Montclair State University
PCAffirmative Action 2004-05

Minutes
September 20 , 2006

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Present: E. Abreu, A. Adarkar, O. Babalola, M. Brown, M. Coleman-Carter, S. Davage. J. Ficke, L Fryer, A. Gomez, J. Hain, J. Harris, A. Herbert, L. Jenkins, C. Jones, A.J. Kelton, C. Lange, L. Lemley, D. Lorrenzo, C. Matteis, C. Meneghin, O. Morales,   J. Nash, C. Onore, K. Pamiloza, S. Pasquino, D. Ragin, L. Reed, L. Rodriguez, A. Sharp, J. Slagle, L. Smith, J. Velasco

•  Call to Order

•  Welcome

Chairperson C. Meneghin called the meeting to order at 1:05 PM.   She highlighted the uniqueness of the PCAA in that it is probably one of the most diverse group on campus representing the most number of constituencies. At that time the sign-in sheet was circulated to capture accurate record of attendance of all representatives and alternates. The sign-in sheet is the official record.

C. Meneghin welcomed returning members of the PCAA and acknowledged new members: Chris Herrera, Cindy Onore, Gina Balestracci, Suzanne Pasquino, Angel Herbert, Richard Williams, Ken Pamiloza, Ryan DeGuzman, Aditya Adarkar, Chiaho Chang, Jhon Velasco, Lynn Fryer, Ana Gomez, Carolyn Jones, and James Nash.

C. Meneghin stressed the importance of having every constituency represented at every meeting.   If the representative is unable to attend, he/she should make sure the alternate is present.   Also, every member is asked to join a sub-committee.   She announced that there would be an opportunity to sign up and participate in a brief sub-committee meeting during this meeting.   Representatives are expected to bring concerns from their constituencies as items for the agenda in addition to the items presented by the sub-committees prior to the meetings.   Sub-committees are also charged with submitting written reports to the recording secretary at each general meeting.

•  Minutes

Due to the full agenda that includes Dr. Coles charge to the Commission, we dispensed with the approval of the May 2006 meeting.   We will approve the minutes at the October meeting.  

•  Reading

Members are also asked to recommend readings on affirmative action issues for our education and discussion for each monthly meeting.    To encourage full participation and a free exchange of ideas, the discussions are not recorded in the minutes.

•  President's Charge

Dr. Cole commented on the size and diversity of the Commission's membership and urged the body to nurture and continue working on maintaining its diversity.   She said, although Montclair State University has many policies and mechanisms in place, there is still work to be done to expand a climate that supports affirmative action and diversity and increase civility on campus.   The PCAA's task, according to Dr. Cole's charge, is on-going at the advanced level of making our human community viable and productive.   This group is charged with improving dialog on campus among the many constituencies.   How does the Commission creatively think through and model social interactions for our students and colleagues?   She looks to the PCAA to make recommendations and implement the ones that are within its purview.   President Cole also said that the Commission is equipped with the human resources of Vice President Hain, Director of Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action & Diversity Director Milton, and PCAA Chairperson Meneghin.    

When asked about her assessment on the quality of relationships between faculty and students, Dr. Cole responded by indicating that universally alumni compliment faculty on the quality of instruction and the diversity that they experienced at MSU.   People who leave before graduating do so for a myriad of reasons - personal, economic, and academic.   It is doubtful that their leaving has anything to do with negative faculty relationships.   She urged student representatives to the PCAA to bring their perspective and their needs to the Commission.   It's their job to keep the Commission focused when it comes to student needs on campus.

Finally, Dr. Cole assisted C. Meneghin in making two presentations.

They presented Luis Rodriguez, who is leaving MSU after six years of service to the PCAA as Corresponding and Recording Secretary for a position as Librarian at Kean University.   Rodriguez spearheaded an important study as Chairperson of the Recruitment and Retention Committee that is still continuing.

A second plaque was awarded to Tina Jacobowitz for her ten years of service to the PCAA, seven of which she served as chairperson.   During Jacobowitz's tenure on the PCAA student groups, the ADA and GFLSA representatives were added to the list of PCAA constituencies.   Jacobowitz also spearheaded the Physical Plant Initiative to establish equal accessibility to technology and communication tools to Physical Plant employees.   Jacobowitz also expanded Affirmative Action Day activities to include nationally known keynote speakers and panelists.   Since Jacobowitz was teaching at this hour and couldn't be present, C. Meneghin with see that Jacobowitz receives the award.

C. Meneghin stated both award recipients were to be commended for their support and promotion of campus-wide appreciation, awareness and understanding of affirmative action.   Also appreciated was their individual leadership and personal commitment to equal opportunity for all and their dedication to diversity.

•  Committees

C. Meneghin asked the co-chairs of each committee to highlight the purpose and goals.   Each was briefly discussed as follows:

Recruitment and Retention       M. Brown
Education                   J. Harris
Mentoring                   M. Coleman-Carter

Following the brief discussion about each committee and its work, members divided themselves by committee assignments and those new members who had not previously selected a committee, used that opportunity to select a committee.   Each committee met in a section of the room for the next half hour to further discuss plans for the year that were originally developed at the May 2006 Advance.   They also set tentative meeting dates for the committee that coincides with executive board and general meeting schedule to facilitate reporting.   At the conclusion of the three committee meetings the Commission reconvened to discuss old business.

•  Old Business

A. Recording Secretary

L. Rodriguez's resignation created a vacancy in the recording secretary     position.   M. Brown was asked to act as recording secretary for the September meeting and agreed with the assurance that the floor would be opened at the September meeting to select a permanent recording secretary for the rest of the term.   New Commission member John Velasco volunteered to assume the awesome responsibility.   He was elected by acclamation.

B. Campus Accessibility for the Disabled

C. C. Meneghin has invited Walter Watkins to meet with the Executive Committee, as per Dr. Cole's suggestion, to follow up on the 2006 Final Report that addressed the PCAA concerns about parking and transportation for disabled persons.

•  New Business

Proposed Revised Statement on Civility and Campus Climate

Later today, the University Senate will discuss a draft statement on civility and campus climate.   This is not the same statement issued by President Cole.   Several questions were raised by the PCAA:

Is this statement a reaffirmation of President Cole's or is it a "stand alone statement by the Senate?   Is it a living document?   Does the statement need to be universally accepted?   If so, it needs to be shared with PCAA.

A.J. Kelton, PCAA member and University Senator will attend the meeting this afternoon and raise these questions on behalf of the PCAA.

•  Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 2:55 PM.   The next meeting is scheduled for

October 18.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Brown
Acting Recording Secretary