Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes
October 28, 1999
Members present: Chuck Hommel, John Dickson, Mike Valentine, Bev Pierson, Stacey Acker, Erin
Campbell, Dori Rosenberg, Kris Bartanen, David Droge, Carrie Washburn, Bernie Bates.
Members Absent: Kim Bobby, Rosa Beth Gipson, Jimmy Bobo.
David Droge called the meeting to order at 8:06 a.m.
David Droge called for additions and corrections to the minutes of 10/14/99. Minutes were approved.
Congratulation to Dori Rosenberg for her selection as a Watson Nominee.
Kris Bartanen handed out copies of the AACU news release concerning Hewlett Foundation support of
AACU’s national initiative “American Commitments: Diversity, Democracy and Liberal Learning”.
Grants to attend a ten-day summer institute, “Boundaries and Borderlands: The Search for
Recognition and Community in America” (July 13 – 23, 2000) are available from AACU. Applications
are due December 1, 1999. Check the AACU website (www.aacu-edu.org). Unfortunately, as of the
morning of 10/28, information had not yet been posted on the AACU or Hewlett websites.
David Droge handed out information from the Gates Millennium Foundation (GMF) website
(www.gmsp.org or www.gatesfoundation.org). For the first year of the program, GMF will award
scholarships at all levels, high school, undergraduate and graduate.
David recommended we devote today’s discussion to answering two questions:
• How can we help UPS students take advantage of this opportunity?
• Do we need an information “point-person” to field questions about the foundation scholarships?
John Dickson asked if we can acquire a list of students with high GPA and need? David thought that it
would be more appropriate to advise all students of the foundation scholarships.
Kris Bartanen commented that we must get faculty nominations for potential student’s participants and
that we must get the GMF information to the faculty.
John Dickson wondered if we target alumni of color? Bev Pierson pointed out that this is the only year
undergraduates can be nominated. She wondered if nomination of alumni would take money from a
UPS “pot”. Bev also noticed no mention of support for applicants to medical school and posed the
question: “Is medical school considered by GMF “science”?”.
Carrie Washburn responded that GMF’s purpose is to increase number of doctorates of color, so
maybe.
Bev Pierson proposed that we should target faculty in appropriate fields and let the faculty be a filter
for student nominees. She asked: “What is the best way to disseminate information to the faculty –
email or hardcopy?”
John Dickson noted a curious omission in the GMF requirements and wondered if Hawaiian/Pacific
Islanders nomination allowed? Committee discussion ensued and consences was (most likely) yes.
Bev Pierson commented that nomination requirements were probably pulled together in a hurry and
omission was probably a wording oversight by GMF.
Bev Pierson wondered if we should target individual departments since the deadline for everything is
completed application packets is February 1st.
Other modes of GMF information dissemination mentioned were the Scholarship Office’s monthly
publication, The Tattler, The Trail and appropriate staff, such as Linda Critchlow (Graduate
Fellowships/ Health Professions Advisor).
Carrie Washburn asked if Kim Bobby should talk to department chairs? Kris Bartanen wondered if
psychology is an allowed discipline according to the GMF rule? It seems as if it should be. Clarification
is need from GMF.
John Dickson asked if we should target high school students with rather then leave the filtering up to
high-school guidance councilors who might be too draconian with their selection criteria. Perhaps
including something in the application/admissions packet of materials to help with recruitment?
Perhaps information on a UPS webpage?
Mike Valentine wondered if the GPA cutoff for high school applicant’s (3.3) applies to college
undergraduates as well.
Chuck Hommel asked if being economically disadvantaged is the only criterion that will be used by
GMF (as implied by a reading of the GMF materials).
John Dickson wondered how would the faculty identify potential Hispanic candidates.
David suggested that he should meet with Kim Bobby. She seems to be the likely pointperson, but we
don’t want to appear to be redefining her job.
Kris Bartanen pointed out that since community service/volunteer activity is another selection criterion,
input from appropriate staff is important. Who should be contacted?
John Dickson suggested a student-led meeting would be appropriate.
Erin Campbell and Dori Rosenberg suggested an information session on the application process,
student diversity committee input and coordination with APASU, BSU, and CHispA.
Kris Bartanen had a Student Affairs department heads meeting at 10 a.m. following the FDC meeting
and would inform them of the GMF information.
Carrie Washburn and David Droge cautioned that we’re just making suggestions for Kim, not trying to
redefine her job or over burden her. We’ll (the FDC) be willing to do some of the legwork on this.
Carrie Washburn also reminded us that we don’t have much time. Thanksgiving and Christmas Break
are coming and applications are due on Feb 1st. John Dickson felt that potential applicants must be
identified before Christmas break.
David Droge handed out copy of email from George Mills from the Washington Office of the College
Board about a study of minority achievement. He also passed out the section on diversity from the
university’s self-study performed for re-accreditation in 1999.
David asked for a list of questions for George Mills before our meeting with him on 11/11/99 when Mills
will talk about current recruiting efforts.
Meeting adjourned 8:50 AM.
The next meeting is on November 11, 1999 at 8 a.m. in the basement meeting
room of the WSC.
Respectfully,
Bernard Bates, Secretary