Montclair State University
PCAA 2001-02

Minutes
May 17, 2001
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Present: T. Jacobowitz, M. Brown, B. Milton, M. Carter, T. Hutchines, M. Garcia, R. Sharps, K. Dennis, L. Rodriguez, C. Meneghin, J. Hain, M. Brown, E. Abreu, J. Baldwin-LeClair, J. Dennis, K. Bledsoe, E. Oberhofer, A. Herbert, P. Kirby, L. McEnerney, I. Caprio, S. Bryant, J. Shivers, J. Rivera, C. Ortiz, B. Terry, B. Aldridge, J. Harris, N. Connolly, O Rodriguez-Scrednicki

Absent: W. Enix, R. Young, M. Kasimir, N. Rourke, D. Estrada, N. Firoz, I Barriera, D. Chyssovergis, M. Cunningham, J. Ficke, H. Gera, S. Kight

I. Call to Order

Chairperson T. Jacobowitz called the meeting to order at 9:45 after breakfast. She welcomed the membership, which includes new members for next year and those who have come to the end of their terms of service on the PCAA. Members introduced themselves and identified their respective constituencies.
Chairperson Jacobowitz reviewed the day’s agenda.

II. Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the March 15 were approved with corrections of typing errors in I-C. Moved N. Connolly and seconded by L. J. Baldwin-LeClair. April 19 minutes were approved with typing correction in I-C and deletion of “Questions are:” in II-A. Moved by L. Rodriguez and seconded by N. Connolly.

III. Old Business

A. Vote on Resolution for ADA Representation
Part I, Article III, Section D insert clause “to include representation that has one voting member and one alternate.

In Part III, Section D, eliminate ex-officio member for Rehabilitation Act.

L. Rodriguez made a motion to approve the resolution with the proposed changes in Part Part III and I. K. Dennis seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

B. PCAA Website
After commending the Office of EEO/AA, Barbara Milton and Gerry Shivers for providing copies and packets for the Advance, Cindy Meneghin gave a presentation on the website she developed and will maintain for the Commission.
The site has information about the commission, contains the constitution, and other related links. She solicited suggestions for links and other improvements from the membership.

Cindy indicated that minutes from meetings will be posted after approval. She further reminded us that discussions should be done by e-mail, not on the web page. She will instruct us how to carry on discussions with commission members.

C. Attendance
Vice Chair, N. Connolly, addressed the Commission about attendance. Regular attendance is required to insure a quorum for the PCAA to function effectively. There was not a quorum at the April meeting, therefore the Commission couldn’t vote on any issues, postponing business until the next meeting.

Dates for 2001-2002 meetings were established on the following Thursdays at 12 noon – 2 PM: September 20, October 11, December 20, January 17, February 21, March 14, April 18, and May 16 (Advance). These dates and times will also be posted on the website. It was suggested that President Cole’s letter to new and returning members stress the importance of meeting attendance. Sign in sheets will be placed in central location for the purpose of taking attendance at each meeting.

Since most of the Commission’s work is done through standing committees, attendance at committee meetings is also important. Committees should meet prior to executive board meetings to make committee reports at the executive board meeting.

We discussed the role of alternates. Alternates function on an ad hoc basis. They should work on standing committees and attend general meetings. However, it is imperative that alternates attend when in the absence of the regular member to insure that their respective constituency is represented. When regular member and alternate attend a general meeting together, only the regular member has a vote. Any change in members or alternates should be submitted to the President for approval.

There was discussion on the number of allowable absences and if we should propose constitutional changes. Four absences is currently the limit before a member is removed from the Commission, but we considered proposing two or three. E. Abreu recommended that the Commission study attendance patterns next year and make recommendations upon our findings.

IV. Final Report

T. Jacobowitz presented a draft of a three-part report – Educating Ourselves, Strengthening the Structure of the PCAA, and Ensuring Equity on Campus. The PCAA could be a model for the campus in that we are the only group that brings all constituencies together to address diversity issues from so many perspectives. Our readings and discussions have been provocative and thought provoking. Our constitution has been revised to be more inclusive of constituencies and increase member participation. Among the key issues in ensuring equity are computer access and e-mail accounts for Physical Plant Department employees. By June, Ed Oberhofer stated that all PPD workers should have accounts and access to computers. Currently there is a computer in the PPD conference room that some use. New employees are aware that they have e-mail accounts, but all employees are not aware that they have accounts or how to activate them. There are logistical problems with wiring and where to place computers for wide access. Among other options being pursued are a room in the Student Center, campus computer labs, and supervisors’ computers. Workers are concerned about privacy and comfortable access.

