Daily Bulletin

Grad students get house in order

But, he says, changes the GSA embarked on three years ago have turned the tide in the downslide of the Grad House, and created a firmer foundation on which to build.

GSA vice-president of operations Dan Piche, left, and president Jason McLean hope to concentrate more efforts on student services this year, now that the Grad House is on firmer ground.

For the first time since 1991, sales at the Grad House are expected to increase this year. That small victory was achieved, in part, by "streamlining expenses," improving food services, and overhauling GSA accounting procedures.

That's the good news the GSA executive had hoped to tell its members at a recent town hall meeting, organized to give grad students an informal forum to provide feedback on the changes. Dan Piche, vice president of operations, ordered pizza for 50. Only eight students showed up.

"We put everything on the table, the budget, plans for the future. We tried to be open," says Piche. While McLean admits he's disappointed with the turnout, both he and Piche expect it means members are happier with the operation of the GSA and Grad House.

Certainly the picture seems rosier than a year ago when the GSA considered closing the Grad House to stem the flow of red ink. Shock, outrage, as well as offers of support greeted the announcement.

Since then, says Piche, "changes have been implemented to make the House more accountable." A new fund accounting system provides up-to-date tracking of separate budget lines for the Grad House, GSA, and capital fund. As well, the fee paid by grad students has been split into two parts, one for the association and one for the House. Students who have religious or other objections to paying the Grad House fee may request a refund of that portion.

In an attempt to pare expenses, the number of Grad House staff was reduced and the number of positions on the GSA executive cut. The governing structure of the association was changed to create a board to deal with financial matters, with a council handling political issues. A separate Grad House advisory board was established to provide continuity of management. Along with GSA representatives, members of the university administration act as a "treasure chest of Grad House operational knowledge to assist future students."

To boost business at the Grad House, a kitchen was added a year ago and the smoking room was renovated. This year, the executive will focus on improving marketing for the Grad House and increasing the number of affiliate memberships sold. Anyone not a grad student or alumni grad student may purchase a membership for $10 per term.

While much of the attention of the GSA during the past year has focused on the survival of the Grad House and related financial issues, the executive is hoping the coming year will allow more work to be done on other fronts, including critical academic and political issues.

On the top of McLean's agenda will be "nurturing the GSA/GSO (graduate studies office) relationship" to best serve students. He's also looking forward to working with UW's new president, David Johnston. "It's going to be an exciting time for grad studies," he predicts.

Canadian beliefs: 1,256 items listed

The UW library has published Canadian Social Attitudes and Beliefs 1972-1997: A Select Bibliography as #20 in its series of bibliographies. It sells for $25 from the Davis Centre library office. The bibliography was compiled by Shabiran Rahman, who is reference and collections development librarian for sociology and psychology, and sociology professor Ron Lambert.

Says a brochure explaining the 125-page work: "This work provides a selective bibliography of publications on Canadians' social attitudes and beliefs published from 1972 through 1997. The bibliography provides the beginning researcher with an introduction to some of the scholarly resources available on the topic. Covering a span of twenty-five years, the 1,256 entries include scholarly books and journal articles. Some doctoral dissertations, master's theses, and government documents have also been included."

It's organized into ten categories, including Social Categories and Groups, Social Institutions, Environment, Public Policy, Lifestyle Issues, Native Canadians, and Gender and Sexuality Behaviour. Included is "a descriptor index that will assist the researcher in locating citations on more precise topics".

Where to eat on campus... and more

Electrical and computer engineering staff and faculty tee off at noon today in the department's golf tournament, which offers "prizes for everyone" and concludes with dinner.

The folks at human resources are celebrating Sue Koebel's big 4-0 today. "Your colleagues... wish you a very happy birthday on this very special day," says one.

Second Company, which has presented The Secret Garden and Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street on campus this summer, is moving to the Centre in the Square Studio in downtown Kitchener for its one-week run of Candide in Concert. The musical, featuring what the company describes as "Leonard Bernstein's most vibrant and brilliant score," opens Wedensday, August 18, at 8 p.m. and offers evening performances through Saturday, August 21. A matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 22. Tickets ($16 and $12) are available from the Centre in the Square box office, 578-1570.

Barbara Elve
bmelve@uwaterloo.ca

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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