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UGGS GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING
October 21, 1998
UMC 158B 

1.   Funding Deadline Changes
Our last funding deadline for the semester, as stated in the Funding
Policy, is the first Monday in December.  This semester, however, that
Monday falls only two days before the last day of classes, and the week
after our last General Assembly Meeting for the semester.  Therefore, the
assembly needs to discuss possible alternatives, suggestions to remedy
this situation.
Tim Benner (Treasurer) made a motion to change the deadline from the first
Monday in December to the previous Monday, November 30.  Adam Griff (VP)
suggested that we not change the deadline, but rather move the funding
discussion to the start of the next semester.  Joshua LeConey (Fine Arts)
felt that we should just schedule an emergency meeting to decide on
funding before the end of the semester.  Becky Slater (Education) felt
that trying to get the proposals reviewed in that short a time would be
difficult.  Tim responded that it has been done before, so it would be
possible.  Tim felt, however, that it would be unlikely that there would
be many people at the meeting if it was so late in the semester (due to
finals, end of classes, etc.).
Matt Easley (CS) wanted to know when the next deadline was (first Monday
in March).
We need to decide what the best way to handle the situation is.  Adam (VP)
said that since the guidelines say the first Monday of the month, groups
applying for funding would already know that those requests wouldn't be
evaluated until the next semester.  
Renee Gillespie (Comm) said that if we return on the 11th of January (or
first General Assembly meeting is Jan 13), how long after that would it
take to get funding?  (Funds are almost immediately transferred.) 
Matt Easley (CS) pointed out that no one would need the money over the
break, to which Kari Klein (ATOC) countered that it would help people to
know (in advance) what they get as far as funds so that they can count on
them to budget with.  She felt that for the future we should change the
policy deadlines.
Chris Hirsch (VP) asked how many people felt that a December 9 meeting
would be feasible?  Most assembly members felt that this would work in
their schedules.  
Joshua LeConey (Fine Arts) made a motion to schedule a meeting for
December 9 to discuss proposals.  Adam Griff (VP) added that he would like
to change the deadline for the next cycle to the last Monday of November.
It was pointed out that this is immediately following Thanksgiving
weekend.  Scott Zakon (Poly Sci) asked if the amendment would require a
2/3 vote to change.  Jennifer Simpson (President) responded that changing
the funding policy should be discussed separately of this issue.
Renee Gillespie (Comm) wanted to change it to the first calendar Monday of
December.
Joshua motioned to have an emergency meeting on December 9 to consider
proposals from December 7.
Those in favor: 12
Opposed: 1
Abstaining: 5
The motion to have a meeting on December 9 passed 12-1-5.
	
The decision was made to discuss the funding policy at the next meeting.

2.   Reports

--Grad School
      The Dean's Small Grant awards will be announced on November 6. 
There will be a workshop on November 11 from 2:30pm-4pm in UMC 230
entitled Mentoring Graduate Students for Life Outside Academia sponsored
by the Graduate School.  All graduate students are welcome to attend.
Presenters come from within the university and outside.       

--UCSU
Noah Coccaro (CS) reported that last week a referendum which passed in
April 1994, which paid for a radio station transmitter and start-up cost,
was discussed.  One bill was passed deciding where the money should be
spent and one to relieve accounts control from UCSU (money now goes
through SOFO).  
Two weeks ago a bill was brought up to pay Reps-at-Large $50/week.  The
argument being that if you need to work you can't be involved in student
council.  This bill would help to relieve some financial stress for those
involved in student council.
A week from this Thursday (October 29 at 7pm in UMC 305) student leaders
will get together to discuss affirmative action. This is in response to
action taken by CCHE (Colorado Commission on Higher Education) that
removed statewide mandates for enrollment goals, and has left it to
individual institutions to set their own standards.  If this is a matter
of importance to you, or if you know of concerned graduate students,
please attend, or inform others of this meeting.  The meeting is open to
all concerned students--dinner will be provided.
Alex Cruz (Graduate School) said that currently there is a committee that
is looking at CU's goals and strengthening them.  He recommended that
there be a grad rep on the committee, to which Michelle Woodward (VP) said
that there already is.
UCSU recently passed a resolution condemning the attack on University of
Wyoming student Matthew Shepard as "bias-related violence based on sexual
orientation." In addition, the resolution called for concrete solutions
that educate the public and protect gays, lesbians, bisexual and
transgendered people. 

--Joint Commission on Student Parents
There is a funding issue with UGGS--they held an event on the 17th
(Welcome back) to encourage TA's to be sensitive to parents needs.  There
was a luncheon with the chancellor regarding issues such as  drop-in
childcare.
In the spring there will a move to make referendum to increase the
childcare scholarship.  

3.   Standing Committee Discussions
Everyone broke into committees to identify goals for the semester and also
long range plans for the entire year.  Reports were given by each group at
the end of the meeting.
Standing Committee on Events Planning:
1)  Social Night
UGGS, in conjunction with the MBA program, will sponsor evening
social nights where graduate students can meet others and socialize.
These will be held every other week and will change locations
regularly.  
2)  Fine Arts Gallery Talk and Reception
In this event, UGGS will sponsor a talk to be given by select Master's
students about their work.  This event would be held in the Fine Arts
gallery on campus and a reception would be provided.
3)  Ski and Snowboard Weekend
This event is to be scheduled for Spring 1999, but will require us
to begin our plans now.  Basically, UGGS will sponsor a trip to a ski
resort (to be determined) including transportation and lodging.  This
event would be available to graduate students at a reduced rate.

Standing Committee on Issues:
OLD ISSUES
1)  Fees  
The fees issue will be discussed with Ron Stump and Jean Kim at our
November meeting with them.
2)  Grad Student Lounge
We agreed that we should do research on what it will take to get space
allocated to us.  The kind of space we are looking for is like a very
small coffee house with a few tables and chairs and a couch or two.  It
sounds like this is very similar to space the Women's resource center has.
So, things to do:
      	a) Talk to Women's resource center, see how they acquired
	their space, and how they use it.
        b) Talk to UMC board member about the application for space
	and what they give priority to. 
	Are there any volunteers to do either of these things?
3)  Rec center pass
We need to write a bill for UCSU that states that any registered student
not already allowed into the Rec Center due to fee status is eligible for
an affiliate student pass (instead of just undergrads - as it currently
stands).  The tri-execs support us in this, they just haven't done
anything. 
4)  Freshman Forgiveness Policy
A proposed policy that would allow students to replace an F with the
re-take grade once (instead of averaging).  This policy is being
criticized by the Associate Dean's - it will probably die there, or be
changed, so we don't have to worry about it now.

NEW ISSUES
A concern was raised about individual departments ignoring, or being
ignorant of, Grad school policies (especially in awarding advanced
degrees).

(The report from the Standing Committee on a Graduate Student Orientation
is forthcoming).

Meeting adjourned at 7pm.

_____________________________________________
Katherine Soscia, Office Coordinator
United Government of Graduate Students
University of Colorado at Boulder

UMC Room 327       Campus Box 207
(303) 492-5068     http://uggs.colorado.edu

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