COMMITTEE ON MULTICULTURAL CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Notes from Meeting of
19 February 2013
The fifth meeting of the Committee on Multicultural Curriculum Transformation was held on
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 10:05 a.m. in Altgeld 203.
Attendance
Carolinda Douglass (Vice Provost for Academic Planning & Development), Bill Goldenberg
(Visual & Performing Arts), Michael Gonzales (CMCT Chair; Director, Center for Latino and
Latin American Studies), LaVerne Gyant(Director, Center for Black Studies), Janice Hamlet
(Coordinator, Academic Diversity Programs), Robin Moremen(Liberal Arts & Sciences),
Shanthi Muthuswamy (Engineering & Engineering Technology), Jane Rose Njue (Health &
Human Sciences), Donna Smith (Supportive Professional Staff), Beth Towell(Curricular Dean
College of Business), and Kayla Schnacky (CMCT Graduate Assistant).
Announcements
Gonzales introduced Shanthi Muthuswamy, the new committee representative from the College
of Engineering & Engineering Technology. Professor Muthuswamy graduated from an earlier
MCTI and will present this year on the past participants’ panel.
Minutes
The minutes from the meeting of January 15, 2013, were approved without any changes.
Applications Update
Gonzales informed the committee that twenty-two applications were received, but that we were
still waiting for supporting materials from a few applicants. He noted that six applicants were
instructors and their eligibility will be determined by the Provost’s Office.
Discussion of Applicants
Gonzales asked if committee had concerns about any of the applications. Moremen asked the
committee to confirm that applicant Strom, a department chair, is eligible because she did not
propose a course for transformation. Gonzales noted that Strom would not receive a stipend, but
that she did propose applying insights from the Institute to curriculum transformation in her
department. Towell asked if any of Strom’s faculty had applied to participate in the Institute.
Moremen noted that if she Strom participates in the small group discussions, she should not be
placed with any individuals she supervises. Moremen also suggested that Strom come to the
Institute with a proposal of what she would hope to gain. Towell proposed that Strom go
through the exercise of transforming a course for the purpose of the small group discussion.
Gonzales stated that he does not want to discourage Strom’s participation, but will request
clarification of what she intends to get out of the Institute. Gonzales stated that he believes
Strom’s participation in a small group is more the issue. Douglass noted that while Strom does
not have a course proposed for transformation, she does have specific goals in mind and has a
plan.
Moremen also mentioned that applicants Akst and Agusdinata listed two courses for
transformation and that they should select one course. Gonzales said that he will encourage them
to select one course. He also noted that even though one course should be targeted for
transformation, participants will hopefully use the information to transform more than one
course.
Douglass mentioned that applicant J. Wang teaches her proposed course every other spring, and
asked to confirm if there is a rule about how often the course must be taught. Gonzales stated
that there is not a rule. Goldenberg reiterated that the information learned in the Institute is
intended to inform other courses taught; He noted that Wang has contact with students from
many different ethnic backgrounds. Gonzales noted that the guidelines on this topic could be
amended in the future, if the committee desired to do so. Towell suggested that future applicants
provide information regarding the number of students that would be affected by the transformed
course. Gyant noted that these participants still are required to give a presentation in the fall.
Moremen mentioned that applicant Tan, from the Law School, provided a very brief application.
She also wondered if the Law School’s schedule would conflict with the Institute. Other
committee members agreed that Tan’s application was brief and proposed that we request
additional information from him. Moremen noted that applicants Wolf, S. Wang, and Strid also
provided brief applications. Douglass added applicant Vemu to the list. Gonzales said he will
address this concern in a memo to these five applicants.
Towell noted that we are missing letters of recommendation from applicants Vemu and S. Wang.
Moremen added that we are missing curriculum vitae for applicants Pynn and Littauer. Gonzales
said that he would contact the applicants about missing information.
Schnacky distributed a few PowerPoint slides that provide details about the profile of applicants.
Towell noted that the document will be helpful when determining small groups.
Organization of Institute
Daily Coordinators: Gonzales noted that he will coordinate the first day. Moremen volunteered
to coordinate on Thursday and Goldenberg volunteered for Friday. Gyant and Smith volunteered
to co-coordinate on Tuesday. Gonzales will ask Myers (not present at meeting) about
coordinating on Wednesday.
