Minutes of Faculty Diversity Committee Meeting
March 3, 2000
Present: Kris Bartanen, Bernie Bates, Erin Campbell, David Droge, Rosa Beth Gibson, Chuck
Hommel, Bev Pierson, Dori Rosenberg, Mike Valentine, Carrie Washburn, Ivey West
The meeting was called to order by Chairman David Droge at 2:10 P.M. Minutes of the 2/18/00
meeting were corrected and approved.
Ivey West, Coordinator of Disability Services, has accepted the Diversity Committee's invitation to
speak to the committee on disability issues, particularly in regard to hidden disabilities. She stated
that most students identify themselves to Disability Services when they want accommodations.
This is particularly true of students with learning disabilities, although a number of students with
physical disabilities also request accommodation. Typical physical disabilities include visual
impairments, hearing impairment/deafness, and various temporary physical problems such as
broken legs requiring crutches. A number of students also identify psychiatric problems.
Students with psychiatric disabilities are often the least forthcoming about their problems. The
number and types of disabilities identified by U.P.S. students is not unusual for private
universities, which generally have fewer disabled students than public universities. U.P.S.
provides individual, case-by-case accommodations as required by law. Disabilities must be
diagnosed by qualified professionals, and the Counseling and Wellness Center now diagnoses
some disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Disability works with the affected
student to develop a plan of accommodations that does not violate University policy. Federal law
protects the confidentiality of students identifying themselves as disabled, and it is up to the
individual student to decide who to tell and how much to divulge.
Carrie Washburn noted that often the onus for educating and sensitizing faculty and the students'
peers about diversity issues has fallen on the affected groups. One issue is how to do this without
generalizing about and labeling group members.
Ivey West suggested that, since more women than men are affected by depression and ADD, we
might include awareness of these disabilities as part of our next theme year which will focus on
gender issues.
Kris Bartanen agreed that we might be able to fit awareness of such issues into the theme year
activities, and that individuals outside of the affected groups might take responsibility for initiating
related activities and educational programs. She felt that the theme year should include these
issues, but not single out specific people or groups.
Carrie Washburn asked if support groups exist for ADD and Attention Deficit Disorder with
Hyperactivity (ADDH). Ivey West replied that support groups do exist.
David Droge inquired if U.P.S. is unusual in that mainly those who can benefit in some concrete
way identify themselves. Ivey West said that this is not unusual, and that many students with
disabilities fear resulting attitudes and insensitivity of their peers and faculty if they openly identify
themselves as disabled. David responded that what the committee is most concerned with is the
attitude of others toward disabled students rather than legal, medical, or accommodation issues.
For example, do faculty and students perceive that disabilities are "real"- do some disabilities have
physical bases or are they imagined?
Bev Pierson added that intolerance by students' peers is also a major issue we need to examine.
She is also concerned with faculty's sensitivities to disabilities that aren't obvious. Many students
who are affected by disabilities may "look fine". Do students have to fall apart to get the attention
of faculty, and can we better educate faculty about disabilities so that they are more sensitive to
invisible disabilities? Chuck Hommel suggested that educational materials might be forwarded to
faculty with notification of a student's disability.
Ivey West noted that she helps students with physical accommodation also. Students who need
assistance should contact her.
Discussion followed regarding how to address these issues for incoming students. Orientation is
very crowded with information. Kris Bartanen is working on including such information in the front
pages of the Logger. Erin Campbell suggested that peer advisors are good people for this role.
Rosa Beth Gibson mentioned staff who supervise student workers.
Discussion of acceptance by faculty ensued. Ivey West reported that some faculty are supportive,
some not.
Bev Pierson suggested that our aim in the next meeting should be to develop strategies for
educating faculty.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:55 P.M.
The next meeting will be 3/31/00, at 2 P.M. in WSC 001.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Valentine