Montclair State University

Meeting Minutes - October 22, 2008

The meeting of the President’s Commission on Affirmative Action and Diversity was called to order at 12:10 p.m. by Linda Smith, Vice Chair.

Attendance: E. Abreu, M. Almonte, M. Brown, R. Brown, M. Cascarano, M. Coleman Carter, M. Colon, S. Davage , D. Davis, T. Dean, D. Estrada, A. Gomez, J. Hain, J. Harris, L. Jenkins, D. Keiser, M. Kruge, L. Lemley, D. Lorenzo, C.Matteis, B. Milton, Ram Misra, P. Mogan, A.Pamiloza, P. Sanisie, L. Smith, T. Somma, A. Straker-Banks, J. Velasco, R. Williams, S.Wood

I. Approval of Minutes:
A Keiser/Abreu motion was made and seconded to approve the September minutes. Motion carried.

II. Sub-committees:

Assignments:
L. Smith stated that all PCAAD members should be a member of one the three standing committees, (Mentoring, Education, Recruitment & Retention). Members who have not yet joined a committee are encouraged to contact committee chairs for more information about the functions of the respective committees.

Sub-committee reports

Education Committee
No Report

Mentoring Committee
M. Coleman-Carter, Committee Co-Chair, reported that the committee will be launching the mentoring survey to the University community in January 2009 during Mentoring Month.

Recruitment and Retention Committee
M. Brown, Committee Co-Chair, reported that the Recruitment and Retention Committee recently met and that the committee will be addressing the issue of civility as a committee objective this year. He stated that there are places on campus that have unhealthy work environments and that this impacts upon employee retention.

Mr. Brown stated that the committee will be addressing ways to improve civility on campus and that it will be seeking guidance from PCAAD. Furthermore, if committee members receive complaints, they will provide coaching and/or refer matters to Barbara Milton. The committee also plans to meet with the various caucuses, and is considering inviting Beverly Peterson, author of a book on Workplace Bullying, as a possible speaker.

It was also reported that C. Matteis is doing supervisor competency sessions with Physical Plant managers and supervisors.

III. On-going

Affirmative Action Day 2009
D. Lorenzo, Program Chair, reported that the Executive Committee has been discussing possible program options for Affirmative Action Day. This included a storytelling project, and the booking of a theatrical group that does presentations on diversity issues. The program format will be similar to last year’s program which included student performances; group/organization displays at the Kasser Theatre; audience polling/participation; and the keynote presentation. Possible keynoters include Gail Collins, Maureen Dowd, and Anna Quindlen. The program theme will be, “Let Talk: Having a Difficult Conversation at Montclair State University.”

Accessbility issues
It was reported that plans may be underway to close vehicular traffic, particularly shuttle buses, to the core campus. This plan would have a major impact on persons with disabilities because shuttle buses would only be allowed to drop off passengers along the periphery of the campus. A Harris/Kruge motion was made and seconded to contact Tim Carey about the PCAAD’s concern regarding this matter and to follow-up with Greg Bressler regarding his promise to retrofit doors with automatic paddles, by October, in University Hall, College Hall and the Red Hawk Deck. Motion carried.

IV. New Business

1. It was reported that the Women and Gender Studies Department would like the PCAAD to co-sponsor an event which will bring artist/performer/researcher Kayhan Irani to campus in March '09. The members of the Commission reviewed the proposal prior to voting. An Abreu/Harris motion was made and seconded to donate $150.00 towards the program. Motion carried.
2. M. Almonte, LASO President, presented a certificate of appreciation to the PCAAD in recognition of the PCAAD’s valuable support and contribution to the Latin American Student Organization.
3. Constituency reports will be accepted at each PCAAD meeting, and constituency representatives are encouraged to elicit concerns from their constituents that fall under the auspices of the PCAAD, and then present these issues at Commission meetings.
4. T. Dean stated that some students feel that there is no minister on campus that represents their particular faith. E. Abreau responded by stating that this matter is going to be addressed.

Discussion "Let's Talk"
There was a discussion regarding how the PCAAD can meet Dr. Cole’s charge that the Commission engage in programs on campus around the issue of having difficult discussions on topics surrounding race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc., and how these discussions can be balanced within the context of respect, academic freedom, and first amendment rights. It was stated that the Commission should use a multi-faceted approach and that different mediums should be used to promote this initiative (i.e. print; web, forums, AA Day). The Education Committee could help spearhead this initiative. In addition, the PCAAD could reach out to student groups that are addressing such issues. After some discussion, the PCAAD agreed to the theme, “Let’s Talk—Having Civil Conversations About Difficult Topics.”

V. Other

Announcements
It was announced that 2-year and 4-year colleges in New Jersey are engaging in a statewide initiative to serve our veterans, and that Montclair State will be hosting a conference in March 2009 entitled, “Serving our Wounded.” It was also reported that a special committee will be formed to provide veteran services.

The University will be hosting a seminar on Race, Language, and Power on January 12, 2009.

The Center for Non-Violence will be sponsoring a second trip to Nicaragua in May 2009, and interested students should contact Jhon Velasco. Applications will be accepted until November 7, 2008.

The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.