Inside the Current Issue

DSC Welcomes Students Back

The Doctoral Students' Council (DSC) extends a hearty welcome to students new to the CUNY Graduate Center. To those who were away for the summer we say, Welcome back! The DSC is a council of student representatives from all academic programs. Each program elects representatives to the DSC, the number of which is determined on a proportional basis according to the number of students enrolled in the program. There are also at-large representatives elected by the student body as a whole. This council exists to serve student needs and represent student interests before the GC administration. Please visit our recently revamped web page: http://dsc.gc.cuny.edu. You can also get there by going to www.gc.cuny.edu and clicking on "Current Students," and then click on "Doctoral Students' Council." On our page you will find more in-depth information regarding some of what appears below.

Save the Wellness Center!

One of the most important student resources at the Graduate Center is the Wellness Center. Today's graduate students rely on the free medical and counseling services provided by the Nurse Practitioner and her trained staff. Unfortunately, due to a lack of continued funding, the Wellness Center will close at the end of the fall semester unless we act now. The administration is willing to cover roughly 50% of the operating costs of the Wellness Center if the Student Activity Fee is increased by $12 per student per semester, starting in the spring. In order to increase the Student Activity Fee, students must act together by voting "yes" in the referendum. (Of course, even if you oppose the increase we still encourage you to vote. Democracy is more important than the Wellness Center.) The referendum will occur by mail and in person during late September and early October. Have you voted yet?

Tuition Remission

Thanks to the hard work of President Kelly and the leadership of the Doctoral Students' Council, CUNY Central will be funding $1.17 million in tuition remission for mid-level doctoral students employed in CUNY as instructors or lab techs. The funds will be divided equitably between programs. Are you a mid-level student who works in CUNY? Check with your Executive Officer to arrange for immediate tuition remission!

Student Advocacy

The DSC urges all students to meet their program's representatives. During the course of your study here at the GC it is very likely that you will encounter problems or have questions about some facet of student life. Perhaps you think the cafÿ needs better lighting, or maybe you're frustrated with the computer system. Your DSC rep is the point person and will listen to problems like this and bring them before the monthly plenary meeting where an effective solution will be debated.

Social Events

Studying at the graduate level can be stressful and we know students need a break to chat, eat snacks or get a groove on. This is why we hold a variety of events (coffee hours, two parties, various workshops) in our social lounge, located in room 5414. Please watch this page of The Advocate for specific dates and times for these free events. Also, there is an ongoing effort to develop the social lounge into a place for students to relax and spend time together, so if you have old board games or (especially) a used foosball, ping-pong, or pool table, please let us know.

Chartered Organizations

We sponsor chartered organizations and endow them with discretionary funds. A list of chartered organizations is provided om page 10 so that you may find any group whose focus matches yours. Don't see a group for your interest? Then contact the DSC for information on starting a new chartered organization.

Departmental Allocations

We also provide funds for students in each program to spend as they see fit (lectures, parties, journal subscriptions, etc.). The application forms for funds are available in the hallway outside room 5495 and may be downloaded from the DSC web page. Please submit completed forms to the Co-Chair for Business.

Grants

The DSC provides (or has advocated that the administration provide) the following grants:

• Travel and Research Grants Matching Funds Program
• Cultural Affairs Grants
• Graduate Research Grants Program

For more information, visit us in room 5495 during our office hours or call us at 817-7888.

Discount Movie Tickets

DSC also provides discount movie tickets for $6 each, payable by check only. These coupons are good for movies (well, at least those that have been out for at least a week) showing at Lowes Theatres (although there is an additional $1 surcharge in Manhattan).

IR Workshops

The Information Resources Department offers free workshops to interested members of the community in a variety of computing areas; additionally, they are constantly looking to hire new workshop instructors. Call (212) 817-7370 for more information.

Please visit us in room 5495 during our office hours or call us at (212) 817-7888.

Stephanie Domenici-Cabonargi,
Co-Chair for Student Affairs
Tina Lee, Co-Chair for Business
David Hamilton Golland, Co-Chair for Communications