Graduate Student Union
COUNCIL AGENDA PACKET
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014
6:30PM
NOTRE DAME ROOM (202)
LAFORTUNE STUDENT CENTER
THE FOOD PROVIDED THIS EVENING IS FROM GIRASOL
525 EDDY STREET
(574) 251-0073
FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING DATES
NOVEMBER 20 – DECEMBER 18, 2014
JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 19 – APRIL 16, 2015
OCTOBER 16, 2014 – COUNCIL AGENDA
Meetings held at 6:30PM in the Notre Dame Room (2nd Floor)

Roll Call/Sign-In

Approval of the Minutes (September 18, 2014)

Executive Committee’s Report: Kate Boehlefeld, Kyle Watson, Tony Cunningham

Break-Out Committees

Committee Reports
 Academic Affairs – Meredith Doellman
 Health Care – Sean Phillips
 Internal Affairs (Orientation, Symposium, Teaching Awards) – Michelle Comas
 Professional Development – Lindsay Baxter, Antonio Lepore
 Publicity & Procedures – Samantha Atkins
 Quality of Life – Andrea Castonguay, Courtney Davis, MacKenzie Warren
 Social – Gillian Shaw

University Committees
 Academic Council – Meredith Doellman
 Academic Technologies – Meredith Doellman
 Graduate Council – Kate Boehlefld
 Library Committee – Meredith Doellman
 LaFortune Tenants – Gillian Shaw
 Professional Development (TREC) – Lindsay Baxter, Antonio Lepore
 Traffic Appeals – Andrea Castonguay, Courtney Davis, MacKenzie Warren
 University Healthcare – Sean Phillips
 Women Faculty & Students – MacKenzie Warren

New Business
 Presentation on Bitcoin from Dean Crawford and Professor Flynn.

Old Business
 2nd Vote on the GSU Constitution

Adjournment
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Minutes
September 18, 2014
OFFICERS: Kathryn Boehlefeld, Political Science (GSU President) Kyle Watson, Chemistry
& Biochemistry (Co-Vice President) Anthony Cunningham, Psychology (Co-Vice President)
CHAIRS: Meredith Doellman, Biological Sciences (Academic Affairs); Michelle Comas,
Psychology (Internal Affairs-Orientation, Symposium, Teaching Awards); Sean Phillips,
History (Health Care); Lindsay Baxter, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Professional
Development); Antonio Lepore, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Professional Development);
Samantha Atkins, Bioengineering (Publicity & Procedures) ABS; Andrea Castonguay,
History (Quality of Life); Courtney Davis, Theology (Quality of Life): MacKenzie Warren,
Physics (Quality of Life); Gillian Shaw, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Social)
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES: Sara Morrow (Anthropology); Christina Horr, Alicia
Specht (Applied & Computational Mathematics & Statistics); Nathan Smith (Art, Art
History & Design); Joshua Mason, Stephanie Freed (Biological Sciences); Sean Vilanova,
Kristen Johnson (Chemistry & Biochemistry); Linlin Liu, Dasha Safonova (Economics);
Mingming Cai (Electrical Engineering); Leanne MacDonald, Douglas Duhaime (English);
Nicholas Panting (Global Health Program); Benjamin Wetzel (History); Gregory Cousins
(Mathematics); Emily Kirkegaard, Mae Kilker, Christopher Scheirer (Medieval Institute);
John Marchese (PhD Literature); Gregory Siems, Chonghyun Choi (Political Science);
Enmanuelle PardilloDelgado, Stephen Mattingly (Psychology); Lauren LaMore (Romance
Language & Literature); Danielle Fulmer, Shanna Corner (Sociology); David DeJong
(Theology, Ph.D)
WOMEN FACULTY & STUDENTS: MacKenzie Warren (Physics); Karen Hooge (Sociology)
UNIVERSITY VILLAGE: Dallin Lewis (English)
FISCHER O’HARE GRACE: Kristofor Glinton (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
1. Kate Boehlefeld (GSU President) called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. She introduced
herself and directed people to get food.
2. Kyle Watson (GSU Co Vice-President) discussed meeting procedures.
3. Kate mentioned that the meetings are open to the graduate community, but
departments only get two votes.
4. Kate introduced new business and introduced the speaker on the Notre Dame rotation
program:
a. Amy Geist discussed the study of the climate for women at the university – under
the direction of Laura Carlson, Dean of the Graduate School. The committee wants
to understand the experience of women scholars at Notre Dame. The committee
interviewed women 1:1 confidentially. They would like to solicit ideas and
suggestions on how to make Notre Dame more inclusive for women. As such, the
committee would like to recruit assistance in helping to get input over the next few
weeks in writing or in a focus group study. These notes will be used towards the
application of an NSF grant. Ms. Geist mentioned that there is potential for
significant impact at Notre Dame. The survey will take about 20 minutes and
anyone interested in participating should contact Amy (ageist@nd.edu).
b. Kyle asked what the time commitment for the focus groups would be.
c. Amy said that they would run anywhere from 30-45 minutes. She passed around a
sign-up sheet.
5. Kate introduced Peggy Rowland, Senior Director OIT to talk about changes in print
quota management.
a. Peggy is in charge of teaching and learning. She wanted to talk about some of the
issues that they have with printing in general. She called for an open discussion
about the printing needs of graduate students. She gave a presentation with some
key data:
i. The University has been over-budget for printing the last four years.
ii. Students re-printing over 17 million impressions.
iii. Paper cost went up 13%.
iv. For the fiscal year last year, graduate students printed ~4 million
impressions – printing on one side. The cost was $61k.
v. Moving to point system – about 1750 sheets a year. Printing color will be
significantly more expensive - the idea was to meet the needs of the 90th
percentile of students.
vi. Students can purchase more print quota. If you buy your own quota, the
points will carry over. The purchasing rate is 100 points for $3.
b. Peggy mentioned that an obstacle to printing less and becoming more digitalized
in the classroom is that faculty said they do not want people to bring devices to
class.
c. Courtney Davis (Quality of Life Co-Chair) said that she finds that this is the
opposite. She said that people use both electronic and physical media.
d. Peggy mentioned faculty said students are not paying attention in class when
students have devices.
e. Lauren LaMore (Romance Language & Literature) said that classes have a lot of
discussion. She said that technology in the classroom is a huge distraction. She
said that other people in her department feel the same way.
f. John Marchese (PhD Literature) mentioned that another driving force for so much
graduate students printing was the recent change to the copyright laws. Now, ILL
gives electronic copies of articles as opposed to giving physical copies.
g. Doug Duhaime (English) asked if there is a way from inhibiting students access
from certain websites during class time to prevent distractions.
h. Peggy said that it is technically possible. It uses too much bandwidth that causes
significant headaches on the students and the faculty.
i. Mae Kilker (Medieval Institute) commented that the question of technology in the
classroom is not restricted to undergraduates. She has not had any classes where
the professor required printing. She stated that moving away from the expectation
of having the physical copy in front of us will help with the printing problem.
j. Jeremy Mann (Mathematics) said that it seems the problem is that we need to
reduce consumption. To change behavior, we need to use rhetoric about
sustainability. Try working with the office of sustainability.
k. Peggy said that she is meeting with the office of sustainability. Additionally, they
have a faculty group that is very active in sustainability.
l. Lindsay Baxter (Professional Development Co Chair) asked if we can get data
about what we are printing and why?
m. David DeJong (Theology) mentioned that it hasn’t affected him drastically.
