GSU lobbies for new handbook
By ANDREW THAGARD
News Writer
The Graduate Student Union plans to work with representatives from the MBA program and law school to draft a graduate student handbook, replacing the current graduate and undergraduate du Lac rulebook.
Members of GSU, law and MBA programs met with Bill Kirk, director of Residence Life, Jeff Shoup, director of Residence Life and Housing and James Powell, dean of the Graduate School to discuss the need for a handbook of rules applicable only to graduate students.
"We don't want to be treated as kids," Kishori Deshpande, GSU vice-president, said. "We're all adults and we know how to behave in situations."
The idea to create a separate graduate student handbook arose from GSU concerns over the tailgating policy, first brought up by Tracy Kijewski-Correa. Notre Dame Security/Police enforced du Lac's tailgating rule and some graduate, MBA and law students were cited although they were of legal drinking age.
The committee's purpose is to evaluate what rules should refer to graduate students and place them in a separate handbook to avoid future confusion.
"There are many instances where du Lac doesn't apply to grad students," said Gabriela Burgos, GSU president.
GSU hopes to assist in forming the committee as soon as possible.
In other GSU news:
u The GSU Information Technology Committee has reached an agreement with OIT over paper allowances at University computer clusters. OIT initially allotted each graduate student 1000 sheets per year – identical to the undergraduate amount. OIT has now agreed to extend that allowance to a maximum of 3000 sheets for the remainder of the school year.
u Suzann Gallagher will not return to her position as GSU elections, credentials and procedures secretary. Gallagher has decided to take a leave of absence, citing personal and family reasons.
"I want to thank everyone for the help this semester," she said during the Tuesday night meeting.
All News Stories for Wednesday, December 5, 2001
