The Social Welfare Graduate Assembly (SWGA) minutes 2.7.2006

I. Amy Lapan
Amy Lapan introduced herself to SWGA reps and officers to let them know that she is the person to see if there are any concerns or issues that anyone may have about the program. She has an open door policy and is willing to resolve things with SWGA members. She also encouraged committee members to go to their respective meetings. Contact her if you are a committee rep and haven’t heard from your chair. Her email is Alapan@berkeley.edu

II. 1st Annual Social Science Colloquium
This will be held on February 28. Contact Melissa Murphy if you have any questions.

III. Class (Bus) Pass
The pass that students use for free bus transportation is being voted on February 21, 22, and 23. So vote if you don’t want to lose your free bus privileges. Contact Melissa Murphy for more info!

IV. YMCA!
The YMCA in Berkeley is reducing their membership fees for Cal students. They have a gym and offer classes such as yoga, dance, etc.

V. Graduate Social Club Event
There is a wine and cheese party being facilitated by the graduate division. This is an opportunity to meet with and mack on other graduate students from different departments. Contact Melissa Murphy!!!

VI. Alumni Association Meeting
There will be a Career Fair on March 6 so all hope won’t be lost for us broke grad students. Also, an alum is supposed to be nominated for alum of the year.

VII. Medical Providers
A list of medical providers in the area is being created in the school of Public Policy. Kari volunteered to work with the school of Public Policy so that we will have access to the information as well. Contact Kari if you’re interested in helping her with this project. We need dentists!

VIII. Graduation Committee
The first year students will be giving their second year pals a good bye and good luck (with finding a job) present. We need to fundraise for their class present. The first years will also be hosting a party for the graduating class so we need volunteers. Contact Gilda or Andrea if you want to help send the second years off with a BANG!

IX. The Constitution of Social Welfare
In order for SWGA to receive funding from the Graduate Assembly, we have to update our Constitution of Social Welfare for them. One student representing SWGA will have to go to the Office of Student Life in Sproul Hall to be the contact person for the constitution. Three other signatories will have to sign the document electronically after the first signatory (the contact person) goes to the Office of Student Life. One signatory goes to a brief training session, which is offered multiple times a week. For more information, contact OSL@berkeley.edu. Allison, Jennifer, Melanie, and Elena have agreed to do this.

X. Dean Midgley
Melanie and Allison had a meeting with the dean. They specifically talked about the search for a new dean. The first attempt was a targeted search, which entails recruiting deans across the country. There is one dean from the University of Michigan who might be interested in the position and will be visiting the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare. So, if you are an expert schmoozer, then please join Allison and Melanie in greeting this person while s/he is visiting. Contact either Allison or Melanie.
If the targeted search does not lead to an appointed dean, a dean committee will be created next year. Professor Midanik would be acting as the dean.

XI. Sherman Boyson
The lady who accused Boyson last semester filed lawsuits against the school, claiming institutionalized racism. However, they have been thrown out due to insufficient evidence.
Sherman has not been suspended. It was recommended to the school that Boyson not be fired because it may look suspect. The dean was very receptive to the letter that was written about the issue. He thought it was well-written.
The School of Social Welfare will hire an outside person to evaluate the situation and provide consultation. The dean will report back to Melanie and Allison about the results, and they will report that information back to the rest of the students.
The faculty have talked about having a discussion about the situation.

XII. Potential Symposium
Allison was talking with Professor Austin about a symposium in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. that will discuss issues of power, diversity, and any other pertinent topics. It could be held the Tuesday after MLK day next year.
A Proposal with a timeline will be constructed by the Symposium Committee for administration.
The Symposium Committee consists of Melanie Alford, Allison Sparks, Raena McBride, Lynea Scheiberlich, Jen Uldricks, Jennifer Huphrey, Elena Foshay, Jenn Morazes, Nicole Holland, Gilda Mansour, and Michelle Morales.

XIII. Curriculum
Elena met with Bart Grossman to discuss the importance of student representation in committee meetings. The curriculum committee meets once a semester so please try to attend them. SW 275 will be broken down into separate classes so future students will not have to enroll in the general diversity class. Instead, they will have the option of taking a several other classes that focus on specific populations such as the Latino community or disabled individuals. Unfortunately, there will be no flex exam provided. SW 240 will be an entire semester long (as opposed to the eight weeks we had) in order to include other topic s such as cultural competency and diversity. There will be some changes with SW 241 but they have not announced what those changes are.
Also, there are two ways to add any international classes to the curriculum. Individuals can go through the curriculum committee, which would take around two years. The alternative method is to initiate a SW 298 pilot course. This entails a group of students to find a professor to facilitate the class. If the SW 298 course gets organized two years in a row, the faculty will consider it for a permanent course.

XIV. Field Placement
Alicia is requesting that the concentration reps will be able to provide some feedback about the field placement process, the field placement, and the classes related to field placement. Each rep will conduct a brief survey during seminars. Alicia will email a series of questions to the reps. The gerontology rep was not available to attend the meeting so someone will have to contact Amy to let her know.

XV. Mission/Vision Statement
Michelle suggested that we create objectives for the year and draft a vision statement. For the next meeting, people should have read the mission statement that is online on the SWGA website so that people will have ideas for a vision statement.

XVI. Lobby Days
If you or anybody you know is still interested in Lobby Days please contact Leticia at Shorteash@yahoo.com or Stephen at Bruners2000@yahoo.com. Also, SWGA can provide a scholarship for one lucky individual. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to lobby and network.

XVII. Hurricane Katrina
The Habitat for Humanity is recruiting 2000 people to help with the clean up of the disaster site. There is a six day commitment, which you can schedule (i.e. during spring break). Contact Jennifer Morazes for more info.

XVIII. Social Events
Gilda and Andrea are planning to have a bonfire or happy hour event. There will also be an end of the year party, which could include sigos (significant others) and children. Let either Gilda or Andrea know when a good date for the social event is.

XIX. Fundraiser
Jennifer Ling mentioned a fundraiser for St. Patrick’s Day for SWGA. We will discuss it more in detail after the second meeting.