2004-2005 Conference Report

Media Release on 2004 "CSU Cross-Campus Collaboration on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies"

During the weekend of April 30-May 2, 2004, over 30 faculty members from 13 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system gathered at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California for three days of discussion, debate, and planning related to teaching lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies in the CSU system.

Organized by Eric Rofes from Humboldt State University and Nan Alamilla Boyd from Sonoma State University, the "CSU Cross-Campus Collaboration on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies" drew faculty from campuses in Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, Fresno,

Humboldt, Monterey Bay, Northridge, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Marcos, Sonoma.

"This workshop has been the map to find a hidden treasure of the CSU system--a surprising wealth of expertise and energy around the teaching of sexualities as they intersect with race, class, gender, ethnicity,

nationality, and bodies," noted Sara E. Cooper, assistant professor from Chico State, at the close of the weekend. "This positive and energetic gathering was exactly what I needed to envision an exciting present and future, despite all of the obstacles we are facing at this moment."

Faculty gathered in large and small groups to discuss teaching strategies, curricular development, and the creation of new GLBT minors on several CSU campuses. Activities included workshops on transgender studies and queer globalization as well as a range of discussion topics including "managing

the double burden of queer service," "dealing with hostile students," and "disclosing identities."

Mike Gorman, assistant professor of social work from San Jose State University said, "I found that the structure of the weekend worked to facilitate thoughtful and, at times, provocative conversation about areas

of important interest: curriculum, pedagogy, student support, and support for fellow faculty membersS¹I find I leave with a sense of satisfaction, excitement and enthusiasm."

The weekend was funded by a grant of $7,500 the CSU Institute for Teaching and Learning, which promotes initiatives that bring together CSU faculty members across campuses or throughout the CSU system to develop stronger curricula and more effective instructional approaches. With these funds partial stipends were offered to twenty participants, to cover partially travel and accommodations. Also, CSU funds covered group meals catered on-site to allow participants to work productively and consolidate connections during meals. The host campus provided meeting rooms, multiple student assistants, and the balance of costs for publicity, postage, and printing.

Report on 2nd Annual CSU-QS 2005 Queering the Curriculum: Intersections of Race, Class, Genders, Nations, and Bodies April 15-17 Fresno State University2004 Cross-Campus Collaboration at Humboldt State accomplishments

• Meeting attended by 13 campuses, with over 30 attending
• Creation of website home.csumb.edu/r/reicharddavid/world/csuqs/gateway.html
• Posted are syllabi, information on conferences, one bibliography, links
• Yahoo Group Listserve has been established
• New conference was planned
• Participants felt inspired and supported, part of a community

2005 Consortium Meeting:
Reported at Friday reception: Chico State Sexual Diversity minor has been proposed, approved at college level and is in its first level of Academic Senate review

Conference Hosts and Organizing Committee were headed by John Beynon and Julia Balén. (2005 OC John Beynon, Deb Cohler, Elizabeth Renfro, Billy Wagner, Nan Alamilla-Boyd) (CSU Fresno Hosts: John Beynon, John Jordon, Melissa McNight, Ellen Gruenbaum, Michelle Den Beste, Melissa Jordine, Lisa Weston)

Participation

9 campuses were represented (for the first time: Sacramento, Stanislaus and Long Beach, Long Beach City College)

Twenty-eight participants registered, and several drop-ins from Fresno State enjoyed some of the panel discussions.

Consortium Sessions

This year’s meeting was a resounding success, with so many highlights that it will seem an exaggeration to name them all…

The opening reception, continental breakfast on Saturday, and final Breakfast/Whole Group Meeting on Sunday, were catered personally by Master Chef/Master of Ceremonies John Beynon

The three whole-group sessions focused on practical matters, including a report on the successes of the 2004 Consortium Meeting, an articulation of goals and objectives for the current year, and a planning session for the 2006 Consortium Meeting to take place at Chico State.

Our first attempt at including students was invigorating, thanks to the participation of Bonnie Sugiyama (liaison between CSU-QS and LGBTQIA) and the excellent research panel Queer of Students of Color (Hurtado, Millán, Gan, and Jackson).

Open Caucus discussions at Saturday lunch were rich and productive, covering Links with Community/Student Support Services/Community; Transgender Issues; Program Development; and Building QS community CSU-wide.

The 8 Workshops and Teach-Ins were well-attended. Participants reported gaining insight into new teaching strategies and materials applicable across a wide range of disciplines. Most sessions also included take-away materials, including syllabi, in-class activities and handouts.

The panel of graduate students presenting original research in the field of Queer Studies showed the enormous impact of the current Queer Studies program at SFSU on students’ ability to work thoughtfully and critically with demanding texts.

Keynote address by Dr. Brenda J. Allen (University of Colorado), “(Un)Doing Gender: Organizational Communication for Male to Female Transsexuals” (in collaboration with the Department of Communications, CSU Fresno) modeled successful application of research to teaching undergraduate and graduate students. The Communications students in the audience positively responded to the presentation, and a lively discussion followed in which both students and faculty participated.

Funding and Expenditures: Unlike last year, we did not have funding from the Chancellor’s office, and the host campus was only able to provide minimum funding. This may account for the lack of representation from some of the campuses further away. CSU Fresno was able to fund the Consortium Meeting with a total of $1,000, which was utilized to (1) cover minimal publicity, printing and mailing costs and (2) provide breakfasts and snacks for the participants.

Mission Statement developed:The California State University-Queer Studies Consortium meets annually to engage in dialogue and participate in workshops related to pedagogical, curricular, and environmental issues pertaining to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer studies at CSU campuses. Our goal is to establish a community of learning and teaching focused on Queer Studies in the CSU system.

Commitments for upcoming year:Nan will update the biographies/CVs/speaker availability to the Website
Nan will post 2004 documents to Yahoo Groups
John Jordan will scan and send in PDF documents of session notes to be posted on Yahoo Groups.
Sara will send report on 2005 meeting to Yahoo Groups and email distribution lists of current and former participants
Grad student at Chico State will search and apply for funding for next year and ongoing (NEH, Ford, CSU, etc.)
Challenge to all participants:

• use Listserve more effectively;
• disseminate website URL;
• Add files of bibliographies, campus notes/reports, Speaker database information—bios highlighting areas of specialization; CVs; Power Point presentations and other materials from sessions; to Yahoo Groups
• Request letters of recommendation from participant (Renny has volunteered)
• Bonnie Y will post model for student/faculty Alliance on Yahoo-Groups
• John Beynon will write letter of recommendation for all