GSU highlights need for better insurance plans
By ANDREW THAGARD
News Writer
This month, representatives from the Graduate Student Union will meet with Notre Dame administration and members of the Board of Trustees to discuss health insurance.
GSU president Gabriela Burgos, vice president Kishori Deshpande, and health care committee chairman Adrienne Minerick will present information on graduate student healthcare to 30 members of the board on Oct. 18. The GSU representatives plan to present an ideal graduate student health care plan and ask for a University subsidy to meet the difference in the cost of premiums between the current and ideal plan.
They also intend to suggest the possibilities of treating graduate students as University employees so they will qualify for the better health insurance policy and grouping graduate students into regions including area schools in order to receive a lower rate.
The GSU has spoken with faculty to gauge their support for changes in graduate student healthcare.
"The faculty so far appears to be really supportive of us," Minerick said. "A lot of them feel that to move Notre Dame to a more prestigious place we need to address the healthcare needs of graduate students."
Burgos, Deshpande and Minerick say they are looking for the opportunity to present their ideas before the board.
"This is really important because our chances for subsidization … are achievable," Burgos said.
"The fact that we get an opportunity to speak in front of the Board of Trustees speaks of the support the administration has given us," said Deshpande.
The group is preparing an oral presentation consisting of slides, information booklets, and videotaped testimonials from Notre Dame graduate students. The GSU has also obtained data from The Chronicle for Higher Education that compares stipends and school coverage of health care premiums at 61 American institutions that they intend to present.
"We had a person [at GSU Orientation] speak up and say they were told not to go to Notre Dame because of the health care provided," Minerick said. "We hope to convince [the board] that this is an issue important to take up."
In other GSU news:
u The GSU is continuing negotiations with OIT over this year's paper-rationing policy. Sameer Vijay, GSU information technology representative, does not feel that the 1000 sheet allowance is adequate for graduate students. Vijay will resign from his post after he completes this and other projects he is currently pursuing due to an increased academic workload.
u The publicity and promotions committee launched their corporate logo design contest. The contest is set to run until Oct. 31 and is open to all full time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Indiana colleges and universities. The grand prize is a $150 cash prize.
u The GSU began their meeting with a moment of silence to remember the tragedies of Sept. 11.
"The events of Sept. 11 have clearly had an impact on all of us," Deshpande said.
All News Stories for Wednesday, October 3, 2001
