GSA Meeting Minutes -- Candidate Forum & Budget Update -- March 23, 2010

UGA Graduate Student Association

MEETING MINUTES

DATE: March 23, 2010

LOCATION: MLC 213

For more information about GSA, please visit us online at www.ugagsa.org

1.         WELCOME

1.1               Meeting called to order at 6:34 p.m.

1.2               GSA President Robert Shostack welcomed all graduate students and graduate candidates in attendance. 

2.            ELECTIONS OVERVIEW

2.1        Official elections will take place on Oasis beginning on Thursday, March 25 at 8:00 a.m. and ending on Thursday, April 1 at 5:00 p.m.

2.2        Winners will be announced on Friday, April 2^nd, through the GSA website and through an official e-mail from the Graduate School

2.3        Run-off elections, if necessary, will begin on Monday April 5^th at 8:00 a.m. and end on Wednesday April 7^th at 5:00 p.m.

3.            CANDIDATE SPEECHES

3.1        Each Presidential candidate was asked to give a five minute speech.  Here, some key points of their respective speeches are provided.  For more information about each candidate, please click on the link attached to their names.

3.1.1     CHRISTIAN AVALON

Currently a graduate student in Adult Education; , education background; has a lot of experience in community planning; proposes a Website forum in order to create a greater community among grad students; budget cuts are of huge concerns and one way we can help remedy the situation is through collaboration among graduate students and developing a more interdisciplinary forum

3.1.2     JACOB COLE

Journalism student, from Rome GA, did undergrad at UGA; very interested in leadership and what leads certain people to take on leadership roles; first became interested in leadership in high school; leadership philosophy maintains advocacy as a primary part of his platform; would use current connections with the administration in order to fight for GSA causes; has history of involvement in SGA and thus, understands the inner workings of student government

3.1.3     ANNA FERGUSON

Graduated from UGA with Newspaper Journalism degree; has work experience as a reporter; strength is in communications; believes it is important to be involved in close real world relationships and be able to communicate effectively on all levels – it’s not necessarily a matter of politics; asked around among grad students and found that their three largest concerns are the budget cuts, an inaccessible administration, and healthcare (specifically dental) – would work to advocate on behalf of students in these causes

3.1.4     RICHARD KERR

Veterinarian Pathology student; Talks specifics – what I want to do; major concerns are:  healthcare, changes in funding, post-graduate employment – many of these issues are being discussed on capitol hill, so it’s not just a local issue; we need to be involved nationally; currently, GA is not a voting member on the national platform -- NGAPS; would get UGA to be a voting member and even try to get the National or Regional conference to be held at UGA; would create a more active Grad student population through social media, special events; post grad employment is of concern as we’re all victims of the economy, but we can get better tools – career center is great, but we need to design & implement an online forum for jobs and career opportunities

3.1.5     JASON O’ROUKE

Graduated in 06 from UGA in political science; worked for a nonprofit trade association; prior to that did work at state capitol – vision statement – high level of advocacy; well versed in administrative issues and in close contact with officials; desires to gain feedback from graduate students and create a two way street of communication; skilled at communication; professional development is important – we need to establish programs that provide real world experience prior to graduation; believes that we’re all leaders and truly can make a difference

3.1.6     TYLER SUGGS

MA student in political science; budget cut issues are of concern; health insurance issues are of concern – believes the problem is local; we need to build a better graduate school community, then we can be better advocates; most students probably stay confined to their departments – that needs to change; we need to increase visibility of GSA; social events are required; professional services are required (e.g. workshops for writing theses and dissertations); encourages students to vote!

3.2        Each Vice Presidential candidate was asked to give a five minute speech.  Here, some key points of their respective speeches are provided.  For more information about each candidate, please click on the link attached to their names.

3.2.1     LEE MOORE

Graduated from UGA in 07; went into public education in rural Georgia; now studying professional school counseling – experience advocating for those who can’t or won’t do it for themselves effectively; GSA is a group that requires advocacy; GSA needs to increase visibility; professional development is important to bring workshops, business/community involvement; our county is the fifth poorest in the nation of its size – we have a great opportunity to be involved in the community; we would like to be as popular as SGA and improve upon it

3.2.2     LAUREN MORET

PhD student in dept of education; graduated in 1997 from UGA as an undergrad; vision is focused on “all things student”; teaching experience for 7 years in San Fran; moved back to Athens for school; interest in social issues; believe in the power of voice; believes grad students don’t network enough, we need to do more; would like to create more community outreach opportunities; experience managing finances for large organizations; various leadership experiences, interested in being even more involved – especially in interdepartmental networking; also, would like to explore funding opportunities; “Love it, plan it, do it, change it”

4.         QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

4.1        Many of you mentioned that you would like to create a stronger interdisciplinary network of graduate students.  Why is it so important for graduate students across campus to interact interdepartmentally?

