Montclair State University
PCAA 2001-02

Final Report
May 17, 2001

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Submitted by Tina Jacobowitz, Chair, PCAA

On November 20th, 2000, President Cole charged the President's Commission on Affirmative Action (PCAA) to help to create a positive and constructive environment on campus. She asked that the Commission think of innovative ways to celebrate diversity and promote equal employment opportunities that make the campus an open and welcoming place. While we got a late start, (our first meeting was in November of 2000), the Commission members have worked hard this year to meet the goals of the charge which we have divided into three major areas:

I. Educating Ourselves and the Campus Community
II. Strengthening the Structure and Work of the PCAA
III. Ensuring Equity on Campus in All Units

ACCOMPLISHMENTS TOWARDS MEETING THE PRESIDENT'S CHARGE IN AY 2000-2001

I. EDUCATING OURSELVES AND THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

- Self-Education: Members of the PCAA feel that if we are to serve as advocates for affirmative action, we must be fluent and knowledgeable about relevant issues. To this end, we spent time at each meeting to engage in discussions around shared readings. Our focus this year was on chapters from the book "The Shape of the River" as well as articles from newspapers, magazines and the web related to current issues. This was an innovative approach to enhancing the conversation on campus about such issues as diversity, race, privilege, admissions and equal opportunity. There is no other group on campus that represents every constituency that engages in these kinds of discussions.

- Development of a Website on Affirmative Action: We are extremely fortunate to have Cindy Meneghin, the University Web Manager on the Commission. She has created a web site for the Commission that includes information about our activities, agendas and minutes from our meetings, the roster of our membership, internal and external links, and important documents related to our work, including the constitution. WE anticipate that when this site will serve as forum for discussions about important issues and an educational tool for our campus community and beyond.

- National Affirmative Action Day: National Affirmative Action Day was celebrated this year on February 22, with a flag raising and discussion forum entitled: "Issues Facing Affirmative Action in Higher Education." The discussion was lively and informative and touched on issues such as: the continued need for affirmative action; the lack of an equal playing field for all; the terminology we use may have a negative impact on some groups; white females as the primary beneficiaries of affirmative action; and ensuring that affirmative action is practiced appropriately in search committees.

- Computer Access: According to Vice President Hain, everyone on the Commission now has access to computers and e-mail. This will facilitate communication among the members and make it easier to get our work done. We also see it as part of our efforts to educate and involve the entire PCAA membership in the issues and discussions related to affirmative action.

- Center of Pedagogy Annual Advance: Several members of the Commission attended the annual Advance, which focused on difficult discussions about race and privilege. It is our hope that more members will attend next year as these meetings further educate Commission members about issues relevant to affirmative action.

II. STRENTHENING THE STRUCTURE AND WORK OF THE PCAA

- Strengthening the Membership: We worked hard this year, with the help of President Cole and VP Judith Hain, to build up the membership body and to appoint alternates for every member.

- Strengthening the Work of the Standing Committees: The work of the three standing committees has deepened this year and it is our hope that it will become much stronger next year. Our intent is to make the bulk of the work of the Commission happen within the standing committees, who will then share their ideas and concerns with the group as a whole. We view this as a more democratic process in that each member can select a committee that interests them and have their voice heard.

- Americans with Disabilities Representation: Subject to a vote at the Advance, the PCAA is pleased that there will be a representative for Americans with Disabilities on the Commission. The Commission has full representation from groups that are protected under affirmative action guidelines.

III. ENSURE EQUITY ON CAMPUS IN ALL UNITS

- Physical Plant Initiative: This initiative arose out a PCAA concern. During AY 2000-2001 the initiative has grown. A cadre of trainers was developed and training is on going with employees and supervisors. We are pleased that some of the trainers are Physical Plant employees. Committees were established to empower employees and to address concerns which can then be presented to management.

- Hiring Procedures: The PCAA has expressed concerns to VP Hain about hiring procedures related to blanket employees. We have noted that blanket employees were being hired from outside the available pool that exists on campus. It is our understanding, based on discussion with VP Hain, that new hiring procedures have been developed and implemented that address these concerns. The PCAA will continue to monitor progress in regard to hiring.

- Training Opportunities: According to VP Hain, training opportunities are being offered to employees, including apprenticeships in temporary positions. The PCAA has been concerned that employees have not been given sufficient opportunities for training and retraining, and we are pleased that an effort is being made in this regard. We see this as a way for employees to gain higher level positions and we will continue to watch the progress of these initiatives.

- Job Postings: A concern of the Commission has been that jobs were not posted adequately around the campus. VP Hain has informed us that the issue has been addressed and resolved. The Commission will continue to monitor the postings of jobs to ensure that all members of the campus community have equal access to employment opportunities.

IV. OTHER RELATED ISSUES

- President's Report on Equipping Campus Police with Firearms: The PCAA reviewed the President's report on Equipping University Police with Firearms. The issue is now considered closed by the PCAA. The PCAA was pleased that President Cole sought our input and viewed us as a resource in regard to this highly charged issue.

CONTINUING CONCERNS OF THE PCAA
- Secretarial and Clerical Staff Concerns: President Cole met with secretarial and clerical staff to address their concerns. Angel Herbert spearheaded this initiative. It is the Commission's hope that progress will be made next year to address these concerns.

- Attendance at PCAA and Standing Committee Meetings: If the Commission is to carry out its charge, it is imperative that all members come to the meetings of both the entire group and the standing committees. The PCAA constitution states that if a member misses more than four meetings, that individual should no longer serve on the Commission. We would like to strengthen this policy and require that members not only come to all meetings (recognizing that at times, emergencies arise), but that they commit to serving on, and attending, standing committee meetings.

- Benefits to Domestic Partners: The PCAA has continued to discuss the issue of health benefits to domestic partners. We hope that our resolution in support of equal benefits to all employees will be realized in the near future.

- Minority Faculty Recruitment and Retention: This is still a major concern of the Commission. Our subcommittee on Recruitment and Retention will address this in-depth this year. Deans will be surveyed and we anticipate that the results will strengthen our efforts to increase and retain representation of minority faculty on campus.

- National Affirmative Action Day Event: While some non-commission members attended, the commission needs find ways to involve more of the campus community in these important discussions.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

As can be seen from the above summary, the PCAA continues to be active in moving forward on President Cole's charge. We feel that the Commission has one of the most important charges of all the committees on campus and we take it very seriously. It is our hope that through the strengthening of the structure of the Commission and the commitment of long-standing and new members to this work, affirmative action will grow stronger on our campus.