Prior to the start of the special presentation, one amendment was made to the agenda that removed Bill 71-22 (Co-sponsorship for Jewish Law Students Association). This was done because the event the group was seeking co-sponsorship for would only be open to students age 21+ and as such did not follow rules stating that events funded by the Student Fee Board would need to be open to all Penn State students.
Special Presentation
Sarah Hamrick, a clinical services provider from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) shared what CAPS does and what services they provide. She shared they have 3 different locations, one in UHS, one downtown, and one in the Bank of America Career Services Center. Their main one is on the 4th floor of UHS. They offer CAPS Chat, a virtual time where you can talk to them for a quick advising 30-minute session. They also have clinics on various topics, which last for around 4 weeks. As well as they have ongoing semester-long process groups on different topics. Furthermore, they have short-term individual counseling, both in person and teletherapy.
They also have a crisis text line and a 24/7 Penn State call-in crisis line. As well as she shared there is a resource called the Red Folder that goes over skills and things to do if you or a student of yours is in crisis.
Executive Board Reports
In Executive Board reports, President Schönn Franklin shared that the elections for the 72nd Assembly are open and encouraged everyone to run for it. He mentioned that in addition to a recent meeting with the interim Graduate Dean and Associate Deans, the Graduate School development officer position was being postponed until a new permanent Graduate Dean is appointed. President Franklin also thanked multiple people in GPSA for their hard work. He mentioned that executive branch reorganization legislation was going to be introduced at the end of today and will be voted on in the next meeting. Lastly, he shared that votes on upcoming GPSA co-sponsorship legislation should not simply be about funding events but should involve GPSA members in terms of their planning of the events.
Vice President Jalen Jeter shared that he had a meeting with the Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response, and that they are still finalizing some of the different mechanisms that they’re putting into place for formal investigation requests for students. In addition, there was a Board of Trustee meeting and where a new ethics and compliance officer was introduced who will begin next month. As well as he shared how the transition from current President Barron to new President will begin in March but she will officially start in May. Finally, Vice President Jeter mentioned the planning of a town hall event with the Advocacy and Diversity committee which is still ongoing.
Treasurer Matt Billups shared a PowerPoint presentation on GPSA’s financial situation. At the start of the meeting 45% of funds allocated for the year are available, but if the proposed bills for this meeting passed there would be only 5% available. He said to keep this in mind and to remember that someone needs to be involved in the planning of the event when there is a co-sponsorship.
Secretary Alex Zhao asked committee chairs to please send him attendance records after each committee meeting and to please let someone know if you are not coming to the meeting. He also said he will be sending out the newswire tomorrow so please submit any event announcements or graphics by noon.
Faculty Senator Lillian Schaeffer shared that Student Caucus of the Faculty Senate had a meeting yesterday, and it was focused on brainstorming on how elections are run for student Faculty Senators. The Faculty Senate is also considering a bill to have election day be a a non-instructional day so that students can vote. There was another optional town hall meeting for members of the Faculty Senate on how they can also run more effectively their elections in general.
Graduate Council Claire Kelling was not present so Ali Watts shared her report. Applications for graduate admissions are similar to last year, and the admission rates are lagging a bit but it is compared to a rushed year so it is not seen as a problem. She shared that Grad Council is considering a policy about benchmarking exams that could make things more flexible for partially or fully virtual exams moving forward post-COVID, and that there was discussion around dual-title degree programs and how they would double count classes.
Speaker of the Assembly Sandeep Krishnakumar shared that there is one more Assembly meeting coming up on the 23rd of March, so make sure to fill out the attendance form for that and to try your best to find a proxy if you can’t attend the meeting.
New Business
The first piece of new legislation was Bill 71-19 (Bike Saftey Event), which would fund an event where students can learn about bike safety and receive a free helmet. The GPSA will partner with UPUA to put on this event and they will purchase 50 helmets and make space reservations. Voting took place by roll call and the bill passed, funding this event for $2,500.
Next was Bill 71-20 (Talents Hobbies Identities Showcase (T.H.I.S.)), which provides funding for an opportunity for graduate students to share their talents, hobbies, and identities. It would be held in the HUB, and would allow students to create a sense of community. All participants would receive a GPSA coffee mug, and winners would get gift cards to local businesses. Voting took place by roll call and the bill passed, funding this event for $5,135.
Following this was Bill 71-21 (Spring Welcome Dinner), which is for funding a dinner to welcome incoming GPSA members and thank outgoing members. It would be a buffet-style catered dinner and an environment for members to socialize and commemorate the end of the spring semester. This event would be held at the Penn Stater in April. Due to discussion around potentially have this event be outdoors and perhaps reducing the cost, this bill was tabled.
Next was Bill 71-21, previously numbered as Bill 71-23 (Co-sponsorship for the Indian Graduate Student Association), which was legislation providing for the GPSA cosponsoring an event called Jashn for the Indian Graduate Student Association. This event would be held in March at the HUB and it is a platform for students to showcase Indian culture through performing arts. GPSA would fund 23% of the event, and GPSA member Sandeep Krishnakumar is involved with the planning committee for this event. A roll call vote took place and the bill was passed, funding this co-sponsorship for $1,500.
Afterwards was Bill 71-22, previously numbered Bill 71-24 (Co-sponsorship for Student Bar Association’s Law & Equity Committee), that provided for a GPSA co-sponsorship of the annual Diversity Banquet put on by the Student Bar Association’s Law and Equity Committee. This banquet would provide a welcoming space for diverse members of the community to meet each other and reflect on their identities and how diversity, equity, and inclusion contributes to their communities here at Penn State. GPSA delegate Eli Fields has been heavily involved in the planning of the event. A roll call vote took place and the bill was passed, funding this co-sponsorship for $3,500.
Next was Bill 71-23, previously numbered Bill 71-25 (Bangladesh Student Association Co-sponsorship), providing for GPSA cosponsoring the Bangladesh Student Association’s Bangladesh Night event. It is an event that showcases and celebrates Bangladesh’s cultures, heritage, and diversity. The event will have a recitation, singing, folk dancing, a fashion show, and food. GPSA would cover the food cost for the event, and GPSA delegate Tanveer Ahmed has been involved in the planning for the event. Voting took place by roll call and the bill passed for $3,380.
Finally was Resolution 71-12 (Reorganization of the GPSA Executive Branch) which changes the executive board to the executive branch and creates three departments that would be headed by various executive directors for finance, communications, and external relations. The executive branch would consist of five executive officers, departments, and staff who work in those departments. Also proposed is an executive director selection process, where nominations would be solicited by the president and confirmed by the steering committee. As this is a constitutional amendment, it was required to be tabled so that it can be discussed at the next Assembly meeting.
Reports:
- Advocacy and Diversity: Eli Fields shared that the 2022 US Trans Survey is being conducted and to please share the survey around.
- Professional Development: Farhan Sadique said that the committee hasn’t met yet this week.
- Student Engagement: Chair Ama Agyapong shared that the committee had a meeting last week and have one next week. The committee will be working on executing the events that were approved by the legislation passed today.
- Internal Development: No report.