The UNLV Graduate & Professional Student Association
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
GPSA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING 44-10
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31st , 2024
9:00 AM
MINUTES
HYBRID PUBLIC MEETING:
IN PERSON: GRADUATE COMMONS CONFERENCE ROOM
LIED LIBRARY 2ND FLOOR
VIRTUAL: https://unlv.zoom.us/my/gpsa.meeting.room
PASSCODE: GPSAUNLV
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 Monday 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 Notice 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.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
|
PRESIDENT |
VICE PRESIDENT |
TREASURER |
SECRETARY |
|
☑ Teresa Marie |
☑Aliciah Carr |
☑ Devin Lopez |
☑ David King |
PRESIDENT’S CABINET (EX-OFFICIO, NON-VOTING)
|
Engagement & Outreach Director |
Director of Operations |
Director of Communications & Marketing |
|
◻ Ariadna Gutierrez EXCUSED |
◻ VACANT |
◻ Delight Ejiaka EXCUSED |
Members of the Public Present
Virginia Smercina – GPSA Business Manager ☑ 9:08 am
Bill Robinson, Ph.D. – GPSA Faculty Advisor ☑
John Colombo, Ph.D.– GPSA Faculty Advisor ☑
Valarie Burke, Ph.D. – Graduate College Representative
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
- PUBLIC COMMENT INFORMATION ONLY
(See foregoing notation regarding public comment)
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Minutes from the 44-0 meeting are being completed, no action at this time.
- REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS INFORMATION ONLY
3a) GPSA Executive Board & Committees
-
- President
President Marie will report to the GPSA Executive Board concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate student body.
President Marie discussed the loss of a graduate student and the need for a moment of silence at the next council meeting. She also mentioned her involvement in numerous meetings with leadership and her concerns about the Tiny Home project.
-
- Vice President
Vice President Carr will report to the GPSA Executive Board concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate student body.
VP Carr discussed the sponsorship meeting, noting a decrease in applications and a potential redistribution of funds from the next cycle to approved applicants. The idea of using third-party services for incentives was also discussed, with VP Carr suggesting it could be beneficial for students and faculty. A policy was proposed to formalize this practice. VP Carr also mentioned a request from a sponsorship committee member to include the use of third-party services in the operating policy. The possibility of using Rebel Cash as an incentive was discussed, but she noted the inequity of this for non-UNLV participants.
-
- Treasurer
Treasurer Lopez will report to the GPSA Executive Board concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate Student body.
Treasurer Lopez reported on the approval of a budget policy and the updating of old treasure reports.
-
- Secretary
Secretary King will report to the GPSA Executive Board concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate Student body.
No reports.
3b) GPSA Business Manager & Advisor
Business Manager Smercina will report to the GPSA Executive Board concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate student body.
Business Manager Smercina discussed several updates and issues. A networking and social gathering for students interacting with the graduate college was planned for December, with a date to be shared later. The last day to apply for fall 2024 graduation was November 1st, with a late fee for late applications. Business Manager Smercina also discussed the $223 student fee, suggesting it would be beneficial to understand what graduate students are paying for. A graduate student climate survey was in progress, with a public school project planned for the following spring. The university was transitioning to a centralized Salesforce system by fall 2025. There were issues with financial aid rosters, with some being put on hold due to late submission. Business Manager Smercina also discussed the impact of the student access fee on their operating budget. Lastly, there was a discussion about students in accelerated undergraduate programs who are taking graduate level courses but are not considered graduate students. The possibility of these students paying a smaller fee to access graduate student resources was considered.
3c) GPSA Faculty Advisor
Faculty Advisor Bill Robinson will report to the Executive Board concerning UNLV related issues or events important to the UNLV graduate student body.
Faculty Advisor John Colombo and Bill Robinson discussed the University Workload Policy Committee's recommendation to restrict FIRs from mentoring graduate students, and the potential impact on the Orthodontics program. There was also a discussion about the need for better communication with the CSUN group and the importance of following up on fee increases. Dr. Robinson also suggested that GPSA should start dealing with the legislature prior to the session starting.
