Before the meeting began, Marina mentioned that she was not too comfortable with the tone and the attitude of the past meetings. She felt an us vs them attitude is not beneficial nor helpful to anyone on the committee. She mentioned that there will be disagreements and there will be issues not resolved to all’s satisfaction but we need to work together. Staff and graduate students are very busy and it serves no one to come to the meetings in an adversarial manner. All agreed that it would be more fulfilling to work in a more collaborative manner.
Rich reported that the website is going well. Jeff Miller worked with Rich on accurately tracking all graduate housing and updating that. At this point, he is 99% sure that all is captured accurately. Ravi has assisted to move online descriptions on an ongoing basis which will begin by beginning of next semester. Question came up where the grad housing web portion should sit? That was not resolved.
The committee decided to look at this in a larger context than just one individual case. Should there be a policy to charge a fee if students don’t sign leases? Suggestion was to redo the lease and clarify for those students who only pay 10 months that they are responsible only for 10 months. The lease needs reviewing. Rich will work on presently the group next meeting a lease that we could edit or comment on edits.
Another suggestion was to include an addendum for final year students and also include a recommendation from the Graduate Office and the Faculty Adviser when a student is actually done.
Eliana’s case will be handled by Rich.
possibilities for another Lease (look above)
Public safety will not issue a special sticker or parking signs for these students who have lost their old parking spots now that the space has become a parking lot. This is not a good issue because there is not a good resolution. Public safety allows them to park in D Lot after hours and during weekends without penalties. These students will not be able to park in D Lot during the day; Mon thru Friday.
It was pointed out that several of the staff don’t have the sticker to park in D Lot at all.
Alina mentioned that this continues to be a huge issue for graduates. Manny mentioned that this is an issue for all undergraduates and graduates. Auxiliary Services is modifying laundry facilities. The WESCARD will be the manner in which students will be able to pay for laundry. No more extra cards to purchase or quarters. There is a building on Pine Street that might be targeted for laundry services for this area of the campus that would be open to graduate students. 253 Pine Street is the building. Maureen suggested that the committee should petition to support of such laundry facilities on Pine street and work with the undergraduate group who are petitioning as well. She will get those names to the graduate committee.
Marina will provide the committee with those numbers.
Manny and Mel agreed to hold the sale of music house at least until the end of this academic year. There has been no comment from the music department about the sale of the house.
All agreed that there should be no smoking in the graduate group houses. We can’t monitor nor create policy of no smoking in the family housing or single housing like Park Washington. This is similar to the policy in the Senior Woodframes where there is no set policy.
It was agreed that there should be no fee for moving of students from one housing assignment to another. The only fee that could be charged to students is for lack of cleanliness when a student moves out of a housing assignment.
40 Brainard has been given to the graduate housing pool, however, for this year there are 3 undergraduates living there. Due to the housing crunch at the undergraduate level.
16 Brainard has one room that has been taken offline because it is too small as a legitimate room. It will be used an emergency space only.
Next meeting will take place on Monday, November 29 at 11:00 am in the graduate lounge.
Respectfully submitted by
Marina Melendez
10/18/2004