REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Meeting of the
Multicultural and Diversity Committee

Of the Academic Senate
 Eureka: 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, CA100
 Arcata: 435 Crestwood Drive
 Bayside: 1501 Irene Street
Del Norte: 883 West Washington Boulevard, Room E3
 Point Arena: 41341 Harris Ranch Road
Friday, December 16, 2011
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Minutes
1. Call to Order - at 11:20am
Members Present: Ana Maria Mease, Dana Maher, Michael Dennis, Deanna Herrera-Thomas,
Justine Shaw, Peter Blakemore, Ruth Moon, Toby Green (Phone), George Potamianos (Phone)
and Philip Mancus (Phone). Also present, Kyler Tidwell.
2. Introductions and Public Comments: Members of the audience are invited to make
comments regarding any subject appropriate to the Multicultural and Diversity
Committee
Deanna brought a copy of the Times-Standard article yesterday regarding racist comments at the
recent high school football game. Brief discussion followed of possible role the committee could
play in defusing, or ameliorating, community tensions.
Peter Blakemore announced that he has mentioned at Curriculum Committee the possibility of
integrating a multicultural and diversity component for degrees awarded, as a “common ground”
GE requirement. Deanna Herrera-Thomas suggested this be tied to the overall goals of the
Multicultural and Diversity Committee (MDC) and of the Student Equity Plan (SEP). Peter
Blakemore added that our current curriculum barely meets the requirements of Title V, with only
three or four courses that might qualify. Various questions were raised and ideas were suggested
by members.
3. Approve the November 18 and December 2, 2011 Meeting Minutes.
On motion by Ruth Moon, seconded by Dana Maher, minutes were approved.
4. Action Item
4.1 Approve Multicultural and Diversity Committee Feedback on BP/AP 5300 Student
Equity
This draft policy had been discussed at previous meetings with some revisions incorporated. The
next step is for College Council to consider it, and either accept it as-is, or send it out for 30, 60,
or 90 day constituent review. Dana Maher moved to accept the policy and forward it to College
Council. Some discussion followed on possible language that could ensure that the current SEP
was engaged in at least one implementation cycle before being revised. A revision was offered
by Ruth Moon, to which the committee agreed (see attached full policy statement), inserted
language shown in italics: “The Student Equity Plan Committee updates the plan, after at least
one annual cycle, and promotes the Plan and reports its progress annually to the Board of
Trustees, the Academic Senate and College Council.” Deanna Herrera-Thomas moved to accept
this revision, Michael Dennis seconded, and by roll call vote it was approved unanimously. Ruth
Moon then moved to second Dana Maher’s motion to forward the policy as revised to College
Council, which was approved.
5. Discussion Item
5.1 Progress on ESOL Offerings and Draft Statement on Current Status
Deanna Herrera-Thomas described her presentation and Q&A before the Basic Skills Committee
regarding her BSI grant application to fund ESOL courses at EU & DN, outreach, curriculum,
and coordination. She was surprised at the number of concerns and questions from the
committee: regarding the English department, and claims that the college already provides some
services for ESOL students in GS classes; concerns for academic rigor; whether they provide
sufficient preparation for ESOL students to enter college transfer courses; whether or not she had
contacted or communicated with community members or other groups such as Humboldt
Literacy Project; concerns that the courses might not fill; concerns for some undefined
“controversy;” whether or not BSI funding could be used to fund ESOL courses; and an overall
critical response. However, some partial funding was approved, only for the outreach
component, and committee members later suggested that she re-submit the application in the
Spring. Philip Mancus reported that classes in ESOL at DN would fill, with some outreach to
allay the sense of stigma that students have in attending a “special” class; that DN already has
faculty trained in ESOL who are willing to teach it; that DN has Latinos, Hmong, and ESOL
from other language backgrounds. Peter Blakemore stated that ESOL courses are preferred over
lower level English courses for non native speakers. Philip Mancus affirmed that there is
demand.
6. Open Forum/Announcements, there were none.
7. Adjournment, at 12:35pm on motion by Michael Dennis and second by Deanna HerreraThomas.
Public Notice—Nondiscrimination:
College of the Redwoods does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, age, gender,
sexual orientation, color or disability in any of its programs or activities. College of the Redwoods
is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Upon request
this publication will be made available in alternate formats. Please contact Sally Frazier,
Administrative Secretary to the Academic Senate, 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Eureka, CA 95501,
(707) 476-4259, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday—Friday.
Next Meeting:
January 20, 2012