Resolution 1504 A Resolution for the Future Designation

Resolution #1504 A: Resolution for the Future Designation of Anthony Hall as the Graduate Student Lounge Matty Lichtenstein – mlicht@berkeley. edu Mary Shi – mary. shi@berkeley. edu

Historic Graduate Student Lounge • Original student lounge established in Stephens Hall in 1923. • In March 31, 2014, Dean Andrew Szeri announced imminent closure. • Reaction: Widespread grassroots campaign across multiple depts to save the space. • Grade-in, phone calls, sleep-over. • GA Resolution • Petition.

Petition with 644 signatories

Temporary Lounge • Hearst Annex: • Lacks aesthetic appeal, but supplies basic amenities; Grad Div funded staff. • Extensive student-friendly hours: Open 9 -7 pm M-F • The lounge is a diverse, comfortable, communal space, and ADA accessible. • Demonstrated Use: • 15 -25 students, spanning a diverse set of departments and backgrounds, use Hearst Annex daily; up to 40 used Stephens. • Primarily used for quiet study, with social area available for collaborations. • PROBLEM: Expires Dec. 2015

Hearst Annex Space

Lounge Fulfills a Demonstrated Campus Need • Helps alleviate unequal resources for graduate students: • Students in areas like ethnic studies, performance studies, and African American studies have no office space at all. • Departments like history and sociology have limited and/or inadequate space. • Offers socially supportive space for work and counters isolation • Provides interdisciplinary, diverse space for graduate students to form cross-department communities

Resolution #1504 A • When GA moves to Eshelman in Fall 2015, transform Anthony Hall into Graduate Student Lounge • Why Anthony Hall? • Graduate controlled space • Aesthetically appealing and centrally located, ADA Accessible • Divisible into four social and study spaces with non-permanent dividers to fulfill multiple needs • Lounge furniture already selected and funded; move-in this summer

Resolution and Feedback • Concerns about lounge management logistics (e. g. hours, reservation policies, etc. ) and funding • Concerns about inclusivity of a Graduate Student Lounge • Concerns about need for other spaces (e. g. designated multicultural space, space for student parents) • Concerns about committing to Grad Student Lounge prior to Eshelman move

Our Response • Concerns about inclusivity • Current usage of Hearst Annex demonstrates diverse group of users and staff • Staff required to receive sensitivity training • Concerns about need for other spaces • Divisions within Anthony Hall allow Anthony Hall to fulfill multiple needs • No other potentially attainable spaces for a future lounge are sufficiently large or fulfill all needs • Concerns about lounge management logistics and funding • Addressed in resolution amendments • Concerns about committing to lounge prior to Eshelman move

Proposed Amendments • Amended to give steering committee more decision making power • • Open hours for student lounge use, to fulfill quiet study and social needs Restrictions for event availability Designated uses of individual sections of Anthony Hall Precise budget and source of funds. • Amended to specify that Grad Div must be petitioned for funds first • Added Resolved clause to include information about pre-existing furniture • Made language amendments suggested by the Rules Committee

Conclusion • Essential we secure Anthony Hall tonight because: • • Demonstrated need for Graduate Student Lounge No alternative spaces available Availability of Anthony Hall as early as August 2015 Steering committee conversations should begin ASAP • We want to hear your voices, delegates! • Your experiences of the lounge space • How do you or your department members use the lounge?

Thank you! Contact info: Matty Lichtenstein, mlicht@Berkeley. edu Mary Shi, mary. shi@Berkeley. edu