However, he has heard that other students are upset about the changes to the
printing system.
n. Andrea (Quality of Life Co- Chair) asked about marketing. She suggested that one
of the things that the University can do is look into software for students to help
digitalize classroom materials.
o. Kate mentioned that students are frustrated that certain software is only available
to faculty and asked if there is a way to open up some of these software licenses to
graduate students.
p. Peggy said that we started the adobe conversation last year.
q. Doug (English) asked if the University can look at putting the more
advanced/expensive software on the machines in the computer labs to use these
programs.
6. Kate introduced Dean Lubker to discuss Academic iNDex.
a. Dean Lubker said that the program is designed to keep a log of our academic
progress and then generate documents such as CVs, resumes, etc. He mentioned
that the site can be accessed through the graduate school homepage
http://graduateschool.nd.edu/.
7. Kate introduced changes to the constitution. The changes pertain to the standing
committees. Look for the agenda for the changes.
a. Jeremy (Mathematics) mentioned that the quality of life committee used to give
money to outside organizations and wondered why that changed.
b. Kate said that it was changed to reflect the actual duties of the GSU, specifically
with regards to the executive board. The Quality of Life committee hasn’t given out
funds from the GSU in years.
c. Mae (Medieval Institute) moves to approve the constitution.
d. Enma Pardillo Delgado (Psychology) seconds.
e. Kate called for a vote and the motion passed.
8. Kate introduced the proposed budget for approval.
a. Dallin Lewis (University Village Representative) asked about the CPG program.
b. Kyle discussed the program. He mentioned that we only get $5k a month to help
supplement the cost of travel to conferences for graduate students who are
presenting a poster, paper, etc. He mentioned that the GSU contributed $30k of its
funds to the program and the Graduate School matches with another $30k to give
the $5k per month limit.
c. Kate said that the activity fee could be increased to contribute more funds to the
CPG.
d. Christopher Scheirer (Medieval Institute) asked about the previous increases in
the activity fee.
e. Kate said that the amount was increased by $10 over the past 15 years.
f. Mae (Medieval Institute) asked if there were any drastic changes to the budget
from previous years.
g. Kate said no.
h. Mae moved to approve the budget.
i. Leanne MacDonald (English) seconds.
j. Kate called for a vote and the budget passed.
9. Kate called for approval of the April meeting minutes.
a. Mae (Medieval Institute) moved to approve the minutes.
b. Enma (Psychology) seconded.
c. Kate called for a vote and the minutes were approved.
10. Kate moved on to the committee reports:
a. Kate said her component of the executive committee report stands.
b. Kyle said his component of the executive committee report stands.
c. Tony Cunningham (Co Vice-President) said that his component of the executive
committee report stands.
d. Meredith Doellman (Academic Affairs) stated that her report stands. Additionally
she has been asked by Dean Crawford to attend a meeting about bitcoin. Email
Meredith (mdoellma@nd.edu) with interest.
e. Sean Phillips (Healthcare) stated that his report stands. Additionally, if anyone
has questions about healthcare contact him (sphilli4@nd.edu). Because of the
upcoming mental health awareness week (October 6-10), the University will be
bringing sun lamps into the library to help with S.A.D.
i. John (Ph.D. Literature) asked about the literature in the report regarding
the ACA.
ii. Sean said that the statement came straight from the university.
iii. Lindsay (Professional Development Co-Chair) asked about the enrollment
of women in a separate program to receive contraceptive care.
iv. Sean responded that the university has made its position on this clear.
f. Michelle Comas (Internal Events) stated that her report stands.
g. Lindsay Baxter and Antonio Lepore (Professional Development Co-Chairs) stated
that their report stands. Additionally, Antonio needs volunteers for the tedX
program. If you are interested, please contact him (aleopre@nd.edu). Lindsay
reported that there is a professional development newsletter with calendar
updates.
h. Samantha Atkins (Publicity & Procedures). Kyle reported in Samantha’s absence
that her report stands.
i. Courtney Davis, Andrea Castonguay, and MacKenzie Warren (Quality of Life CoChairs) stated that their report stands. Courtney said that she had a conversation
with the SBPD about safe housing. If you know of any students who are having
issues and or concerns, please let her know (cdavis15@nd.edu).
i. John (Ph.D. Literature) asked if there were any updates about the
LGBTQ subcommittee.
ii. MacKenzie said that the legal department will get back to them soon
about some proposed programming.
iii. Jeremy (Mathematics) asked when the approval for the queer speed
dating event would come from SAO.
iv. Kate said that there were no concerns about the approval.
j. Gillian Shaw (Social) said that her report stands. Gillian outlined the charity gala
event and talked about the upcoming apple-picking at Garwood Orchards. It is
family friendly and a free lunch is being offered.
i. Mae (Medieval Institute) asked about how the charity was picked.
ii. Gillian said that the charity was picked last spring by the counsel.
iii. Greg Siems (Political Science) asked what purpose the gala had if we
could give the money to be used for the gala straight to the charity.
iv. Gillian said that the purpose was to have fun, but also to raise some
money for a local charity.
k. Lindsay (Professional Development Co-Chair) asked if we could get more
community involvement to help offset the cost of this event.
i. Andrea (Quality of Life Co-Chair) said that the GSPN event resulted in 18
connections that could be used.
l. Kate said that we need another representative for the GSU committee on Women
Faculty in Science.
11. Mae (Medieval Institute) moved to adjourn.
12. Enma (Psychology) seconded.
13. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.
Minutes Submitted by Kyle Watson
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Executive Committee
October 2014
Submitted by Kate Boehlefeld, Tony Cunningham, Kyle Watson
Conference Presentation Grants
The committee met last week and reviewed approximately 30 applications. Due to returned
funds from previous months, we were able to fund additional students this month.
Faculty Senate
The Senate met last week and discussed their objections to the stadium projects. The
overall theme of the meeting seemed to be that they have not been consulted - for any
feedback - by the administration for any of the recent projects and changes on campus.
Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Issues
The issues this committee is currently addressing include:
a. The Safe Space initiative—a program that will provide cards that can be attached to
office doors to indicate that the space is safe for students to address a number of
issues; active ally cards will also be available for those who have gone through the
Ally Training provided by the GRC. Graduate students can participate in this
program both as users and providers of safe spaces.
b. Transgender Issues—the committee is discussing numerous subtopics under this
heading including a review of orientation material, the bathroom/locker room
situation at Crossroads, university surveys, and residence hall design for
undergraduate students.
This committee will meet once more before the end of the semester.
Graduate Student Life Committee
The GSL Committee met twice in the past month to discuss a number of issues including
(a) the Pregnant and Parenting Assist Fund (just received new funding); (b) the Health
Center now offers access to a psychiatric nurse in St. Liam Hall who can renew/refill
prescriptions; and (c) examining alternate study spaces for graduate use once library
construction begins.
