Montclair State University
PCAffirmative Action

Minutes
September 26, 2007

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Present – Esmilda Abreu, Aditya Adarkar, Michael Brown, Margaree Coleman-Carter, Mary Colon, Steven Davage, Danne Davis, Ana Gomez, Angel Gutierrez, Judith Hain, James Harris, Agatha Jeffers, Leslie Jenkins, Carolyn Jones, David Keiser, Kenneth Key, Michael Kruge, Larry Lemley, Donna Lorenzo, Cindy Meneghin, Barbara Milton, Kara Morillo, Adeline Nino, Suzanne Pasquino, Ofelia Rodriguez-Skrednicki, Sylvia Sims, Preya Sanasie, Linda Smith, Allyson Straker-Banks, Edzel Ubas

Meeting called to order at 12:04 pm

I.  Dr. Coles’ Charge
Instead of charging the Commission, Dr. Cole wanted to do something different.  She asked the Commission for two or three things we would like to accomplish this year. 

Meneghin described plans to use the PCAA website as one forum for the University community to bring up new issues.  She also said she is in discussions with Judith-Lin Hunt to use Café Diem as a forum for discussions about Affirmative Action.  Dr. Cole expressed support for this idea.

Meneghin explained the Commission’s plan to create an Affirmative Action timeline.  The plan is to create a Centennial Timeline highlighting the history of the University as it relates to diversity.  A second timeline would also be created to illustrate the history of Affirmative Action in The United States and the social, economic, and political implications.  Meneghin expressed the desire to highlight the future of Affirmative Action while educating the community about its past.

Dr. Cole liked the idea of focusing on history in our Centennial year.  She said that the dialogue would be useful and interesting as well as helpful in the development in the next University Strategic Plan.  She recommended that we reach out to Joe Moore and Lise Greene who are chronicling MSU history and have interviewed many early MSU students.

Dr. Cole suggested focusing on the need for Affirmative Action and equal opportunity in our moment in history, to discuss whether Affirmative Action must change to meet the future, and what the principles will mean as they go forward.

Abreu suggested the need for new words, new language.  She suggested the barriers are subtle and new language may dispel the invisible/unseen barriers and the perception that there is nothing new.

Dr. Cole agreed with Abreu that “language is thought.”

Meneghin then discussed the plans for “Affirmative Action Day” this year.  The plan is to give awards to NJ individuals who have been supportive of Affirmative Action in their life or work.  Awards will be given out in various categories.

As our final goal, Meneghin brought up the issue of accessibility at MSU.  She explained to Dr. Cole that the Commission was asked by Greg Bressler for our top three accessibility priorities, automatic door openers for University Hall, College Hall, and The Red Hawk Deck.  Dr. Cole expressed that it was appropriate for the Commission to pass on priorities to Bressler.

Smith expressed that she had met with Mr. Bressler and Dr. Pennington in April to discuss these issues.  She explained how the inaccessibility of these buildings used by students, faculty, staff and University visitors creates an unwelcoming atmosphere.  She described many complaints regarding this issue, University Hall, in particular where wheelchair using students frequently have to wait for someone to open a door for them.  Smith stated that College Hall accessibility is also a major concern with the opening of the Undergraduate Admissions Visitors’ Center in the building.

Dr. Cole stated that the PCAA’s priorities cannot always be the University’s priorities due to costs and resources, it is appropriate that a deadline regarding the adjustments we recommended be set.

Cole responded that she believed buildings such as University Hall were built to code, but supported our efforts in this area to improve our campus accessibility and to be more welcoming.

Dr. Cole left us with the thought that MSU is an extraordinary community and we should “enjoy it.”

II. Welcoming new members.
Meneghin welcomed the new members of the Commission:
Dolly Nino
Allyson Straker-Banks
Preya Sanasie
Steve McClennan
Edzel Ubas
Agatha Jeffers
Michael Kruge

III. Vision for 2007-2008
Educational efforts
Meneghin revisited the plans for the timeline(s), the website, and the Café Diem discussions.  She asked that all committees assist us with these efforts.  Meneghin announced that Jenkins would spearhead the efforts with assistance from all.  Meneghin expressed concern that non-tenured faculty are not given credit for their committee work and therefore would not have the time to help.  She said we would discuss this issue at the October meeting.

Affirmative Action Day
Meneghin announced that Sweet Honey in The Rock would not be providing the entertainment for our event since they were unwilling to appear for less than $20,000.00.
Other entertainment options will be pursued.  Now we plan to make the awards the main event.

We will have an indoors virtual flag-raising again.  We will display timelines and encourage involvement by our student organizations.

IV. Forming Committees
Since we did not finalize the sub-committees at the Advance, Meneghin asked the Chairs to describe the committees and new members were asked to choose, and committees broke off into individual meetings for 20 minutes.  They were asked to provide Meneghin with their membership and goals.

When the full commission reconvened, Meneghin asked if anyone had anything else to discuss:

V. Other
Keiser suggested bringing national issues such as the Jena 6, and on campus bias incidences and campus communications to the table.

Abreu announced the new Anti-Bias Task Force website, and Meneghin suggested linking to it from the PCAA website.

Morillo requested support for the President of LASO, Mabel Almonte, in her desire to bring President Fernandez of the Dominican Republic to speak at MSU next semester.

Meneghin requested readings and offers to facilitate discussions on the articles be sent to her. 

Meeting Adjourned 1:45 pm

Minutes respectfully submitted
Linda Smith
Corresponding Secretary
President’s Commission on Affirmative Action