The Graduate Student Association recently announced the Travel Fund Award recipients and a possible future health insurance benefit in their monthly meeting.
The president of the GSA, Samuel Morton, told the attendees of the meeting that the award committee had met and decided on whom would receive financial assistance. The funding is for graduate students attending conferences to present original research and to participate in conference activities and short courses.
Thirty-three awards equaling $7,450 were announced, but Morton said many applications were not filled out correctly.
In fact, Morton said every application that was filled out correctly was awarded money. However, 26 applications were filled out incorrectly and were rejected.
“I didn’t include the names of the people who got an award because they haven’t been informed yet,” Morton said.
Morton said he would try to bring a sample application to the next GSA meeting and show what parts had to be completed.
“Several applications weren’t signed by the dean of the college,” Morton said. “And, those were rejected.”
Vice President Sid Collins announced the potential health insurance benefit later in the meeting to more than 20 students who attended the meeting.
“We’re working out the details and you will probably have to meet a certain amount of hours course load,” Collins said. “(Graduate teaching assistants), (teaching assistants) and possibly (research assistants) depending on funding issues will probably receive health insurance as a benefit next year.”
Collins, who also chairs the student health and advisory committee, said spouses and dependents will have to be worked out, but would likely cost extra.
Though he seemed excited about the possible health insurance benefit, Collins said he had received no suggestions about the health policy from students.
“You have got to get me any information and concerns that you have about the student health policy,” Collins said. “We have our own insurance (representative) and that person’s sole job is to go and kick butt and take names with the insurance company.”
He said he understood most students were not aware of the benefits or drawbacks of the policy because, unless ill, they never use the policy. But, he had a suggestion.
“Go look at the Web site at the student policy and compare it to the health policy you have now,” Collins said. “Absent any complaints, we’re going to think we’re doing a wonderful job and pass it on like it was this year.”
