The Council of Graduate Students elected Jamie Depelteau president at a meeting Friday, deciding against Barbara Pletz in the only contested election for an executive position.
The council elected Depelteau to replace current CGS president J. Briggs Cormier. Depelteau, a graduate student in biomedical sciences, served as council treasurer during the past year. At the meeting, he expressed his intention to devote his time and dedication to the council.
“I intend to step up my efforts for all graduate students on campus,” Depelteau said.
Depelteau addressed several issues relevant to graduate students during a 10-minute question and answer session prior to elections, including compensation for health insurance. He said the council is working to increase subsidization for health care with the intention of achieving full coverage.
Current health care subsidization for graduate students is at 30 percent, and will increase to 50 percent next year.
“We have a word-of-mouth contract for 100 percent subsidization within five years,” Depelteau said.
He said the council needs to better publicize the efforts and accomplishments of CGS by increasing advertisement, holding larger functions and working more closely with the graduate school.
“CGS needs to be publicized to show the council’s effective advocacy of graduate students,” he said.
Depelteau said the graduate student council intends to serve as an open ear for all graduate students, receptive to problems or issues facing graduate students.
“They need to let us know so we can help them and work with them,” he said.
Barbara Pletz, Depelteau’s only opponent for the position, expressed similar sentiments on issues concerning health care subsidization and better publicity. She said the council needs to actively work toward involvement with the state legislature after its decision to cut funding by 40 percent.
Candidates for the positions of CGS vice president, secretary and treasurer ran unopposed.
Vice president Kerry Hodak maintained her office position by deciding to serve a second term. Hodak, a grad uate student in political science and law, thanked CGS senate members for their continual representation of the graduate student body.
She expressed her intention to attempt to recruit judges and participants for the research forum as well as establish better representation for both business and education graduate students. When asked why she decided to serve a second term rather than run for president, Hodak assured delegates she would be able to best represent the council as vice president.
The position of council secretary went to Cathy Baack. Baack, a graduate student in nursing, has participated in the research forum committee for the past two years.
Members voted Ann Farrelly into the position of council treasurer. Farrelly, a theater graduate student, previously served as the diversity chair under Cormier. Farrelly expressed her concern for current issues, specifically fair representation of the graduate student body.
