October 3, 1998 Minutes

UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business

Present:
Abbott Deb - UCSC, dabbott@cats.ucsc.edu
Archibald, Sarah - UCSD and UCLGBTA Co-Chair, sarchibald@ucsd.edu
Browning, Christine - UCI, cmbrowni@uci.edu
Fidler, Debi - UCB, fidler@hass.berkeley.edu
Hwang, Alan - UCD, akhwang@ucdavis.edu
Mallen, Janet - UCSB, queerpeer@ucdavis.edu
Sanlo, Ronni - UCLA, sanlo@ucla.edu
Subasic, Allison - UCD, afsubasic@ucdavis.edu
Walsh, Pat - UCI, plwalsh@uci.edu
White, John - UCSD, jwhite@ucsd.edu
Winters, Jonathan - UCB and UCLGBTA Co-Chair, jjwintrs@uclink2.edu

Absent:
UC Riverside
LBNL
LLNL

Guests:
Jessea Greenman, UCB

I.      ANNOUNCEMENTS

A.      Thank you to UC Berkeley for hosting the Steering Committee meeting.  Thank you to UCB Graduate Student Association for contribution toward food.

B.      Pat Walsh plans to attend a Work/Life Symposium.  The Symposium will be held on October 22 and 23, 1998 at the Sheraton Newport Beach Hotel in Irvine. Organized by a steering committee composed of representatives from the campuses and laboratories in a number of relevant areas--including child care, elder care, employee relations, labor relations, benefits, faculty welfare, and academic personnel--the goal of the Symposium is to foster work/life programs at each campus and Laboratory by highlight current research and the best work/life practices from higher education and private industry.  Each campus has been asked to nominate 15 people to attend the Symposium.

C.      The next Steering Committee meeting will take place at UCLA during the Conference.  The Spring 1999 Steering Committee Meeting is tentatively scheduled at UC San Francisco; the date will be announced.   It is suggested that the Fall 1999 Steering Committee meeting take place at UC Riverside (alternate is UCSD).

II.     UC LGBT RESOURCE CENTER DIRECTOR'S MEETING

UC LGBT Resource Center directors met at UC Berkeley October 2, 1998 with representation from UCB, UCD, UCI, UCLA, UCR, UCSC, and UCSF.  Directors intend to meet the day before each UCLGBTA Steering Committee meeting (three times each year).  Directors discussed: 1) system-wide survey of LGBT Center resources and  2) Center programs and programming such as development, student internships, and staff education and development.  Mention was made of NGLTF Annual Creating Change Conference to take place in Pittsburgh during November 1998. 

The 1999 Creating Change Conference will take place in Oakland, CA.  A number of UCLGBTA SC members plan to attend Creating Change in Pittsburgh.

III.    UPDATE ON 10TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT UCLA.

Ronni Sanlo reported that UCLA is geared up for the annual conference.  Requests for presenters have gone out via list serves.  There has been a healthy response.  Themes include:  1) administrative aspects of queer studies; 2) student leadership; 3) contemporary issues. 

Partners include: GLSEN; HRC; United Airlines, City of West Hollywood.  The conference will take place  February 5-7, 1999.  Please refer to the  Conference web page at: http://www.ben2.ucla.edu/~sqib/ 

Meeting times are identified for the Steering Committee and GeneralAssembly.  Target audience includes 1) UC community; 2) CA higher education; 3) USA  higher education.   Members of the Steering Committee encouraged emphasis on Media Relations.  It was mentioned that the 1998 UCSC Conference budget totaled about $17,000 with a $3,500 surplus returned to University student related programs and services.  There was discussion that it might be useful for unexpended funds to be split between the host campus and UCLGBTA.

UC Santa Barbara was discussed as preferred campus for Year 2001 UCLGBTA Conference.

ACTION ITEM:  Ronni Sanlo agreed to send SC members the time for Steering Committee meeting and General Assembly

ACTION ITEM: John White agreed to construct talking points regarding appropriate use of University resources including State general funds.

