CORSO Meeting
May 6th, 2008
Mintues

Attending: Christian Brockman, Jay Kim, Matt Kennedy, Kathryn Benesh, Tal Kopan

I. Sodalitas Presentation/Q&A
A. Presentation
1. We don’t want to limit the group to just publication
2. We’d like to have a more informal forum for ideas
-include publications, but also a blog, meetings, study/discussion groups with writers, readers and professors
B. Q&A
1. Why have your own publication if emphasis is on fostering community? It’s difficult for publications to get funding.
-it’s very difficult for undergraduates or anyone to get published, particularly if you just have a brief idea or discussion-starter; there’s just no forum for it
2. Would you benefit more from an academic or publications advisor?
-an academic advisor would probably be more helpful, but crossover is possible too
C. Discussion
1. This sounds like a fantastic idea for undergraduates
2. It isn’t CORSO’s job to deny RSOs based on difficulty of future funding
3. Individual student goals/desires vs. student life improvement?
D. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED

II. Oeconomica Presentation/Q&A
A. Presentation
1. Majority of group’s time would be devoted to research, working with faculty
2. RSO used to exist; economics department has asked for a revival
3. Most of what we do is interact with professors, have seminars/workshops
5. This is explicitly different from publications about consulting/finance; more about theoretical research and topics less commonly taught/studied
6. UChicago should be a center of such activity, with its economics reputation
B. Q&A
1. Is this research in itself or for the end goal of publication?
-right now it’s research for its own sake
-we expect to publish, but it isn’t the main focus
-department likes to see examples of undergraduate research
2. What sort of publication would you see down the line?
-at most twice a year, since it’s a journal with a small base
-old group published and ~80 page academic journal
3. Will you be working with the economics department to find other publishing outlets for students?
-department already does that to some degree, but there are few/no undergrad publication opportunities
C. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED

III. RSO Applications
A. Chicago Public School Support Network
1. Comments
-support for students from CPS who come here
-sponsorship of schools for recruiting purposes
-specific programming? New contributions? Already a lot of different existing outreach programs
-appears to be tied to overall University recruiting initiative
-do they really need RSO funding? – social instead of community service?
-would it be better as a subset of the admissions office or OMSA?
-doesn’t seem like the best way to create a support network
-maybe we should discuss this with Wallace
2. Motion to approve RSO: (3-1,0) PASSED
B. UChicago Maya
1. Comments
-they would be a unique addition
-this would be more technical/competitive than just about fun
-if they have enough participation there’s no reason to stop them
2. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED
C. Stop, Drop, and Raas
1. Comments
-any current members can change by-laws, not just officers?
-another competitive dance group
2. Motion to approve, with recommendation to make amendment process more democratic: (4-0,0) PASSED
D. SDS
1. Comments
-how is it different from other social justice groups?
-it’s a national organization for radical social change; specifically not about electoral politics
-anything about nonviolence? Considering history of organization
-can’t deny based on political/social beliefs
2. Motion to table, pending more information from group: (3-1,0) PASSED
E. Management of and Investment in Colonies and Resource Operations (MICRO)
1.    Concerns
-Invite us to the LAN parties!
-Order of the Blistered thumb?
-Incorporate all video games?
-Related games
2. Motion to table pending more information: (3-1,0) PASSED
F.  Cotton Gin
1.    Comments
-concerns that it is not unique from other creative writing publications
-the group could just write, and then submit to other groups
2.    Motion to deny RSO status: (4-0,0) PASSED
G.  Reading Novels Out Loud
1.    Comments
-Just funding for food?
-Are the by-laws complete?
2. Motion to table, pending resubmission with bylaws: (4-0,0) PASSED
H.  Colleges Against Cancer
1.    Comments
2. Motion to approve RSO: (4-0,0) PASSED
I.  COUCH
1.    Comments
-sounds similar to Woodlawn Initiative, Puppet Posse
2.    Motion  to deny RSO status: (3-0,1) PASSED
-Note: If you would like to reapply, we would like to hear about the differences between your group and groups that sound very similar.

