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UGGS GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING
February 3, 1999
Minutes

Diversity Plan materials were handed out.  A representative from the
Diversity Plan Committee will be at our next meeting.  Jennifer Simpson
asked that reps talk to other students to get an idea about how they feel
the diversity plan should be directed in the university.  

1.   North Central Accreditation Self Study Committee
David Pinkow, a Music professor as well as Chair of the NCA resources
sub-committee, explained the NCA process for the assembly.  CU has been
preparing for the NCA committee visit (in one year) for a year now.  CU
has been asked to write a self-study to address certain campus issues.
Criterion II (dealing with campus resources) refers to shared governance
and other issues of concern to students.  A bulletin was handed out with
details.    
The committee is interested in facts as well as perception.  When the
report is drafted (by the middle of the semester) a copy will be
circulated back to UGGS in order that we will have a chance to review it.
Rhonda Lemke Sanford said that it seemed that certain of the bullets
affect graduates more than others.  Library resources affect graduates
more than what the Regents do, for example.  She wanted to concentrate on
those things which people feel they'd like to give input on.  Jennifer
Simpson felt that the committee was looking for a sense of how well do we
feel that the university meets our resource needs.  David Pinkow added
that they would like us to address the strengths and weaknesses of the
various areas.  
Chaz Teplin (Physics) felt that graduate students are not getting paid
enough (in general) and that the payroll department can be extremely
difficult to deal with.
Christine Spencer (Mechanical Engineering) felt that in comparison to her
old school, here there are a lot of things taught in the classroom as
opposed to hands-on learning, especially in Mechanical Engineering.  She'd
like to be able to practice what she's learning.  The resources which
students need in one department may be available in other departments on
campus, but it is difficult to access them due to a lack of communication
between departments.  Possibly a channel between the resources would help.  
Tim Benner (Atmospheric Science) felt that one strength of the university
was the Graduate School policies on employment, especially in comparison
with other schools.  He agreed, however, that the payroll office is
extremely difficult to deal with-the people are not helpful, etc.  
Jennifer Simpson felt that in the Communication Department the teaching
preparation and support is very strong-students receive lots of
preparation before teaching.  There problems with TA workload, plant
resources and technology resources, however.  Graduate student office
space and computer access are two specific examples.  Representatives from
English, Political Science, Music and Fine Arts echoed this sentiment.  
Michelle Woodward felt that there is sufficient space for the Anthropology
department, but the computer access is lacking.  She felt that employment
standards are quite good, but knows that this varies widely between
departments.  It was agreed by most of the assembly that the role of TAs
and GPTIs is highly variable depending on department.  Everyone felt that
the work load and pay should be standardized across departments.
Joshua LeConey (Fine Arts) said that safety issues are not being
addressed.  Ventilation and waste removal (specifically in Studio Fine
Art) are not speedy enough.  He also strongly felt that the provision of
services by the university that afford all students to succeed was
lacking.  Specifically, services for students of differing sexual
orientation (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Alliance) should be
state funded.  He, too, felt that GPTI, TA and GA positions vary
widely--pay differences are not justified nor is the difference in work
load.  No one knows what is expected of differing positions. 
Adam Griff (Computer Science) complained about the different thesis
requirements across departments.  Some people may be doing 6 thesis hours,
others 3, etc. depending upon the department.  Hours for the doctoral
program also differ.
Matt Beasley (Astrophysical and Planetary Science) thought that the
teacher training here is excellent (in his department).  The libraries are
not up to snuff (giving us limited access) with hours, collections, etc.  
Matt Easley (Computer Science) felt that in CS there is very little
teacher training. Katherine Soscia (Music) and Scott Zakon (Political
Science) agreed with this for their departments.
Pete Colarco (Atmospheric and Oceanic Science) said that most students in
AOS are supported with Research Assistantships.  Vacation time as a
student (appointments are supposed to be 50 weeks per year) is an
unresolved issue.  AOS has no dedicated staff budget from Arts and
Sciences.  No computer support personnel.
Chaz Teplin said that in Physics everyone gets paid well--other
departments, however, are not getting paid well.  Payroll is also a
problem-in the past it has taken him lots of time and effort to get paid.  
Jim Cronin (EPOB) is part of the BA/MA student (new program) joint
program.  His main issue with the program is a lack of recognition
throughout the campus as to his status.  He was taken out of contention
for a Phi Beta Kappa fellowship because his status as a graduate was not
determined.  Funding and TA-ships were difficult to come by.  Also,
library privileges are a problem.  He cannot check out a journal article
from the library due to the fact that he pays undergraduate fees.   
Steve Caulk (Math) has been affected with the library switch.  He feels
that the role of TA's should be uniform--workload, pay, etc.  He'd also
like to have a pay-scale adjustment--fourth year students should be paid
more than first year students.  Also, there is always one month that you
don't get paid (August) and if possible he'd like to see this changed.
Christine Hirsch (Communication) felt that (coming in as a parent) she was
made to believe that the doctoral program was far less taxing and time
consuming than it is. They told her it was a four-year program, however
few people finish in four years--most take six or seven..
Any further thoughts on this subject can be given to Jennifer Simpson or
emailed to the UGGS account (uggsinfo@colorado.edu).

