Madsen II)

CNSMII reports that there are some issues with the iclicker system.
There are two elections that are upcoming: MALS and Physics

CNSMII reports that Math and Social Work are circulating petitions to come on with representation. CNSMII reports that there was a discrepancy with meeting attendance. He will liaison with JS to resolve the issue.

CNSMII will be putting together a “Welcome Packet” for new representatives.

CNSMII will be convening the C&B meeting the week of November 21st. He requests that members of Steering forward ideas to him.

CNSMII suggests that the Steering Committee create guidelines regarding bringing resolutions to plenary. Discussion ensues.
SJ leaves at 7:30 P.M.

d. Officer for Health & Wellness (Monique Whitaker)

MW reports that the database of recommended providers is developing. Discussion ensues.
MW has been trying to set up a meeting with the Head Chef of Restaurant Associates.
JS passes along praise from the administration for the Health Issues Blog

e. Officer for Outreach (Nicole Hanson)

NH reports that the Outreach Survey has been sent out and is live. The response thus far has been positive.

f. Officer for Technology & Library (Patricia Stapleton)

JS reads the written report submitted by PS.

VI. Announcements

There is an Occupy CUNY Graduate Center GA happening concurrently.

VII. Adjournment

ADA motions to adjourn. CA seconds. The motion passes unanimously.

The meeting adjourns at 8:14pm

Minutes respectfully submitted by Eero Laine