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Academic Affairs
October 2014
Submitted by Meredith Doellman
Academic Council and Advanced Studies Committee
The Academic Council has cancelled its main meeting, scheduled for Wednesday October
15th. We will review last year’s annual committee report at the next full council meeting on
Monday November 10th. The full rosters for the Council’s executive committee and the fiveyear review committee for Provost Tom Burish (both elected and appointed members) were
recently distributed:
Academic Council Executive Committee
Tom Burish (ex officio)
Laura Carlson (Provost designee)
Paul McGinn (ex officio, chair of the Faculty Senate)
Elected
Sunny Boyd
Hugh Page
Mike Desch
Betsy Moore
Marya Lieberman
Appointed
Erin Hoffman Harding
Peter Burns
Michelle Lacouture (student)
Five-year Review Committee for Provost Tom Burish
Elected:
Sunny Boyd (Chair)
Cindy Bergeman
Mike Desch
Maria McKenna
Panos Antsaklis
Matthew Greene (student)
Appointed:
Ramachandran Ramanan
Nicole Garnett
Paul Weithman
Ann Firth (non-voting member)
We will hold our first Advanced Studies Committee meeting on Wednesday October 15th.
An agenda has not yet been circulated.
University Committee on Libraries
The University Committee on Libraries had its first scheduled meeting on Thursday
October 2nd. The agenda included renovation updates, a review of new online catalog
features, an update on the shelving annex project, and proposal of future agenda topics.
New online catalog features include a “virtual shelf”, improved navigation, new
“online access” and “details” tabs, and browse searching, among other features. They are
highlighted in the “What’s New” bubble at the top of the ND Catalog and OneSearch web
pages. CurateND will launch publicly in November. We will have more information on this
feature after our next meeting.
Phase 1 of the library renovations will start after finals end this semester. It will
include major renovations to the central corridor of the first and second floors. On the first
floor, this will include bathrooms and a new north entrance. There will be openings made in
the floor between the first and second floors, to allow for more light and connectivity. On
the second floor, floor to ceiling glass windows will be installed on the south wall, the
bathrooms will be relocated, and a reading room and glass skylight will be installed on the
north side. Starting after the spring semester, the 10th floor will be renovated. This will
include movement of collections toward the center and away from the windows, a graduate
student enclave (restricted access, 34 desks, shelves and lockers), a reading room, and a
reference room. The 10th floor will be unavailable from Summer-Fall 2015. Jessica Kayongo
will attend our November GSU meeting to provide further details and discuss graduate
student concerns. Please bring your questions.
The University has purchased a warehouse out by the airport to serve as the
shelving annex. Approximately one million volumes (selected by a committee last year) will
be moved from the library beginning in Summer 2015. They will be available via document
delivery, with a 24 hour turn-around time.
We are soliciting ideas for agenda topics for the year. Please bring your ideas to the
November GSU meeting and we can discuss them along with the library renovations.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday November 6th. A meeting with Provost
Tom Burish, on the five-year review process for University Librarian Diane Walker will
occur on November 20th.
University Committee on Academic Technologies
The UCAT held its first meeting on Friday September 26th. We discussed upcoming events,
including the Student Hack-a-Thon (held September 26, 27, 28) and Digital ND Week (held
October 3-9, and including presentations by the Edex and Sakai founders). We began
discussing the upcoming Mobile Summit (Nov. 12-13), and their need for student
volunteers. More information about this opportunity will be forthcoming.
OIT presented on increases to University bandwidth, and reported that the Gmail
(“going google”) transition is going fairly smoothly with faculty and staff. Questions were
raised about the attitudes towards open source software at the University. A follow-up
email shared an article listing Notre Dame in the top 3 nation-wide:
http://www.portalprogramas.com/en/how-to/best-american-universities-open-source2014.html .
We settled on “technology in the classroom” as the focus of the committee this year.
Topics of discussion will include:
 mobile devices and laptops in the classroom (for students)
 classroom design (e.g. regarding the Crossroads Project)
 design of instructor computer systems in classrooms (What is needed? What
percentage of instructors use their own laptops?)
 wireless connection of devices to classroom projectors
 additional topics added by students and faculty.
The next UCAT meeting will be held on Tuesday November 4th.
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Healthcare
October 2014
Submitted by Sean P. Phillips
Graduate Student Blood Drive
On October 7th, 2014 the Graduate Student Union and the South Bend Medical Foundation
collaborated on their first blood drive for this academic year. The mobile blood donation
unit was available at the Hesburgh Library Circle, with posters distributed throughout the
library and graduate residences on campus. The SBMF deemed it a great success, where
donors were able to provide 37 units of blood. That is 111 lives that will be saved. However
some appointment spots were not filled!
We will now plan for another blood drive to occur before the end of the semester. The
possibility of having tables present in the Hesburgh Library Concourse will be further
developed. It proved to be very helpful during this blood drive to have a base of operations
within the library along with the mobile donation unit outside.
Mental Health Awareness Week
As part of the ongoing, monthly seminar series hosted by the Healthcare Committee of the
Graduate Student Union, the GSU was involved with other campus organizations in a
series of events related to Mental Health Awareness Week (October 5th-11th, 2014). This
was done in conjunction with undergraduate Student Activities as well as the University
Counselling Center.
As this was a new, developing collaboration for the Graduate Student Union, there
were constructive points and room for improvement for next year. Some graduate-oriented
events were part of the schedule, including a free walk-in consultation available to all
graduate and undergraduate students at Notre Dame to discuss various issues, including
stress, sadness, academic concerns, family problems, financial struggles, and relationship
concerns, an evening of “story telling” in which Notre Dame students shared their stories
and expressed the ways in which mental illness has affected their lives, a UCC open house,
and a speaker from “To Write Love on Her Arms.” The GSU Health Chair contributed the
$50 monthly seminar budget to help contribute to the speaker costs.
While events were well attended, the timing of some of them proved to be
inconvenient for many graduate students, especially those held very late at night. It is to be
hoped with continued collaboration over the coming years that more graduate-oriented
aspects can be added to the schedule.
Computer Banks for the Insurance Marketplace
It may be recalled that on Monday, September 8th, 2014, at 7pm the Graduate Student
Union hosted Mr. Jim Baxter of Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana (ASPIN) to discuss
with students the Affordable Care Act and insurance/health service options available to
them. The organization makes available to those in need of them a number of computers,
and most significantly for us, advisors for a computer “clinic” to counsel those considering
acquiring health insurance on the marketplace. This is currently being discussed as a
possible seminar and event for November.
If you have any questions or wish to contribute your thoughts to this developing
collaboration, please contact me at sphilli4@nd.edu.
Annual Faculty and Staff Benefits and Wellness Fair
For those remaining in South Bend during Fall Break, there will be an opportunity to “visit
over 50 benefits vendors and campus partners and consult with health experts, learn about
benefits programs and options, and enjoy free refreshments, services, massages, and
giveaways.” A variety of health screenings (including vision, hearing, and mammogram)
will be offered and organizations ranging from insurance companies to health clinics will be
present to discuss new and exciting options.
This event will occur on Wednesday, October 22nd, from Noon to 7pm, and Thursday,
October 23rd, from 7am to Noon at the Rolfs Sports Rec Center. For more information,
please consult the following website http://hr.nd.edu/benefits/irishhealth/.
Stress Buster Fridays
Looking for a fun way to relieve stress? Did you know that every Friday at St. Liam’s Hall
there is mindfulness, yoga, hula-hooping, and arts and crafts? Consider joining the UCC on
the third floor of St. Liam’s for these relaxing, fun, and constructive activities. They are
held every Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Next up will be arts and crafts on October 31st,
don’t miss it!
Any suggestions, additions, or concerns, are welcomed and can be addressed to Sean P.
Phillips at sphilli4@nd.edu.
