Attachment (C)
Spring 2014 Report of the Commission on Human Diversity
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Presented to the Administrative Council
April 18, 2014
MISSION: The Commission on Human Diversity facilitates the development of an environment in which members
of the university community are valued and their differences honored. Understanding for and among all groups is
pursued through the arrangement and support of special activities such as open forums, diversity dialogues and
education workshops that promote awareness and honor of each other’s differences. (We are charged by the
President to consider issues related to Religion, Sexuality, and Disability Awareness)
I.
Membership: The Commission has an active membership, with all members attending at least
50% or our meetings and most members attending 100% of our meetings. Committee members
also were part of sub-committees for the conference. We meet monthly September – May.
II.
Officers: Mr. Jerry Schearer, Chair (2012-2014)
Dr. Amy Pfeiler-Wunder, Acting Secretary
III.
Issues of concern brought before commission: Beyond our programming role which shifted our
focus three years ago, we continue to be open to any campus constituent to bring matters of
concern before the commission relating the diversity of the campus community. This year no
particular issues were brought before the commission. However we did discuss the need to
cross promote diversity programs and to try other marketing campaigns to get the word out.
We offered to help several programs beyond our own.
IV.
Programming Focus: This year our focus was on GLBTQ Issues.
a. Fall Speaker/Trainier: Jessica Pettitt. Social Justice and Diversity Trainer. (co-sponsor
with ALLIES and ACE)
i. Wednesday, October 16, 1 pm – 3 pm in MSU 183
ii. Pettitt holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from the
University of South Carolina. She has worked in social justice and multicultural
positions for the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and New York
University. Pettitt has been nominated for two years by Campus Activities
Magazine for “Best Diversity Artist.” www.jessicapettitt.com.
b. Pre-Conference film and discussion: Hedwig and the Angry Inch; February 4
i. Film was hosted and a discussion lead by Dr. Curtis Herr and Prof. Alan Hines.
ii. A transexual punk rock girl from East Berlin tours the US with her rock
band as she tells her life story and follows the ex-boyfriend/bandmate
who stole her songs.
c. 4rd Annual Conference: “Pride and Prejudice: GLBTQA Issues Today”
i. Held on March 7, 2014
ii. 120+ Students
iii. 40+ staff, faculty from KU and other schools, businesses, and social groups.
iv. 11 Breakout sessions. This year almost all presenters were from KU (faculty,
staff, and students); with one outside faculty member. Sessions varied among
topics from mentoring GLBTQ students, to sexual identities, Working at
Inclusion, Hidden Barriers: Assisting GLBTQ Victims and Survivors of Domestic
Violence; Activism, and several panels.
v. AM Keynote: Brian Sims, PA State Representative
vi. Lunch Keynote: Pennsylvania Diversity Network; and the PDN Photo Project
vii. PM Keynote: Rev. Frank Schaeffer
d. Post-Conference Event – DAN SAVAGE (a co-sponsor with ACE and multiple others)
i. Author, TV pundit, sex advice columnist, and co-founder of the anti-bullying
project “It Gets Better”.
ii. Tuesday, March 11 @ 7 pm in Schaeffer Auditorium
iii. Also corresponded with the giving of the Lambda Scholarship and Reception.
V.
Other Activities:
a. Promoted among the Commission and our respective constituents programs and
campus events related to diversity including, but not limited to events from the
Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on the Status of Minorities, the
GLBTQ Resource Center, the Women’s Center, the Multicultural Center, Housing, ACE,
and Pride & Prejudice Film Series.
b. We also recruited students for the Disability Services Office to assist with the Student
Visitation Day.
c. Under the direction of the Committee on Committees we have begun to re-write our
bylaws. Only bylaws on record that were found were from what we guess to be early
90s.
d. As requested by the new Institutional Climate Committee; we have a representative
from the CHD now serving on the ICC, and then reporting back to the CHD.
VI.
Future Plans: (Dependent upon funding)
a. Co-sponsoring diversity events with ACE, Housing, and other groups in the Fall.
b. SPRING CONFERENCE: Friday, February 27, 2015. Theme: TBD at May meeting
See Attachment/Page 3 for roster of members.
Commission on Human Diversity – 2013 – 2014
Senate/COC Appointments
Dr. Anne Zayaitz
Peter Emerick
Brandon Nolt
Edward Hanna
Camille DeMarco
Dr. Heather Fountain
Past Chair, 2010-12
Dr. M. Adeel
Carol Watson (replacement 1-yr term)
CJ Rhoads (replacement 1-yr term)
Appointed Representatives/Ad-Hoc
Connie Lawrence-Gantert
Bruce Gottschall
Karen Eeysher
Rhonda Miller
Samita Kafle
Allison Basiaga
Rhonda Miller
Jerry Schearer - Chair, 2012-2014
Tom McNally
Kelly Wilcox (Phoenix Group)
Volunteers/ ideology/passion for diversity.
Mary Borst
Bruce Jensen
Rev. Sue Marie
Dr. Jennifer Schlegel
Amy Pfeiler-Wunder
COC Appointment/Academic Dean/Director
2013-2015
COC Appointment/Professional Staff (SA)
2013-2015
COC Appointment/At-Large Faculty
2013-2015
COC Appointment/At-Large Faculty
2013-2015
COC Appointment/At-Large Professional Staff
2013-2015
COC Appointment/VPA
2012-2014
COC Appointment/LAS
2012-2014
COC Appointment/COE
2012-2014
COC Appointment/COB
2012-2014
AFSCME Rep
Lambda Caucus Rep
Graduate Student Representative
Black Student Union (BSU) Rep.
Non-Traditional Student (ANT Rep)
International Student Organization (ISO) Rep
Latino Student Organization Rep.
Student Appointed by ADA Coordinator
Commission on Status of Women Rep.
Commission on Status of Minorities Rep.
Ad-Hoc - Allies Advisor
Ad-Hoc/Faculty Leader
Disability Culture Learning Community
Student Volunteer Rep.
Disability Culture Learning Community
Volunteer Member-at-large
(GLBTQ Resource Center Liaison)
Volunteer Member-at-large (Library Liaison)
Volunteer Member-at-large (Community Member)
Volunteer Member-at-large (Faculty)
Volunteer Member-at-large (Faculty)
The Commission on Human Diversity facilitates the development of an environment in which members of the
university community are valued and their differences honored. Understanding for and among all groups is
pursued through the arrangement and support of special activities such as open forums, diversity dialogues and
education workshops that promote awareness and honor of each other’s differences. (We are charged by the
President to consider issues related to Religion, Sexuality, and Disability Awareness)