The PCAA will continue to make recommendations on behalf of the PPD employees with their input and these issues should become a charge of one of the standing committees.

V. Goal Setting

The three standing committees were allotted one-half hour to select chairpersons and select a minimum of three goals for the yea and schedule committee meetings. R. Sharps facilitated the group process.

Status of Minorities B. Terry
1. Identify divisions and departments where minorities are underrepresented and promote ideas to address the problem. (i.e., Bursar, IT, Athletics)
2. Traditional Areas of Need-Investigate to see where people of color are clustered.
3. Address pay scale and promotion issues.

Status of Women M. Coleman-Carter
1. Analysis of representation of women on campus.
  -review existing data and look for the underutilization or overutilization of women in various job categories and produce a report
2. Encourage professional and personal development of all female staff.
  -produce and distribute a survey to research what skills women currently have and what skills they need for advancement.
3. To promote personal development opportunities for women students.
  -develop programs and workshops to address needs
  -develop a resource brochure of what is available on campus (i.e., mentoring, career development, etc.)

Recruitment and Retention L. Rodriguez
1. Recommend improvements to MSU’s current practices to ensure recruitment and retention of minority faculty through research and assessment of practices, programs, and procedures.
2. Recommend improvements to MSU’s current practices to ensure retention of female faculty and faculty of color through research and assessment of faculty needs.
3. Recommend improvements to MSU’s current recruitment and retention policies through research and assessment of literature and practices at other institutions.
4. Recommend and assess salary offerings and incentives through compensation comparisons with faculty at other institutions.

Executive Board T. Jacobowitz
1. Recommend how initiatives, programs, activities, research, etc. related to diversity can be better coordinated.
2. Recommend ways to better raise campus community’s consciousness and respect for those individuals and groups who provide the necessary maintenance and support that allows the University to function more effectively.
3. Assist MSU in becoming more active in affirmative action at the national and state levels.

Lunch

VI. New Business

National Affirmative Action Day Planning
The Commission brainstormed some ideas and features that our program might contain. They are:
 all day celebration
 flagraising
 major speaker – William Harvey or Reginald Wilson from American Council on Education
 movie
 debate
highlight successful affirmative action models and best practices
address myths about affirmative action
coordinate with OSA, since our day falls with African American History month (February)

Our committee for National Affirmative Action Day is C. Meneghin, J. Harris, I. Abreu, C. Ortiz, and B. Milton.

American Association for Affirmative Action Report B. Milton
B. Milton recently attended the AAAA Conference where Christopher Edley was a keynote speaker. The major theme of this national conference was the assault on affirmative action. Justice Powell ruled that race is a compelling issue in college admissions. However the recent University of Michigan Law School and the Hopwood Decisions counter that opinion. There is an organized assault on diversity and affirmative action financed by major foundations that fund media campaigns.

Amidst the discouraging news about the assaults, K. Dennis reported that she just heard on national news that the University of California Board of Regents reversed its ban on affirmative action due to the drop in enrollments.

VII. Discussion on Thernstrom Article

The membership discussed our reactions to “Racial Preferences: What We Now Know” by Stephan and Abigail Thernstrom. The article is anti-affirmative action and strongly asserts that any racial preferences are unfair. The article is highly critical of Bowen and Bok’s work, Shape of the River. Opinions that emerged were:

- Their arguments are superficial and whiny. (C. Meneghin)
- Arguments do not address any cultural or historical factors. (B. Milton)
- They assert that Blacks are inferior to white people. (B. Milton)
None of their arguments are compelling as to why anyone should
be opposed to racial preferences. (L. Rodriguez)
- They don’t discuss bias in accepting legacies or athletes, but oppose racial preferences. (K. Dennis)
- The Thernstroms assume that Bowen and Bok data can’t be trusted since it was collected during their presidencies. (K. Dennis)
- We don’t know the racial identity of the Thernstroms, but be mindful that people sometimes disguise themselves and their motives for political gains. (J. Harris)
- There is a growing trend not to use SAT’s in university admissions decisions. (B. Aldridge)

It is important that members of the Commission are aware of anti-affirmative action and anti-diversity arguments in order to build counter arguments. Another suggested reading is Sex, Race, and Merit, by Crosby and Van De Veer, University of Michigan Press.

VIII. Farewell

At the end of the session, Chairperson T. Jacobowitz presented out-going Commission member Angel Herbert with a resolution for her dedicated and sustained service to the PCAA.

Submitted,
Michael Brown,
Recording Secretary

 

 

The next general meeting is March 15.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55 PM.

Submitted,

Michael Brown
Recording Secretary