ASUW Joint Commissions Committee Meeting

ASUW Joint Commissions Committee Meeting

February 10, 2006

HUB 304D

Call to order at: 12:46pm

Present: Absent:

Jayme Ballard Tricia O’Konek

Marinda Bethay Patrick Pineda (excused)

Howard Kim (late)

Chris Paredes

Gregor Stoddard

Jen Caldwell (late)

Christina Cooper

Hala Dillsi

Anna Gonsalvo

Ted Stone

Vanessa Vassall

Public Forum:

Racism Forum

Anna Gonsalvo said that the idea is to have a campus-wide forum where students from all groups on campus can discuss their everyday experiences. She wants to discuss the things that are subtle and that one is not sure is racism but want to speak up about it. She wants this to be inclusive for everyone in order to increase cohesiveness.

Gregor Stoddard asked if this is a forum where we could talk about sexism and homophobia or is this just for racism. Anna Gonsalvo said hopefully this can become a quarterly thing and it’s a rough draft. She wanted to present it as something that she would want to make happen but she would need the help of many groups around campus.

Vanessa Vassall said thatRusty Barcelo is holding a forum similar to this one that is still being planned but the date is not set. The one on the 22nd is only for students of color and the next one is for all students and Dr. Emmert is going to be there and a lot of other leaders on campus. Anna Gonsalvo- said she should contact them to see if she can help with that. Students are voicing their opinion of other students. Vanessa Vassall asked what happens with the information after the forum. Gregor said that we can begin a dialogue about what it means to be a minority student. She said we’re not going to fill Kane Hall, so a more intimate structure would be better. Jayme said that a lot of these places have internal problems and need to have these talks on their own. The people who come are the people who already are socially aware. She said that we aren’t going to get people to come to this because they are not aware of their racism. We’re just talking and its not effective conversation. Vanessa suggested that we structure the forum as a conference with break-out sessions. Hala Dillsi said that people say they’re going to come but the day of don’t show up. The best way to get students to come is to get leadership to commit. Talk to Senate officers, RHSA exec board, IFC leadership, etc. Promote it as a come to learn from each other type of event. Market it as conference-style. Gregor said people need to understand each other and support each other. Don’t “other-ize” people. This forum could be a good step to move forward but we need to rethink how to structure this.

BOD Forum at the ECC

Hala Dillsi said that a letter had been e-mailed out by Nik and asked each director to try to bring 5 constituents. There will be a BOD meeting from 4:30-7pm then forum from 6-7pm. This is an opportunity for constituents to come and give suggestions about what the BOD is doing right, what the BOD could do more of. She asked that the directors please send out to RSO lists and also send her a list so that we can get the information out.

Chris Paredes asked if Hala was going to follow up with the e-mailing.

Hala Dillsi said that she would and keep then for contacts in the future. She also asked that the directors let her know what meetings they attend. She said that this is a great opportunity to hear what students are thinking. The Daily forum earlier this year was targeted towards entities housed in the ECC and how publication could be better. It went well and ASUW wanted to do something similar. She asked everyone to let her know any questions or requests for information so that she could get it to people.

Christina Coop asked if a facebook announcement was going to be used as part of the advertising. Hala said she would look into it.

Announcements:

Senate Update- Holistic Admissions is up for vote in the Senate next Tuesday so attend if you are able.

BSC- Miss Black and Gold, buy your tickets in advance money goes to scholarships. Winner from here goes to regionals; Comedy Show February 17

Coop- HUB crawl next Thursday, need help decorating so contact Coop if you want to lend a hand. Events start at 10pm and end at 2am. Need help cleaning up afterward. Let constituents know.

La Raza- Networking night on February 24th

ASC- changing Bite of Asia around so bringing it up to constituents

GBLTC- First Ever Ally Week- February 21-24th- get your t-shirt from Gregor