Montclair State University
PCAA 2001-02

Minutes
January 17, 2002

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Present: B. Terry, T. Jacobowitz, C. Meneghin, E. Abreu, L. McInerney, P. Kirby,N. Connolly, K. Dennis, M. Coleman-Carter, J. Ficke, L. Rodriguez, J Hain, R. Sharps, E. Oberhofer (alt), R. Baylor (alt), I Caprio (alt), K. Bledsoe (alt) W. Poon (alt), O. Rodriguez-Srednicki (alt)

Absent: J. Baldwin LeClair, L. Wise, R Young, J. Rivera, J. Mammaro, D. Chrysovergis,J. Harris, I. Barriera, M. Cunningham, H. Gera, D. Mengara, C. Ortiz, S. Kight

I. Call to Order

A. Chairperson Jacobowitz called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM.

B. C. Meneghin moved to approve minutes of the December 20 meeting. L. Rodriguez seconded. Minutes were accepted.

II. Reading
N. Connolly led us in a discussion of Sex, Race, and Merit, focusing on the issue of affirmative action vs. equal opportunity. Ward Connerly argues that affirmative action no longer has a purpose in that it was provisional. There is no longer a need. People rise on their own merit. Although there is some partial truth about people rising on their own merit, most of us in the PCAA hold that underrepresentation of people of color exists because the playing field is still not level. Institutions of higher education continue to lack diversity.

K. Dennis added that in general, individuals who are in the decision-making process tend to select people who look like themselves and share the same values. For example, in a search process, straight white men are likely to choose other straight white men.

III. Committee Reports

A. Status of Minorities -- B. Terry
B. Terry informed the Commission of the resignation of T. Hutchines, the representative from Physical Plant. Hutchines resigned out frustration with what he perceives as institutional racism in the department. In his opinion, there has been no real change since the Physical Plant Initiative began over two years ago. B. Terry recommends that the focus of his committee charge switch from minority representation in departments back to physical plant issues. B. Terry and B. Milton (in her capacity of EEO/AA officer) met with T. Hutchines and other members of the physical plant staff, who share the same sentiment.

B Terry related an incident shared with him about a supervisor missing master keys and how Campus Police continued to question black male employees after the keys were found. The individuals involved in the questioning wanted an apology that was never given.

E. Oberhofer explained the severity of lost master keys to students’ security. When property is stolen, maintenance workers are always questioned first, because they have access. The supervisor asked all the employees at the site about the missing keys.

Another member of the maintenance staff added that as a first line supervisor, those to whom he reports do not respect him. He sees uniforms and name tags with their first names only as insensitive and lacking respect. Physical Plant and Information Technology staff are the only people on campus required to wear ID’s. He also feels undervalued and not respected as a first line supervisor. That he does not have a computer access or a phone extension, he believes, demonstrates his point.

According to VP Hain’s view of the Physical Plant Initiative, President Cole started it as a result of a letter Dr. Cole received from two Physical Plant employees. The University hired an interracial team of consultants to change the culture of the organization. The job of the consultants was to help identify problems. The fist year was for identification of problems from which lack of respect and racism were prominent. The second year was designated the storming period. The third year is the year of accountability. She indicates that there have been positive changes. For example, supervisor evaluations now include ratings on respect for diversity, etc.

VP Hain said that our institution is unique in that it has committee resources to the Physical Plant Initiative. We can’t expect to change a culture overnight. The PPI is a good faith effort. We need to exercise patience as we address difficult and sensitive issues.

The discussion was tabled for the next meeting.

B. Status of Women -- M. Coleman-Carter
As a result of this lengthy discussion and the need to discuss Affirmative Action Day, the other standing committee reports were tabled until the next meeting February 21.

C. Retention & Recruitment -- R. Sharps
Tabled until next meeting.

IV. Old Business
A. Affirmative Action Day Report -- C. Meneghin
Susan Sturm is confirmed as our keynote speaker. C. Meneghin will put a flyer on the web and circulate hard copies about the February 19 event. The agenda starting at 12 noon is:
Flag raising
Keynote speaker and respondents
Food and organization tables in Ballrooms A&B
Contact E. Abreu for tables for your constituents
Book signing
Reception for PCAA and guests

The PCAA ordered books for our members. The assignment is to read chapter 1 of Who’s Qualified, by Guinier and Sturm for the purpose of asking Sturm questions for discussion.

We need to estimate attendance for room set up form Maintenance and our order for Food Services.

The next general meeting is February 21.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55 PM.

Submitted,

Michael Brown
Recording Secretary