College Council Meeting
May 7th, 2008
Minutes

I. Retail Committee
A. Presentation by Bill Michel
1. Right now in the process of formulating recommendations, would like to get feedback from students
2. Final recommendations will be shared with community as well
3. Initial findings: student perception of retail opportunities largely dependent on where they live – ie, students living around campus mainly stick to 55th and 57th . 55th seems to be a major dividing line. North/South and East/West divide
4. Initial findings: price sensitivity; desire for a basic clothing supplier, late-night or 24-hr food/entertainment, mix of local and national retail
-retail suggestions: Target, 24-hr diner/cafe, thrift store, on-campus convenience store
5. Need to consider space/location limitations; some things just may not be feasible to have in Hyde Park
6. Initial recommendations: more publicity/marketing to spread awareness of existing retail and amenities; a clearer connection between 53-55-57 (bus routes and a walkable corridor); cultivating an independent/alternative character to the neighborhood retail offerings
7. Contact committee members with any thoughts or ideas

B. Discussion / comments
1. Students living in east Hyde Park probably wouldn’t object to a retail center further west, since they have to go that way to campus
2. Changes due to closing of the Shoreland and opening of new dorm?
3. Students with car access tend to just leave Hyde Park completely
4. Also depends on season – people won’t want to walk as far in winter
5. Other ‘satellite dorms’ may be affected once the Shoreland is closed
6. Few people cut through Nichols Park to get to 53rd, due to safety concerns
-would it be feasible to just put a patrol car there and an emergency light?
7. Students will still live in the Shoreland area even after the dorm itself closes
8. Price sensitivity varies widely across individuals
9. Treasure Island is perceived as pretty much the same as the Co-op for prices, though it’s nicer/cleaner
10. A 24-hr place should be within reasonable walking distance – maybe on 55th
11. In regards to national/local mix, bookstores here are a good example: Borders as well as the Seminary Co-op and Powell’s, so all niches are filled
12. The type of store is important in deciding between local vs. national – ie a local coffee shop but national electronics chain
13. Bookstore and Bart-Mart are pretty good for convenience store type needs
14. A movie theater in Hyde Park – not necessarily a megaplex, but something that will show new releases
-administration has been trying to make a deal with movie theaters unsuccessfully for years
-there was once a movie theater, but it wasn’t popular with the neighborhood and eventually shut down
15. What connections are there between retail and security committees?
-they are working independently, but integrated as part of an overall investigation of quality of life
16. Distance is a very limiting factor when walking to/from grocery stores
17. Should keep in mind that there are always students who won’t take advantage of pedestrian culture and prefer to leave Hyde Park for retail

II. SGFC Recommendations
A. Motion to approve: (11-0,0) PASSED

III. Other Business
A. Eve Ewing on the security committee
1. We submitted our report to President Zimmer at the end of last quarter
2. We met with President Zimmer today to discuss the report
-impressed by his willingness to implement changes, and quickly
3. Report and Zimmer’s response will be available by the end of the month
-some measures will be implemented by the end of this year, beginning of next year
B. Jarrod Wolf’s updates
-Jarrod is currently in Springfield lobbying; thinks it will be successful
-Metra discount will probably be implemented in the fall
-CCC meeting next week in the Gleacher Center
-new issue: textbook prices
C. Possible discussion with IHC about gender-neutral housing

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will deliver the Thomas Garrigue Masaryk Lecture on Democracy in the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008.

Before her address, Albright will sign copies of her latest book, Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America’s Reputation and Leadership, from 2:00 to 3:30pm at the University Bookstore.

Free and open to the public. No registration required.

Co-sponsored by the Prague Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program and the Czech government.

For details, visit http://chicagosociety.uchicago.edu/upcoming-events.htm.
Portrait by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders.

The minutes for the May 6th SGFC meeting are posted here.

MAB Presents the Summer Breeze Music Festival 2008!

Featuring:
Cake
Talib Kweli
Andrew Bird
The Cool Kids

Hutch Courtyard
Saturday, May 17th
5:15pm [Doors at 4:45pm]
$15 advance, $20 day of show for students
$20 advance, $25 day of show for faculty/staff

This year’s festival will also feature FREE Kraft Foods Deli Creations sandwiches, FREE Red Bull Energy Drink samples, FREE Fuze Beverages samples, and FREE raffles - including weekend passes to the Summer Camp and Lollapalooza music festivals.

Tickets will go on-sale starting Wednesday, April 30th in the Reynolds Club from 11am - 3pm and continuing weekdays until the date of the show.

