February 7, 1998 Minutes

UC Santa Cruz

MEMBERS PRESENT on February 7, 1998
Al Aubin, UCLA
Joseph Navarro, UCSB
Ronni Sanlo, UCLA
Chad Sanger, UCSC
Allison Subasic, UCD
Pat Walsh, UCI
Chris Browning, UCI
Sarah Archibald, UCSD
Jonathan Winters, UCB
debi fidler, UCB
Robert Gentry, UCI
John White, UCSD
Elbert Almazan, UCR
Sigrid Hvolboll, UCSC
Artemis, UCD
Deb Abbott, UCSC

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE:

UCLGBTA Co-Chairs Jonathan Winters and Sarah Archibald expressed their desire to step down after serving for several years. They stated that the organization is healthy, and now is an ideal time for the group to discuss leadership and formalization of officers. After discussion by the committee, it was agreed that most important would be election of at least two people to serve as co-chairs, less important would be North/South co-chair representation.

Because currently, there is no stipulation in constitution regarding definition of chairs/officers, it was agreed that a set of bylaws should be developed; defining officers and steering committee composition as well as terms (Ronni agreed to prepare generic bylaws). One model includes current co-chairs and co-chairs elect to work with past chairs to serve as mentors. It was agreed that the focus should be insuring the stability of steering committee.

It was agreed that a subcommittee should be convened to develop a proposal, to be reviewed/approved by Steering Committee, then to be ratified by the full membership at the next general assembly. A point was made that a mail ballot should be considered, and that the constitution and bylaws should be reviewed.

Subcommittee members: John White, Ronni Sanlo, Sarah Archibald, Jonathan Winters (Ronni Sanlo will e-mail draft to launch discussion within the subcommittee).

GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

It was noted that a general assembly meeting had not been scheduled as part of this year's annual UCLGBTA conference. There was a sense that a general assembly opportunity should be scheduled into every conference, and definitely should be scheduled for 1999 conference at UCLA. This years' organizers should provide feedback to the UCLA conference planners. It was noted that UCSF and the labs are missing from current meeting, but that they have always participated in the Association. The Santa Cruz Conference organizers reported more than 400 registered participants for Exposed!

CAMPUS REPORTS:

Steering Committee members were asked to consider ways that UCLGBTA could be helpful to Campus Centers and to those campus' proposing Centers.

UCSD (Sarah Archibald). No LGBT Center at present. A Chancellor appointed Diversity Commission is expected to make a strong recommendation to establish an LGBT Center. UCSD Chancellor Advisory Committee members are cautiously hopeful. They did ask the Chancellor to provide funding for a temporary staff position until a Center can be developed. The proposal was denied, but the committee will continue to pursue the request.

UCI (Pat Walsh). Reported temporary budget $8,000, plus funding for a part-time administrative assistant. UCI is exploring fundraising possibilities and is establishing an advisory board.

UCD (Allison Subasic). Davis just funded a full time Director position (uncertain of classification). Hiring is expected to take place during Spring. The Center is funded primarily from Student Affairs. The proposal originally identified several staff positions. The Center will be moving to larger space. The LGBT Center Director will be supervised by Multicultural Center Director, that is not considered ideal, but does represent progress.

UCR (Elbert Almazon) Funding for the Riverside LGBT Center is derived from Student Registration fees. A Women's Center Director was just hired. It is not known what her role will be with respect to GLBT concerns.

UCSC (Deb Abbott) Santa Cruz just hired their first Center Director (Deb--75%/ 10 mo. position, Student Affairs Officer IV). All funding is derived from Student Registration fees. There is no administrative assistant at present. The Center will hire work-study students as a temporary measure.

UCB (Jonathan Winters) noted that Liz Rivera is the new LGBT advisor, and is also a part-time Student Group Coordinator for the Women's Center. The current situation is seen as interim to establishing a full-time advisor's position. It is not known what her role will be with respect to UCB's GLBT Campus Advisory Committee.

UCLA (Ronni Sanlo). The UCLA Center is developing an advisory board and recently held a strategic planning session. The group is developing its mission statement and a three-year action plan. The Center plans to evaluate is programs and operations. It recently received a $l,400 grant to create a speaker's bureau. An office manager position has just been filled.

UCSB (Joe Navarro). There is no LGBT Center at Santa Barbara. The needs of queer faculty & staff remain unmet. There is a queer student union for GLBT students, but it lacks space and funding.

UCSF. Committee members commented that there is a half-time LGBT Director's position at UCSF. The position is posted. Space will be provided with the Women's Center.

ACTION ITEM (All): Allison Subasic volunteered to revise the existing matrix demonstrating UC LGBT Center comparisons with such information as space, funding, staffing (titles and classifications), reporting relationships, additional special resources such as archives. Each campus is asked to send updates to her.

It was noted that most GLBT Centers receive financial support from Student Affairs (vs. Academic Affairs). While this makes sense, Academic Affairs connections can be important regarding clout. In certain eastern colleges for example, lawsuits have been filed regarding the use of student activities/registration fees to support GLBT programs and facilities.

DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS UPDATE:

There is still no info regarding progress on implementation. Definitions for non same-sex partners are being developed by UCOP. The first open enrollment period may be April 1998, but specifics have not been communicated.

Housing is still considered an important aspect of DP benefits. Housing should include faculty and staff in addition to students. Other issues involve retirement (the issue has been raised three times before the UC Retirement Board) to no affect. Apparently the Board is shy to go further than the health benefits, even though is wouldn't require Regents approval.

It was agreed that UCLGBTA should request a meeting with UCOP before the November 1998 open enrollment period. Winters will formalize a request to see President Atkinson by sending a letter. It was decided that after the open enrollment period, UCLGBTA representatives should return to UCOP to evaluate participation levels, and to lobby for additional benefits.

Housing can be addressed at the campus level, but apparently Chancellors and Housing Directors are hesitant. They believe that they permission from the President's office to implement any changes.

UCLGBTA should voice its gratitude to students who assisted the effort to gain DPB's and is should be communicated that UCLGBTA will continue to work diligently on the Housing issues.

ACTION. The co-chairs will write a letter to UCSA regarding Housing and set up a specific time to meet with students. A joint meeting was discussed.

FUTURE GOALS/OBJECTIVES:

1. Revisit last year's identified goals.
2. Update the committee structure

NOTE:

Next Steering Committee Meeting U. C. San Diego, Saturday, May 9, 1998, Women's Resource Center. Next UCLGBTA Conference: February 5th - 7th, 1999 at UCLA

Minutes recorded by Deborah Abbott and edited by John White.