ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DIVERSITY AND EQUITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
September 9, 2010
Committee members in attendance: H. Walsh, M. Torres, B. Royal, T. Bennett-Michael, L.
Baumgardner, E. Russell, R. Foreman, A. Harmon, T. Witherspoon
I.
Welcome and call to order
Helen Walsh called to order the meeting of the Diversity & Equity Advisory
Committee at 6:30 pm, on September 9, Room 204.
II.
Approval of minutes May 18, 2010
III.
Board Update
Helen Walsh highlighted the August Board meeting. Helen detailed the Board’s
approval of a power purchase agreement with Pepco Energy Services, Inc. Atlantic
Cape will enter into a 20-year agreement where we will lease solar energy. The
project will take place at the college’s Mays Landing and Cape May Campuses. The
units will be placed on carports at campus parking lots beginning this fall. The system
will generate 48 percent of Atlantic Cape’s total annual electric consumption and will
provide up to $6.8 million in savings over the 20 year period.
IV.
Discussion: DEC 2010-2011 Meeting Schedule
Members reviewed the proposed DEC meeting schedule for 2010-2011. The meeting
originally scheduled for November 11th has been changed to November 18th due to
the Veterans Day holiday. Maria Torres mentioned that when constructing the
schedule for next year, the committee be careful of religious holidays as the
September 9th meeting fell on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah and some members were
not present due to the observance. No other changes were noted.
V.
Approval List of Guest Invites
The schedule was approved with the possibility of some guests being moved to
different dates. L. Baumgardner discussed the possibility of having the Men of
Atlantic Cape (MAC) mentoring group, provide the committee with a presentation.
Bobby Royal will reach out to Carmen Royal on the possibility of having this happen
at one of the upcoming DEC meetings.
E. Russell mentioned the need to firm up membership. B. Royal discussed the
possibility of linking the committee with other units within the college such as
student clubs and getting representation from there. A discussion took place regarding
the possibility of having one meeting per year in Cape May as a courtesy to
committee members who live within that county.
A. Harmon suggested reaching out to Ms. Ernestine Smith, Community Engagement,
Pleasantville Public Schools as a possible Diversity & Equity Committee member.
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VI.
2010 Summer Youth College Report
T. Bennett-Michael reported on the number of children served at the Worthington and
Cape May campuses respectively. Feedback received from parents, students, and
faculty. She also mentioned the many requests by parents and students to increase the
program from one week to two weeks. Some areas to improve or consider for next
year: more hands on classes, healthier food options, better coordination with busing
and registration. A. Harmon mentioned that he would like to see some classes that
pertain to etiquette, good manners, and social graces.
Bobby Royal discussed that a DVD is currently in the production stages and will be
available at the next meeting. T. Witherspoon mentioned that the social network
Facebook would be a great medium to advertise the Summer Youth College,
additionally advertising on local stations such as Channel 2. She mentioned that
Derek Cason from Atlantic City Public Schools as a good resource for AC-TV.
E. Russell made the suggestion of providing students with books at the close of the
program. This could be done by having a book drive in the spring and getting the
student clubs involved.
Maria Torres discussed the need for the educational community to become involved
in the Summer Youth College. Maria proposed getting district superintendents,
principals, and teachers to be a part of the process. The Summer Youth College
subcommittee will meet in October to discuss possible ways to get schools more
involved early on in the year.
VII.
Community Affairs Program
H. Walsh highlighted the minutes from the June 10, Community Affairs Advisory
Committee Meeting. She reported on the Champions of Youth and the work that is
being done on Main Street. E. Russell notated that there was a typo regarding the
degree offerings at Atlantic Cape. T. Bennett-Michael will send out revised minutes
from the June 10 Community Affairs Advisory meeting with the change per the May
Board Updates.
VIII. Cultural Affairs Committee
T. Bennett-Michael reported that the Cultural Affairs Committee is working with the
Carolyn Dorfman dancers and Barbara Beitel in providing cultural arts programming
at all three Atlantic Cape campuses. Torrina mentioned that the committee is working
on establishing diversity activities that are inclusive and representative of cultures in
the Atlantic Cape population. She also discussed having a first time MLK Day of
Service. Some possible service activities would be volunteering within a nursing
home, school clean-up, food bank, or homeless shelter. A full calendar of events will
be available at the next Diversity & Equity Committee meeting scheduled for
November 18.
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IX. Departmental Updates/Formation of WACC Core Group
Bobby Royal discussed the construction underway at the Worthington campus. Dean
Royal mentioned the usage of clam shells for the campus parking as a temporary
solution until the decision has been made as to where the new hospitality wing will be
positioned. Dean Royal spoke about the members of the WACC Core Group who are
currently accepting RFP’s for architects. Dean Royal did not provide updates on the
Safe Campus Initiative.
X. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The next Diversity & Equity Committee
meeting will be held on November 18, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 204.
Minutes submitted by: Torrina Bennett-Michael
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