·         ANNA:  It’s a vital aspect of grad school; creates new conversations; I’m a student in Grady but have many friends in the Vet school, so when we get together, we expand our views by sharing our respective fields with one another

·         LEE:  when you graduate you all enter the same world; you’ll be working and living alongside each other; if we exist in small groups across campus, large groups lose their power; we can all

·         CHRISTIAN:  professional development – grants are available and funding is available for collaborative work, with budget cuts as they are, we can be better professionals after school, but

·         JASON:  as an undergrad, the most useful classes I took work cross-disciplinary; ended up finding work through those opportunity; know more about my life and career; you don’t have to be friends with everyone, but it helps you later in life to know about issues outside of your area

4.2        Some of you have mentioned that one of your qualifications is “knowing important people” like administrators, while others did not mention that in your qualifications; so, why do you or do you not see it as a qualification for being GSA president?

·         JACOB:  dad is a paramedic, recently went to hospital and instead of waiting in triage, went straight through – just an example of how it’s an advantage to know people; when you know people, you can get things done more quickly

·         CHRISTIAN:  actually has built student orgs on UGA’s campus since her undergrad experience; paid community developer; knowing people is important, but being engaging and being a great communicator is more important; student inclusion is the focus

·         ANNA:  as a journalist, I know it’s super important to be able to get in touch with the “important” people; most important is to treat everyone equally – secretaries are often more important

·         JASON: not a qualifier or disqualifier; everyone running has great qualifications; doesn’t mean you’ll get anything done any better or quicker; but it is helpful

·         TYLER:  strange being at the end because I run the risk of sounding redundant; coming together as students to get voices heard is just as important as knowing Michael Adams secretary; we’re all

·         RICHARD:  Less important about who you know, more important about who you have conversations with – more important that you have the capacity and ability to be a part of the conversation; so that you are trusted; that the legislation will listen to you

4.3        What is the one thing that sets you apart from the other candidates and make you most qualified to be a GSA elected officer?

·         JACOB:  my PR degree from UGA is by biggest qualification; educational background has led me to be an expert communicator

·         CHRISTIAN:  long run experience in community planning and enjoyment of it – truly has a passion for advocacy and a love for people

·         ANNA:  being a reporter, ask hard pressing questions and also relate the answers to the people and the community that has the questions; great on deadlines!

·         JASON:  work experience – I have almost 4 years experience doing professional advocacy work in the private sector

·         TYLER:  I actually BELIEVE that I can and we can make a change on campus and in the community

·         RICHARD:  my leadership style – I don’t talk in broad platitudes about community or change; I have real, concrete plans and achievable goals

·         LAUREN:  a number of things, but the most is passion to take action in a team and to be active and be about performance – to be accountable

·         LEE:  I believe in the inclusion of everyone; I’ve seen a lot of inequities so I fight to be sure that everyone is included on the same level

5.         BUDGET UPDATE

5.1        Past Budget Information

v  UGA has been asked to cut $101.6 million over the last several years.

–         Some impact on students

–         Protected instruction

–         Six furlough day this academic year

–         Cuts to departments

–         Hiring freezes

5.2        Recent Budget Developments

v  UGA asked to come up with an additional $60 million in cuts, without raising tuition

–         Cons: Jeopardizes 4H, Botanical Gardens, and academic programs, decrease enrollment

–         Pros: No tenure or tenure-track positions cut, Governor’s support, unlikely all cuts will occur

v  Many players

–         General Assembly, Board of Regents, Georgia Citizens; UGA: Students, Administration, Staff, Faculty

5.3        Impact on Graduate Students

v  Higher tuition and fees

–         Most likely higher fees

v  Less assistantships

–         Difficult to forecast

–         Some departments may cut

–         Year-by-year contract

–         Current students with assistantships likely to keep funding

v  More reliance to teach courses

5.4        Future Actions

v  Support UGA administration’s  proposed cuts

–         Faculty, Staff, Alumni Association

–         Students? Georgia citizens?

v  Support administration in hiring faculty

–         Prestigious faculty bring grant funding

–         Provost was given $4 million

§  $2 million for first-time costs (lab set-ups)

§  $2 million for salaries

v  No one group to blame

v  No one solution

–         Need strategic, comprehensive strategies

5.5        Floor opened for discussion.  Several students commented they are just waiting from their departments to get feedback about funding.

QUESTION:  When should we know about the state’s decision on funding and budget cuts? 

RESPONSE:  When General Assembly signs the budget into effect in April, we’ll know.  Overall, there will be cuts, it’s just a matter of whether they’ll be large or small.      

The floor was closed for discussion.

6.         OTHER GSA ANNOUNCEMENTS

6.1        10th Annual GSA Interdisciplinary Conference: Health and the Disciplines

This Saturday, March 27 from 10:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on the first floor of the Miller Learning Center, GSA will be holding their annual interdisciplinary conference entitled Health and the Disciplines. Over 60 graduate students from a variety of fields will be presenting their research through oral and poster presentations. At 11:00 a.m. in MLC 102, Dr. Steve Oliver will be presenting his intriguing interdisciplinary project entitled: Learning Biological Processes through Animations and Inquiry: A New Approach. The conference is FREE to attend and students and faculty can stop by anytime throughout the day. To review a detailed conference schedule, learn more about the key note presentation, or RSVP to our facebook event, please visit the conference website at: http://sites.google.com/site/ugaconferencesite/home

6.2        Social Committee Update

A social/philanthropy event is in the works for mid-April, so check the website and your e-mail for updates.

7.         CLOSING 

Meeting adjourned at  7:43 p.m.