February 6, 1999 Minutes

UC Los Angeles

UCLGBTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1999
UCLA, COVELL COMMONS, 11:20AM

INDIVIDUALS PRESENT
NAME, CAMPUS, EMAIL, PHONE
John O. White, San Diego, Jwhite@ucsd.edu
Debi Fidler, Berkeley, fidler@haas.berkeley.edu
Maggie Hawkins, Riverside, maggie.hawkins@ucr.edu
Deb Abbott, Santa Cruz, Dabbott@cats.ucsc.edu
Chris Browning, Irvine, Cmbrowni@uci.edu
Pat Walsh, Irvine, Plwalsh@uci.edu
Allison Subasic, Davis, Afsubasic@ucdavis.edu
Albert E. Aubin, Los Angeles, Aaubin@saonet.ucla.edu
Mark Costella LLNL, Costella2@LLNL.GOV
Laura Engelken, Santa Cruz, Laura_Engelken@macmail.ucsc.edu
Matt Mutchler, Santa Barbara, 6500mgm@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu
Chad Sanger, Santa Cruz, Cpsanger@cats.ucsc.edu
Ronni Sanlo, Los Angeles, Sanlo@ucla.edu
Janet Mallen, Santa Barbara, Queerpeer@sa.ucsb.edu
Michael Scarce, San Francisco, Scarce@itsa.ucsf.edu
Alan Hwang, Davis Akhwang@ucdavis.edu
Venatius Prasad, Davis, Trax@ucdavis.edu
Sarah Archibald, San Diego, Sarchibald@ucsd.edu
Jonathan Winters, Berkeley

INTRODUCTIONS AND AGENDA

Meeting began at 11:20am with introductions.

Jonathan Winters (UCLA), UCLGBTA Co-Chair, had distributed the agenda via email and opened it up to the group for additions.

SPRING STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

Michael Scarce (UCSF) announced that the next Steering Committee Meeting will be held Saturday, May 1st at 10:00am at the Parnassus Campus in the Millbury Union Conference Center. Directions and parking passes will be sent to participants and a continental breakfast will be provided at the meeting.

Deb Abbott (UCSC) inquired why the meeting was held on the weekend. It was communicated that weekend meetings have been scheduled in respect for people's work schedules and ability to travel. Resource Center Directors will meet the night before, Friday, April 30th at 5:00pm.

The concern was raised that as the Center Directors continuing developing a working relationship, it will be important to ensure communication occurs between the Directors and the Standing Committee. It was suggested to provide time to the Directors on the Steering Committee Meeting agenda to report any relevant information to the larger group.

1999 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Ronni Sanlo, UCLA's LGBT Resource Center Director, updated the group regarding the UCLA Conference expenses. The student rate of $10 covered only the two meals provided attendees. Presenters were compensated with free registration and meals. The venue, Covell Commons, was a $7000 in-kind donation by the Residential Life program at UCLA. Ronni anticipates a deficit of approximately $3-4,000 that will need to come from her budget.

Deb Abbott (UCSC) raised the issue of establishing an account to help fund the annual conference, so the financial burden would not be entirely upon the host campus. Al Aubin (UCLA) shared his assumption that surplus from any conference would be passed to the next year's host campus. Jonathan (UCB) reminded the group of last spring's Steering Committee decision that Santa Cruz would use surplus funds to send students to UCLA's conference.

Jonathan noted his attempts to contact UC's Office of the President (UCOP) regarding funding for the UCLGBTA. Since Peltason served as President, the UCLGBTA has been officially recognized by UCOP, but has not been granted funding. Should the association seek to solicit funds, Jonathan emphasized it must formulate in writing its needs and wants. Ronni noted that UCOP denied a funding request regarding the current conference. Pat Walsh (UCI) suggested UCLGBTA pursue grant funding.

