Graduate Council Meeting
April 14th, 2008
Minutes

Attending: Rod Edwards (Humanities), Jenn Gregory (Humanities), Jeff Schneider (BSD), Meg Mass (SSD), Brian Cody (SSD), Frank Bednarz (Law), Cathy Yu (Law), Suzanne Sellers (Graham), Carl Laskowski (PSD), Jacqueline DeFoe (PSD), Harsh Kanda (GSB)

I. GC Open Forum on Busing and Transportation
A. Q & A with Brian Shaw, Director of Busing and Transportation
1. What is the status of buses going up and down the Midway Plaisance? Could it extend down to 67th? When would route changes go into effect?
-currently analyzing possibilities, working on it over the summer
-the new dorm opening and the shooting last quarter create a need for regular route service
-no concentrated area of student living in Woodlawn, harder to devise a good route south of campus
-fall of 2008  would be the absolute earliest implementation, but the University may decide to wait until the new dorm opens so that resources aren’t wasted by low ridership
2. Possible express buses to downtown or the north side?
-TSAB is investigating the possibilities, contact reps with interest
-it all comes down to funding – fares don’t nearly cover the costs
-fixed amount of funding available for buses; have to be realistic about what needs can and cannot be satisfied
3. Which bus routes are free for University students/staff?
-170,171, 172 (the ones that stay in Hyde Park)
4. Any plans to expand 173 route? (Graham school students mostly take classes at the Gleacher center)
-in the past, 173 return buses were very rarely used due to punctuality issues; not accomplishing the goal of getting students back to campus
-other options are the Red Line and #6 bus
5. Do non-University people use the University bus routes?
-yes, but not many
6. More info on the occasional parking option?
-if they don’t buy a permit, full-time students/employees of the University can get a pass to park for free 24 times a year at the Ellis garage
-sign up at the parking office
-passes don’t expire; can be rolled over
7. What’s going on with the 57th & University bus stop?
-it will stay where it currently is
8. Problems with SafeRide: signage on vans, waiting time, drivers’ lack of knowledge of the area
-new magnetic signs have been put in place for the vans
-will be phasing the vans out shortly, replaced by official buses
-make sure the van driver has an orange safety vest and ID badge
-trying to get drivers to wait for a minute or 2 before leaving
-haven’t had time to do in-depth training due to rapid expansion last quarter; hoping to remedy that this summer
9. Street parking situation on 61st?
-situation should stay mostly as it currently is, trying to minimize impact from construction
10. Is there a possibility of making 60th at least partly a one-way street, with parking on both sides?
-hired consultants to research the possibility, and it is viable
-will be presenting a report to the central administration and two aldermen (60th is the border between 2 districts)
-would probably have to put in meters or pay stations
11. Is there anything students can do to help transportation/busing department?
-unified support for changes would be helpful

II. GC Reports
A. Minutes
B. Board of Trustees
-committee meeting in 2 weeks, then big meeting on June 5
C. Finance Committee
D. Activities
E. Issues

III. Old Business
A. Baseball Games
1. Had problems switching to UBazaar
-glitches with buying multiple tickets
-accidentally oversold by 20 tickets
-may have to switch back to old lottery system

IV. New Business
A. SG Slate Introductions
1. Connect Four: Anthony Green, Kati Proctor, Amanda Steele
-goals: bring president & VPs to student body, rework RSO orientation, encourage grad-undergrad RSO relations, improve lighting on campus, pressure University to increase affordability (especially for grads and international students)
2. One Campus: Toussaint Losier, Julian Quintanilla, Matt Kennedy
-goals: graduate funding issues, graduate division unity, increase transparency of administration, provide more feedback mechanisms, represent both students and staff, increase support for students who live outside of Hyde Park, increase accessibility to Slate members
B. Presidential Discussion
-4:30pm, April 16th
-GC and CC members will get preference for seats
-email Scott if you are interested
C. GC BBQ
-sign up for a staffing slot or you’ll be assigned one!
-May 16th, 12:30-2:30 at Ida Noyes
D. GC Resolution on Graduate Funding Committee (see attached)
1. GC mandate that the committee start working on unresolved issues
2. Motion to accept the resolution: (9-0,0) PASSED
E. GC Resolution for the Board of Trustees (see attached)
1. Asking the Board of Trustees to take action on graduate aid issues
2. Discussion
-the stipend demand was raised to $20,000?
-specific numbers will be stricken
-can we even do this?
-it’s basically a document for the trustees’ information stating clearly what SG wants to see for graduate aid
-may want to reconsider the language
-the Board can’t necessarily ‘direct’ the administration
-what’s the exact purpose of this resolution?
-to go above individual administrative committees with
these requests
-concern that this resolution may undermine liaison influence
-should ask Erica to evaluate it again, make sure she approves

V. For the Good of the Council

VI. Next Meeting:
A. SG Assembly Meeting: April 17th
B. GC Meeting: April 28th
-meeting with VP of Communication Julie Peterson