Student News

The address included a presentation by Dean Max Sherman, an update on the School's new admissions policies, and a report from the Dean's Search Committee.

GPAC also held spring elections for 1997-98 president and treasurer. Natasha Borges Sugiyama is the new president and Jennifer Allis is treasurer. Elections for vice president and secretary will be held in the fall so that the incoming class can participate.

Community Service Organization
Community Service Organization members organized a variety of activities that allowed LBJ School students, faculty, staff, and alumni to interact with each other while giving back to the community. These included two public service days and a blood drive.

During public service days, volunteers work for half a day at a variety of city locations. This year the work included helping with barbed wire fencing at Barton Creek Habitat Preserve for Nature Conservancy of Texas; removing graffiti as part of a City of Austin Community Services Division project; and assisting with "Hoop It Up!," a three-on-three basketball tournament to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay Policy Forum
The Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay Policy Forum (LBGs) and the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas cosponsored a legislative breakfast at the Texas State Capitol on March 24. The event allowed members of the two groups to meet with state lawmakers and discuss current legislation that will affect lesbian and gay Texans.

On March 23, the LBGs participated in a march to the state capitol entitled "It's Time for Justice." The march was organized to bring attention to hate crimes in Texas. The LBGs are supporting the Texas Hate Crime Bill (Senate Bill 80) sponsored by Senator Rodney Ellis (LBJ Class of 1977).

Public Affairs Minority Liaison Committee
Members of the Public Affairs Minority Liaison Committee (PAMLICO) redefined the organization's mission and goals as a minority student organization.

According to PAMLICO Co-Chair Erik Paulino, the group's top priority this year has been to create "a sense of support and 'family' for . . . students of color at the LBJ School."

He said that in addition to making concerted efforts to increase PAMLICO's participation in school events and programs, the group has also supported the LBJ School's efforts toward diversity.

This year's activities included the first annual Barbara Jordan Memorial Forum on Diversity in Public Policy (see related story); Youth Empowerment Day, an annual day-long event at Johnston High School coordinated by PAMLICO and members of the Life Skills and Education Awareness Program; and the second annual "Celebration of Diversity" potluck dinner, which welcomed visiting Humphrey Fellows to the LBJ School and exposed participants to foods from different cultures.