3d) GPSA President’s Cabinet
- Engagement & Outreach Director
- Director of Operations
- Director of Communications & Marketing
- Chief of Staff
- 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.
- NEW BUSINESS FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
New business is any motion that is new to this meeting. All items will be for action unless otherwise stated.
5a) Procedure for Handling Loss of a Colleague FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
President Marie requests time for discussion and possible vote with the executive board the procedures and support mechanisms for handling the loss of a colleague. This discussion will cover best practices for notifying the community, providing emotional support, and coordinating memorial activities. The goal is to ensure that GPSA has a compassionate and organized response framework to support those affected during these difficult times.
Motioned by VP Carr, seconded by Secretary King
President Marie discussed the handling of the loss of a colleague, proposing a case-by-case process for recognition and support, including sending a card to the family and potentially asking if they would like to be recognized at a meeting or have colleagues or family members speak about the lost colleague.
Motioned by President Marie, seconded by VP Carr. Unanimously passed.
5b) Discussion to use Hourly Workers for G.R.A.D days at the Commons FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
President Marie requests time for discussion and possible vote with the executive board to staff G.R.A.D. Days with GPSA hourly workers due to low volunteer turnout. With upcoming events in November and December, and a need for reliable support, this discussion will explore the possibility of using hourly workers.
Moved by VP Carr, seconded by Secretary King
President Marie discussed the staffing of Grad Appreciation Days at the dining commons, considering the use of hourly workers due to low volunteer turnout. The proposal to utilize hourly workers for the remaining two events in the semester was also unanimously approved.
Motioned by President Marie, seconded by Secretary King. Passed unanimously.
5c) GPSA & CCSS Town Hall Updates INFORMATION ONLY
President Marie requests time to discuss updates regarding the 2 town halls held with the Campus Committee on Safety and Security.
President Marie discussed the recent town halls held for grad students, which had a decent turnout despite being hastily organized. They also addressed concerns about international students' understanding of the relationship between the university and the police, and the need for more hands-on orientation for these students. President Marie also brought up the issue of scooters on campus, which have caused safety concerns and potential liability for the university. They proposed requiring scooter users to take a safety training course and register their scooters with the campus, with the liability then transferring to the student. Secretary King expressed his strong support for regulating the scooters, citing numerous safety incidents. Business Manager Smercina also mentioned the potential for a wheeled conveyance policy and the possibility of limiting the speed of scooters on campus.
5d) Shadow Lane Updates INFORMATION ONLY
President Marie requests time to discuss the updates regarding Shadow Lane Campus.
President Marie discussed the security measures at Shadow Lane, including the installation of new cameras and blue lights. They also mentioned the introduction of the Rebel Safe app for emergency situations. President Marie then discussed the fee increase for wellness services, which was approved but not the third tier that included a CAPS opportunity. Instead, they received tier two, which included an increase in support staff. Faculty Advisor John Colombo also brought up the issue of limited space at Shadow Lane, which is expected to accommodate a new doctoral program. They suggested the need for more mental health services and the possibility of converting an office for this purpose.
5e) G.R.A.D at the Symphony INFORMATION ONLY
Director Gutierrez requests time to discuss information about the G.R.A.D event at the Symphony on November 21, 2024.
5f) Call for New Business Items INFORMATION ONLY
Items for consideration at future meetings may be suggested. Discussion is limited to description and clarification of the subject matter of the item, including the reasons for the request; emergency items added at the discretion of the President (GPSA Bylaws Article IV, Sec.3).
GPSA supporting the graduate student life survey
Town hall for RSOs
TGA director discuss workshops/graduate student surveys
- PUBLIC COMMENT INFORMATION ONLY
(See foregoing notation regarding public comment)
- ANNOUNCEMENTS INFORMATION ONLY
• First to Fly (First Gen Week) Grad Commons Lied 9/5/2024
• G.R.A.D at the Dining Commons 11/14/2024
• G.R.A.D at the Symphony 11/21/24
• Next Meeting
- ADJOURNMENT FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Adjourned at 11:14 am.