University of Chicago ID is required to purchase / pick-up tickets.

**University of Chicago students, faculty, and staff CAN bring guests that do not attend the University of Chicago. We will NOT be checking IDs at the door.

If you’re interested in volunteering for the show, please email mabvolunteer@gmail.com.

Each year, outstanding RSOs, events, and publications are recognized by the Committee on Recognized Student Organizations (CORSO) and honored for their work at the Student Leader Awards Reception. This year there will be SEVEN awards:
* Outstanding RSO Award
* Outstanding NEW RSO Award
* Best Event Award
* Best Publication Award
* Best Funding Award
* Best RSO/ Event You’ve Never Heard of Award
* The People’s Choice Award

To nominate an outstanding RSO, event or publication for an award, please submit the application by 5:00 p.m., May 12th. Completed applications should be sent to sg-corso@listhost.uchicago.edu.

To vote for the People’s Choice Award click here.

Last Thursday SG held its last Presidential Discussion. Over the last two quarters, we had around 100 people RSVP and roughly 80 were invited to attend the discussion (we don’t count who shows up, so of that I’m not sure who actually attended). That’s a pretty good record.

A quick review:

• Last Winter’s Discussion was this year’s first, with nearly 80 students RSVPing for 25 spots. We selected people based on division, year, and interests to make it as diverse of group as possible. Maroon coverage here and a blog post with comments here.
• A couple of weeks earlier we had around 40 or so people RSVP. Everyone who had tried to attend an earlier meeting, or was a Graduate Student, was able to attend. Maroon article here.
• Last Thursday we had 27 people RSVP to attend and only 18 or so show up, making it the lowest attendance of the year. Nevertheless it was a really good discussion, see the Maroon article here.

It took a while but I think we’ve finally found President Zimmer’s venue. Last Thursday’s meeting was especially nice because fewer people meant more questions per person. The only thing I would change in the future is to have people come with more prepared comments versus questions. President Zimmer enjoys hearing from students and while some questions have obvious embedded comments (”What are you going to do about do about the large college class sizes in the Physical and Biological Sciences?” was one last week), direct comments are also really nice.

Ideally we will do one of these each quarter next year, but we’ll have to see what the President’s schedule allows. There’s been some concern about the RSVPing system, but I think that this works better than the old brown bag model for a couple of reasons.

First, when people RSVP they feel bad about skipping. In the previous system, where the President sat in the McCormick Tribune Lounge with some lunch, attendance was hard to predict. By having people RSVP, it helps guarantee that they’ll show.

Second, the RSVP system means that people show up prepared with questions. This makes the discussion much more productive and usually gets us through that awkward period where attendees are warming up to the President (it lasts roughly 40 minutes, in my experience).

Finally, it keeps the discussion productive. This is my own personal opinion, and many people on SG don’t agree with me. But above ~25 people, the discussion turns into a lecture, defeating the real goal of these meetings, for the President to hear from students. By limiting the number of people, we’re able to keep the discussion productive. I’m proud to say anyone who couldn’t attend an earlier discussion and tried to attend a later discussion were able to, so its not a function of suppressing anyone’s voice. And if last Thursday’s discussion was any indication, anyone who signs up in the future will be able to come.

This format doesn’t mean Senior Administrators will never face a large, angry crowd: the Provost took questions on Grad Aid in Max Palevsky Cinema last Winter. But that’s a different type of discussion with a different purpose, and I think its important not to confuse the two. I’m sure whenever there’s again cause to protest President Zimmer, there will be ample opportunities beyond outside of these Discussions.

Thoughts on the format or my rundown? Is there something we need to change for next time? Use your fingers and let us know.