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Internal Affairs
October 2014
Submitted by Michelle Comas
GSU & Office for Postdoctoral Scholars 7th Annual Research Symposium
The first meeting was held with Kimberly Patton, Associate Program Director of the Office
for Postdoctoral Scholars on Friday, October 10, 2014 to begin planning efforts. The
research symposium will take place in the Spring, and based on feedback from last year,
preferably after spring break and on a Friday.
A tentative date has been set for April 10, 2014. Both GSU and Office for
Postdoctoral Scholars are waiting approval from their respective organizations and need to
verify facility availability (McKenna Hall) for that date.
Our next meeting is set in two weeks and will include discussion of goals and
budget.
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Professional Development
October 2014
Submitted by Lindsay Baxter and Antonio Lepore
Fall 2014
Network Like a Pro
The Network Like a Pro event was held Tuesday, September 30 at 6:30 pm at Club Naimoli
at the Joyce Center. The event was co-sponsored by GSU and Graduate Career Services
and 110 graduate students and postdocs attended. Appetizers and drinks were served,
Larry Westfall gave a brief talk on networking essentials, and there were four lightning
rounds of networking practice.
The Etiquette Dinner, a sister event to “Networking Like a Pro" will be held in
February.
Spring 2015
Tedx
Sean Vilanova (Chemistry & Biochemistry) has volunteered to be the GSU representative to
the TEDx talks committee. Any other individuals wanting to help are encouraged to contact
Antonio Lepore (alepore@nd.edu) or Sean Vilanova (Vilanova.1@nd.edu).
3MT
Planning for the 3MT event in the spring has begun with selection of dates; contact
University of Queensland for copyrights, and discussing the events surrounding the 3MT
main event.
Larry Westfall and the committee are beginning to contact venues and discuss
corporate sponsors.
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Publicity & Procedures
October 2014
Submitted by Samantha Atkins
Duties and Responsibilities
Weekly
Website Management
 GSU sponsored events from the Newsletter were added to the calendar and listed on
the website's Events page.
Management of Facebook and Twitter
 The Twitter account is linked to the GSU Facebook account, so by posting on
Facebook, GSU also makes the same announcement on Twitter.
 Facebook was utilized to post GSU events: Garwood Orchards, GSU’s first Council
Meeting of the 2014-2015AY, the Shamrock series Game Watch @ Legends, the
Professional Development Expo, Food for Friends, Everybody has a Story Variety
Show, and Flu Vaccines.
 The overall number of views or "people reached" on our Facebook account is much
lower than in the previous year at this time. Last year we were reaching over 700
people with our posts, this year we are reaching between 100-200 people. Should we
spend some Publicity & Procedures money to "Boost" our posts?
GSU Newsletter
 August had a total of 2,771 student recipients of the newsletters, and September had
a total of 2,725.
 There were some problems with the Newsletter on September 17 and September 24,
as it was delivered to spam folders. This problem seems to originate from new gmail
spam filters. If you are still not receiving your newsletters, please make sure if you
find a newsletter in your inbox to mark it as "not spam." It looks like this is no
longer a problem, as our view counts jumped back up after Sep 24th from 14% (lowest
ever) back to the normal ~50% in October.
 This month featured the Flu Vaccine Blitz, CGSO Book Drive, Professional
Development Expo, Hesburgh Library's Call for Grad Student workers, Food for
Friends, Professional Development Events from the Grad School/Hesburgh/Center
for Digital Learning, Live Charity Show Everybody has a Story, Garwood Orchards
UPick and Lunch, Chicago @ Morris Performing Arts Center subsidized tickets,
Grad Student Lightning Talk Event @ Hesburgh, Triple C's Sunday Rock Climbing
and the Blood Drive.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
September 4: 54.7% open rate
September 10: 56.1% open rate
September 17: 22.5% open rate
September 17 (take 2 to try and avoid spam, didn't work): 23.4%
September 24: 14%
September 1st number of subscribers: 2,771
August 31st number of subscribers: 2,725
Average open stat (September): 34.1%, down 13.7% due to Spam Filtering.
This problem has been taken care of for October newsletters.
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Quality of Life
October 2014
Submitted by Andrea Castonguay, Courtney Davis, and MacKenzie Warren
University Committee Representatives
Objective: To ensure that the Graduate Student body is represented on various University
Committees
Currently, there are two outstanding vacancies that need to be filled: (1) Traffic &
Parking Committee, and (2) Graduate Student Ministry Partnership Team
(GSMPT). Quality of Life has been tasked by the Executive Council to fill these positions,
but Quality of Life is not able to do so due to other demands and responsibilities. As such,
Quality of Life asks for assistance from the Executive Council in filling these positions.
LGBTQ Subcommittee: Graduate LGBTQ and Allied Student Society at Notre Dame
(GlassND)
Objective: To establish a sustainable graduate LGBTQ community at Notre Dame through
the formation of a GSU subcommittee, in order to better serve and support our LGBTQ
students, including equal access and opportunity to Notre Dame classrooms, facilities and
resources, increasing education on safety and protection issues related to the LGBTQ
community, and rights and responsibilities of all members of the Notre Dame community.
The Quality of Life chairs, Social chair, and GSU executive board met with Peggy
Hnatusko (GSU Advisor and Director Programming, SAO) and Christine Gebhardt,
Director of the Gender Relations Center (GRC) on October 1, 2014 to discuss protocols and
procedures for hosting Graduate Student Union events and to address issues with proposed
GlassND events (https://docs.google.com/a/nd.edu/document/d/1x2q7O_H202N9-gvPo9Hc_ZF85yXnhHc0gWkHpiAPSo/edit?usp=sharing). The subcommittee had one of its proposed
events (Youth Pride Fest) denied and the other (Queer Speed-dating) postponed
indefinitely.
The subcommittee was not allowed to participate in the Youth Pride Festival due to
the parade element of the event. The Student Activities Office felt that pride parades are
too closely associated with activism and thus the subcommittee cannot participate in such
events.
The proposed Queer Speed-dating event was postponed indefinitely. The Student
Activities Office found the event to be in conflict with the University’s Pastoral Plan
(http://friendsandallies.nd.edu/) because it promotes dating and thus by extension,
marriage. The event may be allowed to go forward if its focus is changed from a dating
event to an opportunity to build chaste friendships. In addition, all future speed-dating
events at Legends and other locations on campus will be cancelled in order to uniformly
apply the “call to chastity” to all student populations.
MacKenzie will be compiling a report on the current university climate for LGBTQ
graduate students and suggestions for improvement. The purpose of this report is to give
the GSU and other University offices a better idea on how to meet the needs of this
community. The report will be generated based on interviews with LGBTQ graduate
students to be conducted by MacKenzie. Any individuals interested in contributing to this
report should contact me at (mwarren3@nd.edu). The names and all identifying
information of interviewees will be kept confidential and will not be included in the report.
In addition, the subcommittee wants to address concerns about the University’s
current
 anti-harassment (http://equity.nd.edu/sexual-harassment-title-ix/policy/) and
 non-discrimination (http://equity.nd.edu/equal-employment-opportunity-affirmativeaction/policy/) policies.
As it stands, the University anti-harassment policy does not protect individuals on the
basis of gender identity and the non-discrimination policy provides no protections for sexual
orientation or gender identity. MacKenzie and members of the subcommittee met with
Karrah Miller (Office of Institutional Equity), Matt Lahey (General Counsel), and Mark
Kocovski (HR Consulting) to discuss the procedures for changing University policy on
September 17th. The subcommittee is still awaiting a response from General Counsel on
the legal status of graduate students as employees and the protocol for changing university
policy.
