Montclair State University
PCAA 2003-04

Minutes
May 25 , 2004
The Advance

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Present: R. Ross, C. Matteis (alt), Managerial; T. Jacobowitz, S. Lewis (alt), Faculty; C. Meneghin, M. Sparks (alt), Professional Staff; Ida Caprio, L. McInerny (alt), CWA; D. Ragin, University Senate; A. Gutierrez, M. Colon, Latino/a Caucus, M. Brown, K. Key (alt) African Amer. Caucus; P. Johnson (alt), OSAU; R. Cartegena, Unified Asian Amer. Student Org.; C. Chakaroburty, N Trivedi (alt), API Caucus; H. Perez, GLFSA, L. Smith, J. Harris (alt), ADA Representatives; L. Gibson (alt), Physical Plant; J. Dennis, L. Lemly (alt), Local 195; S. Sims (alt), University Police; At-Large: L. Rodriguez, Q. Vega, I Barriera, J. Ficke, O. Rodriguez-Srednicki, L. Jenkins, M. Coleman-Carter, H. Gera, C. Ortiz

Ex-Officio: J. Hain, B. Milton

I. Call to Order
T. Jacobowitz called the meeting to order at 9:10 AM. She welcomed Commission members and thanked outgoing members for their service and challenged new members to prepare for the work to be done during the upcoming term. Each commission member was asked to introduce him/herself and identify his/her respective constituency.

V.P. J. Hain welcomed the Commission on behalf of Dr. Susan Cole, who was visiting a sister institution in China. She commented on the PCAA's important role as the eyes and ears of diversity on campus. President Cole will officially charge the Commission Fall 2004.

Minutes of the April 22 meeting were approved on a motion by I. Barreira and a second by K. Key.

II. Reflecting on Our Own Beliefs and Values Part I
Chairperson T. Jacobowitz presented the workshop facilitator for the day, Dr. Kathy Gainor. Her charge was to explore and identify the values of Commission members and explore ways to work effectively as a body. Realizing the sensitive nature of such a dialog, she asked us to agree on the following guidelines or ground rules:

- Talk about what "I" learned
- Respect colleagues
- Speak from our own experience in "I" statements
- Actively listen
- Step outside of our personal comfort zones

She asked us to answer the following questions individually and then share in a discussion with a partner (rotating partners with each set of questions).

What do I value?
How does it affect the way I interact with people who do not share those same values?
How were you socialized about what it means to be male?
Who were the significant people in your socialization?
What were their attitudes about whites or people of color?
What did you learn about gay, lesbians, bisexual, and transgenders? What were the stereotypes?
What did you learn about people from different social classes?
What did you learn about people from different religions and denominations?
What did you learn about mental and physical ability and disability?

The exercises and discussion continued until 11:50 AM

Lunch
At 12:30 PM after lunch Dr. Gainor led us in another exercise, Dimensions of Personal Identity, to accomplish Reflecting on Our Own Beliefs and Values Part II. As a Commission, it is important that we understand how individual perceptions of who we are may differ and agree how and what issues we should address.

C. Gainor asked us to each write a description for the President's Commission on Affirmative Action, its goals and purpose. Then, compare similarities with the "official" goals and purpose as stated in the preamble to the PCAA constitution.

Some of the comments were:
T. Jacobowitz found the language in the preamble to be strong and definite, but feels that the PCAA doesn't have the power to execute the charge.

L. Lemly also agrees that making recommendations the President is not strong enough to meet the charge.

J. Harris thought "all" means inclusive and appears throughout the document giving the PCAA the moral imperative to make recommendations to the President.

A. Gutierrez didn't realize the legal obligation in the preamble, saw the PCAA as a moral agent for positive change in the affirmative action on campus.

C. Gainor, our facilitator, reminded the Commission that discrimination could be intentional or unintentional, conscious or unconscious, overt or covert.

H. Perez was cynical and questioned if the PCAA dilutes the meaning of affirmative action, but he, like other members of the Commission, is not sure about the language of the executive order. This question indicates that the Commission needs an internal process to know the law.

S. Lewis made the observation that PCAA emphasis is on recruiting rather than retention.
She suggested focusing our emphasis on changing the environment to nurturing a diverse population. K. Gainor agreed that within the PCAA, we should affirm diversity within this group and use our knowledge to influence the spheres in which we operate.

T. Jacobowitz admitted that it might be difficult to accept that the PCAA is only a recommending body, but she reminded us that the Commission is changed and empowered to educate the campus on diversity and affirmative action. K. Gainor indicated that the education should to be reciprocal. The campus community needs to give the Commission feedback.

I. Barriera said that the PCAA should to be more visible on campus. The perception of the PCAA by some employees is that the Commission is simply "window dressing." Employees perceive that they are threatened by retaliation if they complain about affirmative action issues.

