The Social Welfare Graduate Assembly (SWGA) minutes 3.7.2006

I. Check In
a. Eth6
Eve, a second year, is working on an interdisciplinary magazine to address social justice issues with journalism graduate students called Eth6. The magazine comes out on May 2nd, and it explores the dynamic between the media and social welfare toward social change and social justice issues. There was a colloquium scheduled nest Monday, but it was canceled. It might be rescheduled for the following week. Contact Eve at eve_eckman@yahoo.com

b. Graduate Assembly meeting
The free bus pass for Cal students passed, and will be initiated for at least another ten years. However, the construction of a new building off campus did not pass. The Recreational Sports Facility is planning to reduce the cost of membership to $10 with an additional universal fee in the tuition. Cal Jobs and the campus committee are looking for graduate reps. Contact Mr. Daniels at committees@ga.berkeley.edu if interested! Also, there is a new graduate lounge at 440 Stevens Hall. The next graduate meeting will be held there on Monday, April 3, 2006.

c. Gerontology
Since Amy left the school of Social Welfare, JoAnn and Melissa are tentatively representing Gerontology. For anyone interested in gerontology issues, there is a Students in Aging Group on campus that meets four times a semester. The next meeting is on April 10 in room 4 of Haviland Hall from 4PM to 6PM. There will be professors from social welfare, public policy, and public health attending, including good ‘ole Andy Scharlach.

d. MSW/MPH dual degree
The MSW/MPH concurrent degree has been approved and the faculty are now writing the brochure for it now. This means that prospective students will have to apply to and get accepted into both schools simultaneously, rather than applying to one then the other the following year. This concurrent degree will begin Fall 2007.

e. PhD/MSW
Thus far, there have been no PhD/MSW committee meetings but the next one is scheduled for March 20. Also, the reps are planning to have an informal informational lunch/event for those of you who are interested in the PhD program.

f. Barbra Haden
SWGA raised $67, which was enough for a bouquet of flowers and a box of See’s Candies for Barbara. She sent out an email thanking everyone and was very appreciative of the kind gesture. Thank you for those who donated!

g. Executive Committee
Allison and Melanie are meeting with Dean Midgley on Wednesday, March 8. They will update the rest of us with any of the topics or issues that were discussed. The woman who is applying for dean will be visiting March 12, so let Allison or Melanie know if you are interested in schmoosing with them.

h. PPSC
A post-MSW PPSC program will be initiated next year. We already have one candidate for that program coming in next year. Some MSW students are applying late and are still being considered for the PPSC program this upcoming summer. Robert Ayas also created a survey for those who are participating in the PPSC program.

II. Curriculum
a. All of the concentration reps have been doing a good job collecting information from their fellow classmates about their specific concentrations. Alicia went to the field/practice committee meeting, which was productive. Alicia spoke up for the students and informed the faculty of the information that was collected. The faculty is still talking about the changes to S.W. 241. They might make it two semesters long or separate it into lecture and discussion sections. There is a follow up meeting scheduled. Intercultural group work has also been approved as an elective course.
b. For international classes, the international caucus is working with other schools to increase options for international classes.
c. Alex is the policy rep, and she wants to collect student’s opinions and thoughts on the policy courses they are currently taking. She also wants ideas on what important questions to ask students. Email her at abcd@berkeley.edu.

III. Bake Sale
a. Jennifer Ling is organizing a bake sale to raise funds for the diversity symposium and the second year gift. This will be on Monday, March 20 and Tuesday, March 21. Please sign up to table or volunteer with Jennifer
IV. Volunteering Event
a. To represent the School of Social Welfare, a volunteering event will be organized with agencies in the area. These agencies could be our field placements, or not. Gilda will work with Michelle to compile a list of cooperating agencies, which they will send out through email.

V. Graduation/Class gift
a. The second years want the first years to give something that is at least $150. They are thinking of having the first years buy a plaque for the dean and a present for Barbara in their name. Other ideas included a fancy slide show with all their pictures or a piece of artwork that is dedicated to them from the first years.
VI. Symposium
a. The symposium to recognize Martin Luther King Day was voted to be on Wednesday, January 17, 2007. Elena and Gilda talked to Bart Grossman, who supported the idea. The symposium will have different workshops that illustrate an overall theme such as “diversity” or “social justice.” At the end of the workshops, a dinner will be available to attendees in order to facilitate some kind of discussion about the workshops. This would be open to other universities and other graduate schools on campus.
b. The theme of the symposium will be voted on by the student body.
c. It will not be a mandatory event. However, people will be held accountable because they will be encouraged to sign up for a specific workshop that will have a limited number of seats. Therefore, that person will have reserved their space.
d. A long list of potential funders has been created. The projected amount needed is $3,000.
e. The idea of starting small was suggested. Maybe the School of Social Welfare could have a symposium for only the social welfare students and utilize field placement supervisors, professors, and competent classmates to facilitate workshops.
f. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 21 in the SWGA office at 6PM.
g. If you want the minutes from the last meeting, contact Elena at Efoshay@berkeley.edu

VII. Mission Statement
a. Michelle likes the mission statement.
b. For the next meeting, SWGA can come up with methods to bring the mission statement to life. In other words, we need to come up with ways to get non-officers more involved in SWGA.
VIII. Open Discussion
a. A slide show for our graduation was discussed and Yael would like to take pictures of all of our lovely faces for it. So, don’t be bewildered or confused of you see Yael taking photos of people sitting in class, hanging out in the lounge, using the restroom, etc.
b. Hardly anyone responded to Gilda and Andrea’s social event email so no bonfire for you! Contact either one of them if you’re interested in partying later this year.