Minutes 11-2-02
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November 2, 2002 Minutes

UC Berkeley

In Attendance
Berkeley: Bob Anderson; Billy Curtis; Jonathan Winters
Davis: Daniel Bayless; Sharon McDonell; Tobias Wolff
Merced: John White
Riverside: Nancy Jean Tubbs; Erik Ruggels; Christina Gonzalez; Vianey Ramirez
San Diego: Sarah Archibald; Barbara Estrada; Sean LaPerruque; Erica Lo; Shaun Travers
Santa Cruz: loo; Gill Keller; Beth Rees; Tam Welch
Office of the President: Emily Nalven

Absent
Irvine; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Santa Barbara; LANL; LBNL; LLNL;

Meeting was called to order at 10:25am

Introductions

Approval of minutes— Minutes from the spring meeting were circulated via listserv and all changes were incorporated. Minutes were approved without additional comment. Minutes from April 2002 are now on website. http://www2.ucsc.edu/uclgbtia

Appointment of Officers

Resignations were received from both Chair & Student Chair.

The Constitution for the Association makes provisions for Officer vacancies (Art.VII Sec.E.6) and allows the SCOM to appoint replacements. Process for appointment: Opened nominations for both positions.

Chair—Shaun Travers (UCSD) was nominated by Secretary Winters and seconded by Sarah Archibald. Shaun agreed to serve the remainder of Shane Snowdon’s term. There were no other nominees. Shaun was named by acclamation in a voice vote.

Student Chair—The issue of this appointment was tabled until afternoon session in order for students present to consider nominees. Previous nominees from 4.02 SCOM Meeting were not available or interested. Nominees made personal statements to their qualifications and interest in serving.

Daniel Bayless (UCD) and Sean LaPerreque (UCSD) self nominated. Both were granted several minutes to make a statement to the SCOM.

Vice Chair Tubbs raised a procedural question about allowing both nominees to serve as Joint chairs. Secretary Winters cited that a revision to the process would require General Assembly approval before acting upon it. The current definition assumed an individual would fill the post.

The Secretary read the Constitutional provisions regarding elections. The vote was conducted by secret ballot. Campuses caucused for approximately 10 minutes prior to submission of ballots.

Ballots were counted by Billy Curtis (UCB) and certified by the Secretary.

Daniel Bayless was elected the new student chair.

Concerns were raised about deferring appointment and not having student input.

Question about funds to meetings—not currently funded; home campus would attempt to assist in travel.

A motion was introduced, thanking Shane Snowdon (in abstentia) for her leadership and hard work as Chair on behalf of the UCLGBTIA. Shane steered progress on an incredible number of issues. Her relationship with the Office of the President was highlighted as an exemplary success. Among her many significant accomplishments, was her work to educate university Regents, and to coordinate the systemwide effort to equalize retirement benefits for domestic partners of UC employees. The UC Regents approved this proposal in May of 2002.

Shane also planted the seeds of many other important issues, including: the removal of the transsexual exclusion in UC health plan options; the inclusion of staff domestic partners in FMLA; and the strengthening of the student presence within UCLGBTIA, which culminated in the resolution adopted at the 2002 General Assembly to create a Student chair position among officers of the UCLGBTIA. For all these things, and many more, Shane Snowdon is commended and appreciated by the Steering Committee.

The motion passed by acclamation.

Gender-neutral forms

Issue of changing application forms to gender/family neutral terminology. Currently there is no change on forms’ use of gender terms; still taking awhile to implement DP terminology systemwide.

Programs such as the Mortgage Origination Program (MOP), which have approved DP revisions, have taken a long time to revise old terminology to include DP’s.

UCSC students are already conducting petition campaign on changing forms, particularly for undergraduate admission. Petition was shared. Still not clear who controls content of admissions forms.

General questions apply to assessing usefulness of specific forms, such as:
What is demography information used for? (i.e., admissions vs. healthcare.)
Who has authority to make change in specific cases?
Local or systemwide forms? (e.g. campus department or chancellor vs. UCOP/regents).
Also exceptions? (e.g. Federal forms may not be revised, such as financial aid.)

Any change in forms start with UCOP/systemwide level. After feedback they consult with other campuses before implementation.Two subcommittees were formed:

Subcommittee: Tobias, Emily, Sarah (general authority of systemwide vs. local campus forms)
Applications issue: Loo, Erica, and Beth

UC Davis LGBT Coordinator position

UC Davis Assistant Vice Chancellor Jan Gong was invited to speak on the current status of the UCD LGBT Coordinator position. She stated that UCD would list the new position in time to promote it at the NGLTF Creating Change conference in Portland during November 2002. The Campus Chancellor’s Advisory Committee will consider new job descriptions at Tuesday November 5th meeting.

AVC Gong recounted the history of the position and recruitment plan to date.
Prior to departure, the Resource Center coordinator Allison Subasic had staffed fulltime for 3-4 years at SAO II level. When opened LGBT center was partnered with Multicultural Center for organizational not just cost reasons. Members of the Davis campus community and the SCOM were concerned about parity issues and wanted to include director title.

