Graduate & Professional Student Association
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
MINUTES
GPSA COUNCIL MEETING 44-03
Monday, July 8th, 2024
5:30 PM
HYBRID PUBLIC MEETING:
IN PERSON: GRADUATE COMMONS CONFERNCE ROOM
LIED LIBRARY 2ND FLOOR
VIRTUAL: https://unlv.zoom.us/my/gpsa.meeting.room
Passcode: GPSAUNLV
US Phone: +1 719-359-4580
Phone Code: 14888624
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE AGENDA AND PUBLIC MEETING NOTE:
PERTAINING TO VIRTUAL MEETINGS:
This meeting will be held via teleconference only pursuant to Section 1 of the Declaration of Emergency Directive 006 (“Directive 006”) issued by the State of Nevada Executive Department. If a physical location is required for the meeting, participants may be able to access the livestream by visiting the Graduate Commons at the Lied Library 2nd floor.
Public Comment may be submitted via email to gpsapresident@unlv.edu.
Messages received by 9:00 AM on the business day prior to the meeting may be entered into the record during the meeting. Any other public comment form submissions and/or voicemails received prior to the adjournment of the meeting will be transcribed and included in the permanent record.
Members of the public wishing to listen to the meeting may do so via: https://unlv.zoom.us/my/gpsa.meeting.room
CONTINUED:
Below is an agenda of all items scheduled to be presented and considered at the meeting. Notification is hereby provided that items on the agenda may be taken out of the order and presented, two or more agenda items may be combined for consideration, and an agenda item may be removed from the agenda or discussion relating to an item on the agenda may be delayed at any time.
Some agenda items are noted as having accompanying reference material. Copies of the reference materials that are distributed at the meeting may be requested by emailing the Executive Board at gpsa@unlv.edu.
This meeting’s agenda has been posted in accordance with NRS 241.020. Copies of the agenda and reference material will be made available as follows: 1. Digitally at the UNLV.edu/GPSA/Agendas and the Nevada Public Meeting Website, 2. Physically located on the First Floor of the Lied Library at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, 3. Physically located in the Carol C. Harter Classroom Building Complex (CHB) at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV.
Reasonable efforts will be made to assist and accommodate persons with a disability attending the meeting. Please email the GPSA Manager at gpsa@unlv.edu in advance so that arrangements may be made.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public comment will be taken during this agenda item. No action may be taken on a matter raised under this item until the matter is included on an agenda as an item on which action may be taken. Comments will be limited to three minutes per person. Persons making comment will be asked to begin by stating their name for the record and to spell their last name. The Board Chair may elect to allow additional public comment on a specific agenda item when that agenda item is being considered. In accordance with Attorney General Opinion No. 00-047, as restated in the Attorney General’s Open Meeting Law Manual, the Chair may prohibit comment if the content of that comment is a topic that is not relevant to, or within the authority of, the Body, or if the content is willfully disruptive of the meeting by being irrelevant, repetitious, slanderous, offensive, inflammatory, irrational or amounting to personal attacks or interfering with the rights of other speakers.
2024-2025 EXECUTIVE BOARD
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2024-2025 SUMMER COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
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Quorum has been established.
*Members may have been appointed by their department between the time of agenda posting and the meeting. All other members present will be available in the Minutes and listed below.
Members-at-Large:
Lila Hearn, Political Science
Penny Wolkiewicz, Emergency Crisis Management
Dionne Stanfill, Law
Amrit Shahi, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Burak Sahin, Teaching & Learning
Ravi Batra, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joseph Cadiz, Nursing
Ryan Rezaei, Hospitality Management
Joseph Noce, History
Frincesca Howard, Nursing
Susan Dakwa, Social & Behavioral Health
Raven Brown, Public Policy & Leadership
Education
Khandaker Arafin Islam, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Katie Singsank, Psychology
Members of the Public Present:
Virginia Smercina
Bill Robinson
AGENDA
- CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 5:36pm.
- ROLL CALL
- PUBLIC COMMENT INFORMATION ONLY
(See foregoing notation regarding public comment)
No public comment.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
4a) The GPSA Council will consider approval of the minutes from the June 2024 Council Meeting (44-02) as posted to the public GPSA Drive.
Motion by David King, seconded by Hoor Ul Ain. Passed unanimously.
- REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS INFORMATION ONLY
5a) Executive Board
- President
President Marie will report to the GPSA Council concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate student body. President Marie will give an update on the cabinet positions. Call for members to join the constitution and bylaws committee. Update on the Memorandum of support regarding regalia fees posted to the GPSA Memoranda Page.
President Marie provided an update regarding the Campus Safety Committee and updates for the campus. She also mentioned that the executive board is still currently taking applications for the President’s Cabinet. The Constitution & Bylaws Committee is also currently looking for members, and the memorandum for the Proposal for integrated graduation costs and payment options through MyUNLV was discussed with the council.
- Vice President
Vice President Carr will report to the GPSA Council concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate student body. Vice President Carr will provide an update on TDX and the new system process for sponsorship applications. Vice President Carr will provide information on how to join and schedule sponsorship workshops.
Vice President Carr discussed the change in language in TDX to reflect the new policies implemented for the GPSA Sponsorship Program. She also mentioned that in order to receive funding, you need a minimum score of 85% in order to receive funding, and the annual amount for funding per student is decreasing from $2,500 to $1,250 annually.
- Treasurer
Treasurer Lopez will report to the GPSA Council concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate Student body.
Treasurer Lopez reported that the ending balance for this month is $156,078.65. He also reported the transition of the RSO program from the Ways & Means Committee to the Division of Sponsored Funding.
Hoor Ul Ain had a question about the transition of the RSO program as well as the language in the FAQ and was answered by Treasurer Lopez.
