Free University of Stevens Square

Frequently Asked Questions

WHO?

   WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE FUSS?

    The Free University of Stevens Square
is a grass-roots organization arising from the people
of the Stevens Square-Loring Heights Neighborhood
of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

    The FUSS is of the people, by the people, and for the people.

    The FUSS belongs to the people
of Stevens Square and Loring Heights
who decide to take part in the events offered.

    The FUSS is by the people in the sense
that the events are conducted at the initiative
of the people living in our neighborhood.

    The FUSS is for the people in the sense
that only those offerings that people want to join
will succeed.

    WHO MAY OFFER CLASSES
IN THE FREE UNIVERSITY OF STEVENS SQUARE?

    Anyone may offer classes.
Most of the classes will be organized by people
who live or work in the Stevens Square-Loring Heights Neighborhood.
But others may also offer classes.

    FUSS has no faculty, as such.
People who want to see a certain class offered
must do it themselves.

    HOW DO I CREATE A CLASS IN THE FUSS?

    No special expertise is required.
But if you do have some special qualifications,
be sure to mention them in your course description.

    You create a course description in the following format:

AN INTERESTING AND DESCRIPTIVE TITLE

Your Name and telephone number and/or e-mail address
The place where the class will meet
The date and time of the meetings.

A brief description of the purpose of the gathering
and what will take place there.
Resources and costs, if any.
A few words about the organizer.

    You can read some examples of course descriptions
by clicking one of the linked courses
among the 100 possible courses .

    WHO MAY ATTEND CLASSES OFFERED
BY THE FREE UNIVERSITY OF STEVENS SQUARE?

    Anyone may attend classes.
Because the classes are publicized mainly
by means of our community newsletter, the SSCO Herald
---Stevens Square Community Organization Herald---
most of the people who hear about these classes
will be the 4,000 people who live in our neighborhood.
But others who learn about the offerings
are also be welcome to join.

    A secondary means of publicity is this website,
which lists complete information about each class.
This website is also linked from the SSCO website:
http://www.sscoweb.org

    IS ANYONE IN CHARGE?

    No.

    The Free University of Stevens Square
operates itself by means of individual autonomy.
Individuals offer classes.
Other individuals decide to join.

    However, there is a coordinator,
who puts together the quarterly listing of classes.
This volunteer is not an employee of the FUSS or of SSCO.
He merely collects and publishes the course descriptions
four times a year.

    This persons is James Park.
He lives at 1816 Stevens Avenue South, Apartment 25,
overlooking Stevens Square Park.
Course descriptions can be sent to him at the address above.
(Or you can deliver your course description in person
if you call ahead to make sure the coordinator is home.)
Those who have e-mail should send
their course descriptions to the coordinator at:
parkx032@TC.UMN.EDU

    If you want advice or feedback about a course idea,
he can sometimes be found at home by phone:
871-7275. The middle of the week is the best time to call.

    Deadlines for submitting course descriptions
will be strictly enforced.
See WHEN? below.
All course descriptions must be submitted in writing.
(E-mail course descriptions qualify as writing.)
If you miss one quarterly deadline,
you will have to wait 3 months
for the next round of classes.

    Class organizers must arrange a place for each class to meet.
Public locations for classes are required.
The SSCO staff might be able to help arrange a place.
Call the SSCO office: 871-7307.

WHAT?

    WHAT IS THE FREE UNIVERSITY OF STEVENS SQUARE?

    The FUSS is whatever the people
of Stevens Square and Loring Heights want it to be.
It offers opportunities for people to gather
for any purposes they can imagine.

    WHAT CLASSES MIGHT BE OFFERED?

    Anyone can offer a class on anything.
Click the following link to see over 100 suggested classes.

SUGGESTED POSSIBLE CLASSES FOR THE FUSS

Let these suggestions open up new possibilities in your mind.

   ARE THE CLASSES REALLY FREE OF CHARGE?

    Yes, there is no fee for attending any FUSS event.
These classes are not a means by which instructors make a living.
Class organizers are all volunteers,
who offers their services free of charge.

    However, when a class involves materials
such as art supplies for an art class,
then participants will either have to provide their own materials
or buy them from the instructor.

    If the group rents a video or goes on a trip,
then each participant would be expected to pay
a fair share of the cost.

    If a book is being discussed,
participants will have to buy or borrow their own books.

    If the class requires some other kind of written materials,
the instructor may charge a reasonable fee
to cover the cost of making copies.

    Likewise participants in a cooking class
will be expected to pay their share of the food to be cooked and eaten.

    If there is a cost for the place where the class meets,
such as a gymnasium or a dance studio
or a cost to attend a performance of music or a movie,
then each participant will pay his or her fair share.

    All such costs must be explained (and at least estimated)
in the course description.

    ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS ON WHAT MAY BE OFFERED?

