Commission on the Status of Minorities
Meeting Minutes: March 24, 2011
Call to order
Petritsa Chatzitziva called to order the regular meeting of the 2010-11 Commission on the Status of
Minorities at 11:02 am on March 24, 2011 in the upstairs classroom of the Multicultural Center.
Attendance
The following persons were present:
Petritsa Chatzitziva – Division of Multicultural Services
James D. Jackson – Black Faculty Liaison Committee
R. Todd Rober – College of Visual and Performing Arts
Thomas Robinson – Black Faculty Liaison Committee
Patricia Richter – Office of Social Equity
Rajeev Kumar – College of Business
S. Pascale Dewey – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Veronica Lepore – Graduate Student Representative
The following persons were absent:
Diane King – College of Education
Christine Price – Student Services and Campus Life
Bobbie Berry – Black Faculty Liaison Committee
Louis Rodriquez – Latino Caucus
I. Welcome
Petritsa Chatzitziva welcomed Veronica Lapore as the new Graduate Student representative on the
Commission.
II. Approval of Minutes
T. Robinson motioned, J. Jackson seconded that the minutes from the February 15, 2011meeting be
approved. All present voted in favor.
III. Updates
A. Administrative Council
P. Chatzitziva attended the March meeting, where the diversity on the Commission and retention of
members on the Committee were discussed.
B. Chair’s Summit
The meeting of the chairs of the three commissions (Human Diversity, Status of Women, and Status of
Minorities) indicated that some issues we have with attendance, especially of student members, is a
problem that all of the groups share. The lack of adequate funding to accomplish the mission of the
Commissions was also a common problem.
C. Distinguished Service Awards/Reception
As decided at the last meeting, the Reception for Multicultural Faculty and Staff is being combined with
the presentation of the Commission’s Distinguished Service Awards on April 26, 2011 at 11 am in the
President’s Room in the MSU. The other Commissions also wish to be involved, and the invitation
should be extended to all faculty members. Since food will not be allowed to be served at any meeting
next year, this may be the last time we will be able to spend funds to host a reception of this type. Of our
current balance of $1176, $500 will be used to bring back Lee Mun-Wah in the fall, so $676 is available
for this event.
D. Criteria for and Importance of the Distinguished Service Award
T. Robinson indicated the new Performance Funding guidelines that the PASSHE system is already
putting in place will mean the Provost may be more likely to grant tenure and promotion to faculty who
are helping retain other faculty of color. R. Kumar was skeptical whether the Tenure and Promotion
committees’ emphasis on Teaching and Research over Service will recognize the significance of these
other accomplishments. P. Dewey emphasized how important the letter written to the Promotion
committee is in emphasizing a faculty members commitment and work toward multiculturalism,
diversity, and retention. This award could play an increasingly vital role in emphasizing those
contributions.
As a result of the discussion, T. Robinson requested that the phrase “contribute to the retention of
students of color” be added to the criteria for the Distinguished Service Award. Discussion ensued over
the phrase ‘students of color,’ with ‘underrepresented groups’ offered as an alternative. As the
committee could not agree on the language, the phrase was modified to ‘retention on campus.’ Thomas
moved that the phrase be added to last year’s criteria, P. Dewey seconded. All present voted in favor.
Adding that phrase to the guidelines from last year gives the following:
1. Promote cultural competence and responsiveness
2. Promote an environment of cultural acceptance and inclusion
3. Demonstrate leadership in addressing and/or supporting multiculturalism and retention on
campus.
These will be changed on the nomination form and distributed to faculty, staff, and students on campus.
Adjournment
R. Kumar motions, T. Rober seconds to adjourn meeting at 11:59 am.
Minutes submitted by: R. Todd Rober
Approved: