Montclair State University
PCAA 2001-02

Minutes
April 18, 2002

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Present: J. Baldwin LeClair, T. Jacobowitz, C. Meneghin, E. Abreu, L. McInererney, P. Kirby, C. Ortiz, L. Rodriguez, R. Sharps, S. Vallejo, M. Brown, N. Connolly, K. Dennis, J. Harris, M. Coleman-Carter, H. Gera Non-Voting Alternates – R. Judge, R. Aldridge, I. Caprio, K. Bledsoe, O, Rodriguez-Srednicki, D. Estrada Ex-Officio – J Hain, B. Milton

Absent: B. Terry, L. Wise, R. Young, J. Rivera, S. Shah, M. Cunningham, J. Ficke, D. Mengara, S. Kight

I. Call to Order

N. Connolly called the meeting to order at 12:15. While waiting for a quorum of 16 voting members and only having 13, we postponed adoption of the minutes and began discussion on the reading.

Upon reaching a quorum later in the meeting, T. Jacobowitz called for a motion to adopt to adopt February minutes. L. Rodriguez moved and K. Dennis added a second. Motion carried
K. Dennis moved to accept the March minutes, with a second from L. Rodriguez. Motion carried.

II. Discussion on Reading

N. Connolly began the discussion by pointing out that the readings in Part 2: Newspaper Articles were arranged in con/pro affirmative action points of view.

Opponents say that affirmative action has moved beyond African American and affects other ethnic and under represented groups. They say Blacks and Latinos should not be the sole beneficiaries. They also accuse affirmative action of inciting hostility among the races. B. Milton opposed this point. C. Meneghin questioned the effectiveness of affirmative action in changing society. Does it change attitudes or just overt behavior? History is still a major factor in the equation and history can't be changed. J. Harris reminded us of the civil rights tactics of the 1960's. Burning cities brought people to the bargaining table. He discussed the example of NJ's inequities in school spending. Of the 611 school districts in NJ, 30 have 85% of all the African American and Latino students. Wealthy school districts object to the needy districts receiving additional funding and want to receive additional funding too.

K. Dennis shifted the discussion to higher education by pointing out that inequalities in student achievement and funding exist in college. L. Rodriguez questioned how diversity in higher education would survive if we continue to use the SAT in making admissions decisions based on the poorer performance of African Americans and Latinos as compared to whites and Asians. J. Harris indicated that there is a lack of creativity for alternatives. It's not enough to bash what is in place without alternative solutions. R. Aldridge suggested that the alternative to relying on SAT's lies in interviewing and adding the personal touch. This is the approach that the School of Performing Arts uses in selecting special admits in music when candidates audition.

III. Committee Reports

A. Status of Minorities
Bryan Terry
No report

B. Status of Women: M. Coleman-Carter
Committee Chairperson Carter thanked E. Abreu for her report on University Day workshops at our last meeting. The staff development workshops were highly successful. Facilitators are analyzing the evaluations and recommendations will be forthcoming at our annual meeting in May.

Corresponding Secretary, C. Meneghin announced that the Women of Montclair selected M. Coleman-Carter to receive its annual recognition award.

C. Retention & Recruitment: R. Sharps
The committee is reviewing J. Ficke's report and will make its recommendations to the PCAA on how the body should proceed on the faculty mentoring proposal.

IV. Old Business

A. ADA Update
The Commission asked if there was a plan for faculty staff emergency evacuation from buildings.

If not, the Crisis Management Team can adopt a plan that is similar to the plan for students.

B. Physical Plant: Status of the Interim Report from Consultants
VP Hain indicated that the consultants would be submitting their report next Thursday and that a copy will be forwarded to the Commission.

C. Student Involvement in PCAA
M. Coleman-Carter spoke with SDCL student advisors and it was agreed that the student leaders would be available and attend training workshops during the summer for affirmative action. The student leaders are housed and work on campus during the summer.

D. Advance
We need to add the following items to the agenda:

-Do we want to continue readings and discussions?
-Growth of staff as the enrollment increases
-Review hiring policies. Are standards changed to exclude classes of people? Or are job descriptions tailored to accommodate specific individuals?
-Are computer and phone access provided to physical plant workers for those who want them?
VP Hain reported that computer access was given to all employees who received training and e-mail accounts. Physical plant employees received a first round of training and the process was well received by the participants. They have access to all the campus labs and they are encouraged to use those closest to their work sites.

Phones and computers should be accessible in all faculty and staff lounges for their use. We should brainstorm at the Advance to determine what facilities are available to be equipped with computers and phones, what facilities are available now, and what workers are being excluded from computer and phone use. T. Jacobowitz ascertain this information from Kiki Williams.

A question was raised about our $5,000 budget. VP Hain is going to check the budget.

E. Membership
More than half the commission members' terms expire in May. Notices were sent to 16 constituencies for recommendations and nominations of members. Currently The PCAA has no term limits for members. We need to consider a recommendation to stagger half the at-large terms to provide consistency and stability in the membership.

T. Jacobowitz called for a nominating committee for the executive board. B. Milton will act as convener for a committee consisting of her, J. Harris, H. Gera, and L. Rodriguez.

B. Milton will get the constituency nominations and submit them to Corresponding Secretary Meneghin. The nominations committee will then send nominating forms to the membership.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55 PM.

Submitted,

Michael Brown
Recording Secretary