Minutes
PEC/EPP Diversity Committee
Wednesday, May 7, 2014, 10:00
Members in attendance: Luciane Hawkins, Ashley Leinweber, Carol Maples, Sarah Nixon, Debra Price,
Nate Quinn, Michele Smith, Steve Willis, Rebecca Woodard, and Min Yu; Chair: Margaret Weaver
Introduction of new member: Ashley Leinweber, Political Science
Updates:
EDC 345 Online is currently off the table.
Charlotte Hardin will be working for COE as a 1000 hour employee in Fall 2014.
The Diversity Studies Minor (18 hours) was approved and will be an option in Fall 2014. This
minor was sponsored by CHPA and COE.
The Diversity and Inclusion Conference was held on April 24-25, 2014. Preliminary data
provided by Ken Coopwood indicates that of those who completed the evaluation survey at the
end of the conference, 95% rated the quality of the conference 4 or 5 (1-5 scale with 5 as highest);
92% rated the value of the conference 4 or 5; 99% rated the value of the speakers 4 or 5; 75%
rated the value of the entertainment 4 or 5; and 86% rated accessibility 4 or 5. Ken also indicated
that approximately 275 individuals preregistered for the conference (200 paid registrations) as
compared to last year’s 100 paid registrations. Ken confirmed that next year’s conference will be
held March 25-27. A student strand and corporate strand will be added, as well as a diversity fair
for browsing services from diversity consultants. Professional entertainment will be included at a
social event.
“Strategies in Minority Faculty/Staff Recruitment and Retention” workshop was held on April 23.
The university will be purchasing a listserve to develop an academic department recruitment folio
for underrepresented faculty who are ready for searches.
A preliminary report of the MSU Campus Climate Survey will be available in Fall 2014. Sabrina
Brinson (Diversity Fellow) provided preliminary data: 3510 people completed the survey,
including 558 faculty, 777 staff, and 2175 students. Brinson said that the data will be used to
retool the survey instrument. She reported that the current survey is too long and needs to include
multiple response options other than yes/no.
The University-based Mentoring, Support & Partnerships Program was officially started. Brinson
confirmed that 10 junior faculty/staff are participating and 15 senior mentors are participating.
Interviews were conducted (by committee members Charlotte Hardin, Sarah Nixon, and Margaret
Weaver) on April 25 for the Diversity in Education Scholarship for Transfer Students. Three
students were selected as recipients. Unfortunately, only one of the students was eligible to
receive the scholarship. The other two students did not meet the required 3.0 cumulative transfer
grade point average.
Discussion items:
Diversity Studies Minor: Concern was expressed about how the classes were selected for
inclusion. The same process was used for the creating the Disability Studies minor--faculty were
encouraged to suggest appropriate classes and the design committee looked at current general
education classes that would fit. Many classes were not included because they required
prerequisites.
2015 Diversity and Inclusion Conference: Multiple questions were raised: Who is the
conference geared toward? Will the student strand be students making presentations or students
having presentations made to them? Several suggestions were offered: 1) faculty registration
should be streamlined, 2) the student strand should occur on Saturday (March 28); 3) students
should not be charged for attendance; and 4) if students are charged, the PEC/EPP Diversity
Committee should pay diversity scholarship recipients’ registration fees.
Campus Climate Survey: Members wanted more specifics on the students who participated.
Were only full-time students surveyed?
Diversity Workshops for 2014-15: Steve Willis encouraged everyone to contact him with ideas.
He reported that he will continue the Diversity Conversations in the Union Club on Wednesdays
11:30-1:30 and is willing to speak to any departmental group. Current plans for workshops in
2014-15 include a Nigerian panel on special education training, a scholarship recipient panel, and
Carol Maples’ Giving Voice workshop. Master Advisor Training may offer credit for faculty who
attend the Giving Voice workshop. Rachelle Darabi may offer a national Diversity Certification
Program for faculty, a two-day training program with 7 workshop sessions throughout the year.
Willis reminded members that Katheryne Staeger-Wilson’s presentation on “Reframing
Disability” on March 17 was videotaped.
Monitoring and supporting scholarship recipients: Original plans included having a
pizza/bowling party for the recipients. However, this did not happen in the spring. Min Yu
suggested that professional identity might be an area of interest for students. Professional
education courses need to have more conversations about how to stand up for diversity. Luciana
Hawkins agreed and suggested that an educators’ workshop related to identity would be very
helpful.
Scholarship recipient notification: Sonia received her scholarship money, but she never
received an official notification letter. Also, she was not listed on the recipient list. Several
members expressed concern that the Provost Office seems to be on a different time frame than the
PEC/EPP Diversity Committee.
Diversity Fellows: Steve Willis handles professional development and Sabrina Brinson handles
recruitment/retention.
2014-15 Meetings: Members agreed to continue monthly meetings next year on Wednesday at
10:30.
Meeting adjourned at 11:10.