Students with Disabilities
Objective: To eliminate discrimination at the University of Notre Dame on the basis of
disability against students with disabilities in compliance with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Following the OIT Presentation at the September Council Meeting, Courtney and
Bob Guthrie initiated a discussion about exploring the potential of digital technology to not
only reduce the reliance upon paper, but also to support diverse learning styles in the
classroom. B. Guthrie asked Courtney to participate in a broader discussion about digital
technology, neuroscience, and universal design for learning. Courtney accepted and will use
the opportunity to explore emerging technologies that remove barriers to learning and
promote equality in the classroom.
Title IX and Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Management
Objective: To push greater department involvement in sharing information on the
University’s compliance with Title IX and Sexual Assault Prevention & Crisis Management
Committee on Sexual Assault Prevention (CSAP)
Mackenzie was unable to attend the meeting of the Committee on Sexual Assault
Prevention (CSAP) on October 10th. Becca Love (Biology) was present and will be able to
provide a summary of the CSAP meeting during the GSU meeting.
In addition, there is a new resource available for reporting incidents of sexual
harassment, misconduct, and discriminatory harassment: speakup.nd.edu. The report will
be directed to the relevant University office and may be submitted anonymously.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for November 14th.
Off-Campus Neighborhood Alliance
Objective: To help the University meet its goals in the Strategic Plan
(http://strategicplan.nd.edu) for off-campus students, to address future graduate student
housing issues, and to provide a safe environment and network for graduate students living
off-campus.
Small ND Communities
Courtney will be gathering for a potluck dinner on October 19th with a small group of
student-neighbors. The informal event will offer students, who live in close proximity to one
another, the opportunity to meet other graduate students on the block, form an intentional
small community, and exchange information/ideas about concerns and interests common to
those residing off-campus.
The goal of identifying and strengthening connections with student-neighbors and
fostering a small intentional community of said neighbors is, in part, to unify, enlighten,
empower, and protect students who rent or own homes in the greater South Bend area. The
initial gathering will also serve to gauge whether this small community model might, on a
larger scale, serve to advance the goals of the Quality of Life Committee and, in turn, those
identified by the University.
Preferred Realtor Program
Cressy & Everett is the University’s preferred real estate agency, which provides various
specialized services tailored to address the needs of prospective professors and staff
members. When Courtney contacted the agency to learn more about the program and how
it helps those relocating to Notre Dame, she was informed by Lene’ Raber, Cressy’s
Relocation Services Director, that a program could also be tailored to the specific needs of
graduate students. Courtney along with Dan Allen of the University’s Housing Department
will meet with Ms. Raber to discuss what this program might have to offer graduate
students. Meeting time to be determined.
Graduate Spouse and Partner Network (GSPN)
Objective: To establish a sustainable support and peer network for the spouses, partners
and families of graduate students in order to lessen feelings of isolation, frustration and
loneliness that can arise during the graduate school years.
Andrea reached out to members of the GSPN who were interested in taking on a
wider support role. A steering committee meeting was held on Wednesday, October 1, 2014
to discuss how best to grow and develop the GSPN in order to support its objectives. Based
on feedback from the steering committee members, social activities were in high
demand. Andrea reached out to Gillian Shaw in order to coordinate future events, such as
a Halloween and Holiday party, winery tour, and other events. A second GSPN steering
committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 to follow up.
Strategic Planning and Sustainability
As part of the Quality of Life Strategic Planning and Sustainability Action Plan, Andrea,
Courtney and MacKenzie have been meeting on a weekly basis to stay informed of each
other’s projects and coordinate efforts. This has proven to be helpful in keeping long-term
projects on track, as well as staying abreast of the various meetings held between members
of the GSU, Quality of Life, and Notre Dame Administration.
GSU Website
Objective: To understand the current state of the GSU website, its operating system, and
focus on what needs to be updated, modified, or improved so as to keep the Graduate
Student body informed.
Andrea prepared a website audit of the current Graduate Student Union website,
with a specific emphasis on the Quality of Life pages.
https://docs.google.com/a/nd.edu/document/d/1RarMbclRFRsH1dexBI0FS7GWhgGJTdM67j
eRnoefPjk/edit?usp=sharing. This audit took stock of current content, page layout and
design, and how the current website compared to other Universities with similar
organizations, institutions and services. The next step will be to develop new copy, update
informational links, and add appropriate visuals to make the Quality of Life Pages a
functioning, up-to-date resource.
Graduate Resource and Problem Resolution (GRPR)
Objective: To address, record, and resolve Human Resources issues that arise among
members of the Graduate Student Body.
Graduate students can submit problems and concerns to the GRPR email address
(nd.grpr@gmail.com). This account is only accessed by Andrea and MacKenzie and
anonymity may be requested. Department representatives are encouraged to advertise this
resource to their constituents.
In order to increase the visibility of this service, GRPR details and contact
information will be added to the Quality of Life portion of the GSU website.
Shuttle Service
Objective: To address the current transportation difficulties imposed by ongoing Notre
Dame construction projects.
This project has been tabled for the future.
Tool Library
Objective: To provide graduate students with basic home tools, such as shovels, sanders,
lawn mowers, etc. for the upkeep of homes and properties.
Given the other issues Quality of Life has needed to address regarding its
representation of and advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ Graduate Student body, this project
has been tabled for the future.
University of Notre Dame
217 LaFortune, Notre Dame, IN 46556 • Tel: (574)631-6963 • Fax: (574)631-6810 • E-mail: gsu.1@nd.edu
Kathryn Boehlefeld, GSU President 2014-15 • Kyle Watson, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15• Tony Cunningham, GSU Co-Vice President 2014-15
Social Report
October 2014
Submitted by Gillian Shaw
Recent Events
Apple Picking at Garwood Orchards
Sunday, September 28 (11:00am)
A UPick event was held at Garwood Orchards, in LaPorte, Indiana. Garwood provided
lunch coupons for graduate students/guests. This coupon included a sandwich and drink
from the onsite Grille. This was a much laid back event. Grad students were free to roam
the orchard and/or get food at their own pace. 25 people attended. This event was not quite
as popular as the Thistleberry Farms outing held last year (60 people in attendance),
probably because there was no play area for children. Still, 25 people for an event without
provided transportation at a rather far location is quite good.
Upcoming Events
Chicago at the Morris Performing Arts Theater
Saturday, October 18 (8:00pm)
60 tickets to this performance at the Morris Performing Arts Center were purchased at the
group rate. Tickets went on sale Monday, October 6th at $35/ticket out of LaFortune Box
Office. To date, only 20 tickets remain.
Halloween Pre-Party
Friday, October 31 (8:00pm-10:00pm)
The back room of Corby’s Irish pub has been reserved for the graduate student Halloween
get-together. Pizza will be provided and costume content with appropriate prizes will occur.
The idea behind holding this party earlier in the evening is to allow interested graduate
students the opportunity to explore other parties happening in the DTSB area while also
giving the ‘married-with-children’ graduate students a chance to get to a social event
without staying out too late. This event is free and open to graduate students and their
guests.
Ice Skating
Sunday, November 9
The Compton Ice Arena has been reserved from 5:15 to 7:15pm. This event will be free and
open to graduate students and their families. Cookies and hot cocoa will be provided.