-Scott

College Council Meeting
April 30th, 2008

I. SGFC Recommendations
A. ASU Appeal
1. $640 to subsidize a trip to Korean Town
2. Held similar events in winter and fall
3. There is more to it than food – 2 hours to explore neighborhood
4. The area is not feasibly accessible by public transportation
B. Questions
1. Why sponsored by SGFC rather than a group of friends going together?
-expense + cultural nature of event
2. Funded events can’t be RSO-exclusive – are you advertising?
-word of mouth, listhost, flyers possibly
-these events usually fill up before word can get out
3. Any programming designed other than going to the restaurant?
-no, but there will be 2 hours of time to explore
4. Is unstructured wandering the best way to experience the neighborhood? What makes this different than, say, a CUSA trip to Chinatown?
-Korean town is not easily accessible by public transit
-the experience would be much more unfamiliar and new to ASU members than Chinatown might be to CUSA members
-food is an important cultural experience in itself
C Discussion
1. It still just seems like a group of friends having dinner
2. They probably won’t do outside advertising
3. UChicago students are notoriously unadventurous, need more opportunities/incentive to get off campus
4. A $10/head subsidy for 40 people is way above SGFC guidelines; have denied funding to similar events for similar reasons
5. Korean Town is pretty far and it would definitely be a cultural experience
6. Maybe we could just fund transportation, if not the dinner
7. They could charge $5 a person for transportation and use it to subsidize the dinner itself, which is what has happened at past such events
D. Motion to fund $240 for transportation costs: (7-8,0) FAILED
Motion to deny appeal and approve SGFC recommendations: (8-5,1) PASSED
Motion to reopen for discussion (requires 2/3 vote): (7-7,0) FAILED

II. Rod Edwards on the CC and GC Liaison positions
A. Discussion
1. Should there be a definition for ‘home’ and ‘host’ councils?
-home council is the one to which you are elected
2. What are the rights/privileges given to the liaisons?
-requirement to attend meetings, right to speak, etc
3. How will liaisons be chosen?
-it was left vague on purpose, to be determined by each council
4. Would a liaison serving on a host council committee have a vote?
-that would be up to the committee’s discretion
5. Is is there a rule against administrators serving on councils?
-if you pay student activity fees, you can serve
6. Are there proxy rules for the liaison position?
-same proxy rules as in each council’s bylaws
B. Motion to approve for discussion by Assembly: (14-0,0) PASSED

III. Other business
A. Chair announcements
1. Assembly meeting next Thursday
2. There will be food at the next CC meeting
B. Jarrod’s announcements
1. CCC Meeting on Friday the 9th at the Gleacher Center
2. End of year reports are due in 2 weeks
3. New initiative: to investigate how much money SGFC allocates to food, and perhaps creating a capped fund just for food so that money can be spent on more crucial things
4. New initiative: researching the expansion of the 173 as a downtown bus, to be incorporated into the 09-10 transportation budget
5. The Metra
-will try to rewrite the discount to include 10-ride passes
-come lobby on Wednesday!
C. Matt Kennedy on consulting about student activities fee
-please forward survey to as many people as possible

Graduate Council Meeting
April 28th, 2008
Minutes

Attending: Rod Edwards, Anthony Green, Matt McFeeley, Jenn Gregory, Frank Bednarz, Kent Qian, Leso Munala, Jeff Schneider, Suzanne Sellers

I. GC Open Forum with Julie Peterson, VP of Communications
A. Overview of Communications
1. UChicago has less investment in communications than other universities – perhaps due to a mindset of emphasis on scholarship over publicity
2. However, the academic world is an increasingly competitive place; communication is important for supporting funding efforts and attracting new students and faculty

B. Goals/Projects
1. To develop a communications strategy – what messages to broadcast about the University, to whom and how
2. To re-structure and pull together the communications office, which until recently was small and decentralized
3. To create a new, modern website (first update in 10 years)
-web content with an emphasis on storytelling, communicating to people outside the university, relationship to the community/city of Chicago
4. To improve internal communications
5. To equip University students to be ‘brand ambassadors’
6. To expand communications in various areas – diversity, the arts, sciences, the new lobbying office in DC, international presence

C. Questions & Comments
1. Jenn: It’s somewhat confusing to navigate from the homepage to division pages
-NSIT is still working on shortcuts, academic index, etc
2. How do we motivate University people to be ‘brand ambassadors’?
-tying it to fundraising would be great incentive for grad students
3. How could communications support recruitment of students?
-dispel the image that all students do is study – sell other aspects such as life in Chicago, campus activities
-improve ease of access/visibility of student groups and programming for grad students
4. Matt: How do you find stories for the website’s front page?
-network of 200+ communications staff in charge of finding such stories
-five news writers on staff to cover different areas
-also just by asking students, organizations, staff
-people can submit ideas through the website
5. Matt: How do you work with department/division websites?
-NSIT is starting to work on re-designing those sites as requested, though resources are finite
6. Anthony: Do you have communications network include people involved with RSOs or ORCSA?
-not presently, but staff members and students can be added

