President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion

Meeting Minutes of November 12,2014

12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.

President’s Conference Room

Present:Commission Members – Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder, Chair; Dr.Judith Rodriguez, Associate Chair; Ms. Alison Cruess, Ms. Edythe Abdullah, Dr. Christopher Johnson, Dr. Mary Rose, Dr. B. Jay Coleman, Ms. Nikki Ludd, Dr. Melissa Hargrove, Dr. Christopher Brown,and Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Sr.

Ex-Officio Members - Mr. Marcus Snow

CODI Staff-Ms. Flora Coleman

Guest - Dr. Suzie Weng

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 12:13 p.m. by Chair Wilder.

19 members/12 members present.

II. Adoption of the Agenda/Minutes

Today’s agenda and minutes of September 10, 2014 Commission Meeting were moved for adoption by Dr. Judy Rodriguez and seconded by Dr. Jay Coleman. Chair, JeffriAnne Wilder called for a vote. The Committee unanimously approved both.

III. Approval of Minutes

Approved

IV. Update from Chair – Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder

Chair Wilder welcomed everyone and stated that she would forgo updates.

V. Presentation - Dr. Suzie S. Weng, Assistant Professor of Social Work

2014 Diversity and Inclusion Academic Research Grant recipient

“Asset Mapping of Resources for the Jacksonville Asian –American

Community and Future Research Needs.”

  1. Standing Committee/Subcommittee Reports

A.Academic Enhancement — Dr. Judith Rodriguez

Provided a copy of the application and discussed the process. The application deadline is November 21. Dr. Rodriguez is available for questions if anyone has any or they may also email her. Dr. Melissa Hargrove asked if she could apply, since she is a member of the Commission. She was told yes.

Dr. Rodriguez thanked Chris and Alison for helping with the Climate Survey.

B.Recruitment and Retention — Ms. Edythe Abdullah

Ms. Abdullah provided an update on Minority Recruitment for faculty. She informed the group that Chair, Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder, Associate Chair, Dr. Judith Rodrigues and Dr. Christopher Johnson attended the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, October 30 – November 2, 2014. They came back with a number of prospects.

Several faculty members including Dr. Natasha Christieattended the McKnight Fellowship program. They also came back with a number of great prospects.

Discussed were ways to enhance recruitment. Want to track results. Create database, look at applications of those who will graduate before 2015 and look at those who will not graduate until after 2015. A debriefing meeting will be scheduled to share more information.

Ms. Abdullah stated that the Recruitment and Retention Committee has three sub-committees:

  • Staff – Mr. Tom Van Schoor, Chair. They met last week. They did a study two years ago. All USPS that was on his committee are no longer at UNF.
  • Faculty – Dr. Jay Coleman, Chair. Have six volunteers. They are scheduled to meet within the next couple of weeks. Mentioned that Susie is on his sub-committee.
  • Students – Mr. Albert Colom, Chair. Their first meeting is November 21. Have a good representation of Faculty, Staff and Students.

C.Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives — Mr. Kamele “Oupa” Seane

Morris Dees’ event was discussed. They will bring him here to UNF mid-February. Morris Dees is a prominently Civil Rights Attorney.

  1. Old Business
  1. Ms. Edythe Abdullah, Special Advisor to the President - UNF Racial Climate Survey

The Executive Summary is posted on HR/EOD site. 2136 students responded to the student survey. Ms. Abdullah will send report to everyone.

Associate Chair, Judith Rodriguez stated that the Commission needs to approve the report. We can do a vote on line. Ms. Abdullah stated that the Spinnaker has an interest in the Survey. Spinnaker wantsto see the comments. Spinnaker also wants to talk with Chair JeffriAnne Wilderabout Racial Breakdown on campus in relation to the Jacksonville Community.

Mr. Marc Snow, Senior Associate General Counsel, reminded everyone that requests from the Press must go through Ms. Sharon Ashton’s office.

  1. Announcements

A.CODI Research Grants – Deadline: November 21, 2014

B.Presidential Diversity and Inclusion Award - Deadline: January 9, 2014

Cheryl scheduled an info session for the Presidential Diversity and Inclusion Award

VIII.Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

Next meeting is February 11, 2015

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