Present: Lincoln Cushing, Angel Kuo, Barrie Thorne, Brian Quigley (chair,
recorder), Joan Gatten.
Guest: Michael Rossman
1. Announcements
One of the large red posters about the FSM Educational Programs has been
placed in the entry of the Café. It is highly visible to anyone waiting in
line there.
2. Drug War/Harm Reduction Program
Brian provided an update on this program tentatively scheduled for April
5th. Program planners were give until March 14th to confirm speakers. If
speakers are confirmed by that date, then the committee should begin its
work based on the checklist assignments made at the February 13th meeting
(see 2/13 minutes).
3. Live from Death Row Program
Brian provided an update on this program tentatively scheduled for April
12th. The café manager and program planners have yet to respond to
scheduling issues and technology issues. Program planners will be given
until March 21st to finalize their program. If confirmed by that date, the
committee will need to assign checklist responsibilities via email.
4. Web Presence
Lincoln suggested that the committee needs a better web presence. The
committee agreed that we need a more interesting and informative home page.
Lincoln will pull together a website about the Public Art and Free Speech
program, featuring the PDF flyer, introductory remarks, excerpts, photos
and perhaps streaming audio. The committee agreed that we should have
similar websites for future events. These program websites should be linked
from our home page. Our home page should also have information about our
mission, our call for proposals and the FSM Archives.
5. Michael Rossman
Michael Rossman attended to discuss ways to generate student interest in
our programs. He suggested that we work through people not media. Direct
contact with campus activists and specific organizations would generate
more proposals than a flyer would. He further suggested that the committee
contact appropriate student groups when there are "hot topics" in the news.
Three current hot topics were mentioned: (1) Palestine, (2) "War on
Terrorism" and (3) US Nuclear Policy (Pentagon Report). It was suggested
that we obtain a master list of all student organizations and their contacts.
ACTION: Angel will look into obtaining such a list.
Joan suggested the idea of an open mic. Support and concerns were both
raised by the committee. It was suggested that an open mic would be
appropriate as part of a focused event with a scheduled time slot. The
committee agreed that a program of political slam poetry would be
appropriate and interesting.
ACTION: Joan will investigate a political slam poetry program. If our other
events fall through, this could be an interesting and easy event to
organize for this semester. If we confirm both our other events, this could
be a perfect leadoff event for the fall semester.
The committee addressed its difficulties in obtaining press from the Daily
Cal. It was suggested that a letter to the editor about the FSM history,
the FSM Café and our educational programs might be appropriate. Another
suggestion was for a free or paid advertisement in the Daily Cal, based on
the red cards.