Mike Crupi/THE POST Helen Thomas, right, talks to Mary Elizabeth Lasher Myers before signing her copy of "Front Row at the White House," a book Thomas recently wrote. Thomas, who was the first woman journalist to be named White House bureau chief, signed books after speaking at the Forum Theater Friday morning.

Ohio University's Graduate Student Senate announced its candidates for executive offices and discussed changes they want for next year at its meeting last night.

Running unopposed for president is GSS Vice President Jim Crawford. Nicholas Yardy, chemistry senator, is running unopposed for vice president.

Bill Sargeant, mathematics senator, and Damodaran Vedapuri, chemical engineering senator, are running for treasurer, and GSS newcomer Ruma Sen, an interpersonal communications graduate student, is running for secretary, Crawford said.

GSS elections are May 20. All graduate students can vote for undergraduate and graduate candidates.

Jacqueline Legg, student health services business manager, presented possible insurance plans for OU. Since Winter Quarter, GSS's International Health Care Committee has voiced graduate student concerns to Legg over OU's current health care insurance plan.

"All possible bids are less expensive than this year," Legg said.

In the revised plans, students who return to their native country will receive their premium back. Also, students can choose whether they want their spouse to be covered under the standard plan, even if they must be covered by the enhanced plan. Previously, spouses had to be covered by the same plan. The standard plan is $700 less expensive, she said.

"The details are not worked out and a decision will be made by the end of the week," Legg said.

The John Houk Memorial Research Grant Committee is in the process of reviewing its rules and selection for Spring Quarter recipients. There are 45 applications to be reviewed, committee member Mari-Vaughn Johnson said.

Johnson said there is about $10,000 left for grants. The committee started with $26,000 because of a surplus from last year. Every year the committee has $18,000 to award applicants in three quarters, she said.

This year is the first in the past five to 10 that the this much money was awarded to such a variety of proposals, she said.

Winners will be notified May 17.

The last GSS meeting of the year is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 23 in Baker Center.