Montclair State University
PCAA 2001-02

Minutes
February 22, 2001

Commission
Constitution

List of members

Committees and
members

Meeting schedule

Upcoming agenda

Minutes

Policies and
Proclamations

MSU related links

Other related links

Present: B. Terry, J. Baldwin-LeClair, T. Jacobowitz, C. Meneghin, A Herbert, M. Brown, N. Firoz, I. Barriera, L. Rodriguez, K. Dennis, H. Gera, N. Connolly, B. Milton, I. Caprio (alt), P. Kirby, J. Hain

Absent: W. Enix, T. Hutchines, R. Young, J. Rivera, E. Abreu, M. Kasimir, N. Rourke, D, Estrada, D. Chyssovergis, M. Coleman-Carter, M. Cunningham, J. Ficke, C. Ortiz, R. Sharps, S. Kight

After the 12 noon flag raising ceremony on the Student Center Quad where Provost Lynde read the President ColeŐs proclamation in recognition Affirmative Action Day and comments by Chairperson Tina Jacobowitz. After the ceremony, the gathering proceeded to the SC-419 for a round table discussion on "Issues Facing Affirmative Action in Higher Education."

I. Call to Order

A. Chairperson Jacobowitz called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM

B. Motion to approve minutes of January 18 (C. Meneghin/L. Rodriguez) passed with corrections to add Barriera and Rodriguez to attendance list.

C. While eating lunch, we continued our discussion of the question raised by B. Terry on how we can appropriately respond to white students who ask why they are penalized by affirmative action policies when they are not personally responsible for past injustices to people of color. Among the main points raised in the discussion were:

• Diversity that affirmative action attempts to create benefits everyone.
• The "playing field" is still not level for the protected classes.
• Research shows there is still a need for affirmative action.
• Successful candidates from the protected classes are labeled as AA cases.
• Some of us still use negative language when referring to AA.
• The primary beneficiaries of AA are white females.
  
  
Conclusions reached were:
• Selected candidates meet the standards when AA is practiced appropriately.
• Make sure search committees set appropriate standards for the position.
• It is a Commission responsibility to get facts to the campus community. (use website in Q&A format, Montclarion, Insight)
Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 3 of Shape of the River for March 15 meeting.

II. Old Business

A. Physical Plant
Since our last meeting, the African American Caucus raised questions to Kiki Williams about the absence of computers and lack of e-mail access for PPD employees, and privacy issues where there was access. Kiki responded to the inquiry by Glen Rawlins, Chairperson of the AAC via e-mail that in addition to the Student Center there is a computer in the Physical Plant Building conference room, a second computer has been delivered and will be wired, and each shop has a PC. Some shops have computers set for multiple users.

B. ADA
Elaine Fine contacted President Cole about forming a constituency for disabled persons. Until it is formed, Magda Garcia should continue as a non-voting member to the Commission. Jack Balwin-LeClair will draft a proposal to the PCAA Constitution to include the new constituency.

III. Committee Reports

A. Retention & Recruitment
Karen Dennis reported for Ron Sharps that the committee met and started acquiring data from the Office of Institutional Research on faculty and staff diversity. The committee expects the PresidentŐs Task Force on Student Achievement to address the student retention issue.

B. Status of Minorities
Bryan Terry
Bryan and Jack Baldwin LeClair met. Bryan has called another meeting and will submit a written report later.

C. Status of Women
Angel Herbert
Angel, Shenita Brokenburr and Judith Hain met. VP Hain reported that President Cole would meet with all clerical staff in the near future. The President is shaping the agenda with Shanita and they are searching for a place that is large enough to meet with everyone.

The next general meeting is March 15.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55 PM.

Submitted,

Michael Brown
Recording Secretary