Galo, Bill, Byron, Sam, Christine, Brian, Alan, Frank, Eric, Helena/Clifford

We had a go-around and everyone said what they would like the Free University to be and what they're interested in. Most people want a challenge similar to university. Most people want some kind of structured way of learning but many people spoke against the traditional model of classes with a 'professor'. Learning can be a dialogue, like in Socrates. Several people mentioned a variety of ways of learning, such as at alternative high schools.

In general people have very wide interests in art, history, social sciences, architecture, clothing, math, mysticism. About half expressed interest in taking a course or study-group on anarchist theory or history. One person wanted to stay away from traditional anarchist theory. Several people spoke strongly about anti-oppression politics and would like an emphasis on issues of decolonization, immigration, race, sex, gender, sexuality.

There was some difference in emphasis. Some people want courses that are action-oriented, in effect learning by activism. Other people seem to want something like a course of readings and group discussion.

We went inside because it was getting cold and spent the last half-hour on some issues of organization.

We'll keep the name Anarchist Free University. We might change it later.

Decisions at the Free University are taken at monthly general meetings. There is no executive committee. If we set up any working groups for particular tasks they are responsible to the general assembly. Participation at meeting is open, though later we might decide on a level of participation in the Free University needed to take part in decision-making. The general assembly decides on all course proposals. The facilitator or group make a proposal in writing and present this to the assembly. After questions and discussion they leave while a decision is being taken.

We use consensus decision-making. We discussed briefly what this means. We try to negotiate decisions that everyone can live with. There are several levels of disagreement possible. The most serious is actually blocking a decision.

Participation in the Free University includes a commitment to resolving conflicts in a reasonable way. Conflict is normal. Personalities clash, we disagree on issues. But we agree to work out these differences. In serious cases we may need a trained Conflict Resolution person to resolve the matter.

We decided not to have fees. The university will be free. This means that course facilitators are also volunteers. We may need to do a fund-raiser to cover expenses such as renting rooms, printing.

We agreed some courses could be structured, with a facilitator and readings. Other however could be self-organized study groups without a facilitator.

We had some discussion of the scale of the University. If each course or study group has ten people and we have five groups that means about 50 people in involved this fall. We need to do outreach to people who are not part of the anarchist scene. How would you enroll? Like at university. We're not giving certificates or degrees but people can make their own personal goals (to complete three courses or ten).

If we have ten-week units (with a one week break) the Fall schedule would start on 15 September 2003 and end on 28 November 2003 with a reading break the week of 20 October. (How much of this are people expected to attend? How late can people join a class or group? One person with a nomadic lifestyle said he couldn't fit this kind of ten-week schedule)

Next meeting we will continue a general discussion: The idea of 'course work' (what does it mean to participate in a course, written work, etc) Some people will bring courses they might like to take or facilitate so we can continue the discussion by looking at concrete proposals. Rooms Website/ promotion/fund-raising

NEXT MEETING: Saturday 14 June at 196 Manning Ave (at Dundas) Potluck meal at 6 p.m., meeting starts at 7 p.m.