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Meeting Minutes - April 22, 2009

Attendance

Michael Brown, Rick Brown, Marie Cascarano, Margaree Coleman-Carter, Mary Colon, Steven Davage, Takeem Dean, Ana Gomez, Michael Greene, James Harris, Agatha Jeffers, Leslie Jenkins, Carolyn Jones, David Keiser, Michael Kruge, Larry Lemley, Amie MacMath, Cindy Meneghin, Barbara Milton, Ram Misra, Phyllis Morgan, Debra Ragin, Ofelia Rodriguez Srednicki, Linda Smith, Richard Williams

Meeting began 12:40

Meneghin made a motion to discuss March minutes. The motion was approved by Jeffers- seconded by Keiser. March minutes were unanimously approved Meneghin asked for volunteers for nominating committee to nominate officers for next year, Rodriguez-Srednicki, Mary Colon, Steve Davage and Phyllis Morgan volunteered. Meneghin asked that all committee reports be sent to her before the May advance.

II. Ongoing Business

Accessibility:
It was noted that automatic doors have been installed in College Hall, University Hall, and on floors 2 and 4 of the Red Hawk Deck. The executive committee will reiterate that the deck’s interior doors need to be made accessible as well. Increasing the number of handicapped spaces near the accessible exits/entrances was discussed.

The PCAAD was asked to select three more inaccessible locations to VP Bressler. The committee chose: Calcia Hall, Richardson Hall, and Memorial Auditorium. We also want assurances that all new facilities be accessible, including the new parking deck that will be constructed.

Kruge pointed out that the Finley South elevator is not going to be available during the construction there.

Gender Neutral Restrooms:
Amie MacMath from the new GLBTQ Center reported on the existence of gender neutral bathrooms on campus. Her survey showed that of the 160 bathrooms on campus, only 6 are gender neutral. A discussion was held on ways to increase this number. Conversion of single stall bathrooms was discussed as well as some multiple stall bathrooms in buildings where single stalls do not exist. Being able to lock the outside door of multiple stalls was discussed as well as signage designating certain restrooms as gender neutral. A subcommittee (MacMath, Cascarano, and Smith) will write up a proposal for consideration.
Gender neutral bathrooms would also be family friendly and baby changing tables could be installed.

III. Committee Reports

Mentoring
A discussion was held on the Mentoring Survey. There was some disagreement about the best time to launch it. A vote was held, and it was decided that October would be the best time to launch the survey.

IV. New Business

We began a discussion of the data regarding diversity among students and employees at MSU.

It was noted that Latina/Latino students are attending MSU in greater numbers, but the same cannot be said for African American students

Possible reasons:

  • Does Admission do enough to recruit African-American students?
  • Do SAT scores negatively impact the acceptance of African-American students?
  • Do we provide enough financial aid incentives?
  • How do our financial aid packages compare with other NJ Colleges and Universities?

Harris said he would seek survey data from Admissions to explain why more African-American students are not choosing MSU after they have been accepted to try to get some explanation.

This conversation will be continued at the advance and beyond.

The Advance will be held on Wednesday, March 20th from 10am-2pm. Lunch will be served.

Respectfully Submitted
Linda Smith
Vice Chair: PCAAD