II. GC Reports
A. Minutes
B. Board of Trustees
-Erica will be meeting with the board next week
C. Finance Committee
D. Activities
E. Issues

III. Old Business
A. White Sox Game
1. Ticket price was $5, sold via UBazaar
2. Had 29 leftover tickets; $145 lost
3. Net gain/loss for both games
+$500 for Cubs
-$295 for White Sox
total: +$205

IV. New Business
A. Cathy Cohen, Deputy Provost for Graduate Education
1. Graduate Teaching Committee
-We have gathered a lot of info, both good and confusing
-Goal: to get at least some of the recommendations about compensation implemented by next year – time crunch to get recommendations in before the budget is set
-Goal: to monitor what happens in classrooms (i.e., making sure student teachers aren’t given unreasonable workloads)
-Goal: to review and improve pedagogical training for grad students
-We would like to get written accounts from grad students about their experiences, both positive and negative
-We would also like to get 4-5 students to talk to administrators about their teaching experiences – Mondays 3-4pm
2. Advanced Residency Committee
-The committee is formed, but has yet to meet (priority was on GTC)
-Recommendations would probably not happen until next winter
-Goal: to re-evaluate programs and find a way to decrease residency time
3. Questions
-Is health insurance for grad students being considered?
-yes, possibly tied to teaching compensation
-Is there going to be some kind of built-in yearly raise in teaching salaries to account for rising living costs?
-maybe not a fixed rate, but there should be recommendations about periodic review of salaries
-Are the stipend/compensation systems at other institutions being considered in comparison?
-yes, and also the differences between divisions themselves, plus the New Graduate Aid Initiative

B. Council Liaison By-Law Changes
1. Rod is working on the full by-law wording changes
2. Opinions about liaison approval/removal process?
-should the processes be uniform for both councils?
-approval via majority vote or appointment?
-should the liaison have to be approved by the other council, or would having a removal procedure be sufficient?
-does this have to be such a formal process? — any problems could be resolved through communication
3. Motion to approve amendment to go before the Assembly: (11-0,0) PASSED

C. Student Activities Fee Distribution (Sharlene Holly)
1. Overview
-2008-2009 fee will be $70/quarter for undergrads, $47/quarter for grads
-100% of the undergrad fee goes to central funding
-48% of grad fees will go to divisions, 52% to central funding
2. Questions to Consider
-Centralized funding vs. dividing by group type (ie separate funding process for publications, cultural groups)
-Central SG or divided by undergrad/grad?
-Where should ‘new’ fee money be allocated?
-Thoughts on the Uncommon Fund, big speakers fund, other new bodies?
3. Discussion
-We could lower the GC budget if there were a separate fund for groups that don’t qualify for SGFC
-Should we have funding set apart for central grad student activities?
-mixers for just 2-3 divisions at a time, as well as general ones
-Over-regulation of Uncommon Fund eligibility would probably kill it
-Why doesn’t CC have its own budget like GC?
-GC began as a ‘graduate coordinating council’ to distribute money allocated by Bill Michel
-SG committees/councils can actually ask for money from SGFC
-It would be good to have a general guide to campus funding bodies

D. SG Elections
1. Elected: One Campus (Slate), Brian Cody & Aliza Levine (Liaisons)
2. Higher turnout than usual, but still a very low percentage of student body
E. GC BBQ
1. We currently have about $6000 allocated
-it will cost about $5000 for food, $700-$900 for drinks, $300 for decorations and such – will be slightly over current budget
-last year we ran out of food early, should we get more?
-better attendance was the goal, which will require more food

F. Retail Committee presentation
1. Please review/consider before we meet with Bill Michel next time
2. Goals: to evaluate student perceptions of amenities/retail, make recommendations on supporting stronger student community/quality of life, recommend short and long-term retail/amenities improvements, and encourage active student participation in community
3. Feedback goes to Kim Goff-Crews, CFO & other VPs

V. For the Good of the Council
During the course of the SG Elections, a highly unprofessional incident occurred. Due to this incident, GC will be proposing an amendment to the bylaws concerning the professional standards of SG Officers and Members.

VI. Next Meeting
A. SG Assembly Meeting: May 8th
B. GC Meeting: May 12th