The Graduate Student Association voted last night to ask the University to reserve Parking Lot 10 for graduate students.

All degree-seeking graduate students with office or laboratory space or responsibilities in west campus can apply for a space. The lot is located near the bus station on North Atherton Street.

GSA President Ken Martin said he will send the proposal to Assistant Vice President of University Safety David Stormer today.

"We want to work as quickly as possible," Martin said.

The permits will be distributed through GSA's office.

In other business, University President Bryce Jordan told the group that the quality of graduate education and research at Penn State has improved steadily in the past five years.

"Penn State's reputation as a graduate institution has been firmly established," he said.

Jordan said applications and enrollments at the University have increased since 1985 while federal support for graduate students has decreased.

Penn State ranked 25th in 1983 in the amount of sponsored research among universities, Jordan said, and has moved to 15th as of 1988.

"Graduate education and research cannot be pulled apart," he said.

GSA Treasurer Frank Miskiel questioned Jordan about proposed mandatory insurance for graduate assistants. Miskiel asked if money from the University-sponsored insurance plan could be used toward his already existing policy.

But Jordan said the insurance rates might then be more expensive.

A recent University decision states that insurance will be mandatory for graduate assistants and newly-enrolled international students beginning Fall 1990. The University will pay 80 percent of single coverage for graduate assistants, about $280, with the remaining paid by the student.

Miskiel said he does not think the remaining 20 percent should be deducted from his stipend if he chooses to keep his own insurance.

Stephanie Smith (graduate-bioengineering) asked Jordan what the University is planning to do about requiring training for teaching assistants.

"One part of our mission is to help TAs do their job better," Jordan said. He added that it is unfair to say all teaching assistants are poor but that it is a serious problem.

GSA also voted to donate $250 to the Student Challenge, part of the Campaign for Penn State, to support its international film series during the summer.