DIVERSITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
8:53 A.M. Meeting Began
10:00 A.M. Meeting Ended
Academic Affairs Conference Room
I.May 8, 2015: Call to Order: Dr. Richard Miller
Called to order at 8:53 a.m.
II.ATTENDANCE – Richard Miller
Those in attendance were Richard Miller, Jashard Justice, Seth Church, Tiffany Robinson, Sharon Hunter, Joshua Hayes, Huda Melky, Andrea Garr-Barnes, Joshua Marble, Michelle Hollis, Jane Olmsted, Helen Sterk, Gregory Ellis-Griffith, Evelyn Ellis, JaMon Paschall, Monica Burke, and Cindy Smith.
III.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the April 17, 2015 meeting were reviewed and approved.
IV.SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Dr. Miller announced this is the last meeting for Huda Melky, who will be retiring June 30, 2015. Dr. Miller presented Huda with a plaque and thanked her for her years of service on the committee. Huda thanked the committee and shared some of her experiences over the years at WKU.
Dr. Miller said a formal announcement will be made next week regarding the transition in the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.
V.POSTPONEMENT – “A CONVERSATION AMONG US”
A.Dr. Miller announced that “A Conversation Among Us” has been postponed until the fall semester, due to budget cuts.
VI.UPDATE – PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR DIVERSITY
A. Dr. Monica Burke gave an update on the President’s Award for Diversity. So far, two employees and two students have been nominated. Monica said a community nomine is still needed, and asked for all nominees to be submitted on or before Monday, May 11th.
B.Dr. Miller asked committee members to keep in mind who they would like to nominate.
VII.CULTURAL COMPETENCY – PRESENTATION BY JAMON PASCHALL
A.Dr. Miller discussed the frame work for the new Diversity Policy. It will be required for institutions to demonstrate cultural competency on campus.
B.JaMonPaschall, graduate student, researched how other institutions are measuring cultural competency. JaMon presented the committee with two links he found helpful, and there was discussion with the committee afterwards.
C.Dr. Miller said everyone should be mindful of various cultures on campus.
D.Dr. Gregory Ellis-Griffith shared with the committee issues several students from Saudi Arabia are having finding internships in the community.
E.Dr. Evelyn Ellis suggested for cultural competency issues to be addressed at convocation.
VIII.OIDI REPORT
A.Andrea Garr-Barnes reminded the committee that Lavender Graduation will be held Monday, May 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Augenstein Alumni Center Library.
B.The Outstanding Black Graduate Ceremony will be May 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the VanMeter Auditorium.
C.Andrea stated there is an email forthcoming asking for volunteers for next year’s Lavender Ceremony and OBG/Latino Recognition Ceremony.
IX.EEO/AA/ADA/TITLE IX REPORT
A.Huda Melky reported there have been three or four investigations recently; however, they are only allegations at this point. Huda shared that this is the end of the semesterand several students are experiencing issues.
B.Huda shared with the committee that a blueprint has been developed for a Title IX video.
C.Huda reminded the committee that next year Title IX training will be required from the Federal Government.
X.DEC UPDATES
A.Dr. Miller announced that Seth Church, SGA representative, is graduating from WKU, and has been admitted to Law School at Emory University.
B.Dr. Miller discussed the role of the DEC in previous years and a vision for the future. There are growing issues on campus with International students and students of color, for example.
C.Dr. Miller suggestedthe possibility of more student input on the DEC to express different perspectives and concerns with the committee.
D. Dr. Miller asked the committee to share their ideas with him.