SCOR General Body Meeting Minutes

7 October 2005

5:26

Welcome by Sharon Lee and Eric Lopez of SCPP (Students of Color of Public Policy).

Trey Williams, Director of Student and Academic Services, FSPP:  Honor to be here with you this evening. Wanted to say thank you for the important work that you all do at Michigan. I have worked with seven institutions of higher learning, and while all were committed to diversity, none had an organization like SCOR.  You have a long and accomplished history that we can all be proud of, and I thank you for it.  Many lessons to be learned from here on campus, in the community, and around the world (recall the recent hate crime incident), that remind us of the importance of our work/agenda.  One example of that work is PPIA (Summer Program in Public Policy and International Affairs), one of the Ford School’s finest programs.  PPIA is a Fellowship program that targets students from underrepresented communities for access to programs in public service, both international and domestic.  We boast an 80% graduation rate for PPIA fellows, 90% of which go on to public service positions.  PPIA celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year, and while other school’s programs have come and gone, PPIA has flourished, and will continue to do so in the future.  I would like to invite you to continue the good work you do here, and feel free to call on us should the need ever arrive.  Keep laughing, have fun, but remain vigilant, and never forget the tremendous opportunity and responsibility that you have here.  As recent events make clear, there is always work to be done.  If you not outraged, you are not paying attention.

5:35

Janet Weiss, Dean of Rackham: Wanted to say what a wonderful and vibrant organization SCOR continues to be.  I taught in PPIA 10 years ago, and that program contributed greatly to the excellence of the Ford School, and the work that we all strive to do together.  Couple things about Rackham/SCOR:

-Rackham was created in mid 1930s to connect faculty/students in the pursuit of excellence in graduate education.  From its inception, Rackham has evolved into a global network of students, faculty, alumni, and supporters who believe in graduate education and who are determined to pursue excellence in graduate eduction.  U of M is an extraordinary institution, as few others have a grad school as instrumental and involved as Rackham. 

-We are in a unique position to add a lot of value in grad student experience.  Part of that excellence is typified by SCOR.  The experience of students of color has been of key importance to Rackham.  Recruitment and retention are central to our mission, and will continue to be so in the future.  But an even more historical moment is taking place, one which is not merely about recruitment/funding, but about student success.  Advice/support are key factors in this mission, and we welcome SCOR to join in the conversations that will take place at Rackham about how to maximize student/faculty relationships and to create an environment where students can strive.  You are all here to fulfill your dreams, that is part of what grad school is all about, and we invite you to join us in helping even more students fulfill those dreams. 

5:45

Floor opens for questions:

-SCOR member asks about whether/how students can get involved in Rackham’s decision making climate.

-Dean Weiss says that last year’s survey was starting point in that process.  Rackham wanted to get a sense of student opinion on the academic climate here at Michigan (Ph.D. students).  Useful starting point to identify successes as well as areas for improvement.  Results from that survey are forthcoming.

            -Hugo Shi asks for the Dean’s thoughts on affirmative action.

-Dean Weiss cannot speak for the University/Rackham, but as a matter of personal position, she is an ardent supporter of AA, always has been, and always will be.  For the record, Rackham is deeply committed to supporting diversity, as evidenced by its recruiting, retention, and support efforts at every level of the grad student experience.

-Monica Sosa notes that RMF funding cuts have been hurting our ability to continue drawing top minority talent. 

Dean Weiss believes this to be a complicated issue to address, but here goes:  The number of students who were supported by RMF five years ago was 190.  Every year that number added an additional 190 students.  Three years ago additions dipped to 140, but rose back up to 160 this year.  Budget cuts are still in place, so to get more numbers, funding per student had to be cut back slightly (hence the reduction in summer funding).  It’s a trade off, a difficult trade off, and it may have been the wrong one, but efforts to find additional sources of fellowship support are ongoing, and efforts to increase both the number of fellowships and the size of the fellowships will continue. 

-SCOR member comments that we might consider hitting up SCOR alums, many of whom would be happy to give a little back.

-SCOR member notes that Rackham is university wide, but hiring is at the departmental level, which seems to weaken our bargaining/recruiting/hiring influence.  Might there be a way to apply SCOR’s model to faculty hiring, and how can we work with the Dean to further that cause.

Dean Weiss replies that she is dean of a graduate school with 129 programs, some of which she knows much better than others.  Hard to keep track of them all.  Some programs are doing well, some not, others she just does not know how they are doing.  In light of this, it would be extremely helpful if any SCOR members had feedback/concerns to offer about specific programs/departments.  Dean Weiss is also Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and we have a variety of programs in place to encourage schools/depts. to take affirmative action seriously in their hiring decisions.  The Dean can also be used to run point in conversations between SCOR (as an org or individual members) and various deans of other schools.  Dean to Dean conversations that are mindful of SCOR concerns can be extremely helpful, and Dean Weiss would be happy to initiate such conversations when the need arises.  The Dean stands to learn much from experience, and will value any feedback SCOR can provide.  She has met such challenges before in other schools, and will not shy away from meeting them again, particularly with the added ammunition of SCOR’s voice and support.