    No, except activities prohibited by law
and events created for commercial purposes.

    Anyone may offer a class on any subject
or organize a group for any purpose,
except as provided below.
There is no individual or committee
that approves or disapproves classes.
Everything that is submitted will be printed.
(Space limitations usually require shortening the printed description,
but the complete course description will appear on the FUSS website.)

    The only limitations are the following:
(1) The FUSS will not knowingly publicize any illegal activity.
(2) Commercial seminars will not be listed.
These are defined as 'educational' events
whose instructors are paid (or who are self-employed)
by organizations whose purposes is to sell a product or service.
Examples would include:
classes on insurance by insurance salesmen;
vacation destinations by sellers of time-share condominiums;
investment seminars by people offering investment opportunities;
kitchen-ware demonstrations by sellers of kitchen-ware.

    The coordinator of the Free University of Stevens Square
is responsible for excluding commercial offerings.
If some commercial classes slip thru,
he would appreciate being informed
in order to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Send information to: James Park, e-mail: parkx032@TC.UMN.EDU
Or phone him at: 871-7275.
The SSCO office phone number is: 871-7307.

    IS THE FREE UNIVERSITY OF STEVENS SQUARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CLASSES?

    No.

    Because courses and instructors are not evaluated in advance,
no one associated with the FUSS can be held
responsible for what happens in a FUSS class.
Thus, persons considering joining a group
should exercise reasonable caution,
as they would about any other activity.
The class organizer's phone number is published
with each course description.
Participants are encouraged to call
with any questions or concerns they might have.

    Neither the FUSS nor the SSCO accepts any legal liability
for what happens in FUSS classes
or because of any connections people make in FUSS classes.
No quality assurance is expressed or implied.
Only the individuals directly involved
can be held responsible for their actions.
(This is no different from all of our normal,
everyday encounters with others.)

    DOES THE FREE UNIVERSITY OF STEVENS SQUARE
GRANT COLLEGE DEGREES?

    No.

    Whatever learning takes place
is purely for the personal enjoyment
and growth of the people involved.

    There is no registration, no tests, no homework,
no papers to write, no grades---no requirements of any kind.

    (Individual class-organizers might require advance registration,
for instance to limit the number of people in a cooking class.
Any such requirements are explained in the course description.)

    Normally, interested persons just show up
at the time and place indicated for a particular class.
We join FUSS classes purely because we want to.

    In all of these ways, the FUSS does not resemble
a regular college or university.

    ARE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PERMITTED
TO CO-SPONSOR CLASSES?

    Yes, the FUSS invites any and all organizations
already meeting in Stevens Square and Loring Heights
(or very nearby)
to include their events in the listing of FUSS classes
if they would like to invite new people to join.
This includes, of course, any workshops created by
the Stevens Square Community Organization itself
---or any of its committees or task-forces.

    HOW DOES THE FREE UNIVERSITY OF STEVENS SQUARE
DIFFER FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OFFERING CLASSES?

    There are several kinds of organizations that offer classes
without fees (or for small fees) and without giving college credit, etc.
A few of these include:
Community Education in the Minneapolis Public Schools;
The People's University sponsored by the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library;
Open U (which charges fees higher than Community Education);
(others adult education organizations should be added here)

    The main difference between the FUSS and these other organizations
is that FUSS has no gatekeeper.
Anyone has the power to create a class.
No committee or individual approves or disapproves of offerings.
All course descriptions are published.
The people decide whether they will attend or not.
This permits ideas to be shared that seem weird to most people.
But if there are enough people interested
---no matter what most people might think---
it will be a successful class in the FUSS.

WHEN?

    WHEN DO THE CLASSES OR GROUPS MEET?

    The offerings of the FUSS can take place any time during the week,
but most classes will probably take place in the evenings,
when the maximum number of interested people can participate.

    Each meeting of any class, group, or club
lasts however long is appropriate for its activity.
Some meetings might be as short as one hour.
Others might take up several hours at a time.

    HOW MANY MEETINGS DO FUSS CLASSES HAVE?

    Some workshops consist of a single meeting:
The people get together, begin their task or discussion,
and they conclude it all in one meeting.

    Other classes last a few weeks.
Four weeks is a common length.
But shorter or longer durations are always possible,
depending on the nature of the course.

    Some clubs might continue indefinitely,
perhaps inviting new people to join from time to time.

    WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES?
WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES
FOR SUBMITTING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS?

    FUSS classes may begin any time of the year,
meet as often as they please and for as long as they please.
But the primary means of publicity is
the SSCO Herald---our community newsletter---
which is published quarterly,
Winter, Spring, Summer, & Fall each year.

    The Fall issue of the SSCO Herald
covers all events beginning in the fall months:
September, October, & November.
The deadline for submitting course descriptions
is the first week of August,
but no later than August 10.

