Rich has made all the changes to the lease. He contacted Michael Benn once again for feedback, but feels that all is set to go for the next year.
Rich informed the group that the room change form will not be on-line. Graduates will be receiving forms for next year leases with those forms graduates will receive the Room Change Forms. If any continuing student wishes to change their room assignment, Reslife will do everything to give the continuing graduate students priority.
Rich brought the application for the new graduates. It will be up on the website as of April 1, 2005. Manny brought up the issue of the disparity between the rental rates. The group discussed How we might establish better and more equitable rental rates? How do we reduce the multiple variables that are a part of the housing stock? Very complicated issue!!!!!! Maureen suggested that this be a Fall project to examine the rental rates in detail and try to come up with a better system. A Task Force will be created with Rich as the chair of the committee in the Fall.
Website is done. Grad pages were loaded yesterday. YIPPEE!!!
Nick passed around the memo signed by Sumarsam, chair of the Music department and himself. Several pertinent questions came up: What is the role of the Music department to provide practice space and offices to their graduates? What is the role of Reslife to provide appropriate living space? What constitutes living space as it pertains to the music graduates? Is it appropriate for Reslife to provide speciality space for graduate music students?
Marina objected to a group house that would be provided to music students because the department has not provided space for “official” business to the graduates. Marina did not object to a group house that might be designated to all graduates who lived in the group house who were interested in playing their instruments at the house.
It was mentioned that the lower level of the new university center is designated for dance/rehearsal area, theater area and a drumming area. These rooms are open to the community public in the evenings. The group decided to invite Rick Culliton to the next meeting to discuss with him the lack of a community space on campus for graduates. Marina will follow up with Rick. Marina will also mention this issue to Billy and find out how to proceed with the music department on the needs of music students.
Marina is looking for a graduate student to volunteer for the Search Committee. This is a great opportunity to have graduate voice in the hiring process for a new director. If anyone is interested they need to contact Marina or Swing Chen immediately. The commitment would be from end of April to mid-June.
Nick brought up the fact that Ted doesn’t know the recycling schedule at PW. Right now the large dumpster serves as the recycle bin but doesn’t appear to be picked up by the recycling crew. Nick will send Mel Fogarty an email and it was suggested to cc Jeff Miller, jmiller04 and Peter Staye, pstaye about this issue.
Manny mentioned the Environmental Awareness Kick Off to be held this Wednesday, March 30 from 10:30 – 12:30 at the Davenport Campus Center. Any member of this committee who is interested in attending the luncheon, need to contact Manny. It is by invitation only.
The next meeting will be Monday, May 9th at 11 am in the graduate lounge.