GRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL

Minutes of the Graduate Student Council General Meeting

University of San Diego

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

6:00pm –8:00pm

In Attendance:

Rebecca Aaron-Albanese

Thomas Bobo

Nicholas Franco

Farheen Kaka

Lauren Kawano

Justin Logan

Katharine Petrich

Michael Ross

Leonie Sandelbaum

Lindsay Sharon

Daniel Shehan

Gina Stavrakakis

Brianna Tracy

Sean Horrigan

Megan Kennedy

Not In Attendance:

Lindsey Ball

BritainyBirkhoff

Laura Mcnaughton

Annie Reyes

Time & Place: A meeting of the Graduate Student Council (GSC) was called to order at 6:30pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the University of San Diego. Nicholas Franco chaired the meeting.

Action Items

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

Justin Logan moved to approve the meeting minutes from the previous meeting of the GSC. Gina Stavrakakis seconded. All in favor.

Action Item(s): Approval of meeting minutes

Responsible: All GSC members

Councilor Affirmations

All GSC members present at the meeting completed an affirmation that did not previously have one on file.

Action Item(s): Councilor affirmations

Responsible: Brianna Tracy (Secretary)

Philanthropic Event

Lindsay Sharon and Brianna Tracy gave the 2012 GSC Philanthropy Event to be the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air. The event will be on Saturday November 10, 2012 at 9am at the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego. After the walk, the GSC will host a graduate student get-together at Bub’s at the Ballpark for students to mingle.

Tailgating Event

Dan Shehan and Tom Bobo gave their initial plans for the Tailgating Event. The tentative date is set for a basketball game on November 16th. Shehan and Bobo are thinking of possible ideas for a change in the event such as Food Trucks. Shehan is looking into the alcohol and catering guidelines for USD and will let the GSC know of any updates within two weeks.

Marketing of Events

A discussion regarding the marketing of events to graduate students was initiated. The breakdown was as follows:

  • MBAs – fliers and emails, in person in classes, no central location, contact person in GSC to disseminate
  • IR – pretty Facebook based, contact person in GSC
  • Nursing – lounge
  • Law – weekly email, SBA meeting
  • MARS – grad lounge, GSC contact person

Padres in the Park

The Padres in the Park planning committee was selected and consists of Gina Stavrakakis, Rebecca Aaron-Albanese, and Dan Shehan.

Budget Updates

Kaka presented GSC with the 2011-2012 FY GSC Budget as the current 2012-2013 is not available. Kaka gave an estimate on what the GSC Budget will look like for the upcoming year.

BoT Committee Reports

Board of Trustees Representative Reports:

  • Academic Affairs – No representative at meeting.DanShehan volunteered to be the GSC representative for the next meeting.
  • Athletics (Megan Kennedy) – no specific updates pertinent to Grad and Law students. The meeting presented goals for upcoming year, a financial review, discussion of Sand Volleyball team, and Fowler field tour.
  • Finance (Farheen Kaka) – no specific updates pertinent to Grad and Law students. The committee mainly discussed operating budget last year (surplus of 1.5 million).
  • Student Affairs (Nick Franco) – The Student Affairs committee asked that a video be made detailing ‘What is Grad Life like at USD?’ Individual schools will identify people willing to participate and report back at the next GSC meeting.

Graduate and Law Student Activity Fee Increase Committee

Franco gave an update on the progress of the Grad and Law Fee IncreaseCommittee consisting of Justin Logan, BritainyBirkhoff, Lindsey Ball, and Brianna Tracy. The group has submitted thoughts and comments on questions regardingthe fee increase and will meet to discuss the issue further. A drafted proposal is due to the Board of Trustees by December 1st.

Action Item(s): Fee Increase Committee

Responsible: Franco

Associated Students and Chik-Fil-A

Franco discussed the decision of Associated Students to move forward in their want to nullify the Athletic Department contract with Chik-fil-A without the input of GSC. It was decided a more fluid discussion between the GSC Chair and AS president would be an appropriate course of action in the future regarding actions that impact all students on camps.

Action Item(s):AS President and GSC Chair discussion
Responsible: Franco and AS President

Funding Requests

  • Women’s Law Caucus
  • Motion to approve $250 DanShehan, Brianna Tracy seconded.
  • All in favor.
  • Associated Students: Changemaker Fest
  • Franco gave background on Changemaker
  • Motion to approve $1,000 with the stipulation that GSC is advertisedas a contributor to Changemaker Fest by DanShehan, TomBobo seconded.
  • All in favor.
  • Graduate Black Student Association (GBSA) – Sweet and Soulful Thanksgiving Celebration
  • Expecting 160 grad and law students
  • Motion to approve $476 by TomBobo, Amendment of $450 DanShehan, Gina Stavrakakissecond.
  • Council vote tied. Franco tie-breaker. Motion passed.