Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 26 March 30, 1995 - BOV candidates introduced

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BOV candidates introduced

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 26 - March 30, 1995

Members of the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) heard from the candidates who wish to represent the graduate-student body on the Board of Visitors. Speaking to the GSA Thursday evening were Maureen Bezold, Tony Sutphin, and Danny Waddill.

Bezold, president of the GSA and a Ph.D. student in strategic management, originally lobbied the board for a graduate-student seat on the board. Asked to what specific issue she would bring to the board's attention, she said, "The federal government is playing games with student loans, proposing, for example, the elimination of the deferment-of-interest payments, and various cuts. The board members need to be aware of that and of how it will impact not only the students, but the university, so that they can voice their concerns."

Sutphin, a Ph.D. student in hospitality and tourism management, has been active in university governance on several committees and commissions. He said there need to be alternatives to loans for funding a graduate education. He has counseled students on how to find funding. He also said graduate students need to be represented at all levels of university governance.

Waddill, a Ph.D. student in civil engineering, is chief justice of the Graduate Honor System. He meets with judicial panels and the investigative board, which represent all the colleges, and speaks to incoming students, "which is a good opportunity for people to see who I am, and learn that I am their representative to the Board of Visitors." He would strive to be accessible and collect ideas and opinions in order to represent the graduate student body. Asked about issues, he said he does not have a personal agenda, but that finances are important. The new instructional-fee-scholarship policy "has helped most students, but still has left some in the cold." Also, he said, "With budget cuts, curriculums are changing and departments are downsizing, and some people are concerned about whether if they start, will they be able to finish?" He said there are concerns regarding the library, "what gets stored, what gets bought," and parking remains a problem that requires greater cooperation with the undergraduates."

Kevin Leclaire, the undergraduate representative to the Board of Visitors, told the GSA the representative's responsibility is to represent graduate students to the board and bring back the BOV point of view to students. He said board members will look for someone who is able to communicate to students and administrators. "Board members are very experienced, but don't remember what student life is like." He said the board wants a student representative who is experienced in academic and student activities, and who has ideas and initiative.

"They've been good about listening, but you should speak up and not wait to be called on."

John Eaton said, "It is the role of the constituency to let their representative know what their concerns are."

In other business, president-elect Brian Rowland reported that the new executive board will meet to discuss recruitment of an executive assistant, APEX editor, and NAGPS regional conference chair.

Graduate students are invited to sign up for commission and committee assignments for next year. There is a list of the positions and who holds them now in the GSA office, 309 Squires.

Janet Wojcik said applications for travel funds' second funding cycle are due over the summer, so they will be going out soon.

Bezold said the quality and number of entries in the Research Symposium had improved. Eaton agreed. "I talked to the judges, and a lot of people were complimentary. There were six undergraduate posters and they were of the same quality as the graduate posters."