DIVERSITY INITIATIVES COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 11th Minutes

Attending: Tara Blackwell, Virginia Breen, Jim McElwaine, Shaka McGlotten, Rochelle John, Erik Connolly, Evan Bittel, Peter LaMantia and Sandy Garcia.

Chair: Jay Minh Alt

The meeting was called to order at 3pm.

1. The committee reviewed the following recommendations pertaining to the logistics and objectives of the Diversity Initiatives Committee. The recommendations made by Jay were based upon observations of the Diversity Council structure at SUNY Oneonta:
   
   • They divided the individual charges up amongst the council membership and appointed members to each of them. I like this arrangement because it allows for very specific input from each member probably based upon their skills and what they could bring to the task at hand. These "work groups" appear to have been productive in terms of work completed and the amount of time required to do so.
     
   • In the 2003-2004 report, charge #6 there are several recommendations that I felt were applicable.
     
     • Develop a committee website link: we are currently discussing with the marketing committee the website possibilities, this would be a useful way to display our work and progress
       
     • General membership should be prepared to dedicate 1.5 hours weekly to the work of the committee, workgroup leaders (if we use this format) participation will be higher and the chair should commit 5-10 hours weekly
       
   • In the 2004-2005 report, charge #4, they outlined the survey data they used as it pertained to the campus climate for diversity. The data reviewed included:
     
     • Student opinion survey (results disaggregated by race and gender, compared to 2001-2003)
       
     • Withdrawal survey (disaggregated by race, compared to 1996-2003)
       
     • First college year survey (disaggregated by race and gender)
       
     • I would like for Pete and others to share their ideas on what surveys we could disaggregate by race, ethnicity and gender and compare results.
        
2. Upon reviewing the recommendations, Jay moved that the committee vote on each of them. The committee unanimously approved the “work group” idea, stating that such a format would maximize individual input and at the same time minimize or at least maintain the time commitment. The “work groups” would be extensions of the objectives of the committee. Each member would be assigned to one group with one individual designated as the work group leader. All involved would mutually agree upon meeting times for the group. Jay as the chair would attend all of the work group meetings. The Wednesday at 3pm committee meeting would then only require the chair and the work group leaders to attend.
    
3. The committee reviewed the following recommendations pertaining to the objectives of the committee. Jay moved that the committee vote on each of them.
   
• To collect and maintain a comprehensive guide of programs and services that focus on diversity appreciation and/or multicultural education
  
• To develop instruments for outreach to the campus community as a means to assess the current conditions concerning sensitivity and openness to diversity and then make recommendations based on the findings
  
• To create a vision that promotes diversity and multiculturalism both inside and outside the classroom thus supporting the educational mission of the institution

The committee unanimously approved the three objectives, which would serve as the work groups of the committee. Committee members then stated their preferences to Jay, who would then assign everyone. Assignments and further details on work group tasks will be shared at the next committee meeting, to be held on Wednesday, October 25th at 3pm in Players Café, Campus Center North, 2nd floor room 2006.

The meeting was adjourned at 4pm.