- Secretary
Secretary King will report to the GPSA Council concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate Student body.
Secretary King discussed the use of Robert’s Rules of Order and a further discussion for the future Fall Council Meeting.
5b) President's Cabinet
- Director of Communications & Marketing (vacant)
- Director of Engagement & Outreach (vacant)
- Director of Legislative Affairs (vacant)
- Director of Operations (vacant)
5c) GPSA Business Manager & Advisor
- Business Manager Virginia Smercina will report to GPSA Council concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate student body.
- Updates to GPSA E-board Stipends, Changes to the Graduate Commons Space, upcoming travel for GPSA Business Manager.
Business Manager Smercina announced that the Graduate Commons will be hiring graduate students at the help desk.
- GPSA Faculty Advisor Dr. Bill Robinson will report to GPSA Council concerning UNLV Related issues or even important to the UNLV graduate student body.
Faculty Advisor Robinson mentioned that the Regent’s are currently focused on the Nevada Community Colleges and how they plan to move 15 million dollars from UNLV’s budgets to CSN’s budgets. He also mentioned that it might be a good idea to invite political candidates to discuss current issues as it pertains to graduate students.
5d) GPSA Committee Reports
Ways and Means: Chair Pena provided a report regarding Ways & Means committee, including appointing Vice Chair Lila Hearn, policy language changes, and budget reallocation.
Sponsorship:
5e) UNLV Campus-Wide Committees
Representatives serving on any external committee on GPSA behalf may use this time to provide updates.
President Marie reported that she is working with the Dining Commons to do a Graduate Appreciation Day as well as working with Athletics for Graduate Appreciation Night.
5f) UNLV Departments/ Units
- Nevada Graduate Student Workers
- Graduate College
Dr. Valarie Burke discussed the addition of two GRSO’s and potential funding access from the Graduate College and GPSA. Business Manager Smercina mentioned that GPSA supplements GRSO’s with funding and further discussion about the access for this funding will be held. The Graduate College monthly emails will resume in the Fall and the director of communications position of the Graduate College has been newly filled. Interest in Rebel Ready Week was also discussed.
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Unfinished Business is any motion or action item that was under discussion and was postponed or moved to this meeting at the discretion of the public body as approved by the chair.
6a) Call for Remaining Summer Representatives & President’s Cabinet INFORMATION ONLY
President Marie requests time to remind current representatives to share the president’s cabinet information. As well as call for remaining representative spots.
• Lee Business School:
• Dental Medicine:
- NEW BUSINESS FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
New business is any motion that is new to this meeting. All items will be for possible action unless otherwise stated.
7a) Sponsorship Committee Updates and Discussion of Moratorium FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Vice President Carr requests time for the discussion of the Sponsorship Committee Operating Policy updates and possible action on a Moratorium that would last until August 16, 2024.
Vice President Carr mentioned that the Moratorium might not be necessary, but language regarding closing the submission portal at any time will be incorporated into the operating policy.
7b) Ways & Means RSO Committee Update/Discussion of Moratorium FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Treasurer Lopez requests time for the discussion of the Registered Student Organization Funding Program updates and possible action on a Moratorium that would last until August 16, 2024.
Motioned by VP Carr, seconded by Jennifer Napoles. Treasurer Lopez discussed that a moratorium should be put in place during the transition of the RSO funding program from Ways and Means to Sponsored Funding. VP Carr announced that if anyone was interested in serving in this future committee to please contact her. Passed.
Abstention-Jennifer Napoles
Opposed- Hoor Ul Ain
7c) Moratorium on Emergency Support Grant Application FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
President Marie requests time for the discussion and possible action on a moratorium on funding applications for the emergency support grant. This program needs to have an operation policy drafted. The Moratorium would last until August 16, 2024.
Motioned by Vice President Carr, seconded by Daniel Aynlender. Secretary King asked a question about how graduate students who are in need of financial support can access support if the moratorium is in effect. President Marie and Business Manager Smercina provided resources for other programs that students.
Roll Call Vote requested by Jaimi Garlington.
A motion was made to split the vote for 7c and 7d for the roll call vote by Secretary King, seconded by Daniel Aynlender.
Opposed- Hoor Ul Ain. Passed vote.
7d) Moratorium on Open Access Journal Fund FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
President Marie requests the discussion and possible action on a moratorium on funding applications for the Open Access Journal Fund. This program needs to have an operation policy drafted. The Moratorium would last until August 16, 2024.
Secretary King asked if there were any reports regarding the amount of applications received. Four applications have been accepted in the year as reported by Business Manager Smercina. Hoor Ul Ain asked what the program entailed, and Secretary King responded to the question. In addition, Treasurer Lopez asked if there was an operating policy in effect and Business Manager Smercina responded that GPSA is working with UNLV libraries for application review.
Roll call vote- passed unanimously.
- ANNOUNCEMENTS INFORMATION ONLY
- Graduate Assistant Active Assailant Training with University Police Department 08/22/24 3pm-4pm
- UNLV Involvement Fair September 2, 2024 from 10am-2pm.
- Homecoming October 21-25, 2025 -> change this to 2024 in minutes.
VP Carr announced that some awards from financial aid have been delayed, but are still being processed. President Marie also mentioned the change to the FAFSA has put immense strain on many financial aid offices across the US including ours at UNLV. Daniel Aynlender reported that the financial aid awards for the medical school have been processed for students for the most part. Business Manager Smercina reported that the Homecoming Festival is October 23rd, 2024. Treasurer Lopez reported that the next Ways & Means Committee meeting will be taking place on August 20th, 2024. President Marie discussed a few committees that are currently accepting committee members.
- PUBLIC COMMENT INFORMATION ONLY
(See foregoing notation regarding public comment)
No public comment.
- ADJOURNMENT FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Meeting adjourned at 6:31pm.