EQUALITY VCU Minutes: March 15, 2015
Attendees:
●Faith Wilkerson
●Lisa Webb
●Donna Coghill
●Brie Dubinsky
●R. Dale Smith
●Pat Stauffer
●Dr. McKenna Brown
●Dr. Idella Glenn
●Dorothy Fillmore
●Jeff Wing
AGENDA: EQUALITY VCU
•Introduction to Dr. Idella Glenn
oLisa introduced Dr. Glenn. Dr. Glenn works in Inclusive Excellence, Director of Diversity Education and Retention initiatives. She is developing various diversity education sessions for people to grow and learn. She is working with the inclusive learning council (unconscious bias, microagressions, history of diversity and inclusion). She indicated that she hopes to be a resource for us.
•LGBTQ Search Committee Process: Dr. McKenna Brown
oDr. Brown told us that as of the fall semester they reviewed applications. Total of 12 applications received and reviewed, search committee made up of five members (Brie can email him for names). Brought forward a slate of four candidates/finalists for final consideration. All four were interviewed on campus in late December. Search committee recommended three finalists for further consideration, they were then invited back. One of the finalists was considered a top finalist, negotiations began, and unfortunately were unsuccessful. At this point, they are going to maintain the person in the interim role. There is discussion regarding next steps: renewed posting, renewed efforts to get word out, but they may perhaps stop the search and update the job description and then start over. They are seeking input from the committee regarding areas for review, as they were concerned at the low level of interest initially (small applicant pool), and they are seeking advice regarding next steps going forward.
oDale posited that salary might be a limiting factor, given the available competing positions. Faith suggested that "coordinator" might be revisited in considering nomenclature for the title. Perhaps using "Director" or "Assistant Director." The job description was also noted as a future point for revision/discussion.Lisa suggested having the search committee meet with members of Equality VCU or inviting the search committee to participate in part of a future Equality VCU meeting to discuss next steps and recommendations. Donna and Kelly discussed that perhaps being open about the climate in Richmond and ways in which that climate has improved might be helpful in assisting recruitment. Jeff suggested "OUT RVA" as a resource in recruiting.
oDr. Glenn suggested inviting Dr. Mitchell to come to a subsequent Equality VCU meeting to discuss the salary, title, and some strategy for updating the position description and publicizing it. Dr. Mitchell is hoping to collaborate with Equality VCU to identify ways we can support the successful recruitment of a future candidate. Lisa recommended that the Co-Chairs will take suggestions from today's discussion and draft a recommendation to go back to Dr. Mitchell for future discussion. The Co-Chairs will send the proposal out to Equality VCU for review and then will schedule a one-on-one discussion with Dr. Mitchell.
•Rainbow Rams: Donna Coghill & Lisa Webb
oOfficial name of the VCU LGBT Alumni Association (soon to be official--the Alumni Association will be finalizing it). Donna said that they have the required number of members (10 is min, 12 is current) to make it an official group. They are considered an "interest group," and they will be the first interest group. They are working toward supporting Lavender Graduation in the future, and plan to show up at this year's graduation. There was some discussion of coordinating a possible gift/sponsored one year membership to "gold alumni" after attending Lavender Graduation, and the recipient will become a member of Rainbow Rams (increasing membership and future connections). They are hoping to coordinate a potential Rainbow Rams scholarship. They are hoping to put on a social event every year--baseball game--and maybe a periodic happy hour. They are focused on networking and student support.
oFaith suggested maybe sponsoring one gold membership this year ($25, to be raffled off?) at Lav Grad
▪Lisa noted that it's possible that Health Sciences Diversity might be able to help fund some of the support for gold memberships, and Jeff indicated that they are also hoping to secure corporate sponsors.
•Lavender Graduation Update: Faith
oApril 24th at 4:30 PM in Harris Hall
oReception to take place after the ceremony in the Academic Learning Commons
oKeynote speakers: Carol Shall, Mary Townley, and their daughter Emily
oDonna has asked the provost to participate (perhaps reading acknowledgements)
oDr. Byrdsong will be there, Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Mitchell (unable to attend but will appoint a stand-in), and Kevin Harris
•Campus Climate Index Update:
oDr. Klink was very supportive of our initiatives and of areas where we've made suggestions for improvement. He was supportive of the Lavender Housing initiative and will be discussing this with Housing. He is supportive of the request for the LGBTQIA Student Life Director, but noted that he is interim and is not sure if this is something we will be able to finalize during his tenure.
oDale noted that 47 students signed up for gender neutral housing.
oThe Climate Index Group has submitted the Index and will update Equality VCU on the results once they come in. It is possible that our score may stay the same or lower depending on the way the score is calculated, but VCU was able to make some progress. In considering the planning/next steps (please see minutes attached), we are optimistic that there is opportunity to raise our score in the future.
oIn an update regarding Admissions:
▪Applicants can now check their interest in LGBT (400 since January, and 300 have opened the letter from VCU).
▪Campus Climate met with Joann and her marketing people, and they were supportive of suggestions (including representation in images, and in including Queer Action and Richmond Pride at recruiting fairs).
▪Lisa discussed a plan to meet with Dr. Mitchell and bring the Index Group's recommendations to her. She suggested meeting with Dr. Mitchell prior to her planned leave.
▪Equality VCU sends a representative (Faith) to meet with recruiters in Admissions, but indicated that this could be further developed as an opportunity to discuss resources for applicants
•Equality VCU Wordpress Update: Kelly Chroninger
o
oKelly will be posting our minutes here and also a brief summary of the minutes
oShe has an archive of our minutes
oThere are sections on our planned events (Lav Grad and Burnside Watstein)
oSections on Campus Pride and Safe Zone and we can add other sections to highlight ongoing work of the group
Other Business:
●Faith is leaving VCU on March 27th, and the committee thanked her for her dedicated service to the group. Lisa announced that Jeff has agreed to serve as an interim Co-Chair through the completion of Faith’s tenure at the end of June. Equality VCU will be announcing the opening of the Co-Chair position soon and will provide information for interested members who may wish to be considered for the position.
Agenda for Meeting with Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Monday, March 16, 2015
Making progress:
1. Added trans* to non-discrimination policy
2. Gender neutral housing available for returning students starting in 2015-2016
3. Training for RAs
4. Safety advisory committee
Areas for improvement:
1. Need a more obvious reporting mechanism for bias incidents
2. Lavender Housing option for both continuing and incoming students
3. LGBTQIA Student Center
4. LGBTQIA Student Life Director
5. Adding trans* health coverage to student health insurance plan
6. Improved web presence for both current and prospective LGBTQIA students and allies (either something new and distinctive, or an overhaul of what is currently on the OMSA website)
7. Funding for training for LGBTQIA students to attend leadership and advocacy training (funding for faculty sponsors to attend as well, when appropriate)
8. Support for new student groups to provide more engagement for LGBTQIA students around social issues and other issues of diversity (LGBTQIA religious groups, LGBTQIA Greek organizations, etc.)
9. Funding to bring high-profile LGBTQIA speakers to campus (through existing or new student organizations)
Areas of concern:
1. Housing seems willing to consider new options only if someone else does the work to support these possible changes; would like for Housing to take ownership in becoming more progressive on these issues
Areas of opportunity:
1. Funding for “Train-the-Trainer” anti-bias workshops through Campus Pride
2.Gender neutral bathrooms should be a priority in all new construction and major renovations and updated signage should be added to existing gender neutral bathrooms