Rutgers University Graduate Student Association - New Brunswick
GSA Council Meeting # 4, AY 08-09
December 14, 2008


  1. Determination of Quorum and Call to Order
    1. 10 Departmental Representatives
    2. 2 Elected Officers
  2. Approval of Minutes
    1. Approved unanimously
  3. Old Business
    1. Recognition of new Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs)
      1. Gradparenting GSO
        1. No representative present
  4. New Business
    1. Recognition of new Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs)
      1. CAST GSO (second call)
        1. No representative present
    2. Petition: Rutgers Against The War - Annual Report (see attached)
    3. Petition: Rutgers Against The War - Divestment (see attached)
      1. R. Greenblatt: Purpose of both petitions is in re: Iraq War.  Large private sector companies involved in the war are among those the Rutgers endowment is invested in.  One response to other conflicts, including Apartheid, was the divest from companies involved in the conflict.  Similar petitions are being brought to other bodies that represent other parts of the Rutgers Community.  RAW is asking if the petitions below are something GSA members believe in.
      2. Q: We're asking the Univ to be more clear in what they're investing.  We're also saying "we know you're investing in these bad companies".  Paradox?
        1. A: It took some effort to find out the information already known.  We don't know the mounts that are invested in these companies
      3. Q: Why is this being brought now instead of three years ago?
        1. A: Because we thought of it now, and several other schools have started doing these types of things recently.
      4. Q: part of the issue is that there are just no channels to get this information.  RAW members asked over 30 administrators, and nobody could give them answers to these questions
      5. Q: Have the companies listed all been engaged in unethical behavior, or simply profited from the war?
        1. A: RAW has a document on this that can be provided.
      6. Q: What are the consequences of voting on such a petition?
        1. A: This is not in any way a binding measure - it is just ammunition to bring to the administration to show that it is something students are concerned with.
      7. Q: The GSA has passed petitions in the past, to show the voice of the graduate students on specific concerns.
      8. Motion to vote on these petitions tonight: 15 in favor, 26 against
        1. TABLED until next meeting
      9. Q: Is it common for other institutions to disclose their investment portfolios to students?
        1. A: It is not universal, but it's not unheard of.  There is often some disclosure, but not full. UMich, e.g., does this.  See the RAW documentation on this -- campusantiwar.net, under "Shared documents" -- this will be posted on the GSA website as well.
      10. Q: It may not be the case that all these groups are engaged in unethical behavior.  Are you saying we should divest from these groups simply  for having contracts with the gov't?
        1. A: The majority of these companies make products that can be used solely for killing people (like clusterbombs).  Rutgers has a history of divestment, esp from companies involved in Sudan.  It depends on your definition of "unethical".  Full details will be posted on the GSA website.
      11. Please go back and discuss this with your departments and GSOs so that we can discuss this next meeting and vote.  Also note that these are two separate petitions - you may vote differently on the two petitions
    1. Nominations for Social Chair
      1. Carlos Diuk has resigned from Social Chair.  Naomi who has been cochair this semester, and is happy to be full chair.
      2. Nomination: Naomi Fleming
        1. In favor: majority, 2 against, 2 abstentions
    2. Announcements and input
      1. Bulk disposable paper goods
        1. GSA cannot refund paper or plastic products
        2. We are considering buying these products in bulk, and then dispensing them for events - do people like this idea?
          1. Yes!
        3. This is mostly to ensure that people are using recyclable goods
        4. Q: Are the current picnic kits used frequently?
          1. A: No
        5. Q: How much will this cost?
          1. A: Not much...  The recycled plates are not substantially more than non-recycled goods.  Benefits of bulk
        6. Q: Can anyone just come and grab them?  Will there be some kind of rationale required?
          1. A: Yes - you'd have to come in and talk to an officer.  Probably not an allocation request, just something that fits with an event you're planning
      2. January meeting - canceled
        1. Next meeting Feb 8
      3. Spring funding applications
