Minutes from SPEAC Meeting on 9/20/06

Agenda: Updates, Berkeley Project/Small group discussion, UCB Library
Letter discussion, short-term vs. long-term projects discussion.

UPDATES:
-Andrew spoke with director of DC’s regarding the idea to put forth a ASUC
ballot measure to have extra food swipes used towards service-oriented
organizations on campus.

Drafted list of potential beneficiaries: Suitcase Clinic, CalPirg, Dulce,
Eggster, Habitat for Humanity, Amnesty Int., Circle K, Oasis, Stiles Hall

Acitons taken: Decided that a meeting should be arranged to discuss the
issue thoroughly with the director (Brian Walker, I believe). Also, feed
the homeless group is interested in meeting to discuss the possibility of
this project as well. Meeting info. will be announced soon.

-Stephanie spoke with Chelsea regarding the letters to the UCB Library
staff regarding open access to the internet for the public. Chelsea has
the letters and will have them to Stephanie before next meeting.

Actions taken: Discussed contacting the Daily Cal to have the letters
published as a way to publicize the issue. Will discuss this problem in
more detail at the next meeting.

-Karandeep spoke with Initiative for Global Health (a new student group)
regarding the possibility of having a psychiatrist at General Clinic in
order to provide mental health services.

Potential psychiatrist has shown interest and would also be willing to
train student volunteers.

Actions taken: Karandeep will be attending a meeting with the Initiative
for Global Health tonight at 7pm in 220 Wheeler. He will contact General
Clinic Coord. to see if they are also available to attend the meeting.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION/BERKELEY PROJECT IDEAS:
Small group went well last week. Top three ideas for Berkeley Project are:
1.) Cleaning Showers at Willard
2.) City-wide needs assessment to determine what issues/projects SPEAC and
SHARE needs to focus on.
3.) Providing a lunch/dinner for the unhoused and low-income as a way of
serving those in need as well as educating the community by breaking down
the barriers of information regarding homelessness.

UCB LIBRARY LETTER DISCUSSION:
-Refer to notes above in updates
-Will discuss the letters and continuity of the project in depth at the
next meeting

SHORT TERM vs. LONG TERM DISCUSSION
-I discussed the importance of narrowing our ideas to a few projects for
the semester.
-In order to be effective on the campus and community, it is important
that we pursue both long term and short term projects.
-Agreed to pursue one long term project, one short term project, and to
organize and prepare the Berkeley Project event.

-Possible Short term projects:
1.) Film showing of homeless related films to be shown on campus
2.) Sponsor a talk or organize a panel of speakers around the issues of
homelessness and barriers to equality.
3.) Free box idea- pursuing the establishment of a new free box at MASC to
be supervised by locker program manager. [Agreed to put this idea on hold]
4.) Create a mural as a creative and fun way to educate and advocate on
behalf of the unhoused.

-Long term projects:
1.) UCB Library project regarding the need for public access to the
internet at all University libraries.
2.) Swipes ASUC Ballot measure- creating a measure to have all unused
swipes go toward one or more student organized service groups.