    The Winter issue of the SSCO Herald
covers all events beginning in the winter months:
December, January, & February.
The deadline for submitting course descriptions
is the first week of November,
but no later than November 10.

    The Spring issue of the SSCO Herald
covers all events beginning in the spring months:
March, April, & May.
The deadline for submitting course descriptions
is the first week of February,
but no later than February 10.

    The Summer issue of the SSCO Herald
covers all events beginning in the summer months:
June, July, & August.
The deadline for submitting course descriptions
is the first week of May,
but no later than May 10.

    If a groups continues from one season into the next,
and if it wants to invite additional participants,
its course description can be published again
with the new classes beginning that season.

WHERE?

    WHERE DO THE FUSS CLASSES MEET?

    All offerings of the Free University of Stevens Square
meet within the Stevens Square-Loring Heights Neighborhood
---or very close to it.
Some events might include going somewhere outside our neighborhood,
for instance to see plays or movies elsewhere,
but they all originate within our neighborhood.

    Because we have a compact neighborhood,
all the classes should be within easy walking distance
of where we live.

    Because of safety concerns,
classes will be listed only if they meet in a public place.

    Class organizers are responsible for finding a place to meet.
Because this might take a few weeks of search and negotiation,
class organizers are encouraged to begin this process
about a month before the deadline for course descriptions.

    A few community spaces are available.
The Stevens Square Community Organization
might be able to help arrange spaces for some classes.
Call the SSCO Office: 871-7307.

    The following four organizations
have agreed to host FUSS classes.
If you have another place to suggest,
send the following information to the FUSS coordinator:
James Park, e-mail: PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU .
_________________________________________________

NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION:
Lydia Apartments

KINDS OF CLASSES THEY WOULD WELCOME:
{nothing specified so far}

ADDRESS AND KINDS OF SPACE AVAILABLE:
1920 LaSalle Ave. South (Parking lot on north side of buidling)
A community room with TV and VCR and a small kitchen area.
Table and chairs seating for up to 15 people.

CONTACT PERSON:
Susie Kennelly, Support Services Coordinator
e-mail: skennelly@resource-mn.org

phone: 612-879-5770 x102 or 612-750-0973
__________________________________________________

NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION:
Plymouth Congregational Church:
http://www.plymouth.org/index02.html

KINDS OF CLASSES THEY WOULD WELCOME:
{nothing specified so far}

ADDRESS AND KINDS OF SPACE AVAILABLE:
1900 Nicollet Avenue South, at Franklin Avenue.
enter from parking lot on LaSalle Avenue.

CONTACT PERSON:
Kathleen Seestadt, Community Liaison
e-mail: KathleenSeestadt <kathleens@plymouth.org>
phone: 871-7400
_________________________________________________

NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION:
Zero Proof Coffee Shop

KINDS OF CLASSES THEY WOULD WELCOME:
{nothing specified so far}

ADDRESS AND KINDS OF SPACE AVAILABLE:
1819 Nicollet Avenue South.
Poolroom can be scheduled for meetings.

CONTACT PERSON:
Kelly O'Brien
e-mail: ToyGirl100@hotmail.com
phone: 423-3497

__________________________________________________

NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION:
Acadia Cafe

KINDS OF CLASSES THEY WOULD WELCOME:
{nothing specified so far}

ADDRESS AND KINDS OF SPACE AVAILABLE:
1931 Nicollet Avenue South, at Franklin.
Theatre space available weekdays 3:00-6:30 PM

CONTACT PERSON:
Ted Lowell
e-mail: caffetempo@visi.com
phone: 874-8702
___________________________________________________

    Our deep thanks to these organizations
for their williness to share their space for FUSS classes.
Other such meeting places can be added to this list at any time.

    Various institutions in the neighborhood
might be willing to co-sponsor FUSS classes,
which would then meet in their facilities.

WHY?

    WHY DOES THE FREE UNIVERSITY OF STEVENS SQUARE EXIST?

    The FUSS exists to serve the purposes and interests
of the people of Stevens Square and Loring Heights.

    The people alone decide what is successful and what fails.
They vote with their feet:
If they like a particular offering, they decide to join in that activity.
If they have no interest in it, they do something else.

    The WHY? must really be asked and answered
with respect to each individual offering.
People will join a group in conversational Spanish
because they want to practice the Spanish language.
People will take up archery
because they enjoy shooting arrows from a bow.
People will join a cooking class
because they want to learn how to cook a certain kind of food.

These Frequently Asked Questions were revised July 17, 2003, August 31, 2003, March 14, 2004.

If you have further questions that should be answered here,
send them to James Park, e-mail: PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU .
The above principles of operation of the FUSS
can be changed as needed.

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the Free University of Stevens Square