John White, from UC San Diego, inquired whether Ronni would recommend pursuing corporate sponsorship for the Annual Conference. Ronni noted efforts to secure corporate sponsorship for program printing were not fruitful. It was decided to revisit this idea at the spring Standing Committee Meeting, as well as the financial status of the UCLGBTA in general.

2000 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Allison Subasic, newly hired UC Davis LGBT Resource Center Coordinator, was asked to report on progress for the Annual Conference in 2000. Allison noted the greatest challenge is finding a venue large enough to accommodate the group. Potential dates for the conference are February 11, 12, & 13, contingent upon available space.

Jonathan Winters (UCB) noted it was important for the group to plug next year's conference in Davis, as many have questioned what the campus has to offer such an event. It was suggested to highlight the importance of political action in advertising the conference, as it will occur one month before the vote on the Knight Initiative. Along these political themes, possible invitations to the conference could include Governor Davis and other state legislators. It was suggested the UC Davis contingent say a few words to promote the 2000's Annual Conference at the General Assembly Meeting.

Alan Hwang (UCD) reported that Queers of Color met during the conference and are interested in planning a pre- or post-gathering at next year's annual conference. It was suggested a Queers of Color pre-conference workshop might be developed to complement the Annual Conference. It might be possible to draw Cross-Cultural Center Directors for the day's workshop as well.

2001 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Janet Mallen, representing UC Santa Barbara, reported her campus desires to host the 2001 UCLGBTA Annual Conference. A potential theme is, "2001: A Queer Odyssey." Such a theme could incorporate the sciences, which are well represented on the Santa Barbara campus. It was noted that choosing UCSB continues the pattern of alternating between northern and southerncampuses for the conference.

It was recommended Ronni and the co-chairs from 1998's Annual Conference in Santa Cruz (Todd Bowzer & Chad Sanger) meet with Allison to share their experiences and insights in organizing a conference. It was also recommended Janet be involved in this conversation, so UCSB could be even further ahead in the planning process. Jonathan encouraged these individuals to meet before the next Standing Committee meeting.

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

Jonathan distributed a revised copy of proposed constitutional changes and asked for any outstanding questions or concerns before the General Assembly vote on February 7th. Primarily, changes provide for: rotating leadership through the Chair & Vice-Chair positions, codifying how the UCLGBTA has been operating in practice, and a Secretary position to assist the chairs (e.g., distributing materials, taking minutes). If the need arises to replace one of the three officers, a special appointment will be made.

Sarah Archibald (UCSD), current co-chair, will step down May 1st, 1999, while Jonathan will assume the role of Chair. The division between the roles of Chair and Vice Chair is to facilitate a smooth transition in leadership; the actual division of duties and working relationship between the two positions is to be decided by the two.

Jonathan encouraged steering committee members to reassure the General Assembly that these changes have been through a two-year review process. It resolves previous inconsistencies and codifies current practices. He noted that the key for making the new process of electing officers work is in recruitment - letting people know the positions are open for nominations.

QUALITY OF WORK/LIFE SYMPOSIUM

Pat Walsh (UCI) reported upon the recent Quality of Work/Life Symposium. The primary issue raised was the significant conflict between faculty and staff. It is Pat's opinion nothing substantial will occur until faculty members become invested in work/life quality concerns-as the staff represented at the symposium do not possess the power base necessary to implement change.

Other themes brainstormed at the symposium included: stress, childcare and the demand to complete more tasks in less time. No substantive discussion occurred regarding LGBT issues as they impact the quality of work/life. Although good information was presented, no action items resulted from discussion.

Campuses should be holding follow-up conversations regarding these issues; interested individuals should contact their chancellor's office to find out who attended from their campus. Reportedly, not all campuses have a quality of work/life committee.

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Committee members were to have researched the Family Medical Leave Act at their respective campuses and reported on them at this meeting. It was decided to revisit this issue in May.

