GSAS Graduate Student Council

GSC Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, October 2, 1996

The 1st meeting of the academic year 1996-7 was held at 5.30 pm on Wednesday, 2nd October, 1996 in the Graduate Student Lounge in Dudley House.

Officers Present: Adam Fagen, President; Kyriell Muhammad, Vice President; Paul Callan, Secretary; Christine Murasaki Millett, Treasurer; Gabriella Gonzalez, Social Officer; Carlos Lopez, Facilities Officer
Apologies:

After introductions of the officers and members present...

1. Announcements

The following items were noted:

Adam reported on the latest news concerning plans for renovations to be carried out in Dudley House next summer. The installation of an accessible elevator will prompt discussion of space allocation within the House. A group was formed to consider this issue further and to provide some student input into whatever plans are being made.

Adam reported that the Home Run Shuttle Service is in grave danger of being eliminated if ridership does not increase this semester. This service is available to graduate students to bring them from campus to their homes in Somerville. Many people at the meeting had not heard much about the service or its operation, such as where it runs from or to, where to buy tickets, etc. Those who did know about it commented that it could be made more convenient by running more often or on demand. Currently it runs every hour from 5-midnight; later hours may be more useful to GSAS students, and more frequent service would be useful at times of special events at Dudley House or eleswhere. A group to work more on this issue was formed; Adam and Kyriell will co-ordinate it.

2. Athletics Facilities

The GSC Officers have consulted with the Deans on the possibility of improving access to athletic facilities for GSAS students, and issue which was raised at the Council's meeting with President Rudenstine earlier in the year. Preliminary discussions have begun about the possibility of opening some facilities in the MAC earlier, even if not the entire facility. Input was sought to determine the particular areas of the facility students would prefer being open earlier. People preferred to have the pool and the weight room open earlier, preferably from 6 or 7am. Other suggestions for improving things included opening the Hemenway Gym earlier in the morning or providing a weight room in the dorms (which is being considered by the Graduate Dormitory Council (GDC) this week). Also, the quality of the facilities in the MAC could be much better.

A group was put together to follow up on these questions, which Adam and Kyriell will co-ordinate.

3. Elections

Carlos Lopez was elected as Facilities Officer for the coming year.

The GSC will send delegates to the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students (NAGPS) National Conference at the end of October in Santa Monica, CA. After Carlos' description of NAGPS and the annual meeting, a number of people expressed interest; the number who can attend will depend on the Council's finances.

4. Matter Arising from the minutes of 1st May, 1996

These minutes were approved.

5. Treasurer's Report

Christine present a report on the expenditure of the Council to date and outlined the procedures for student group funding. She reminded the Council that all funding requests must be made to the Funding Committee at least one week prior to the monthly Council meeting.

There was one request for group funding, for a conference to be held on Latin American Studies. A grant of $850 was approved by the Council.

6. Library Issues

In the absence of the two Library Committee representatives, Asta Sveinsdottir and Barbara Whitlock, Paul presented a brief report from them on the meeting which they attended yesterday. The committee discussed items for its agenda for the year, which included the replacement for the HOLLIS computer catalogue (to be called HOLLIS 2) and collection development, especially dropping subscriptions to some journals. Some of the facilities which those present thought would be desirable in HOLLIS 2 were the ability to get a list of the books you had out on loan and to renew books on-line.

There will be another general discussion on Library issues at the next meeting of the Council, when Asta and Barbara can be present.

7. 10 Year Limit on Graduate Study and Review of Student Progress

The 10 year limit on graduate study expected by GSAS was raised at the April meeting of the Council. The officers have discussed this issue with the GSAS Deans, as well as the broader questions on how student progress is reviewed on a more regular basis by departments. In order to get a better sense of what different departments do to review student progress and what they do in relation to the 10 year rule, those present were asked to answer a questionnaire which will also be sent to department administrators. One interesting observation was that about 60% of those present were unaware of the 10 year limit. About the same number were unaware that one cannot teach after the tenth year, a related issue which will be raised with GSAS.

Adjourned for pizza!

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