Schedule and Panels: Gonzales mentioned that he has contacted some potential presenters.
Schnacky has penciled in these names, pending final confirmation. Moremen suggested that
presenter Caldwell speak on the first day, rather than opening the Institute with race/ethnicity.
Gyant recalled that evaluations from past Institutes have indicated that having the race/ethnicity
panels on the first morning was not good and “we lost people.” Gonzales asked if the committee
would prefer to move the Caldwell panel to the first day and follow with the student panel in the
afternoon. Towell asked how students are selected for the panel. Gonzales stated that any
committee member can nominate a student. He volunteered to find a Latino student and
suggested that Gyant nominate an African American student. Gonzales mentioned that Myers
had earlier suggested a potential student speaker. Hamlet suggested that a student with a
disability also be included on the panel. Moremen noted that in a past meeting the committee
discussed including a non-traditional veteran student as well. Towell proposed that the
committee send recommendations for the student panel to Gonzales who can make the formal
request. Gonzales stated that he wants to make certain that invitations are extended to any
students that committee members feel strongly about. Gonzales will ask Krishnamurthi (not
present at meeting) if he would be willing to chair the student panel. He will also contact
Caldwell about her presentation plans. Moremen said she believes opening with Caldwell to
discuss “our population of students and issues,” leading into the plenary speakers for a more
global discussion would be a nice transition. Goldenberg added that this is what former
presenter, Dan House, attempted to do, and that it will help to provide a rationale for why we
have the Institute.
Gonzales asked when the Cracking the Codes video should be shown during the Institute.
Moremen questioned if we are able to secure a copy of the video to preview. Gonzales replied
that because of copyright issues “we should be able to use the video for the Institute, but not as
an open session to the public.” He noted that he is uncertain if we can access the video for
preview, but that the film can be purchased for $350. Moremen said the film must be purchased
in order to preview it, and suggested that we show Mirrors of Privilege again, in the interest of
time. Douglass noted that we can purchase the video, but should do it soon to have time for a
screening. Gyant noted that she has seen the film and it is “an excellent movie.” Douglass stated
that she and Gonzales will figure out how to buy the film. Moremen stated that she would be
willing to preview the film once it is available.
Gonzales mentioned that he will write the plenary speakers to provide them with the objectives
of the Institute and breakdown of the participants.
Non-NIU Participants: Gonzales turned the discussion to the possibility of inviting non-NIU
participants, but cautioned that he does not want to “open the flood gates.” Douglass noted that a
few additional participants would be fine, but we still need to be mindful of our budget and
space. Moremen stated that extending invitations to non-NIU participants was originally
proposed when there was a shortage of applicants. After some discussion, it was determined that
there is already a sufficient pool of participants and that individuals not affiliated with NIU will
not be invited to participate in this Institute.
Panel Chairs (Moderators): Gonzales said it was important for each committee member to
accept a formal role in the Institute and that there were several opportunities available for
individuals to serve as moderators. If a moderator for a panel cannot be identified, then the chair
of the day becomes, by default, the moderator. Njue volunteered to moderate the social class
session and Towell the disability session.
Small Groups: The identification of small group leaders was broached, and Moremen noted that
in the past we have included approximately five participants per group, for a total of four small
groups. She volunteered to lead a small group, coordinate the small groups and place
participants into small groups. Gonzales that these task should involve more than one committee
member. Moremen also suggested that Gyant could be a small group leader, and also mentioned
Fisher, who was not in attendance. Njue was also nominated, but she was reluctant to accept.
Sally Conklin’s name was also mentioned as a veteran small group leader. Gonzales suggested
reviewing previous Institute evaluations to determine who had a successful small group leader in
the past. It was also suggested that the committee select a mix of veteran and new small group
leaders. The formal naming of small group leaders, and the division of participants into small
groups, would be determined in future meetings.
Assessment
Gonzales mentioned that he was not present at the meeting during which assessment was
discussed. Douglass stated that she and Myers met with Sherrill Morris. She noted that Myers
brought materials to the November committee meeting. As Myers led the discussion of
assessment at the November meeting, Gonzales proposed that assessment be discussed at the
March meeting when Myers is present.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:33 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
March 19, 2013 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in Altgeld 203.