DOMESTIC PARTNER UPDATE

Jonathan reported upon on the status of Domestic Partner Benefits. A memo from UCOP noted the average increase in enrollment with the extension of benefits of same-sex couples was approximately 1%. Bob Anderson is assembling a report recommending expanding DP benefits to include retirement and opposite-sex couples. This report should be available in April for presentations to academic senates, councils, and other relevant bodies. Bob also conveyed to Jonathan the need to allow things to settle in the new state government. As Governor Davis must first nominate three new Regents for selection, most likely it will take until next year for changes in DP benefits to occur.

FAMILY STUDENT HOUSING

The primary concerns for Queer students involve the lack of unified student health insurance and access to Family Student Housing. Regarding housing, Michael (UCSF) reported an increase in requests for family student housing from same-sex couples at his campus. UCSF's Chancellor is becoming frustrated and will begin applying pressure on UCOP for the ability to address these concerns. The hope is to eliminate the marriage certificate as a prerequisite for family student housing and give priority to students with children. The UCLGBTA agrees with this baseline policy and favors a local approach to its implementation.

In discussing the need for allies to help defend this new DP benefits proposal, Jonathan expressed concern regarding the present status of the UC Student Association (UCSA). Currently the UCSA is experiencing significant internal problems. Pat Walsh encouraged the UCLGBTA not to abandon the UCSA - since it is natural for a student group to be less stable than as one such as the UCLGBTA. Jonathan agreed and emphasized the need for UCLGBTA to plan who it can enlist as allies, specifically student groups.

In discussing UCSA, Alan Hwang recommended that Queer students take positions in the organization. Given UCSA's current turmoil, it was suggested to research what other system-wide organizations it would be helpful to have Queer student representation. Maggie Hawkins (UCR) offered to investigate.

Maggie then asked for input regarding the case of a UCR Faculty Emeritus verbally denied partner benefits. Allegedly, the two were denied because they noted on their application form that they had adopted each other to establish a legal relationship between them. Initially the couple was approved and received a health card. The couple has requested, in writing, the reasoning for their rejection and is considering legal representation. The group encouraged Maggie to find out more information/detail, as the whole situation seemed odd.

CAMPUS REPORTS

Berkeley: Debi Fidler announced a search for a full-time LGBT administrator. The position will be listed at SAO IV and the individual will potentially hold an academic appointment. The position is yet to be posted.

San Diego: Sarah Archibald reported an ad-hoc committee meeting which allocated a prime space in the University Center for a LGBT Resource Center. It has been made clear that no space is acceptable without a staff person accompanying it.

Riverside: Maggie reported the addition of a permanent, part-time clerical position for the Center. Registration fees fund the position. Maggie also noted a great working relationship with Hillel.

Irvine: Pat announced that Transgender has been officially added to the Center title.

Santa Cruz: Deb distributed flyers for Jeffrey Solomon, a Queer actor/performer. She would like to work with other campuses to bring him to tour California. UC Davis recommended Solomon, as well as securing a stage/lighting for his performance. They also recommended connecting with PFLAG in conjunction with his engagement.

Davis: Allison has been in her position as Director for two weeks, although she expressed concerns regarding the position's status after two years, as there is nothing in writing regarding funding. The Center is planning to hire a second paid student intern and will move into a new space come April/May. There are also plans to begin a Queer Mentorship Program. The Chancellor's Committee is doing well and its leader is contributing to programming efforts. The Speakers Bureau is going well, a Hate Crimes panel was presented, and Alan just printed a new issue of the "Rainbow Connection."

After reports regarding Davis' new space, it was recommended there be another system-wide survey regarding the LGBT Center resources on each campus. Requests were made to record such items as: square footage, job description/title/classification, and items pending (e.g., clerical support).

San Francisco: Michael emphasized the current LGBT position is not secure and may be discontinued at the end of May. He may request a letter of support from the UCLGBTA. It was recommended Michael invite his Vice Chancellor to attend the Directors' and/or Steering Committee meetings to gain an understanding why the LGBT position is essential.

Before adjourning, written campus updates were distributed to the group. The meeting adjourned at 1:15pm.