The center has remained open with interns. The management intern (Sharon McDonell) is filling the directors’ post at an SAO II level, although the new director’s position will be listed at an SAO III level. Daniel Bayless and Nathan Thomas are also intern staff at the center .

The campus conducted a national search for this position in 2001. For a variety of reasons UCD was not able to select a candidate from that applicant pool. The Davis campus used the time to reshape the position, examine the reporting structure, and work on a strategic plan.

A process began which included intensive retreats with campus Chancellors’ Advisory Committee to craft an appropriate vision statement and implementation plan, based on the campus Principles of Community.

Main item: Re-assessed connection with MCC, yet the collaborative effort has yielded fruit. Able to address multiple identities and connections were positive aspects of relationship. Despite ‘vision’ work, administration is now concerned with providing FTE staff during budget cuts.

UCD will be recruiting for two positions:
1) Director of Cross Cultural and LGBT Programs and Resource centers (an overall MCC director),
2) Director of LGBT programs and resource center.

Reclassified Director of LGBT Programs and Resource to SAO III will report to Assistant Vice Chancellor Gong.

Search to open in November ’02, but position not to begin until July ’03. Sharon will be extended through at least June ’03. Search committee has been selected and has co-chairs; Greg Coya, current MCC director, main person leading committee.

Questions to AVC Jan Gong:
Comment: At UCB, pool for director of Gen Equity Center was surprisingly small. Same phenomena may be true this time around for UCD position.

Question: Where do funds come from? Do LGBTs have place at table (to map new direction)?
AVC Gong—A: Position is funded through student registration fees. Supplemental donor funds; UCD registration fee committee is majority student run, but isn’t assured annually.

A student fee initiative vote is due this quarter, outcome is not certain. There are new rules on fees passed, that a review board must be formed to advise the Campus Administration on spending.

Multiple part initiative:
Part A—NCAA move to 1-A division from 2, Renovation of coffeehouse. Renovation Of Unitrans bus service, intramural sports, and “Principles of community” center—which will provide additional space for LGBT center.
Part B—Health center proposal; Fee would be implemented prior to construction; planning & architect.

Per capita cost if these fees pass: $102/$63.

Part A will allow for additional space and administrative support for LGBT center director, if passed.

Budgets between MCC and LGBT would be separated. Advocating for additional funds, and hopeful to receive them.

Nancy, UCR—comment that pleased the process has evolved. But negative experience from prior search effort occurred with no contact and no information conduit to other resource center directors or UCLGBTIA.

14th Annual UCLGBTIA Coming Home Queer Conference & General Assembly
February 21-23, 2003
http://cominghomequeer.ucr.edu

Call for Programs open through November 22. 2002. Early registration open through January 17, 2003. Registration for conference is now open. Early registration closes Jan 17. Now accepts intercampus transfer of funds, in addition to credit cards and checks.

SCOM meeting at conference will be held 4-6pm, Friday February 21, 2003.

  • Conference update—Nancy Jean, Christina, Eric, and Vianey were present to report on efforts to date.
  • Conference budget is $7000 to date, including $2500 from ASUCR.
  • Waiting to hear from California Endowment about $10,000 grant application.
  • Coordination with UCSA—they are aware of dates of Coming Home Queer / no conflicts for their events (i.e., annual People of Color conference)/funded our conference for $400.
  • HRC/NGLTF support—co-chairs did attend conference-planning session with HRC. Plan to approach them for ad revenues. Did not yet approach either for speakers.
  • Working on: representative speakers; scholarship announcement; Sunday films and filmmakers program.
  • Talent show for Saturday night, rather than ‘professional performers’;
  • Want to allow attendance at General Assembly (GA) to be free/ not required to register to attend GA.
  • Main programming day is Saturday. Time is set for GA—Sat. 1-3pm.; agenda and format still up for discussion. SCOM meeting at conference will be 4-6pm, Friday 2/21/03.The UCLGBTIA General Assembly is scheduled for a 2-hour block with no issue to be voted upon.
  • Ideas for GA: Dialogue on general brainstorming for issues
    • Transgender issues/gender identity issues/ model workshop
    • Involve people in session
    • Give them something to take back to their campuses
    • Directive for the year/ UCSA defines 3 issues to work on each year
    • Develop action plan based on focused issues.
    • Getting info into hands of everyone; clear on why they are participating.
    • Relevant to UCLGBTIA 101 presentation
    • Solicit suggestions at workshops; prior to GA (need to have tabulation during session)
    • What’s political & what’s social? Political ones will attend if they know.
    • Commitment by SCOM members to attend wrap-up
    • Ideal: Put out to GA prior to the conference.
    • Have discussion/debate at GA. Sorted out at follow-up session. Commit one or two reps from each campus to attend follow-up sessions and combine with brunch. What kind of working groups will be formed? To be decided day of, or planned in advance?
  • Proposal for UCR outreach to high schools. --$100K for such outreach. Specific workshops at conference directed to H.S. students. Facilitating genuine dialogue folks w/o talking down to younger students.
  • H.S. GSA groups wanting to present.

