First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has expressed interest in WAHA. We have a group made up of students from many different academic disciplines, and interest from a handful of board members from other student groups who are looking forward to collaborating.
Rather than inundating a few people's inboxes and excluding everyone else, I have decided to start a blog for the group. This blog will serve as an open method of communication, so everyone who wants to be involved in the discussion can be. I intend for it to grow into a means for communicating WAHA-sponsored activities, as well as events related to affordable housing around the city, and potentially a medium for sharing news articles/discussion/etc.
Before we do anything else, we have to deal with one issue. One of next year's Urban Planning Student Association (UPSA) board members has expressed some concern over the formation of our group (see comment). Basically, she thinks that UPSA has a responsibility to provide housing activities, and that the Wagner student group scene is a bit crowded as it is. While I don't necessarily disagree with her, I think this is an issue that deserves further discussion.
So we need to make a decision - do we continue forming an autonomous group, or do we defer to UPSA on affordable housing activities? As I have taken the initiative to suggest a group that fills a perceived gap in Wagner's co-curricular options, I think it's pretty obvious what my opinion will be. So I would like to hear from you. The questions to consider are: what are we trying to accomplish here? Are we doing something that is truly unique, that is separate from the role of an urban planning student group, and that can only be accomplished by an autonomous group? Or can our goals be met simply by voicing our desire for a greater number of housing programs led by UPSA?
I look forward to hearing from any interested parties. All input will be taken into account, and I hope to have a better idea of the direction of WAHA before next week's UPSA general meeting.
Thanks!
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ReplyDeleteSent by Sandy on Saturday:
ReplyDeleteDear Alan,
I wanted to comment on the affordable housing student group. THis is
an issue that a lot of us have discussed actually. There are already
22 student groups at Wagner and they are all struggling financially
and are having trouble getting people on the executive boards. One
suggestion (for the groups related to planning) is to have committees
within UPSA (i.e. a transportation committee, housing committee, etc
so that by next year with a new transition there wont be a WTA any
more and instead it will become a part of UPSA. This is a really easy
way for us to organize planning related events. UPSA does a lot of
housing programs already and it will be really difficult to separate
out another specialized group. We also have a lot of funding and can
provide housing programs for the next year (which we are planning on
doing). UPSA also allows anyone to run programs (they don't need to
be on the board specifically). We are having a giant board meeting in
a week and will be discussing upcoming events. If you want to send me
some suggestions I would be happy to bring them to the board. Let me
know your thoughts.
Sandy
Alan,
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Sandy on this one. It's not that I don't think the potential WAHA club would have something vital and unique to offer Wagner, but just thinking logistically. Next year might be the best way to sort of "pilot" this program through UPSA where there can be potentially more funding and a more established network to work with. Perhaps the spin off can occur in subsequent years as it takes on a life of its own.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
-Maulin
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAlan,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with my other Wagner fellows, and do be honest I do get lost in Wagner, sometimes I confuse club with each others, so I think the best way to introduce WAHA is next year, We have a new elected WSA and we should be able to see some differences.
Dawlat