        1. You can apply for (smaller amount of) funding during the Spring.  We're working now on getting the funding to work through an online application.  The funding deadline for Spring is February 4 (the Weds before the first meeting of the semester).  These are supplementary to what you turned in in the Fall.
        2. The EAC meeting for these applications will be Sat, Feb 7.  If you are interested in participating in the EAC, please let us know.  There will be emails with details on this, applications, etc.
        3. Doesn't make a difference if you submitted in the Fall already
  5. Reports
    1. GSA Executive Officers
      1. President (Ignacia Perugorría - president@gsa.rutgers.edu)
      2. Vice-president (Rebecca Steele - vicepres@gsa.rutgers.edu)
        1. GSA Holiday Party - 7pm this Thursday in the GSL.  Sit down (real food!) dinner.  BYOB.  Bring ID.  You MUST email Naomi to RSVP (social@gsa.rutgers.edu) ASAP.
        2. Our Senator Miriam will not be able to continue next semester due to a scheduling conflict.  If you are interested in attending the Senate meetings, please contact us.
      3. Treasurer (Sarah Murray - treasurer@gsa.rutgers.edu)
        1. See handout - funds spent as of Dec 9
      4. Secretary (Aaron Braver - secretary@gsa.rutgers.edu)
    2. Internal Committees
      1. International Students Affairs (Chair: Gayatree Ganu - isac@gsa.rutgers.edu)
      2. Publications (Chair: Luiz Ramos - pubchair@gsa.rutgers.edu)
      3. Social and Cultural (Chair: Carlos Diuk - social@gsa.rutgers.edu)
      4. Student Affairs (Chair: Elric Kline - affairs@gsa.rutgers.edu)
        1. Printing quotas: it is not as easy as admin thought for grad students to get all their printing done on these quotas, especially in certain departments.  If you are having issues with printing quotas, contact Elric.
        2. Q: What about getting them to carry over any leftover balance semester on semester?
        3. Q: Would it be helpful for students to email an admin?
          1. Email Elric first
      5. Sustainability (Chair: Carolyn Barber - sustainability@gsa.rutgers.edu)
      6. TA/GA Steering Committee (Chair: Joseph Dwyer - taga@gsa.rutgers.edu)
        1. Mason Gross grievance - more hours than allowed by contract - decision will be made next week.  It is expected that this will not be as the contract outlines, so there will be further action.
        2. Union has asked admin to provide transparency on financial transactions.
        3. Summer and winter session organizing campaign - admin wanted to ask people to have 3 consecutive summer or winter sessions before they can be part of a bargaining unit - now, your second semester you teach you're represented.
    3. Other Reports
      1. Administrative Assistant (Kaja Stevenson - help@gsa.rutgers.edu)
        1. Make sure your post-event reports are in within 90 days of the event!
      2. Events Coordinator (Andrew Spath - events@gsa.rutgers.edu)
      3. Publications Manager (Charlotte Whalen - puboffice@gsa.rutgers.edu)
      4. Webmaster (Audrey Devine-Eller - webmaster@gsa.rutgers.
  6. Question Time
    1. Get involved!  Officer positions for next year
      1. If you are involved in the GSA through a committee or officer position, your group gets a higher funding limit
      2. Q: What would be a good committee for people to join?
        1. A: All of them...  Maybe we can put a description of each committee on the website
  7. Adjournment



Petitions
Rutgers Against The War - Annual Report

WHEREAS there is no established way for members of the university
   community or the public to obtain information about how Rutgers
   University's endowment is invested; and

   WHEREAS  it is a common practice for other universities to make
   such information publicly available;

   BE IT RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Association recommends
   that the Board of Governors mandate the publication of a annual
   report on the university endowment, including details on the
   nature and amount of investments.

Rutgers Against The War - Divestment

WHEREAS Rutgers University has historically divested from
   companies on moral and humanitarian grounds; and

   WHEREAS the investment of Rutgers University's endowment currently
   includes twelve companies with a major role in the war in Iraq,
   including Raytheon, DynCorp and Halliburton;

   BE IT RESOLVED that the Rutgers University Graduate Student
   Association urges the Board of Governors to divest from all
   companies which profit substantially from the continuing
   occupation of Iraq including  Raytheon, DynCorp International,
   Halliburton, L-3 Communications, Boeing Co., FMC Tech Inc., Foster
   Wheeler, General Electric, Honeywell Inc, Northrop Grumman Corp.,
   Caterpillar, Inc., and Exxon Mobil.