Diversity Committee Minutes
February 4, 2000
Members Present: S. Acker, B. Bates, K. Bobby, E. Campbell, B. Pierson, D. Rosenberg, M.
Valentine, C. Washburn, J. Dickson, K. Bartanen, J. Davis, D. Droge, C. Hommel
Members Absent: R.B. Gibson, J. Bobo
Guest: Sandra Sarr, Director of Communications
Minutes of 1/21/2000 approved as distributed.
Minutes of 21/2/1999 send correction for draft #1 to John Dickson.
Announcements:
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• Allison de la Cruz, a UPS alumnus, will perform a one-women show on campus March 3
[tentative]
• African - American History month activities:
1. Morris Dees Lecture February 17
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2. Final dinner to cap-off month’s activities on February 28 .
•
Gates Foundation deadline moved to March 15 .
•
From Kim Bobby: 24 Hours of College luncheon on February 25 . FDC members invited.
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• From Jim Davis:
1. Rabbi Michael Cook at concert hall Feb. 6
2. Satellite downlink of a multi-faith conference held at Oregon State February 11, 12.
Discussion:
Gates Millenium Foundation:
John Dickson pointed out that the GMFS package is discouragingly large (30 pages) and that it is
a very poorly prepared package. He wondered if the GMFS would be interested in some sort of
feedback since, in the end, “it isn’t going to serve their purposes if they continue that way”. Kim
Bobby noted that the package is not really cumbersome for nominators, but represents a lot of
work for the applicant.
Kim Bobby asked if FDC could request that all nominators forward to her office the names of
nominees.
Phone Contact with potential students:
David Droge has contacted all non-FDC members about their phone call experience. He hasn’t
received any responses. George Mills has expressed interest in phone-participant experiences.
Main Business:
At our last meeting, we discussed the idea of a formal faculty/student “Speakers Bureau” – a
resource for local schools. Such an activity would expose elementary, middle and high school
students, teachers and administrators to UPS, hopefully changing our image in the local
community. The “trickle-down” effect might just increase minority enrollment.
School visits by faculty and on-campus visits by students are arranged through Kim Bobby’s
office right now, but faculty participation is slight.
Sandra Sarr, Director of Communications, was invited to visit and participate in a brainstorming
session.
Sandra Sarr reported that her office has been working on “systematizing” faculty participation in
an expert-source bureau for the media. Media requests often (weekly) come across her desk
from organizations such as Reporter Source for expert comment. Her office plans to query the
faculty with a form summarizing their willingness to participate in such an expert bureau and
would be willing to include the option of volunteering for a community speakers bureau.
She was concerned that what we are proposing is really speakers giving recruitment for diversity
presentations – something better handled (and financed) by the trained staff in Admissions. Also,
if this is a DivComm project, do we really want to be included as an aside to the Expert Bureau or
do we want it to have its own, separate identity? Regardless, we should come up with a clear list
of expectations for volunteers – expectations that can be presented to the full-faculty to see if the
idea will fly.
Note added in proof: Sandra Sarr believes "The Committee's proposed outreach project to local
schools would benefit from the Committee discussing and writing a purpose statement. The
purpose would guide decisions about how to promote and administer the project."
John Dickson related BPA’s experience a few years ago with outreach to a local middle school
[Jason Lee]. He felt the experience was rewarding for the middle school students and their
families. However, the time commitment [weekly] led to “burn-out” of the participants. Faculty
involvement from other departments would have helped. BPA still has students going out and
teaching Junior Achievement to middle schoolers.
John also felt that faculty/student teams should visit school. The middle/high school students
would probably relate better to speakers closer to there own age.
Bev Pierson added that faculty/student teams would also show that the atmosphere at UPS is
one where faculty and students work together, unlike a place such as University of Washington.
Kim Bobby emphasized that there needs to be a true commitment on the part of volunteers to
actually participate when called upon. It is easy to discourage schools by declining too many
requests.
David Droge and others reiterated our hope that this not be seen as a overt recruiting effort, but
as community outreach – speakers talking about subjects that interest them. The hope is that by
improving university/community relations, UPS will be seen as more accessible.
There was general agreement that we ought to start small – perhaps getting faculty to volunteer
to participate in Access Office programs this spring, with a start up for a school/community
speakers bureau this fall.
Other Business:
John Dickson inquired about how best to handle african-american candidate requests to talk to
african – american faculty. Bernie Bates volunteered to share his observations about campus life
with any future candidates.
John also wanted to know if disability issues fall under the rubric of diversity issues.
Bev Pierson asked if we have any official word on the university’s diversity statement.
Chairman Droge put these concerns on the agenda for our next meeting.
Meeting Adjoined at 3:00 PM.
The Next Meeting will be on February 18, 2000 at 2 p.m.
Respectfully,
Bernie Bates, Secretary