Coalition for Social Action

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29 April 2008 MEMORANDUM FOR A.S. SENIOR VP / SENATE

FROM: Matthew Gundlach and Jessica Howen

SUBJECT: Establishment of the AS Coalition for Social Action

Proposal:

We are proposing the establishment of a new department in the AS Services Branch: the Coalition for Social Action (CSA). The new services board would begin in the 2008-2009 school year in accordance with the AS Constitution.

The purpose of the CSA is to develop a community that testifies to Christ by living the Biblical call to justice and mobilizing students toward action for social change.

The duties and responsibilities of the new department are (1) encourage just economic and environmental practices among the Biola community, (2) to raise awareness of local, national, and global issues of justice, peace, and equality through events and media, (3) to educate the community about our Christian role in the pursuit of social justice, and (4) to mobilize students to effect social change in accordance with Biola’s mission to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The board will have one chair position (similar to the Religious and Academic Relations at its beginning). This chairperson will oversee the administration and maintenance of the department. Along with department volunteers, the chairperson will be responsible for promoting just and sustainable environmental and economic practices within the Biola community and making these needs tangible and applicable—for example, greater recycling, promoting action on Biola’s status as a “Student Body of ONE,” bringing Sweatshop-free clothing and Fair Trade coffee and cocoa products to Biola stores. The department will organize programs to raise awareness and educate the student body, such as: hosting nationally renown speakers for chapels and lectures—Jim Wallis, John Perkins, or Shane Claiborne, for example—that not only inform, but motivate and mobilize; benefit concerts, interactive and artistic events, and awareness campaigns, such as Not For Sale; and eventually hosting a national conference for students on social justice.

Every facet of the proposed board would be in direct alignment with AS purpose statement in serving the student body—promoting and actualizing their interests, ensuring greater understanding, contributing a richer university experience, and cultivating a Christ-centered community.

2. Amount Requested:

Departmental payroll and budget would need to be finalized. Estimated expenses are outlined in the table below:

Payroll Expenses

Chair $8.50×15 hrs x 9 months (30 weeks) $3825 Payroll Total $3825

Department Expenses

Events (Honorariums & Supplies)                $2100
Advertising                            $500
Publications                            $400
Miscellaneous                            $100

Department Expense Total        $3000

Total Amount Requested (Estimate)    $6825

3. Problems with the Status Quo:

Defense of the poor and oppressed is a central theme of Biblical teaching. Poverty is the second most common issue in the Old and New Testaments—second to idolatry—and Christ himself took up a mission to “Preach the good news to the poor…proclaim liberty to the oppressed” in his life and ministry (Luke 4:18-19). 
There is a growing concern for contemporary global and national issues within the student body, but overall there is low awareness, education, and action taken. Similarly, there is a need for the Biola campus to be better informed in just environmental and economic practices. This also is true for the church as a whole, and as go out into the world, we need to be prepared for a life of service.
As of now there is no direct focus in existing institutions. Such institutionalization not only accomplishes the mentioned needs, but sends an internal and external message. It shows the Biola community that we are committed to these Biblical values and want to help those who are interested and concerned into informed and engaged individuals. It also sends a message to the world, as living justly in a world of inequality and injustice testifies to Jesus Christ (Micah 6:8).
We believe that this new department is in direct accordance with the Administration’s trajectory toward greater student involvement in outreach, and addresses the issues of lack of funding for, and current inefficacy of awareness programs or social initiatives.
If nothing else, want to address the need for Biola students to understand their social responsibility as we move into the world—not as a matter of guilt or blame, but as being part of something larger: a calling to use their responsibility as citizens and as Christians to act and make a difference.

4. Miscellaneous: To our knowledge only one Christian university has taken this step, as Pepperdine University created the Social Action Initiatives position in its Student Government Association. This presents Biola with an opportunity to set a standard for Christians addressing relevant social issues. For clarification sake, we feel that we should point out that there is no association with this proposed department and the Social Justice Ministry. The two are separate entities with distinct purposes—this is not one group trying to extend its arm into another. In the coming year SJM will focus its efforts towards student ministry and mission outside of Biola in the local communities of L.A. and Orange County. The CSA focuses its efforts within Biola.

Matthew Gundlach
Jessica Howen

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