The Social Welfare Graduate Assembly (SWGA) minutes
October 3, .2006

Check In

a. Caucus Representative
Michelle set up a google web site that caucuses can use to schedule their meetings and reserve rooms. This will avoid double-booking for the same room and other mishaps.
-La Raza is having a conference on October 30 and 21.
-Caucus of International Awareness is documenting their efforts in creating a social welfare program that has more emphasis on international issues (which is a great idea!) for UC Berkeley. These documents will be handed to the new dean in order to foster the international focus for future MSW students at Berkeley.
-Queer Continuum had a Speak Out for National Coming Out Day.

b. Alumni Representative
There was a homecoming BBQ for alumni on October 7 at Memorial Glade. Socks were donated for homeless individuals.
Please give feedback about Career Day to Veronica (stumblywumbly@hotmail.com). Students who are interested in career help with interviewing, resumes, and the job market for social workers are welcome to talk to Veronica. We are looking for ideas to help MSW students with the job-seeking process before graduating.

c. Curriculum Representative
Elena is now the Human and Social Behavior Representative as well as the Curriculum rep.
Joanna was asked to attend the first curriculum meeting on October 10 by proxy because Elena has a midterm at that time.

d. Social Justice Symposium
Updated info on the symposium:
On January 17, MSW students can choose to either go to their field placements or the symposium. A Request for Proposals has gone out to solicit guest speakers and workshop facilitators. The exact location has not been finalized, but the committee is looking for a handicap-accessible venue to sustain a max of 200 people, with four separate rooms (for workshops). The venue must allow outside catering. If anyone has any ideas, please contact Gilda at smellslikecinnamons@hotmail.com.
$500 from the SF Foundation, $700 from the SWGA/SJ Symposium bake sale, and $500 from NASW, and funds from the School of Social Welfare are going toward the funds to support the symposium.

e. Elections for first year MSW officers and reps
Timeline:
Nov.6 – open nominations
Nov 14 - final nominations due
Nov 21 – candidates accept or decline from nominations
Nov 27 – open online election
Dec 5 – close online election
Dec 16 – Jan 16 – announce and confirm officers and representatives
Jan 16 – SWGA social
Feb 6 – first SWGA meeting

Nominees will send in a blurb about themselves and qualifications that will then be sent to the rest of the first-year students via email.
-Second-year representatives and officers will act as mentors who will guide first-year students into their positions.
-A person can self-nominate
-For a list of descriptions for each position, refer to the SWGA website. The descriptions list the emails of officers and representatives so you have the option of emailing anybody who has a position you may be interested in.
-Second year officers and reps who have not emailed Andrea with your SWGA hours, please do so now. Remember to exclude actual SWGA meeting hours.

f. Dean Search
The dean search committee has met twice. There are eight people in the committee, which include the Dean of optometry, professors from Social Welfare and Public Health, a PhD student in Social Welfare, and Allison.
After receiving the applications, the committee will narrow the search down to 4 to 5 candidates. These candidates will visit the school, then the dean will be decided.
There will be a dean search event October 17 at 6. The place is to be determined. During this event, individuals will be talking about their priorities for a dean and criteria for the search.
One representative from each caucus should attend the meeting or give the committee a written statement of their opinions. Email Allison at allisonsparks@yahoo.com

g. Calendar outside of SWGA office
Melanie created a big calendar that is posted outside the SWGA office. This calendar will be used for bake sales, events, and colloquiums. It will be up shortly.

h. Family Therapy Class
A petition has been distributed by LaVonda for two sections for of Family Therapy to be offered in the Spring 2007 semester. This petition will be brought to the attention of Professors Midanik and Grossman.

i. Students in Aging
Email Joanna at joannmack33@hotmail.com if you are interested in this topic. It is a good method of networking.

j. Graduation
Andrea will be meeting with Barbara Haden by the end of this month to discuss graduation. The formation of a graduation committee will be on the agenda for the next SWGA meeting. If you have pictures to submit for the graduation slide, send them to Gilda at smellslikecinnamons@hotmail.com.

k. Fundraising
Another social welfare t-shirt contest will be held soon. Last year, SWGA earned $450 off of t-shirt/sweater sales.
Other fundraising ideas include a restaurant night. If you have any other ideas please email Jennifer at jenniferling@berkeley.edu.
Also, the African Caucus is selling t-shirts to raise money for their caucus.

l. Diversity
According to data obtained through Allison and Melanie’s meeting with faculty, admission for minorities in the Social Welfare Program has significantly decreased. Last year, the percentage of incoming students of color was 44%, this year it is 26%. The diversity reps (Lavonda and Andrea) will develop a more formal forum to talk about this issue. Additionally, caucus representatives should become involved in this process as many of the caucuses focus on minority groups