GSA Meeting Minutes--March 6, 2003

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Attendance:

Officers: Emily Moberg (President), Marla Holt (Secretary, Allison Luengen (Treasurer)

Department Reps: Sajeemas "Mint" Pasakdee (Environmental Studies), Meredith Armstrong (Ocean Sciences), Susanne Altermann (Biology), Dirk Robinson (EE), Wendy Williams (Psychology), Lee Ritscher (Literature), Ian Dobbs-Dixon (Astronomy), Oona Besman (History), Heather DeShon (Earth Science)

Visitors: Christy Pierce (Phyics), Jason Farris (Physics)

I. Approval of Agenda and Minutes

Agenda and minutes approved.

II. Elections

No elections this meeting.

III. Barbara Bedford, Career Center Director

Barbara explained the goals of the Career Center Advisory Board, which consists of faculty, Center staff, and needs one grad and one undergrad representative. Feedback from faculty include more services for engineering students, for example. Cte meets once per quarter, next one is in April, Emily has the email with details. Mara McDonald will be back on March 19th from medical leave.

IV. Summer paycheck deductions
A. Judy McLauglin--Student Employment/Career Center

Judy explained FICA (in lieu of Social Security) and DCP retirement deductions taken out of Summer paychecks for all students (including grads) that have a paycheck with less than 5 units of enrolled class. If deductions are taken out when a student is enrolled in at least 5 units then call Judy at x94024. When grad student graduates can cash out retirement but thereÕs a big penalty (see below, explained by Elaine). Can transfer retirement money to another retirement account.

B. Elaine Wedegaertner--Retirement Specialist, Benefits Office

Elaine handed out DCP (aka Safe Harbor) brochure, there are 6 funds as options, default is a savings plan but can transfer. Students get a notice if they have less than $2000 in retirement because thereÕs a minimum amount to have in account but itÕs a big pain to do it. Can also roll money from DCP into an IRA after graduate (or separated from the payroll system). If you take money out, then the penalty is 2 _% for California Taxes and 10% for Fed and will take 20% of the money for tax advance payment. Defined retirement age is 59.5 years. If any grad students need to get a hold of Benefits Office, call x92013.

V. GSHIP--Allison Luegen

Next meeting is on March 14th at 12 noon in the Health Center front office, issues are potential cuts in benefits instead of increase in premium, need as many grad students at the meeting as possible, all going will meeting outside Health Center at 11:30 AM to prep for meeting. Emily drafted a letter that was review, suggestions given to strengthen the letter, ideas also discussed about collaboration with Post-docs to increase bargaining power.

VI. International Fee Letter--Emily Robinson

Emily passed around draft of letter asking University to consider removing out-of-state status after the first years for international students. Discussion about modifications and additions, regents have authority to remove fee (not the legislature) so idea is to get this going at UCSC and have it spread to other UC campuses. Emily wants grad student, faculty and Academic Senate support via letters and petitions. Others suggested making this a question to ask new UC regent.

VII. Committee Reports

Marla	Student Fee Advisory Committee--Measure 7 update--as of the morning 25.1% of students voted on Measure 7, enough to make it an official measure, outcome will not be available until beginning of next week. Also there's a website for ADVCOR feedback, unit working with outside consultant on assessing efficiency of University in wake of budget cuts.
Susi	TAPS Committee--elimination of free parking, committee want to extend permit parking in entire core except for Hahn to address problem of campus traffic around 5 PM, discussion of people leaving campus not necessarily students moving cars up to campus at 5 PM. Metro system wants to increase fares by 40% because it is in deep deficit from budget cuts. Contract between Metro and Univ in the works, students voted last year to increase fees for more money for shuttle services, which was suppose to be enough for next four years, Wes Scott does not want to ask students for more money for Metro. Susi also mentioned that advocating more walking on campus is being addressed but campus needs to address other issues especially areas not well lit at night. Cte members are planning to walk different routes around campus to determine how long it takes versus the shuttle. Also let Susi know if a particular lot need B permits.
Jason	Social Committee--Valentine's Day party was a bit hit, food went very quickly. Joe's Pizza and Sub should be in by mid March, University is delaying the contract. Omilock is working and cards will be coded after Spring Break. Need more people on GSCGB, if interested email Jason or Heather.

VIII. Funding Requests

A. Mint requested $100 for advertisement banner, flyers and gift for meditation teachers for Buddhist Society at UCSC, have meditation sittings every Tues 6-7 PM and Fridays, 5-10 people attend on average and 5 of 6 executives are UCSC grad students.

B. Laura McShane, grad student in music needs to hold a recital on April 25th at 8 PM as part of her degree requirement and needs additional funds for rental of score for a pieces she is playing. Recital is a public performance and costs $6-8 which goes to Department. Laura has not approached other funding sources, suggested that she ask Dean Talamantes too. She received $250 from Department but her total budget did not include the rental fee for score.

After discussions,
Buddhist Society: motion to fund $100, approved.
Laura McShane: motion to fund $250 approved.

IX. Officer Reports

Allison	passed out payment forms for board rep and officer stipends, also talked about success of Tax workshop, 40 students attended lots of different questions from both international and domestic students, might be a good idea to host separate workshops to discuss the different tax issues separately.
Marla	No report
Emily	No report

X. Adjourn

Contact GSA: gsa@ucsc.edu