Commission on the Status of Minorities
Meeting Minutes: September 16, 2014
Call to order
Arthur Garrison called to order the regular meeting of the 2013-14 Commission on the Status of
Minorities at 11:08 am on September 16, 2014 in the third floor Psychology conference room in Old
Main.
Attendance
The following persons were present:
Qin Geng-College of Business
Arthur Garrison – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Soo Goh- College of Visual & Performing Arts
James D. Jackson – Black Faculty Caucus
Thomas Robinson – African American Professional Organization
Jackie Fox – Office of Social Equity
The following persons were absent:
Rhonda Branford – Division of Multicultural Services
Jose A. Molina-Latino Caucus
Kiara Richardson-Student President of BSU
Laura Scappaticci-Division of Student Services and Campus Life
Gary Chao-College of Business
Krista Varano-Elementary Education
1. Approval of the Minutes
Motion called for the May 8, 2014 minutes to be accepted. The motion to accept was made by James
Jackson and seconded by Qin Geng.
2. Treasure’s Report
Tabled
3. Old Business
Tabled
4. New Business
Arthur Garrison introduced Dr. James Mackin, Acting Provost / Vice President. Dr. Mackin had asked
to meet with the CSM to discuss issues of diversity on campus. The CSM discussed with Dr. Mackin the need
for more African American faculty to provide mentoring and support for African American students. The CSM
and Dr. Mackin also discussed the history of climate studies and that the last two studies are not broadly
distributed for review and analysis.
In regard to the climate for students of color, the CSM noted that off campus experiences by students of
color, especially for African American males, has not been as positive as times in the past. Students have
complained of being watched and made to feel unwelcome in various stores and in housing rentals.
Dr. Mackin noted that while he was in Bloomsburg University he met with faculty search committees to
ensure that they were in compliance with social equity rules and were active in trying to secure minority faculty.
He also informed the CSM that he had organized annual events in which the President held meetings on the
need and utility of diversity on campus which required faculty attendance. Dr. Mackin asked what the CSM
would recommend to increase diversity and improve the campus climate for student of color. The responses
included the following: Provide support for the multicultural center and protect it from budget cuts which it has
suffered over the past two-three years, provide financial and administrative support to the Fredrick Douglas
Institute and form structural institutions on campus that are designed to improve diversity and over all climate
on campus.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 11:53 a.m.
Minutes submitted by: A. Garrison