Montclair State University
PCAA 2002-03

Minutes
December 19, 2002

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Present: M. Brown, C.Meneghin, L. Lemley, M. Coleman-Carter, , D. De Blasio, H. Gera, J. Ficke, L. Rodriguez, L. Smith, L. McInerney, R. Aldridge, I. Caprio I. Barriera, D. Rogers, N. Firoz, J. Robinson, J. Harris, C. Ortiz, E. Isaacs, H. Perez, R. Judge, N. Connolly, J. Hain, T. Jacobowitz

Absent: Managerial (vacant), Q. Dent, J. Rivera, S. Vallejo, S. Shah, L Wilson, B. Milton

I. Call to Order
Chairperson Jacobowitz called the meeting to order at 12:05 PM.

A. Minutes of the November 21 meeting were adopted.

B. Reading N. Connolly
In continuing our readings in chapter 3 of affirmative action opponents in Race & Merit we again started with some of their arguments and tested their applications from our vantage point at MSU. L. Rodriguez began the discussion citing opponents' positions that race sensitive admission in higher education is unfair. They claim that more qualified white students are denied because students of color with lower standardized test scores were admitted through affirmative action.

J. Harris is of the opinion that admitting the top 10% of high school graduates doesn't fix the problem. Texas adopted this as an inclusive solution. Due to the correlation between socio-economic status, graduation rates, and ethnicity, African Americans and Latinos are still not accommodated adequately.

Rogers recommended that we read This Fine Place So Far From Home.
It is about white angst over affirmative action that discusses the class and
culture divide.

C. Meneghin maintained that equal opportunity is non-existent, because
society is so competitive. Americans have a “win” mentality. At MSU we need to teach the principle that one needs to give back to society and promote fairness. N. Firoz reminded us that it is very difficult to change a culture. It is even more difficult for America, because we are not monolithic as like some countries. L. Lemley asserted that fairness gives way to the self-interests of groups. The average white male “wants it all” J. Harris agreed that it's about power. White males make the decisions. That is why they are not proponents of affirmative action. But as for Montclair State, J. Harris and M. Coleman Carter reminded the Commission that MSU goals are to increase quality, and diversity as stated in the mission and articulated by President Cole.


II. Committee Reports

A. Status of Women M. Coleman-Carter
The Women's Center agenda for Spring 2003 includes a trip to
Washington, DC on January 22 for Roe v. Wade and Women's History
Month in March. One of the theme is Outrageous Women that will feature MSU and international female faculty.

In E. Abreu's absence, Heather Oaks is the acting administrator in the
Women's Center. Abreu is scheduled to return in February.

B. Recruitment and Retention L. Rodriguez
The committee discussed the data related to latino faculty retention rates with J. Ficke and she expressed her desire to discuss the statistics with the whole Commissions at a future meeting.

C. Status of Minorities No chair appointed yet
The executive committee will caucus on restructuring our committee
System to better meet the current needs of the Commission.

III. Old Business
A. Physical Plant Update
T. Jacobowitz distributed a copy of President Cole's December 6 memo for information and discussion. The memo outlines the steps that have been take to increase computer (e-mail) and telephone (voice mail) access to PPD workers. There will be 3 computers available and e-mail. training will be provided for all workers. PPD managers will encourage workers to use them to access employee and campus information. C. Meneghin proposed that this message be posted on the PCAA website. J. Hain suggested that the message be issued by Sr. VP Shuckel. She will speak to VP Shuckel on behalf of the PCAA.

B. Affirmative Action Day. C. Meneghin for B. Milton
A panel or storytelling event is recommended. If you know of faculty or
staff who have affirmative action or equal opportunity experiences at
MSU that are willing to share them, submit the names to B. Milton.

The proposed date is Thursday, February 20 lasting 2 hours around noonday.

J. Hain recommended using some the readings we recently discussed. A panel that reports on a reading would stimulate rich discussion and elicit personal accounts. We need to react to a stimulus, a video perhaps.

On a related issue, T. Jacobowitz extend an initiation to the Center of Pedagogy's advance on January 7-8, Stories of Power, Language,
and Culture.

C. Consultants' Report
A search is being conducted to hire a new associate vice president who will oversee the PPD. After he/she is hired, that person will share the report with the PPD workers and then the report will be shared with the PCAA.

IV. New Business
A. Physical Plant Update
A. African American Caucus Request M. Brown
Caucus chair G. Rawlins has recently received six complaints from staff
who are reluctant to go to B. Milton, the EEO/AA officer due to being
intimidated by the physical location of the office that is located within Human Resources. They fear being seen entering the EEO/AA office and suffering reprisal. These are their perceptions.

The AAC sees reporting to the VP for Human Resources instead of the President and the physical location of EEO/AA as impediments. As the AAC representative to the PCAA, M. Brown shared with Chairperson Rawlins that the PCAA made the same recommendations several years ago, but President Cole rejected them. However, the AAC raises these issues again.

VP Hain indicated that B. Milton may meet anywhere with employees on EEO/AA matters. Also, there is a private entrance from the hall to enter B. Milton's office where employees don't have to enter through the Human Resources office. Structurally, personnel matters fall under the jurisdiction of the VP for Human Resources. VP Hain will extend the invitation to meet with the Caucus to discuss the rationales for location, reporting structure, and the integrity of the process.

VP Hain also commended B. Milton (staff) and J. Ficke (faculty) for the remarkable jobs both have done in handling complaints.

J. Harris suggested that the Latino/a Caucus might wish to join the ACC in the meeting with VP Hain if there are similar concerns. He also observed that employees are acting on past experiences from previous administrations. VP Hain needs to indicate that this is a new day and it's not business as usual and that her office is dedicated to professionalism.

Adjourned at 1:55 PM

Next Meeting January 23, 2003

Submitted,

Michael Brown
Recording Secretary