President’s Commission on Human Relations & Equity
DRAFT Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Present:
Juan Carlos Gonzalez
Francine Oputa
Cynthia Teniente-Matson
Susana Hernandez
Alex Espinoza
Luz Gonzalez
Absent:
Michael Caldwell
Janice Brown
Judy Clements
Gwen Burks
Ivan Pagan
Jenelle Pitt
Brittany Grice
Carolyn Coon
Dawn Lewis
Angel Sanchez
Brenda Sifuentez
Moncia Fuentas
Susan Elrod
Christina Roybal
Jan Parten
Brenda Sifuentes
Ronald Avedisian
Guests:
Honora Chapman
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Haak Boardroom 4115
Meeting commenced at approximately 1:05 p.m. A quorum was present.
I. Welcome
Chair Matson welcomed the commission and asked for a confirmation of the meeting minutes. Dr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez
motioned to confirm with Gwen Burks as a second. Dr. Susan Elrod approved the agenda with Dr. Carolyn Coon seconding the
motion.
II. Diversity Forum Feedback
Dr. Jenelle Pitt was pleased with the attendance of the diversity forum and thought there was a good mix of stakeholders. Brittany
Grice stated that the questions were thoughtful and that the speaker was interactive. Gwen Burks suggested that faculty and
administration could be more present at the next student open mic. Dr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez suggested having more transition
time between events in order to give the speaker and attendees a break in between.
Dr. Francine Oputa stated that the discussion during the luncheon was excellent. Dr. Alex Espinoza suggested not having a title for
the next luncheon so the conversation can remain more organic. Dr. Susan Elrod suggested recognizing the activities and efforts of
the faculty participating in diversity events as an item to place in their RTP files. Dr. Alex Espinoza agreed and stated that just
having these conversations is a huge leap forward for Fresno State.
Chair Matson thought that the keynote speech and facilitation went very well. Dr. Alex Espinoza suggested continuing to have a
mic in the middle the aisle to given an opportunity for more audience participation. Dr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez suggested having a
wireless mic to go around for those who don't want to line up in the middle the aisle. Dr. Francine Oputa suggested having a
written copy of the keynote speech from the next speaker in order to spend more time discussing the content. The commission
agreed that the next topic should address Chief Diversity Officer's.
III. Guest Speaker Honora Chapman
Dr. Honora Chapman distributed a resolution that was sent to the Academic Senate regarding the role of a Chief Diversity Officer
at Fresno State. She stated that one issue with the proposal was that the position would be under Student Affairs and that in order
for this position to be effective it needed to be a separate office that reports directly to the President. She asked the PCHRE for
assistance in moving forward on this topic.
Chair Matson stated that the PCHRE could develop a plan to give to the President. This plan would be dependent on how the
diversity forum develops. Dr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez stated that he would look at research on Chief Diversity Officer's in Higher
Education to see if the impact would be positive on campus.
IV. ASPIRE Reporting Framework & Action Plan
PCHRE Meeting
February 27, 2014
Page 2
Chair Matson asked the commission to take a few minutes and look over the reporting framework and action plan for ASPIRE.
She requested that the commission keep an inventory of the diversity efforts they are conducting on campus and to report out to the
commission in order to keep a log of these efforts.
IV. Parking Lot:
1. ASPIRE Toolbox