Montclair State University

Meeting Minutes - September 24, 2008

Attendance:
E. Abreu, M. Brown, R. Brown, M. Cascarano, M. Coleman-Carter, M. Colon, S. Davage, T. Dean, D. Estrada, A. Gomez, J. Hain, J. Harris, A. Jeffers, L, Jenkins, C. Jones, D. Kaiser, M. Kruge, L. Lemley, C. Matteis, C. Meneghin, B. Milton, R. Misra, A. Nino, A. Pamiloza, S. Pasquino, A. Ralosky, L. Smith, O. Rodriguez-Srednicki, P. Sanasie, T. Somma, A. Straker-Banks, T. Vander Veer, J. Velasco, R. Williams, S. Yu

I. Welcome:
C. Meneghin called meeting to order at 12:13 p.m.

II. New Business:
Name Change
The new name for the PCAA is now the President’s Commission on Affirmative Action and Diversity. This new name was adopted by the Commission and approved by Dr. Cole.

New Constituency
A new constituency was approved by the PCAAD. The Counsel for Faith and Spirituality joins us with the Reverend Ann Ralosky serving as the voting member. An alternate representative will be chosen by the Council in the near future.

Annual Charge by the President
Dr. Susan Cole attended the meeting to discuss her annual charge for the academic year in addition to answer questions from the committee. During her charge, Dr. Cole suggested the PCAAD focus on only one or two initiatives per year to maximize our time and efforts toward a clear, productive conclusion. Dr. Cole noted the University has made progress in its diversity in recent years, but the challenges to expand and support that diversity remain for us all. One challenge, she continued, was the issue of open dialogue in such a diverse community as is Montclair State’s. She called on the PCAAD to develop communication tools and engage the campus community in a dialogue about the often difficult balance we face as an open community who supports freedom of thought and expression while also being respectful and civil to one another.

Members
The new Executive Committee, returning and new members and student representatives were introduced.

Communications Vehicles
In response to dialogue held at our annual Advance, last May, and to Dr. Cole’s 2008 Charge to the PCAAD, the Commission will be developing communications tools to engage the campus community in conversation about the balance of free of speech and expression with sensitivity and civility.

Affirmative Action Day
Last year’s event was successful especially with student involvement. By October’s meeting a keynote speaker will have to be selected. Dr. Cole will be sending out a reminder of who and what the PCAAD are as a commission and how important it is to have everyone in Affirmative Action day. Faculty and the administration need to be more involved.

Sub Committee/Reports
Sub committees met, new members were asked to join one of the committees.

Education
The campaign of civility and respect will be integrated into the theme this year.

Mentoring
The committee went through improvements regarding the survey and validating the instrument with an outside group for the pilot.

Recruitment/retention
The committee is still looking at the numbers for faculty and staff with regards to gender, ethnicity and race in terms of retention.

III. Other
Members of the Commission were asked to please share with their constituency the work of the Commission, and to bring to the Commission information about concerns and issues of interest of their constituency.

E. Abreu – informed the group about the Bias Response Task Force mission a brochure was distributed and the new Web Site was introduced. (www.montclair.edu/brt)

M. Carter introduced Dr. Marie Cascarano director of Health Promotion. Information was discussed about the kick off “fall into step program” on Monday, Sept. 29th at noon in front of College Hall.

M. Kruge motioned to adjourn the meeting, C. Matteis second.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:02pm

Respectfully submitted,
Jhon H. Velasco