Benefits Updates

Pension benefits in place since July 2002; mailing went out to all employees w/o spouses.

Two ways to Register: Use state form OR register with UC only. (Important to register with UC now, unable to do so after death! State Domestic Partner registry is filed separately.)

An FAQ Info Sheet compiled on DP Pension issues by Bob Anderson, will be posted to the Association’s website.

There is l a retroactivity issue for previously retired DP annuitants. Precedent for UCOP is that those who accepted lower pension “never” get improvements retroactively; but this was correcting inequity, rather than an improvement.

State Tax issues: AB 25 removed state tax on DP benefits. 2002 is first tax year this applies. UC-paid health benefits are reported as imputed tax to IRS/federal tax, but will cease for the State of California. Federal tax on this income still applies. State tax relief only applies to those registered with the State of California.

Exact amount saved depends on income-tax level and premiums. Tax break can yield up to $250/person per year.

Typically, premiums paid for self are out of pre-tax dollars (along w/primary/403b retirement dollars).

DP plus child benefits are included as taxable dollars. 9.3% is top level for State tax; apply percentage to total income to figure imputed income amount. Imputed income state tax exclusion will be reflected on paychecks. Should reduce income by amount of premium you pay by a % of what UC pays for plan.

TIP program---premium paid by employee for plans also should qualify for state tax exemption. Get people to call local benefits to raise the TIP issue. Not sure legislation is needed to remedy.

Faculty tuition remission—Issue has come up from faculty w/DP’s at UCLA and UCD. Under Regents’ Standing Order # 110.1, All UC campuses provide tuition remission for faculty spouses/children. Policy as shown on websites for several campuses & UCOP still doesn’t include DP’s.

UCD Provost was rebuffed when looking into current policy. Investigating whether this is applied differently at each campus.

The SCOM must determine how to bring this matter forward to OP/Regents. May entertain issue at UCFW. For advocating at campus level and at UCOP, we should look for allies within Admissions office or VC of Student Affairs

For advocating at campus level and at UCOP, we should look for allies within Admissions office or VC of Student Academic Affairs may be a place to bring this up. Ellen Switkes from UCOP Human Resources may be a contact person. May be a legislative issue, or be complicated by other legislation.

Transgender & Gender Identity issues

Systemwide coordination of campus’ education on trans and intersex was discussed.
Info is same, even though the resources are different (locally).

Campuses face inadequacy regarding bathroom privacy issues. This issue if often a starting point for recognition of problems on campus.

  • UCSD CAC pushing its campus administration forward on this issue. Other campuses that already have genderless bathrooms?: UCSC (4 yrs);
  • Cost of signs for unisex bathrooms.(what kind of materials; stickers/plastic).?
  • UCB—plans meeting w/ MSO’s regarding all campus facilities. Wonder if ADA applies to providing single-stall restrooms.
  • UCR –new construction and retrofitting may not have considered this.
  • UCB –ADA provisions do NOT apply to requirements for single-person bathrooms, but access for handicapped individuals.

Drag performance without a place to raise Trans presentation. Focus on what we don’t have/are not, instead of what we are/have.

Disposable Boy Toys did shows, also did workshops on basis of drag kings.

Other performers: Jackson Katz—tough guise; Heda –Intersex; Thea Hilman; Lydia Sosa
Important to have identifiable community to reinforce education; Difficult to raise issue in a vacuum.

Dues—deferred issue

Wants to visit issue/was waiting to collect more information from colleague organizations.
Dependent upon UCOP for support of UCOP branch; wanted to create independent source of funds.

Issue also applies to systemwide organization.

Issues to consider on dues:

  • Does levying dues affect status of member campuses?
  • UCSA—funded through associated student government dues from each campus.
  • National Consortium—pays voluntary dues.
  • Suggestion to take up further grant-writing

Future Meetings

  • Feb. 21, 2003 conference SCOM meeting / UCR
  • April 5, 2003 spring SCOM meeting /UCD
  • Fall 2003?
  • UCSD for 2004 conference
  • (UCI for 2005 conference?)

Prior to adjournment, a number of informal updates came up from campus representatives.

  • UCR-leather/alt. Lifestyle groups; Library volumes; Nov. 20 transgender memorial
    Center issues: Center space improvements will increase total square footage
  • UCLA-New center space under construction; selling name rights as way to generate program endowment.
  • UCSC- Fred Phelps threatening to come to campus; response being planned. $2000 matching funds
  • UCB- Also organizing vs. Fred Phelps threat to come to Berkeley.
  • UCD- Pride week events: Danny Roberts/400 people; workshops;

Meeting adjourned at 3:55pm