December 01, 2014
Minutes for 12/01 Barnard SGA Representative Council Weekly Meeting
Agenda for Monday 12/1 Rep Council
8-8:05 Introductions and Approve Agenda
8:05-8:50 Administrative Guest: Janet Jakobsen, Director of Barnard Center for
Research on Women
8:50-9 Campus Life Updates
9-9:10 External Updates
9:15 External
8-8:05 Introductions and Approve Agenda
 Introduction of SGA Rep Council
 December 1st agenda approved.
8:05-8:50 Administrative Guest: Janet Jakobsen, Director of Barnard Center for
Research on Women
 It is her 15th year as director of BCRW, and this is her last year as director.
 Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
 Possibility of forming a student advisory board.
 Exciting history of the BCRW:
o Founded in 1971, during which the feminist movement was at its height.
o BCRW is largely concerned with social justice feminism: challenging
injustice by putting gender at the intersections, and envisioning
alternatives. Making the world as a whole a better place—how would we
redesign the world to make it better for everybody?
o The goal is to create a world in which women can live in a world of
dignity, autonomy, and equality.
o Many different, significant things have happened in the Center before we
arrived.
o Medical activism.
o Gildersleeve Lecture.
o Gives a sense that the work you do in class can be used actively in the
world.
o “Is There Sexism At Columbia University?” was the first public panel the
Center had.
o In 1974 the Center had a conference called “The Scholar and the
Feminist,” which had an overwhelming response. Each year afterwards, it
continued to have a great impact.
o The S&F Online was founded. http://sfonline.barnard.edu
o BCRW has a blog, and podcast called “Dare to Say the F-Word”
o Transnational feminisms: interactions between work in NYC and other
parts of the world.
o Videos produced for teaching. New series: “What is Feminism?” Our past
series such as “What Are the Issues?” are still being used in academic
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settings today.
Questions, Answered by Professor Jakobsen
o Q: Aku: What are some ways students can be involved in the BCRW?
 A: We are currently building ways for students to become
involved. We would like to look into doing summer fellowships
for students, for example. The issue is finding the money for such
fellowships. Some of the other ways to get involved are to live
tweet during BCRW events, and to write for the blog.
o Q: Ashiana: It feels like the people who attend BCRW events are those
who are already involved in things such as activism and feminism. How
can those who aren’t already involved in this way become involved?
 A: This is an important question. One of the things we create is
academic conversation. We can shift things towards studentcentered workshops, for example.
o Q: Abreu: I find it difficult to find the right avenue to have their concerns
addressed. Where can students turn to to have questions such as “Does
Sexism Exist at Columbia?”
 A: One of the things you can do is to go to faculty members to
work with you informally to address issues.
o Q: Layla: Do you ever partner with different departments on campus?
 A: Absolutely. We work with each of the science departments,
centers at Columbia, CUNY, NYU, and national or transnational
departments.
o Q: Sarah: Do you ever partner with the 7 sisters, who also have centers for
women?
 A: We share our resources through a larger center.
o Q: Clara: When will the podcast be becoming student run, and who will be
able to submit content?
 A: We are hoping for this to begin by Spring 2015. We are
working on deciding how to choose who will become involved.
o Email: jjakobsen@barnard.edu, or bcrw@barnard.edu.
o Office Hours: Tuesdays after 4pm.
8:50-9 Campus Life Updates
 December 2nd is Desserts After Dark. There were 577 responses.
 December 3rd is the SGA + You Town Hall in the James Room.
 December 4th is the Tree Lighting and Yule Log. Giveaways begin at 5:30, and
the event starts at 6pm.
 Contact Shivani at sv2399@barnard.edu with questions.
9-9:10 External Updates
 Junior Class Council has a study break tomorrow, December 2nd.
 Reps to the Board of Trustees have a meeting on December 10th. Email is
BOTReps@barnard.edu
 If you would like to get involved in ACR, look for information on
http://barnard.edu/acr
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There is a survey taking interest in whether students would like to have a support
group for survivors, and how this service should be run.
FAB is having its annual Reading Week study breaks.
Winter Gala for seniors is after the tree lighting on December 4th.
9:15 Internal
Meeting Adjourned 10:04
Minutes Taker: Felicia How