Christmas Party
Friday, December 12
Legends Night Club has been reserved for the annual Christmas party from 8-11pm.
Events “in the works”
Movie Night-Mockingjay Release – November 21
Thanksgiving Brunch – November 27
Sustainability Charity Event – December 6
Children’s Christmas Party – December 14
 Nathan Elliot, the contact person at University Village, will be providing feedback
on good times for a children’s party to be held, but I also value input from this
meeting. (I don’t have children so I have no clue what works and what doesn’t).
 Is it better to hold this party over lunch? Or before lunch? When time is naptime?
GSU Annual Charity Gala – May 2
Proposed changes to the GSU Constitution
Constitution of the Graduate Student Union
University of Notre Dame
Preamble
The graduate students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, in order to secure the fullest
possible participation of graduate students in university life, create the Graduate Student Union
and authorize this document as its Constitution.
Article I: Membership
All graduate students of the four divisions of the Graduate School (Engineering, Humanities,
Sciences, and Social Sciences) are members of the Graduate Student Union (‘GSU’). The GSU
does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, family status, age, disability, military and veteran status, or
socioeconomic status.
Article II: Objectives
The objectives of the GSU are:
 Effective representation of graduate student interests to the university administration;
 Promotion of excellence in graduate education at Notre Dame;
 Improvement of life for graduate students through social, cultural, professional, and
intellectual activities;
 Promotion of co-operational and interaction between graduate students and faculty,
undergraduates, and all other members of the university community.
Article III: The Graduate Student Council
Section 1. Powers
The governing body of the GSU is the Graduate Student Council. This representative assembly
has the power to collect dues, spend monies, hold elections and establish committees; to
represent the graduate student body to the administration, faculty, other educational
institutions and associations, and the public in general; and to carry out all other duties assigned
to it in this Constitution or the Rules of Order.
Section 2. Composition
Voting Members. The voting members of the Council are the President, the Vice
Presidents, and the representatives of the constituent departments or degree granting programs
of the Graduate School (Departments), the Chairs of the GSU Committees, and the GSU
representatives on university committees. Only the representatives of the Departments can vote
on budget issues or amendments to the constitution.
Selection of Representatives. Representatives to the Council must be members of the
GSU. Departments having fewer than twenty (20) resident graduate students are entitled to one
(1) representative; those having twenty or more are entitled to two (2) representatives. Officers
of the GSU may not serve as departmental representatives. Representatives are nominated or
elected by each department within thirty days (30) of the GSU’s elected officers. Departmental
elections or nominations are administered in accordance with procedures set by the students of
that Department, such procedures being kept on file with the GSU. If a Department does not
have such procedures on file, nominations or elections are subject to ratification by council. The
Council may establish procedures for the election of representatives from Departments that
have not filed such procedures with the GSU.
Alternate Representatives. In the event that the official program representative to the
GSU council cannot attend a particular council meeting, another representative from the
program may serve as the program’s delegate with the same voting privileges as the official
delegate. The alternate delegate should receive the official delegates’ approval in a manner
prescribed by the GSU executive council. The alternate delegate’s name shall occur in the place
of the regular representative list as ‘ad hoc <department> representative’ on the minutes of that
meeting.
Section 3. Meetings
A. Regular Meetings. The Council holds regular monthly meetings during the academic
year, and may by resolution provide for the further regular meetings.
B. Special Meetings. The President may, at his or her discretion, and shall, upon the
petition of any five (5) representatives, call a special meeting of the Council. The
President or Secretary gives each member of the Council five days’ notice of such a
meeting; notice for this purpose consists of a letter by U.S. or campus mail, a
published notice in the Observer, and one of the following additional
communications: electronic mail notice, telephone call, face-to-face conversation, or
posted notice in each department. The business conducted at a special meeting is
limited to that set out in the notice.
C. Quorum. A quorum of the Council, except as hereinafter specifically provided
consists of either (a) The President or Vice Presidents and representatives from onethird of those Departments that have selected representatives to the Council, or (b)
Representatives from two-thirds of those Departments that have selected
representatives to the Council.
D. Conduct of Business.
1. Presiding Officer. The president may appoint any member of the council,
including himself, to preside over GSU meetings.
2. Parliamentary Authority. The rules contained in the current edition of
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised govern the Council in all cases to
which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this
Constitution and any special Rules of Order the Council may adopt.
3. Open Meetings. Except for discussions of internal discipline and personnel
matters, which discussions may be held in executive session accordance with
the Rules of Order, the council meetings in executive session only by the vote
of three-fourths majority of those present and voting. When the Council is not
in executive session, its meetings are open to all members of the GSU.
Article IV: Officers
Section 1. General Provisions
The officers of the GSU are the President and the two Vice-Presidents. They must be members of
the GSU. The Present and Vice-President are elected annually in a general election of the GSU;
they assume office at the first Council meeting following the general election. Should any officer
resign during their term, the remaining elected officers have the power to appoint a
replacement. The officers are empowered to carry out all duties assigned to them in this
Constitution, or in the Rules of Order. The officers may, at their discretion and upon notification
of the Council, delegate the authority to carry out their duties to committees, individual GSU
members (whether members of the Council or not), or to GSU staff, provided that full
responsibility for performance of their duties remains with the officers.
Section 2. The President
The President is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the GSU and the conduct of its
staff, and for the other officers’ performance of their constitutional duties. The President is an ex
officio member of the Council of the Graduate School and of all committees of the GSU. Twice
each year, the President and Vice –Presidents present a report on graduate student life and
issues to the Council and the University’s Board of Trustees. The President is responsible for
distributing an agenda to each council member prior to every meeting. With the advice and
consent of the Council, the President appoints the President pro tempore of the Council, the
Chairs of the GSU committees, and GSU representatives to the Council of the Graduate School,
the Academic Council, Faculty Senate, and other policy-making bodies of the University. The
President ensures that all such GSU representatives report the activities of their policy-making
bodies to the Council. The President also serves as the GSU representative to other postbaccalaureate organizations on campus (specifically, organizations run by the post-bacc
students in the College of Business, College of Law, and School of Architecture). Finally, the
President and Vice-Presidents are mandated to serve as the liaison to state and national
government as well as to organizations such as the National Association of Graduate and
Professional Students. In this role, the President and Vice-Presidents will stay informed about
issues affecting graduate students such as national lobby days, legislative letter writing
campaigns, etc. and will represent the GSU at regional and/or national meetings of groups such
as NAGPS.
Section 3. The Vice-Presidents
Two Vice-Presidents are elected with the president, and share with the President the
responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the GSU, and the responsibilities of external
liaisons. The Vice-Presidents are ex officio members of all committees of the GSU, and oversee
the formation and ordinary workings of all GSU committees and Professional Development
Programs. One of the Vice-Presidents (to be decided by majority of the council) assumes the
duties of the President in the latter’s absence, and in the event that the President is unable to
fulfill the duties of the office, is appointed the President Pro-tempore; the same Vice-President
assumes the President’s duties until the end of the President’s term in the event that the
President is unable to fulfill the duties of the office.
