Meeting held at 5:30 p.m. today due to Passover observance.

I. Discussion with Assistant Deans - Dean Barnaby (Humanities) and Dean Harper-Mangels (Science)

• What do the Deans do and what can students expect from them?
• The Deans help set graduate school policy and administrative policy on a case-by-case basis
• The goal of the graduate school is to create an environment of learning with freedom to conduct research and produce scholarship in a reasonable amount of time
• Also realize that graduate students have lives outside of their studies
• The Deans deal with departmental and research issues
• They aim for consistency in the treatment of students across departments & schools
• Graduate school policies address consistent concerns, while the Deans deal with outlying problems on a case-by-case basis
• In the University, the Deans play the role of the referee
• They sit in an office between the constituents of the University - they are outside of the University, the faculty, and the students
• If there is a conflict with a faculty member or with the University, they can try to negotiate the relationshiop
• They can advocate on behalf of different parties depending on the situation (student, faculty, University)
• Their conversations with students are confidential - they do not inform faculty unless they are asked to do so
• The Deans try to preserve the anonymity of a student in a constructive way
• Deans deal with academic and financial aid concerns - can help students understand the policies of the University & navigate these
• They try to help students succeed in their programs - if this is not feasible, they are also there to talk to students in these unpleasant situations
• Coming to the Deans with a situation or for advice does not "out" the student in any way.
• The vast majority of interactions with the Deans are informal (not formal complaints, etc...)
• They also can counsel students about how to optimize funding opportunities across the years of grad school, can help with funding applications, and can assist with career planning (especially in cases where the advisor is not a good option)
• How are the Assistant Deans distinct from Associate Deans Schirmeister (Humanities) and Sleight (Science)?
• They are independent of them, but work collaboratively with them
• For parental relief - would probably be best to speak with Deans Schirmeister or Sleight
• For Fellowships - Deans Barnaby or Harper-Mangels would be a better choice
• The Senior Administrative Assistants (Alicia Grendziszewski and Theresa Dio) in the Academic Deans' offices can also help to direct you to the appropriate Dean
• For help dealing with academic and faculty relationships, any of the Deans are an appropriate choice
• Serious disciplinary matters and dismissal situations happen at the level of the Associate Deans and the Dean
• If a student chooses to discuss a disciplinary matter with one of the Deans, that Dean will then abstain from being part of the Disciplinary Committee on the case
• Any of the Deans can also help direct you to the appropriate party to help you if your issue is not in their purview
• There is no formal write-up of the Deans' job descriptions on the web - just a description regarding what the office does - it really isn't possible to enumerate all of the things they do, but they can give examples
• 1. Particular financial aid situations - optimize funding, ensure students are adhering to grant award letters, etc...
• 2. Registration issues - not just leaves of absence, but what type, parental leave, etc... They know the policies, so they can help you apply them
• 3. Incomplete grade resolution
• GSA reps can help send examples of what the Deans can help students with to department registrars and DGSs
• The graduate school cannot intervene in the grading of a student's oral exams
• If a faculty member retaliates as a result of a Dean's decision - go back to the Deans
• What about subtle issues - like personality differences?
• Sometimes it is useful for students to think of their own professional development - dealing with difficult people, etc...
• Cannot change the behavior of a person, but can limit interactions, fill the void of an advisor not advising, minimize difficult situations, etc... - regardless, it is good for someone outside of the department to be made aware (Deans)
• What about having a "Meet the Deans" coffee hour (Sara Heitkamp suggested)?
• Could have one large one, or a series where different Deans attend each time
• The Deans do attend Grad School 101 during orientation
• But, the Deans may seem formidable ("like the principal"), and this may eliminate that fear
• A lot of interaction between students and Deans comes via e-mail
• The Deans also hold direct meetings with students, and interact with students at external fellowship workshops and promotions
• What if a student has an issue with another faculty member in their Dean's department and is uncomfortable sharing this info about the Dean's colleague? Go to the opposite Dean
• Deans are not faculty - they are not paid or promoted by departments
• The only way the Deans would feel obligated to divulge the details of a conversation with a student would be if the person was a danger to his/herself or to others or if the student committed a felony
• For example - if a woman in science is feeling discriminated against - she could speak to the Associate Dean of the Humanities Dean Schirmeister
• Can also approach Deans about inappropriate relationships, etc...

II. Health Care Committees - Julie Button

• Rx Coverage Task Force - Julie Button (for more info - please contact Julie)
• Is there a good time for representatives from the Health Plan to come to a general meeting - maybe May 6th?
• Health Care Committee informational meeting with Chief Psychiatrist at the Yale Health Plan Dr. Lorraine Siggins coming up
• Please let Julie know if you have any questions about the Mental Health department that you would like us to bring up at the meeting

III. Transit Committee Report - Sara Heitkamp

• Does GSA want to fund a pilot bike-share program (from last time)?
• More widespread bike-share ((for more info - please contact Sara)

IV. Motion to Adjourn - 2nd