President’s Commission on Diversity
December 13, 2007
Room 306 Main Building
Minutes
Members Present: Chike Anyaegbunam, Druscilla Bakert, Mary Bolin-Reece, Lori Gonzalez, Bessie Guerrant, Ibrahim Jawahir, Sara Jones, Jane Kirschling, Michael Lee, Richard Sutphen, Lionel Williamson, Jeff Dembo, Alvin Seals, Karen Slaymaker, Mahjabeen Rafiuddin, Lina Crocker, Gail Harrison, Sharon Taylor New, Allan G. Richards, Rakesh Kandibanda and Linda Rakes.
Members Absent: Chris Harper, Rob Mullens, Isabel Taylor, Chester Grundy
Welcome and Call to Order: Allan G. Richards, Ed. D.
Dr, Richards called the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m.
A quartet of graduate students from the College of Music performed three selections of holiday music for the Commission. The students were:
Zach Ullery, working toward Masters degree in Education and Choral Conducting (from Maysville, KY)
Nick Covault, senior, Arts Administration and Vocal Performance (from Louisville, KY)
Rachel Farrar, senior, Vocal Performance ( from Lexington, KY)
Meg Stohlmann, working toward Masters degree in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting (from Santa Rosa, CA)
Approval of Minutes: Allan G. Richards, Ed.D.
A motion to approve the November 8, 2007 minutes was made by Lina Crocker and seconded by Lionel Williamson. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote with no changes.
Introduction: Allan Richards
Two new members were appointed to the Commission by President Lee T. Todd, Jr. to fill two vacant positions. The new members are Alvin Seals, Associate Professor, Kentucky State University and Isabel Taylor, Multicultural Affairs Coordinator. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. These members were welcomed to the commission.
By-Laws and Nominating Committee: Bessie Guerrant
The By-Laws with some minor changes in wording were presented to the Commission members. These are to be reviewed and these changes will be voted on for approval at the January meeting.
The slate of commission members is now complete with the appointment of two new members. One member resigned in October due to time restraints and this position will be filled in July, 2008.
Bessie Guerrant has been asked to help with the Diversity Awards ceremony. In November, Bessie attended the National Multicultural Institute conference where the keynote speaker was Franz Johansson. Franz Johansson is a Harvard MBS, published and a dynamic speaker whose focus is on diversity drives innovation and one we believe will take our focus on diversity to a new level. The Commission will contract with him to be the keynote speaker at the President’s Awards ceremony which is tentatively scheduled for April 1, 2008. Tentative plans are for Mr. Johansson to be available during that day to other groups on campus with the intent of reaching out to as many colleges as possible in hoping to engage the campus community.
Dr. Richards presented commission members with a book entitled “The Medici Effect -What Elephants & Epidemics Can Teach Us About Innovation” by Frans Johansson.
Dr. Constance Ray
Dr. Richards and Dr. Constance Ray, Vice President of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness, have been working together to define assessment strategies that will guide the Commission in creating an institution that is diverse and inclusive.
Dr. Ray spoke to the commission about the history and evolution of diversity and gave a discussion on various past survey results of the campus climate.
The 2006 Total Student Enrollment breakdown:
White 81.1%
Black (Non-Hispanic 5.1%
Other 13.8% 0.1% American Indian
2.2% Asian/Pacific Islander
1.1% Hispanic
5.1% International
5.2% Missing (Not reported)
Survey results can be found on the Institutional Research website at www.uky.edu/IR/Survey.shtml.
What kind of change do we want to see reflected in our university goals? In measuring diversity it will be necessary to determine creative ways to move away from the past. The goals for a diverse and innovative culture is to achieve a vision, define expected outcomes and assess progress.
Inclusive suggests an inclusion of all kinds.
Culture suggests things that we all share. Define what those are with our goals in mind.
Task suggests what is different for the future than what is now?
Roger Sugarman will release the 2007survey results and the PCD membership will be included in the distribution of this report.
Dr. Ray offered her services to the PCD committees in their endeavors.
Committee Chair Reports
Undergraduate and Student Affairs Mary Bolin-Reece
Committee has met twice to assess the goals and direction of this committee. They will review surveys and assess where students currently are.
Graduate and Professional Student Affairs Jane Kirschling
Committee has met once and has a second meeting scheduled in January. Will look into the graduate and professional organizations across campus.
Faculty and Staff Affairs Vanessa Jackson
Committee has met one time and discussed and defined the goals of the committee.
Engagement and Public Relations Richard Sutphen
Committee met in November and discussed outcomes and indicators and will continue toward setting goals.
VPID Allan G. Richards
The two candidates for the position of Vice-President for Institutional Diversity will be coming to campus on January 9, 10, 17, 2008. An open forum has been scheduled to meet Dr. Judy "JJ" Jackson, Dean of the College and Associate Professor of Education at Vassar College, on Wednesday, January 9, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in 209 Main Building.
An open forum has also been scheduled to meet Dr. Overtoun Jenda, Professor of Mathematics and Associate Provost, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at Auburn University, on Thursday, January 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in 209 Main Building.
Commission members were encouraged to attend these forums.
Adjourn: Allan G. Richards
Meeting adjourned at 12:55pm.
4