Section 4. The President Emeritus
When a GSU president leaves office at the end of his/her term, he/she will immediately assume
the title and office of President Emeritus. The outgoing GSU President will retain the title
“President Emeritus” and will occupy the office for one (1) year after finishing his/her term. The
role of the President Emeritus is advisory, to provide advice on procedures relating to the GSU
and to act as an official source of institutional memory. This position is unpaid and the
President Emeritus will not be a voting member of the GSU. The duties of the President
Emeritus are such that they may be executed while the President Emeritus is non-resident.
Article V: Committees
Section 1. General Provisions
Committees of the GSU are empowered to carry out all duties assigned to them in this
Constitution or in the Rules of Order. Committee chairs are responsible for graduate student
issues and concerns reflected by the title of their committee. Committee chairs work with the
appropriate branch of the administration and are responsible for university committee positions
relevant to their portfolio. Committee members are members of the GSU who volunteer to serve
in that capacity; they need not be members of the Council. Payment of stipends to committee
chairs is contingent upon performance of duty and council approval. Committee chairs must
attend five (5) out of seven (7) Council meetings in order to receive their full stipend. When a
Committee chair is shared by more than one person, the stipend will be divided between them.
This stipulation is barring extreme circumstances of which would require council approval. The
President appoints the Chairs of committees with the advice and consent of the Council; the
chairs of Committees are responsible to the Vice-Presidents for:
 Convening regular meetings of their committees;
 Ensuring that the committee promptly conducts all business committed to it by the
Council;
 Reporting the activities of the committee in such form as the Vice-Presidents may direct;
 Maintaining itemized accounts of receipts and expenditures by the committee and
providing monthly and annual fiscal reports. In the event of a vacancy in the office of
chair of any committee, one of the Vice-Presidents shall act as chair.
Section 2. The Standing Committees of the GSU are:
Academic Affairs
The Academic Affairs Committee acts as an advocate for the academic and professional concerns
of graduate students in order to create an environment that is conducive to academic and
research excellence. The Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee will represent the graduate
student populations on the Academic Council and Advanced Studies Committee, the University
Committee on Libraries, and the University Committee on Academic Technologies. The
committee is mandated to advocate for and promote graduate student contributions and needs
to each of these committees, including concerns about graduate student spaces (i.e. library
carrels), computing needs (i.e. functions of Sakai, print quotas, etc.), and other institutional
resources. In addition, the Academic Affairs committee is mandated with the appointment of
graduate student representatives to any active subcommittees or ad-hoc committees of the
committees on which s/he sits. Past issues that this committee has dealt with include
promotion of interdisciplinary research and support for the creation and maintenance of
Centers of excellence, the need for more institutional resources, and training for graduate
student teaching. This committee is also responsible for the advertising and judging of the
annual teaching awards. This committee is given a mandate to support events on campus, which
can be deemed to promote the academic and intellectual life of graduate students at Notre
Dame. In addition, the Academic Affairs Committee shall oversee the computing concerns of the
graduate student body. This is done primarily by providing for the maintenance of the GSU
listserv and through maintaining a dialogue with the University Office of Information
Technology in order to address graduate student computing concerns as they arise. Annual
Stipend: $1200
Health Care Committee
The Heath Care Committee is responsible for providing information concerning the health of the
graduate student population and negotiating health insurance improvements, as well as
educating graduate students on health insurance and community resources. Activities include
organizing informational meetings, supplemental health care coverage, and days that promote
healthy diets and exercising. The Health Care Committee sends representatives to the ad-hoc
Health Insurance Advisory Committee. Annual Stipend: $1200
Orientation & External Affairs Committee Internal Events Committee
The Orientation & Electronic Resources Internal Events Committee is responsible for the major
Graduate Student Union sponsored events throughout the year. First, the chair is tasked with
organizing the incoming Fall and Spring Orientation activities for new students, which include
both professional development and social activities coordinated with the appropriate university
bodies. The chair of this committee needs to be at Notre Dame during the summer to plan the
Fall Orientation, which takes place before classes begin in August. Second, the Internal Events
committee is tasked with planning the Graduate student Union Annual Research Symposium
each winter, which includes coordination with co-sponsoring offices, promotion of the event to
the university and wider South Bend community, and the conference of awards to first and
second place winners within each division of the graduate school (Humanities, Engineering,
Sciences, Social Sciences). Finally, the Internal Events Committee is tasked with the facilitation
of the Graduate Student Union Teaching Awards each spring. The External Affairs Committee
oversees those GSU activities which extend outside the university. This mission has two
components. First, the External Affairs Committee is responsible for facilitating GSU activities
in the local community, including, but not limited to: coordinating humanitarian and other
volunteer work, being responsible for hearing the concerns of students who reside in off-campus
housing, and informing graduate students about local issues that potentially affect both their
professional and personal lives. Second, the External Affairs Committee will serve as the liason
to state and national government as well as to organizations such as the National Association of
Graduate and Professional Students. The External Affairs Chair will be responsible for staying
informed about issues affecting graduate students such as national lobby days, legislative letterwriting campaigns, etc. and at the discretion of the GSU President, the External Affairs Chair
will represent the GSU at regional and/or national meetings of groups such as NAGPS. Annual
Stipend: $1200
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee acts as an advocate promoting the professional
development of graduate students in order to fully prepare them with confidence in their careers
in academia, the private sector, government, or non-for-profit organizations. The Professional
Development Committee shall work closely with the Associate Dean for Professional
Development at the Graduate School. The Chair of the Professional Development Committee
will attend the weekly Graduate School Professional Development team meetings. These
meetings connect and coordinate the efforts of the various centers, institutes and other entities
at Notre Dame that provide events, workshops and services for graduate students, such as the
Kaneb Center, the career Center, the Writing Center, the Center of Social concerns, or the
Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts. In addition, the Chair of this committee is
responsible for forming and managing the TREC (Teaching, Research, Ethics, Career) Team
which shall be composed of representatives from all departments. The TREC team meets
monthly and provides graduate student input to the Graduate School’s professional
development team. This committee is encouraged to support, organize, and co-host events on
campus which promote the professional development of graduate students at Notre Dame.
Annual Stipend: $1200.
Publicity and Procedures Committee
The Publicity and Procedures Committee maintains the professional image of the GSU through
published and web-based materials. The Publicity and Procedures Chair will ensure that the
content of the GSU website is frequently updated and that GSU-related materials, such as the
Constitution, the calendar of GSU-sponsored events, and contact information, are current. This
individual is also responsible for recording and documenting the minutes of each council
meeting. Additionally, he/she is in charge of designing, ordering, and procuring the GSU T-shirt
for Orientation: The Publicity and Procedures Chair will be in close communication with the
GSU administrative assistant, helping to publish flyers for GSU events and manage the content
of the weekly listserv emails distributed to the graduate student body. The Publicity and
Procedures Committee ensures that all promotional materials are functional and appealing for
our target audience and acts as a censor to every piece. It is the responsibility of this committee
to maintain a digital and a printed archive for the future use of the GSU. The committee
supervises elections and assures that constitutional procedures are followed. This committee is
also responsible for organizing, publicizing, and conducting the annual general election. Annual
stipend: $1200
Quality of Life Committee
The Quality of Life Committee is responsible for all issues dealing with the daily living of
graduate students. Past topics have included taxes, university housing, library hours, ResNet in
University Village, and day care options. The committee is also responsible for the celebration of
diversity within the Notre Dame Community by facilitating and co-sponsoring events that speak
to issues and concerns regarding gender, culture, and ethnicity as these issues affect graduate
students. This committee is also responsible for handling funding requests received by the GSU.
