The Social Welfare Graduate Assembly (SWGA) minutes 4.7.2006

I. Announcements
The Students of Aging group is having a roundtable discussion on Monday, April 10, 2006. Members from different schools on campus are attending.
The slide show for graduation will cost at least $1,000 for rental equipment, insurance, etc. Some alternatives to the graduation slide show include collages of social welfare students posted on walls or a mini-slideshow in the lobby. An alternative will most likely be cost-effective. However, if anybody knows anyone who could hook SWGA up with free or cheaply priced slideshow equipment please let a SWGA officer know.
If anyone is interested in helping the Ron Dellums mayoral campaign, contact Letitia at Shorteash@yahoo.com.

II. Graduation 2006
Gabriella Fisher will be the keynote speaker for the 2006 Graduation. Also, a first year will be given a seven-minute speech during graduation, which has yet to be elected. For next year, the 2007 graduation committee might consider establishing a criteria for how they elect the first year speaker for their graduation.
The fellowship drive for one of the first year students is still being collected by the second years. As of April 7, 2006, the second year students have raised $136. They hope to raise over $1,100, which is how much the year before them raised.

III. Alumni Association
Teacher of the Year is Robert Ayasse. For the Annual Alumni Dinner, Veronica Perez will be giving a speech and awarding Robert with his plaque. Thanks to Jennifer L., Carolyn, and Kristina for counting the votes. If you have anything you would like to contribute to the speech or you would like to present with Veronica, please contact Veronica at Stumblywumbly@hotmail.com.
The Annual Alumni Dinner is $25 and everyone is invited. It is on April 28, 2006, 6PM to 9PM at the Faculty Club, Heyns Room. Faculty might be able to sponser students’ dinners!
Also, volunteers are needed to table for this event! If you would like to help, please contact Veronica for the date and time.

IV. MSW/PhD program
The MSW/PhD committee had a meeting in which they found out that there are four MSW/PhD representatives total. The committee decided to have only one representative affiliated with SWGA and another representative for the PhD program. Five topics were discussed during the meeting:
1. Scheduling of classes- making the system easier for MSW/PhD students to know what classes they should take
2. The advising system is confusing
3. Communication about/with the committee- The MSW/PhD reps found out about the committee late into the semester
4. Field Work- PhD students have to do field work over one summer. However, there is no financial aid to cover expenses during the summer so it might be better to shift the field placement into the third year of the program.
5. Combined MSW/PhD students have no transparent funding because PhD students take precedence.

The MSW/PhD committee will be setting up a buddy system similar to the MSW students. There have been two admitted MSW/PhD students for next year.

V. Bake Sale
Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to table and bake/buy goods. SWGA raised a total of $340 in two days. The next fundraiser will be at the end of the semester followed by another fundraiser at the beginning of the upcoming school year.

VI. Lobby Days
Attendees of Lobby Days reflected on their experiences at the event. There was around 600 people who participated. They met with social work students from other schools and became familiar with the legislature process. It is highly recommended that social welfare students attend next year.
Unfortunately, there is no incentive for faculty to promote for and encourage students to participate in Lobby Days. However, more UC Berkeley students are recommended by other students to attend to better represent the school.

VII. MSW Curriculum
There is a meeting at the end of April so if you have any pressing issues about the curriculum please contact Elena Foshay at EFoshay@berkeley.edu.

VIII. Executive Committee Meeting
Instrumental changes will be made for SW 240 and SW 275. Amy Lapan is organizing focus groups to gather information about the curriculum from the students. She will be working with SWGA to facilitate these groups.
International Awareness Studies is being advocated by Dean Midgley to officially become a concurrent degree with Social Welfare within the next two years. Dean Midgley only knows of four students who have graduated with the dual degree since he has been with the school of Social Welfare.
There has been a growing problem with the human subjects issue. Social welfare students cannot implement their SW research studies on clients at their field placements. It is a liability issues that falls on the responsibility of the School of Social Welfare. Midgley is trying to get UC Berkeley to take liability instead of the School of Social Welfare.

IX. Community Partnership Meeting
This meeting is held by the School of Social Welfare once a semester. Community leaders and potential donors are invited. Two graduate students presented their research projects.
Paula Alan Meyers, the Dean of Michigan, visited the School of Social Welfare. It does not seem promising that she will take on the Dean position at Berkeley. Professor Midanik is still stepping in as an interim Dean.

X. Symposium
There is a dire need for non-MAP students to participate in organizing the symposium because the other concentrations are being underrepresented. Furthermore, there is a need for more men because the male perspective is lacking. The next meeting will be held April 11, 2006 at 630PM at Lavelle’s.
Also, concentration reps have agreed to talk about the symposium during their upcoming seminars.

XI. Orientation 2007
Allison, Andrea, Gilda, and Barbara Haden will be meeting on April 25 to discuss orientation for the incoming first year students. The days that are available for SWGA events are August 21 to August 23. SWGA can pretty much do whatever they want to welcome these new students, such as a book fair.
A buddy system committee will be created soon. Concentration reps have agreed to also recruit for committed buddies during the next seminar. Having a meeting for students who are from other states was also suggested for the incoming first year students.

XII. Social Event
A small scale bonfire is in discussion for the end of the year social event. It will most likely be in San Francisco.
A social at Rallies is also being discussed to celebrate the last day of field placement on April 21. This event could also be used as a fundraising event. A suggested donations box could be passed around after everyone is a little bit tipsy to guarantee more money.