ACTION ITEM: UC Davis was identified as the host campus for Year 2000 UCLGBTA Conference.  Dates chosen were February 11-13, 2000.

IV.     UCLGBTA/UCSA (UC Student Association) Joint Ventures
Communication is periodic between the two groups.  It was agreed that UCLGBTA SC would contact UCSA as needed to work jointly on projects of mutual benefit.  Examples are Housing Domestic Partner Benefits and Campus Resource Centers.

V.      UPDATES ON RESOURCE CENTER PROPOSALS:

UCSD. The Chancellor's Advisory Committee on LGBT Issues (CACLGBTI) submitted a formal proposal to establish an LGBT Resource Center to Chancellor Dynes during September 1998.  The proposal can be viewed at: http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/caclgbi/proposal.html.  The UCSD Chancellor is concerned about resource requirements and a proliferation of centers on campus.  UCSD SC members stated that they might make inquiries to other SC members as issues develop.  Chancellor at UCSD stated that he would contact other UC Chancellors regarding the request to seek advice. Prospect for acceptance to proceed with planning efforts by campus is uncertain.  CACLGBTI will continue to work with its Chancellor's Office.   SC members felt strongly that SAO IV was justified.  Members suggested that a Director, office, computer, and small operating budget would be needed at a minimum.

ACTION: Ronni Sanlo stated that she could send a copy of her NASPA Journal Article on Professionals staffing LGBT Resource Centers to UCSD.

ACTION:  Deb Abbott volunteered to send Sarah Archibald name and contact information of helpful Assistant Vice Chancellor  Student Services at UCSC.

UCB.  A part time Interim Director (Irene Nexica) has been hired by UCB.  There are complications regarding increased time due to instructor status.  Long term staffing plans are uncertain.  Students continue to provide support for UCB Resource Center. There are a large number of active student and faculty LGBT interest groups.

The Campus Advisory Committee (CAC) on LGBT Concerns is finalizing a proposal and job description for a full-time campus LGBT Center Director.  A meeting with Assistant Vice Chancellor Barbara Davis is scheduled on October 16, 1998.  Documentation will be shared, as it becomes available.

UCSB.  Administration is not open to the idea of a free standing facility for an LGBT Resource Center.  An interim room is now provided within the Women's Center.  A Queer Peer Intern position is funded.  A grassroots effort to place a request for funding on student ballot is underway.  SC members cautioned that such initiatives can back fire unless passage is guaranteed.  UCSB individuals continue to seek straight allies.  A Hate Crime Response Team in forming.    Educational posters regarding hate crimes are posted.  A web page is available at UCSB.

VI.     CAMPUS REPORTS

Berkeley.  A printed summary of UCB activities was distributed during the meeting.  Highlights include establishment of an HIV Positive support group and interim person hired to staff LGBT Resource Center.

Santa Cruz.  Deb Abbott reported that her LGBT Center Director position has increased to 84%.  The existing facility is serving LGBT campus community well (1,200 S.F.).  Significant campus education and outreach efforts are ongoing.

Irvine.  UCI LGB Resource Center is three years old and is successful.  Pat Walsh reported that the issue of adding Transgender to name of Center is unresolved.  Fundraising activities have increased.  Student interns are overseeing many projects.  A visibility campaign is underway.  Bob Gentry, long time member UCLGBT SC and Irvine rep. Has retired from the University.  It was recommended that he be invited to Annual Conference at UCLA for special recognition.

San Diego.  CACLGBTI is working closely with UCSD Cross Cultural Center and Women's Center to jointly sponsor programming.  CACLGBTI continues to distribute a very successful educational brochure "Straight Talk on Homosexuality."  Fundraising opportunities for a future campus LGBT Resource Center are being explored.

Davis.  A handout was distributed during the meeting.  Pride Week activities are plentiful.  The LGBT Resource Center will hire its first Coordinator.  The LGBT Center reports to Cross Cultural Center. 

