Duke GPSC - forum topic - Comments

Great Travel Agent at Travelersbest.com

lp42 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:54:43 -0400

I suggest talking to Joe Perez at Travelersbest.com. If there is someone that can help you, it is definitely him. 1-866-910-7327 ext. 301 Hope that helps.

I have a related question:

jw175 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:39:07 -0400

I have a related question: How am I covered under this mandatory plan when I return to my home country over break? Will I need an additional insurance at home for that period or am I covered just the same?

The problem trying to figure

lej6 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:55:18 -0400

The problem trying to figure this out is that there is no clear group or individual in charge of making the policy. Until recently, it's strictly been to the discretion of the Duke Card office in making the policy, but now it is unclear.

A major problem with any of these suggestions is that what people already do is simply have their roommates or alumni sign up as they are partners to get the services.

Do you have references to the policies at other universities? It would be much appreciated.

Former Dean Segal's legacy lives on

dmk16 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:18:48 -0400

The Graduate School will continue this coming school year with it's third year of paying for health insurance for most graduate students. The plan is that all students in qualified programs (you can tell most of the exceptions by those departments that don't require the health fee to be paid) who are enrolled in their first six continuous years of graduate study.

This was initiated by the former Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Lewis Segal for the school year 2006-07. The initial funding was actually from the Graduate School, who at the time had a reserve fund to pay for it. At that time the requirement was any Graduate Student who was funded by the University (fellowship, training grant, etc.) would be covered. Dr. Jo Ray Wright continued this tradition; however, with the startup funds gone, the Graduate School had to revise the criteria so that the money could be billed appropriately.

After several conversations with the Graduate School, their position is that this is a great benefit to the students and the University and they do not plan to change it.

Isn't the requirement

vaf2 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:53:38 -0400

Isn't the requirement at some schools merely an affidavit that you've been living together for X amount of time and have combined finances... that would work well for both same sex and heterosexual partners who are living together as though they're married.

Yes

lej6 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:08:00 -0400

The graduate school will be providing the health insurance for PhD students again. The caveat is, I think, that you are funded. i.e. if you are past your 5th year and the department isn't paying for you anymore, then you don't get it. If you have any questions about your particular situation, ask your graduate secretary.

No problems were reported

clg22 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:08:21 -0400

No problems were reported with Verizon or Alltel in Sanford (though that doesn't necessarily mean those carriers never have problems in that building). In general, Verizon and Alltel service is good throughout most of the campus. A few people did report problems with AT&T/Cingular in Sanford.

I had no problem getting a

clg22 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:47:59 -0400

I had no problem getting a mortgage on a stipend (of course, this was four years ago and things may be different now). I had not yet started grad school when I closed on my house, so they just required a letter from my department stating what my income would be. I would ask your DGS to write a letter, and show them last year's taxes and/or pay stubs if you have them.

If you are still having trouble finding a lender, I can look up the name of the mortgage agent I used, since I know he will work with someone on a stipend.

I'm getting a mortgage

smj14 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:18:13 -0400

I'm getting a mortgage through Bank of America. They've told me to send in old tax forms with my pay stubs, and they may need a letter from my adviser confirming that I am regularly paid, but otherwise it doesn't seem to be a critical issue.

I hope so

ebt7 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:18:03 -0400

I hope so - I never heard of an employer requiring health insurance before, and it'd be a big shock to our budgets if they dropped that support after a year.

GPSC update

ebt7 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:04:02 -0400

Lej6,

What has the executive board found out over the last month? I've gotten little or no feedback from my inquiries.

Door to Door?

lan4 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:23:12 -0400

Has anyone used a company called Door to Door for moving/stoage? Door to Door is similar to Pods, but ALOT cheaper. Thanks.

How is the Verizon and

gmt6 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:49:02 -0400

How is the Verizon and Alltel service in the Sanford building and in Duke Forest/American Village (where I'll be living)?

Great tip!

dp44 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:19:29 -0400

Thank you -- that is really good to know!

Thanks

djr12 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:44:08 -0400

Thanks for the info, digging around I also found this from the OIT website for the minutes of a Sept 20, 2007 meeting: (http://www.oit.duke.edu/itac/minutes/2007/70920minutes.html)

"OIT plans an opportunistic build out in order to use Duke dollars wisely. Alltel and Verizon have contributed significantly. Duke OIT plans to guarantee 95% coverage 95% of the time.

When the project is complete, there should be Verizon, Alltel and Congular/AT&T access throughout the Duke campus. Duke accesses these three wireless service providers via directional antennas located on the top of the Telecom building and Duke hospital.

...

Bob responded that Duke is going live with upgraded Cingular/AT&T coverage in a few days. Once this is done there would be equivalent access to all three Duke wireless partners."

So maybe things are fixed by now, or are at least being worked on to get Alltel, Verizon and AT&T coverage improved in Duke buildings. I am guessing one of those three would still be a better bet than T-Mobile at this time, anyway.

For what it is worth, T-Mobile bought Suncom, which is why I was picking up those towers and is how they plan to expand into Durham. Given that and my experience with the Suncom towers already, I doubt it will get much better any time soon.