Chris B, Paula (and Sarah), Paul, Dwayne, Rob, Todd, Possum, Chris Smith, Alan and guests from Ryerson Uninversity

A video crew from Ryerson University introduced themselves and explained that they want to make an 8-minute video about the free university. There was consensus to allow them to do this. (They will give use a copy of the finished documentary.)

COURSE UPDATES Several facilitators present. Many courses started with 25 to 35 members and have now settled down to more reasonable numbers. Several courses reported dealing with big differences in background knowledge (for example about the Beats) or social science concepts (culture & social movements). Queer sexuality 15-16 people each week (very mixed group) Theories of Sexuality 15-20 people 1968 has 14-15 people Beats has 8-10 people each week (with not a lot of continuity) Culture & social movements 18-25 (a lot of differences in background knowledge).

SUMMER SESSION. Do we keep the format of 10 classes X 2 hours? Do we keep the mainly academic format of our courses?

WE DECIDED that summer courses will have 8 or 10 sessions of two hours. Course may meet twice a week.

SUMMER TERM I: starts Monday 3rd May SUMMER TERM II: starts Monday 5th July

We may also organize a summer retreat, perhaps for four days with a variety of workshops. These would cover many topics (similar to anarchist bookfair workshops). The week-end as a whole would be equivalent to one course.

COURSE PROPOSALS

Chris and Todd briefly introduced course proposals. They will make formal presentations at the next meeting (a written outline including brief course description, readings and a schedule of classes).

Chris Bowen: The Ruling Elites: Social Class from Ancient Society to Today Todd Parsons: Social Ecology (using Bookchin, Remaking Society as a text)

MONTREAL BOOKFAIR (15-16 May 2004)

We agreed that Rob and Possum will do a workshop outlining how we set up the free university here and Toronto and encouraging people in other cities to start similar projects. Rob and Possum need to contact the Montreal collective lombrenoire@tao.ca as soon as possible.

E-MAIL

Dwayne will take over the e-mail for the three months ending 31 May 2004. Also update the FAQ Possum has set up a new e-mail system (thanks)

PHOTOS on website

We encourage classes to post group photos on the website. (People who don't feel comfortable with this can opt out of the photo opportunity). But it's a great idea.

FALL TERM 2004

Our courses will start the week of Monday 20th September 2004. Written course proposals can be presented at any meeting. Repeat courses are welcome. Charlie brought up the issue of an honorarium for course facilitators. This is not a completely new idea for us and we will discuss it.

END OF TERM PARTY

Saturday 3rd April 2004. Place TBA

NEXT MEETING

Sunday 14th March at 6pm above This Ain't The Rosedale Library.