5:55

-Sharon Lee thanks Dean Weiss for her time, and adds that we should also feel free to contact Brighid Dwyer, our Rackham Executive Board Member, for other Rackham-related questions/concerns.

5:57

-Ice breaker activity: “Grieger Group LLC” cheats (again) and steals the victory.

6:02

Committee Reports:

At large: Josie Sirineo thanks the group for UROP participation. Shadowing is the next idea. Plan is for a grad student will take an undergrad along for a day.  Other plans include grad student-led seminars in which they recount their experiences to jr/sr’s. U of M is also going to be starting a McNair program (like UCLA’s).  The program should up and running in a year or two, and SCOR members are encouraged to think about participating.

-Middle Eastern/Arab American Caucus will be formed, to be headed by Saida Grundy.  Those interested please contact Saida at grundy@umich.edu.

-SCOR History project is underway.  We want to start with oral histories, so forward names of folks who would be good to interview.  We could also use interviewers, since we now have a committee of one.  Hope is to develop an archive.

Community Service: Courtney Cogburn thanks the membership for the generous Katrina relief donations.  Multiple SCOR members will benefit.  Our October service event is a tutoring program for displaced Hurricane victims at the Ramada in Southfield.  Contact Courtney for details.  There is enough space for multiple teams of people, and a sign up sheet is going around.

Conference: Paul Burns explains that conference organization is in full swing.  We already have one speaker signed (Haunani-Kay Trask), and we need additional participants/volunteers (Angela has sign up sheet).  Next meeting is this Sunday at 6:00 (email forthcoming).

Media and Publication: Shanesha Brooks states that the October newsletter is in the back.  “Good News” is the newest addition for this release, and we hope to continue this feature in the future.  Try to submit “good news” updates 10 days in advance of the next general body meeting. 

-Travis Tatum says that the SCOR logo contest is still going.  We need a SCOR trademark (for tshirts, websites, etc). Oct 24^th deadline. $50 gift certificate for winning entry (only 1 submitted so far).

-Professional Development: Heather Brink informs the membership about the “Take my advice” event on Thursday the 27^th. (email coming).  This will be a Q&A with more advanced graduate students, in which we discuss issues ranging from funding to teaching, CV-building etc.

-Rackham Eboard Rep: Brighid Dwyer informs the group about ongoing prelim failure/make-up procedure discussions.

Social: Devin Horton remarks on the success of the GYB event.  Tonight we bowl, and later in the month we’re going to a haunted house (Wiard’s in Ypsi on the 29^th).  SCORmal is down the road.

-First years are forming a new group to coordinate social activities/service projects for fellow first year students. 

-UMS is having an Africa Festival on Friday October 21^st. 

6:28

Time to Eat!  Political Action Committee presentation and extended discussion on the recent incident, Hugo Shi presenting.

-Teaching or preaching? And where should our focus lie? On our own memberships needs on “schooling” the ignorant…

            -Is it “our” responsibility to teach “them” how to act/think?

Sharon Lee makes reference to the upcoming teach-in (P.I.S.S.E.D. O.F.F.) cosponsored by GEO (see website for updates .

7:10

Caucus Reports:

-AABC: Menna Demessie encourages folks to send email to get added to listserv.  First meeting was a success, stay tuned for info on the next discussion session.  Feedback on activities: Panel discussion with black faculty member.  Future potluck.  Mentoring workshop with BSU and African Students Association.  Interest shown in all these activities, details forthcoming.

-APIA:  Brian Chung notes that the Caucus has been quite busy, for obvious reasons.  Wants to re-iterate that APIA is heavily involved in many of the conversations going on across campus, and all are invited to participate.  APIA is interested in tabulating data on representation of various groups.  Caucuses are being asked to compile info and distribute across campus.

-Latino/a: Francine Segovia reminds us that Latinos continue to be underrepresented here at UM, but we are working hard to support Latino/a students on campus.  Lucy has developed an excellent resource guide for Latino/a students.  Pick up your copies in the back!

-LGBT: Paul Burns attended the 1^st meeting on September 23^rd.  The big news as that 25 new members came out!  Meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month.  Issues that came up include: Community building. Strengthening the caucus.  Reaching out to undergrad groups.

-Mixed Posse: Chris Shultz tells us the first meeting is scheduled for the 21^st of October.  Chris is a fan of food, and believes that we have lots of great recipes floating around out there, so stay tuned for the SCOR cookbook!  Anyone interested in joining the caucus, just shoot a note to Chris or John Paul Stephens.

-Native Caucus: Heather Brink notes that the Native Caucus has met twice (two potlucks) and is looking for a regular meeting time.  Future plans include dinners with Native Studies professors and a panel discussion for undergrads in the Native Student Association to discuss graduate school.

7:30

-Announcements

-GEO/SCOR party/fundraiser for One United Michigan (pro affirmative action group) to be held at the A² BrewCo on 17 November (contact Hugo Shi for details)

-Good News

-Fin!