2.   Round Table Dinner
The dinner will be Tuesday, March 16 at 6pm.  Every year UGGS sponsors a
round table dinner to discuss various topics affecting the university and
community.  A list of topics was passed around to solicit volunteers for
moderating at tables.  Moderators help to keep the discussion moving (they
send out letters to people at their table in advance of the dinner as well
as report on the topic after the dinner and write up a summary of the
event for the UGGS web page.).  You must have familiarity with the topic
to be a moderator at the table.  

3.   Graduate School Rules
The committee to revise the rules has been discussing how to handle the
switch to the new rules.  Do we move everyone to new rules automatically
and then give them the option to request the old rules, or vice versa?
The biggest rule change has to do with the reduction of the number of
required dissertation hours. Matt Beasley felt that you should move people
to new rules only after they request it. Most representatives agreed with
this statement.  Alex Cruz (Graduate School) announced that any questions
can be directed to Rodney Taylor.  The rules were approved for Fall 99.     
                  
4.   Reports/Announcements
--Graduate School
Alex Cruz announced that the Outstanding Graduate Advising Award is
soliciting nominations of faculty and staff.  It is anticipated that there
will be one staff and one faculty award.  Awardees will receive a $500
discretionary/development account (or direct income, if they so choose).
Only those degree programs that report to the Graduate School are eligible
for this competition.  Graduate Program Assistants can be nominated.  The
deadline is March 5--please nominate those whom you feel are deserving of
the award.  All nomination dossiers must include:
a.   A letter relating the nomination to the award criteria.
b.   Assessments from student advisees.
c.   A letter of support from the department chair or division head.
Send nomination dossier to:
Norma Doran, Administrative Assistant
Graduate School
Campus Box 26
The Dean's Small Grant deadline was Monday, February 8, 1999.  The success
rate last semester was 42%.  
On Friday, Feb 12th from 2-3pm there will be
a lecture at NCAR (in the Main Seminar Room) entitled Is There Life After
The Ph.D. Degree? given by Professor Brian Schwartz.  For more info,
contact Don Middleton at 303-497-1250  don@ucar.edu.

--UCSU
Scott Zakon reported that the proposed Fall Break Plan passed its first
reading.  UCSU is working on and will probably pass a simplification of
the graduate student fee structure.  The fees will be based on number of
credits completed.  Currently the fee distinction is based on candidacy.  

The Events Committee discussed the Fine Arts Event they are planning.
There was also an Orientation Committee Meeting.  There were no summaries
of meetings given.

Reminder:  The final funding deadline is March 1st for groups seeking
funding from UGGS.  Funding request forms can be obtained from the UGGS
office door (UMC 327).

Meeting adjourned at 7pm.





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