The Quality of Life Committee provides a forum that gives air to the needs, concerns, and
grievances of graduate students; raises these issues to the university administration via the
committee liaison chairs; and initiates change in university policies so that the graduate student
body might be best served. Annual stipend: $1200/$1200 (2 chairs) $1200/$1200/$1200 (3
chairs)
Social Committee
The Social Committee’s mission is to offer a range of social, fun events that accommodates the
diversity of the graduate student population. There are two social chairs—one chair will oversee
organizing the Summer and Spring semester social activities and the other will oversee
organizing the fall semester social activities. In addition, the Social Chairs are mandated with
planning at least one social outreach/charity event per semester. However, the chairs are
encouraged to work together throughout the year. Both social chairs should be at Notre Dame
during the summer to be able to attend to their responsibilities. The largest responsibility of the
social chairs is the planning of the annual Graduate Student Union Charity Gala, held each
spring. Annual stipend: $1200/$1200 (2 chairs)
Section 3. University Committees
Representatives to University Committees
In order to further the mission of the GSU, it is necessary to appoint representatives to various
University committees. Because these representatives play an active role in helping to shape
University policy and advocating for the graduate student population, it is vital that their
selection and terms of appointment be transparent. The “GSU External Committee Assignment
List” contains a list of the committees and how the representative is selected. Committee
representatives will be appointed by the GSU President and are required to be selected before
the beginning of the Fall semester of the President’s term. The exception to this process is the
selection of representatives to the Academic Appeals Process Committee, which is specified
below. The selection of the representatives is subject to the approval of a majority of the GSU
council. The review process will take place at the first meeting of the Fall semester. Committee
representatives are exp3ected to attend every meeting of their charge. In certain circumstances ,
a representative may be unable to attend the assigned meeting of their charge. In that case the
representative is responsible for ensuring, on a single time basis, that another graduate student
attends the meeting. Should a committee appointee not fulfill his or her obligation, it may be
necessary to recall that representative. This can be done either at the discretion of the GSU
president or with the approval of the GSU council.
Representatives to the Graduate School’s Academic Appeals Process Committee
Contingent with the implementation of the Graduate Scholl’s Academic Appeals Process
Committee is the selection of graduate students to serve as representatives to appeals hearing on
an ad-hoc basis. It is the duty of the GSU to provide the Graduate School with a list of graduate
students willing to serve on the Academic Appeals committee. The list should be comprised of
no less than two students from each division of the Graduate School (Arts & Letters,
Engineering, Sciences, Social Sciences) but from different departments from within that
division. This pool of at least 8 students will be appointed by the incoming President of the GSU
at the beginning of his/her term. Students appointed to the committee may be removed from the
committee by a majority vote of the GSU Council. Students appointed to the committee are
expected to serve a 1 year term, beginning in May of the year of their appointment. The list shall
be sent to the appropriate representative of the Graduate School within 1 month of selection.
Section 4. Ad-Hoc Committees
The President forms ad-hoc committees as the Council deems necessary.
Article VI: Administrative Assistant
The GSC hires a Level 6 Administrative Assistant. The principal duties and responsibilities of
the GSU assistant include, but do not exclusively consist of: (1) scheduling appointments and
meetings for members of the Graduate Student Union office; (2) computerizing the financial/
bookkeeping function and entering all past and present information; (3) auditing and
maintaining records on budget expenditures and compares to internal records to verify charges;
(4) coordinating adjustments with General Accounting as necessary; (5) approves travelND
submissions for the GSU Officers and Chairs; (6) typing, proofreading and editing all letters,
memos, committee correspondence, meeting agendas, and meeting minutes; (6) coordinating
dispersal of publicity to all departments as needed; (7) ordering and maintaining office supplies
(8) prepares Journal Vouchers, Check Requisitions, Cash Advances, Deposit forms, and NonEmployee Payment for Services; and (8) design flyers for GSU events when needed.
This position also administers the Conference Presentation Grant program which includes: (1)
the printing of applications from Wufoo; (2) verifies fee has been paid and records past funding
awarded; (3) records conference information to an excel report; (4) prepares a chart of all
pending applications for a 3-month period for the CPG Review Committee; (5) files the
applications according to conference dates; (6) sends applicants emails to students with a
decision; (7) records decisions on an excel report; (8) approves travelND submissions on an ongoing basis, and (9) follows-up with students if they are approaching the 60-day period. A copy
of the CPG application can be found online at www.gsu.nd.edu.
The GSU President in consultation with the Graduate School and the GSC hires the
Administrative Assistant. The Administrative Assistant is directly accountable to the GSU
President.
Article VII: Finances
Section 1. Annual Budget
The President and Vice Presidents prepare an itemized annual budget listing all projected
income and expenditures for the GSU, including office expenses, costs of administrative
assistance, and committee expenditures and grants. The Council at the meeting next submits the
budget for adoption before the University's budget deadline whenever the University deadline
permits; the newly elected President and Vice Presidents prepare the annual budget.
Section 2. Expenditures by Committees
Individual committees may at their discretion spend or grant those GSU funds budgeted for
their work, provided that each expenditure must be approved by the Chair and at least one other
member, and further, provided that each expenditure of more than $500 must be approved by
the Council.
Section 3. Expenditures by Officers
Officers may at their discretion spend those GSU funds which have been budgeted for purposes
other than the work of individual committees, provided that each expenditure must be approved
by at least two officers, and further provided that each expenditure of more than $500 must be
approved by the Council.
Section 4. Monthly Account Statements
Are kept on file in the GSU office and are available for inspection by any member of the GSU. All
individuals and groups which receive GSU funding present to the GSC, each month for the
duration of their funding, a monthly account statement that includes beginning and ending
balances, an itemized account of income and expenditures, and receipts for all expenditures.
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the cessation of funding.
Article VIII: Amendment, Construal and Removal from Office
Section 1. Amendment
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any voting member of the Council, or by a
petition bearing the signatures of any twenty (20) members of the GSU, representing at least
one-third of the Departments that have selected representatives to the Council. Each proposed
amendment to the Constitution is submitted to the Publicity and Procedures Chair, who
forwards the proposal, together with its recommendations thereon, to the Council within thirtydays (30). This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of those present and
voting at any two consecutive regular meetings of the Council, provided that a quorum for this
purpose shall consist of the President or Vice-Presidents and representatives from one-third of
those Departments which have selected representatives to the Council.
Section 2. Construal
Wherever this Constitution specifies a period of time within which an action must be taken or a
frequency with which the duty must be performed, the stated times do not include university
vacations.
Section 3. Removal of Appointees
Any person appointed to office by the President with the advice and consent of the Council may
be removed from office by the President upon notification of the Council.
Section 4. Removal of Elected Officers
Elected officers of the GSU may be removed from office by a two-thirds majority of those
present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the Council, provided that quorum is met.
Section 5. Expulsion of Representatives
Representatives to the Council may be expelled from the Council by a three-fourths majority of
those present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the council, provided quorum is met.
Section 6. Recall of Representatives
The graduate students of any Department may recall their representative(s) according to their
established procedures, such procedures being kept on file with the GSU. If a Department does
not have such procedures on file, recall is subject to ratification by the Publicity and Procedures
Chair. The Council may, upon recommendation of the Publicity and Procedures Chair, establish
procedures for the recall of representatives from Departments that have not filed such
procedures with the GSU.