T. Jacobowitz still feels strongly that the PCAA and the President's image has been hurt by removing EEO/AA out of the President's Office and relocated it to the VPHR with the dotted line of reporting responsibility. This action is counter to the PCAA's recommendation.
J Hain responded by reminding the Commission that President Cole responded to moving EEO/AA from the Office of University Counsel actually increased the stature of the office by moving it to the VP of Human Resources. The EEO/AA Officer still has access to the President and has the ability to meet with employees in the setting of their choices if they are intimidated by coming to the office. As VP for Human Resources, J. Hain represents the President as the direct conduit between the President and the Commission.

However, President Cole is willing to meet with the Commission upon request. President Cole meets with J. Hain and the Executive Council bi-weekly. At those meetings J. Hain presents PCAA concerns. For example, she asked the deans how they respond when students disrespect faculty of color, an issue raised by the PCAA. T. Jacobowitz acknowledged the valuable resource that VP J. Hain brings to the Commission, but President Cole didn't discuss her decision to have J. Hain act in her stead. The PCAA needs more direct contact with President Cole.

In summary, The PCAA feels frustrated when its recommendations are not being accepted. Because the PCAA has only one voting white male, it doesn't represent the true power structure on campus. Commission composition that lacks white males reflects the attitude that affirmative action is female and minority concern (J. Harris). To improve communication with campus and keep everyone abreast of Commission activities and positions, C. Meneghin suggested sending the vice presidents minutes of all meetings and preparing "white papers" for the campus. PCAA members should be advocates for affirmative action in our spheres of influence on campus. C. Gainor challenged by member of the Commission pledge a high level of commitment to the PCAA. III Elections

The Nominating Committee presented the following slate of officers for consideration:
Chairperson T. Jacobowitz
Vice Chair C. Meneghin
Recording Secretary L. Rodriguez
Corresponding Secretary M. Brown

The slate was moved by I. Barreira, seconded by L. Gibson. The slate was accepted unanimously.

III. Reports and Committee Structure
A. Annual Report
T. Jacobowitz distributed a draft of the Final Report for the PCAA 2003-2004 for review. We will vote on acceptance of the document at the first meeting in for the 2004-2005 academic year.

B. Committees
The committee structure from last year will remain in tact. The committees are:
- Education
- Mentoring
- Recruitment and Retention

Chairs will give highlights at the September meeting. If we decide to keep the committee structure, then we need to change our constitution. We must consider whether to revert back to our former structure or change the structure to better meet Commission needs. Chairs will be selected in September and become part of the Executive Board that sets the monthly meeting agendas.

All voting members and alternates are expected to attend monthly meetings. However, only the voting member can cast a ballot. Alternates may only vote when the voting member is absent.

C. Recruitment & Retention Report
L. Rodriguez distributed a 21-page report on the Retention Committee's
series of meetings with PCAA constituencies on how to improve recruitment and maintain diversify in the workforce. The Commission is asked to review this document and comment at the first meeting of the new academic year.

VI. Caucus Input
GLFSA representatives commented that the report accurately described the organization's concerns. GLFSA also acknowledged its lack of interaction with SPECTRUMS and will attempt to remedy this situation next year.

L. Smith added that Students with Disabilities is proposing that one class room per building be equipped with suitable seating for so that classes which accommodate the handicapped can be moved to them. Her office was recently delegated the responsibility for validating handicapped parking decals before Parking Services issues them.

Latino/a Caucus Chair, A. Gutierrez, indicated that its membership is focusing on nurturing and mentoring new hires. The Caucus is also very concerned that a Director for Bilingual Clinical Psychology has not been appointed since the former director resigned three (3) years ago.

Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus chair, D. Chakraborty, reported that University affirmative action data is not reflective of APIC concerns – faculty and staff hired, tenured, or promoted. There may be hidden discrimination at the level its membership is hired. Faculty question if they are hired at the same rank as others with comparable credentials. The APIC requests the PCAA to recommend a study that analyzes credentials and ranks to which faculty is hired to determine if faculty of color are treated equally or if they are undervalued.

J. Harris, vice chair of the African American Caucus, expressed the concern that
African Americans are woefully underrepresented among the Universities vendors and contracts. The Caucus is also continuing to monitor faculty hires, promotions, and tenures. Also, it is seeking data on graduate assistant appointments. It appears that only "minority" departments are hiring graduate assistants of color. The Caucus is also monitoring the number of African Americans who are regularly admitted and is urging an increase in this population, especially African American males. Another related concern is the increasing cost of tuition, fees, room, and board at the University. Rising costs represent another admissions barrier. Finally, the Caucus is coaching membership with complaints and urging them to use the EEO/AA process.

V. Acknowledgements of Out-Going Members
Chairperson Jacobowitz acknowledged and thanked the following members whose terms expired and presented then certificate:
Cindy Cerceres
Norma Connolly
Denise DeBlasio
Nadim Feroz
Carlos Ortiz
Holly Gera
Marie Guervil
Reginald Halaby

C. Meneghin also asked the PCAA to join her in thanking chairperson
T. Jacobowitz and EEO/AA Officer B. Milton for the fine job they did in coordinating the May Advance.

Meeting adjourned at 4:10 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Michael S. Brown, Sr.