Spectrum - Volume 20 Issue 20 February 12, 1998 - GSA members discuss varied issues

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GSA members discuss varied issues

By Laura Worley

Spectrum Volume 20 Issue 20 - February 12, 1998

The Graduate Student Assembly held its first meeting of the semester January 29. Wolfgang Glasser provided an overview of the College of Forestry and Wild Life Resources and its graduate program.
Rajiv Kholsa updated the delegates on the health-insurance situation since the forum held January 26. Students who purchased a student health-insurance plan through the university may continue to use Montgomery Regional, Lewis Gale, or Pulaski Community hospitals through July 31, 1998. In December, students with this health-insurance plan were sent a letter indicating that these hospitals would no longer be included in the Trigon KeyCare network. Due to the vocal efforts of many students, in particular, David Jones and William Bryant, this decision was reversed though the end of the current year's contract. Negotiations are under way between Trigon and Virginia Tech for a five-year contract for student health-insurance coverage.
Michael Herndon provided an update on his work as graduate representative to the Board of Visitors. The selection process for next year's representative is under way. Applications are due by February 13. They are available in the Leadership and Student Organization Programs and Vice President for Student Affairs offices. Herdon also updated the group on upcoming town meetings. The meeting are scheduled for February 16, College of Business; March 2, Forestry and Wild Life Resources, and March 4. Veterinary Medicine. All meetings are held at 6 p.m. in the Hillcrest living room.
David Mullins, chief justice for the Graduate Student Honor System, announced a number of openings in the Graduate Honor System. Applications are due February 27.
John Eaton promoted a new seminar series for spring titled, "Scholarship in the Electronic World." The series begins in February and runs through April. Contact the Graduate School for more information.
In new business, the following announcements were made:
Jean Whichard asked for volunteers to work with her on evaluating emergency telephone access inside of buildings.
Travel Fund applications are due in June, while GRDP applications will be due April 30.
A number of committee and commissions positions are open. See Khosla for more information.
Jennifer Ball has established an ETD committee. The Graduate School has offered one of the committee members a seat on its committee.
The Library Committee is continuing to evaluate the copier-quality issue raised last semester.
In new business elections were held for the Regranting Budget Board vacant positions. Nominations were also sought for the upcoming GSA Officer elections which will be held at the February delegate meeting. Nominations will be accepted up until the next meeting on February 26. The Annual Research Symposium was also discussed. Vic Sussman will be the keynote speaker on Thursday, April 9. He is the former programming director of America Online. Ideas for a theme are being sought by co-chair, Anurag Maheshwary. E-mail ideas to amaheshw@vt.edu . More information will be available soon about the prizes and deadlines for the symposium.
For more information about the Graduate Student Assembly, access the GSA homepage at http://gsa.uusa.vt.edu.