State Of The SSAs

STATE OF THE SSAS: PAST AND PRESENT

1980S

Informal Sikh organizations on campus, but campus registration was rare

Sac State, Fresno State, and in 1989 at UCB

1990S

Two periods: 1990-1994

Membership generally those born in Punjab Overtly political and tied to politics of Punjab

1996-2000 New proliferation throughout Southern California UC Davis always missing Proliferation of bhangra competitions related to SSAs

2000S

Continuation and Resolution of the contradictions of the 1990s 2000-2005

Proliferation of bhangra teams, growing out of SSAs. A new confidence, but new contradictions

2005-2009 Bhangra competitions are stabilizing Bhangra teams have separated from the SSA

EVOLUTION AND REVOLUTIONS

From a political agenda to a lack of an agenda

Bhangra outgrowth, but increasingly separation

Bhangra teams have an agenda What is that of the SSA?

STRENGTHS AND SUCCESSES

Largely interconnected network Statewide presence Purely social club is not the agenda Increasing student interest Phenomenal individuals

LIMITATIONS AND PROBLEMS

Limited engagement with Sikhs and non-Sikhs

CYCLICAL instead of CUMULATIVE learning Avenue for individual growth and exploration

is limited SEVERELY underfunded and underutilized Largely a UC phenomenon – weak at JCs and

CSUs Lack of accountability Lack of maturity Do you leave college committed to your

community?

2010S?

What will be the new innovations during this decade?

What will be our contribution? Can we impart a revolution to this critical

institution?

CREATING AN AGENDA

What would it entail?