Los Angeles.  UCLA LGBT Resource Center received very good coverage in The Advocate.  A 1998/99 calendar of events is completed.  A student leader roundtable and speakers bureau has been formed.  LGBT allies to its annual National Coming Out Day page in the Daily Bruin.  A new logo has been approved. LGBT@UCLA.EDU.  A mentor program in cooperation with Student Psychological Services has been established. 

Santa Barbara.  A Gay Grads program with TAs for LGBT undergrads has been launched.  An information exchange with SB Business Association is in place.  Undergrads have been accessing some services at SB Community Center.  A gay PTA is active.  The Queer Minor is popular.  An outside Queer Film Festival will be held on the UCSD campus in November.  LGBT working with Student Health Service.  Sanlo mentioned that NASPA conference would be taking place at UCSB November 6-7. 1998.

VII.    DOMESTIC PARTER BENEFITS UPDATE

A.      Housing.

Housing continues to be a real concern.  UCOP Student Affairs administrators are studying implementation of housing benefits.   It is still thought that priority will be given to any student with children.  An Item may go before The Regents in January 1999.  Variables include:  elections, elements of the program; and constituencies.  Students should advocate that the current Housing policy is discriminatory.  They should voice their experiences with stories to demonstrate the problem.  This was a successful strategy for DP health benefits work.  There is a need for UCSA to get involved.  Documentation of recruitment/retention problems resulting from lack of housing benefits should be gathered. 

ACTION:  Jonathan Winters volunteered to request a copy of the DP Housing Proposal from UCOP.

ACTION: It was recommended that each campus send out a call for cases (bad experiences).  It was also suggested that an e-mail be sent out to UCLGBT list serve, NGLTF list serve, and HRC list serve.

B.      Retirement Benefits. 

Bob Anderson from UCB is working with Academic Senate Faculty Welfare Committee to recommend extension of DP benefits to Retirement Program.   Target date for document is January 1999. 

ACTION:  SC members are asked to make a general call for issues of discrimination related to the UC Retirement System. 

C.      Family Medical Leave Act. 
It is thought that campuses are not offering this benefit to employees with domestic partners due to parallel with federal requirements as UC implementing procedure.  Debie Fidler provided SC members with a copy of UCB benefits plan, which does not include employees with DPs for FMLA.   Employees with legal spouses are entitled to 12 weeks leave under FMLA. 

The University of California Committee on Faculty Welfare passed recommendations in June 1998 for changes in the Academic Personnel Manual to equalize the treatment of spouses and domestic partners with regard to family medical leave.  UCOP is studying these recommendations, apparently sympathetically, and UCOP has promised to issue a draft proposal in time for the UC Faculty Welfare December 1998 meeting.  UCOP has indicated it desire to update the staff personnel policies at the same time.

ACTION:  SC members are asked to make inquiries with local Benefits Office and report back. 

VIII.   PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED BY-LAWS

It was agreed that changes to the UCLGBTA Constitution must be approved by the General Membership at a General Assembly.  Ad Hoc subcommittee recommended incorporation of (new) by-laws into the Constitution as a single document.  Important aspects of the by-laws were discussed.  It was agreed that the SC should identify Junior and Senior Co-Chairs plus a Recording Secretary. 

MOTION APPROVED (unanimously)

Ad Hoc Subcommittee is asked to make the changes discussed and to add by-laws to the Constitution.  Subcommittee is directed to post revised document on UCLGBTA SC List Serve.  There will be a two week input period, then Subcommittee is asked to send document electronically to campus representatives for mass distribution to UCLGBT general membership.   New Constitution must be voted on and approved at General Assembly at UCLA in February 1998 to take effect. 

IX.     DISCUSSION OF THREAT TO ETHNIC STUDIES AND QUEER STUDIES AT UC

There was a general discussion of a threat to Ethnic Studies and potentially Queer Studies at UC.  It was agreed that UCLGBT must follow the development of this issue closely.

X.      LIFE LOBBY DEMISE

It was suggested that California LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations and interests communicate on legislative issues and public policy via electronic list serves.

Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: John O. White UCSD Jwhite@ucsd.edu