Montclair State University
PCAA Affirmative Action

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October 17, 2007

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Present: E. Abreu, A. Adarkar, M. Brown, R. Chicken, M. Coleman-Carter, M. Colon, S. Davage, A. Gomez, A. Gutierrez, J. Hain, J. Harris, L. Jenkins, K. Key, M. Kruge,  L. Lemley, D. Lorenzo, C. Matteis, C. Meneghin, B. Milton, D. Ragin,   O. Rodriguez-Srednicki, P. Sanasie, L. Smith, A. Straker-Banks, N. Ukah-Onukogu, J. Velasco, R. Williams, S.Wood,

I. Call to Order
a. C. Meneghin call meeting to order at 12:17 pm.
b. J. Harris motions to approve September minutes, L. Lemley seconds motion, minutes are passed.

II. Reading/Article
Reactions to Campus Bias Incidents – the Columbia Spectator
Discussion led by C. Menighin.

III. Committees
a. Recruitment and Retention
O. Rodriguez-Skredniki reported that the graduation rates of students of color will be addressed and researched at a meeting with Angel Herbert and representatives from the staff.
b. Mentoring
M. Coleman-Carter reported that the committee has not met. Information was shared regarding a telephone conference about minority faculty retention/mentoring that was attended by several Montclair State University community members. Dr. Stacey Blake-Beard led the conference/discussion. Was attended by several members of the PCAA Executive committee Information will be shared at the sub committee meeting
c. Education
J. Harris reported that the education committee did not meet.

IV. Updates
a. Dr. Cole’s response to the 2006-07 PCAA Annual Report
Copies of Dr. Cole’s response were distributed to be read and discussed at next month’s meeting.
b. PCAA affirmative action day award nominations
D. Lorenzo reported this year’s affirmative action day will award three individuals from the state of New Jersey who have promoted diversity, equal opportunity and affirmative actions in the categories of politics, education, and economic development. The committee was asked to consider nominating someone development will be asked to nominate someone at the November PCAA meeting.
c. Timeline
L. Jenkins discussed the 2 different timelines that follow the past 100 years of MSU. Centennial snap shots and history, the educational component will have more of historical/social perspective.
d. Campus communication
A concern was raised about the wording of a campus alert email that was distributed. Chief Cell and Dr. Pennington were contacted. Chief Cell’s office responded with information about the Cleary Act that informs the legal responsibility of the university in disseminating information and how the information and statistics need to be reported. Links were be provided to understand what universities are required to report. A possible role that the PCAA can play is the manner in which the messages are fashioned, while still maintaining the legal and the intent to make assure the university is compliant and safe without making any constituency or group uncomfortable or threatened. This is a service and not a criticism or judgment of our Police Department. The full Commission is asked to look at mass communications disseminated across the community. L. Smith asked that we consider “People-first language.”

V. Other
a. Diversity Week
E. Abreu reported that the Campus Night Time Tour on October 24. Diversity Week November 10 – 16, 2007.
J. Harris attended the new faculty training where he noticed that there was one visible person from African descent as a result he would like to be informed how MSU is conducting outreach and recruitment.

R. Chicken motioned to adjourn meeting at 2 p.m.