PROFESSIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF COUNCIL
Professional and Administrative Staff General Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: 9/25/08
Called to Order Time: 11:08
Called to Order By: Kate Tessier, Vice Chair
Present: Angela Agans, Adrienne Boswell, Vicki Clark, Susan Cutler, Erin Draper, Marilyn Filiatrault, Carol
Gladding, Stacey Hawkins, Peggy Jarvis, Mary Jones, Jessica McPherson, Elayna Mellas, Anne Moomey, Susan
Scott, Shawn Seymour, Kate Tessier, Pietrina Thompson, Peg Walrich, Marcy Wilcox, Susan Wood.
Guest Speaker: Jen de Coste, Associate VP for Institutional Diversity Initiatives, discussed the Climate Survey
1. There were three main themes that emerged:
a. Gender Issues
i. Women on campus experience discomfort and feel concern for their safety
ii. Clarkson has a higher than average sexual assault rate with a lower than average
reporting rate.
iii. Most people that reported being sexually assaulted said it was by someone that they
knew and that they remained friends after the incident.
iv. Female faculty and staff in male dominated environments have experienced sexual
comments and feel uncomfortable when working alone.
v. Male faculty and staff reported that they do not know of anyone that has experienced
a sexual assault
b. Race / Racism Issues, experienced by two groups
i. Students
1. Students of color report facing situations or being singled out in the classroom
and do not know where to get help.
2. White students feel that the campus has too many programs available to
students of color.
ii. International Faculty and Staff
1. Feel discrimination based on skin color and ethnicity.
c. “Classism” Issues – Occurs when people feel a power differential based on their status at the
institution.
i. This is a national problem in Higher Education and is generally based on education
level (or assumed education level) attained.
Council members:
Chair – Open Position
Secretary – Erin Draper
Parliamentarian – Angela Agans
Vice Chair – Kate Tessier
Treasurer – Susan Cutler
PROFESSIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF COUNCIL
ii. The largest area of concern was Faculty to Staff, however other areas that were noted
are Student to Student and Faculty to Student. An area that is not of concern is Staff
to Student.
iii. The Staff reported that they do not have a voice and that they are “shut down”.
iv. Since many Faculty are not native to the North Country and much of the Staff is, there
is an “Outsider Mentality”, faculty feel that they have been brought in for a reason
and tend to associate only with other faculty.
v. In order to break down Classism, the university needs to break down the
communication barriers between groups.
2. A common concern Jen hears is “nothing is being done about the climate survey”
a. Timeline
i. Fall 2006 – Sean Bennett brought Rankin and Associates to campus to begin creating
the survey and focus groups were held
ii. Spring 2007 – Survey was distributed to campus
iii. July 2007 – Sean Bennett left Clarkson, however the Campus Climate Committee
remained intact.
iv. Fall 2007 – Survey data was distributed to campus and presentations were made by
Rankin and Associates. The climate survey data is still available in the library and
deans’ offices. If you are unable to obtain the information, contact Jen de Coste.
v. January 2008 – Jen de Coste was hired and reported to Kathryn Johnson who was on
leave until July
vi. July 2008 – Jen de Coste presented action plans to Kathryn Johnson and President
Collins.
vii. Fall 2008 – Jen de Coste will begin launching action plans. Her five year plan of action
will be made public.
b. Committee Structure
i. Three Commitees:
1. Americans with Disabilities Act Committee: Led by Kathryn Johnson
2. Gender Issues Committee: Formerly led by Dick Pratt
3. Multicultural Committee: Led by President Collins
ii. New Structure:
1. Committee membership will be diversified, applications to join these
committees will be distributed to campus soon and will be for a three year
term.
Council members:
Chair – Open Position
Secretary – Erin Draper
Parliamentarian – Angela Agans
Vice Chair – Kate Tessier
Treasurer – Susan Cutler
PROFESSIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF COUNCIL
2. Committees will meet once / month
3. Committee leaders will meet together every other month to discuss progress
and share information.
4. Committee leaders will also meet every other month with Tom Young,
President Collins, Nancy Kin, and Kathryn Johnson to create and implement
changes.
c. NEW! Cross Campus Conversation Panels
i. Five people from various roles on campus will speak on a panel open to the entire
campus community. Some ideas for panels are: 25+ years of service at Clarkson,
Caring for Aging Parents, Caring for Special Needs Children, or people that have done
mission trips. These ideas are still being discussed.
d. Questions:
i. How will you drive participation to the Cross Campus Conversation Panels, especially
participation by faculty?
1. President Collins is endorsing these and fully supports campus participation
2. Food will be provided.
3. Interesting topics will be discussed and the panelists will be from a variety of
roles on campus.
ii. What are some of your ideas to make faculty and staff function as a team?
1. Getting people to talk to each other outside of regular work topics.
2. If you are experiencing a problem by a repeat offender, document the
conversations and bring the information to your supervisor.
e. Closing Remarks: Jen stated that she is willing to help with any questions we may have or
with strategy on moving forward with our initiatives. She also stated that if you need help or
advice on a topic she will respect your confidentiality and would invite you to come to her.
Treasurer’s Report:
1. Given By: Susan Cutler
 General Fund Balance: $479.35
 Scholarship Fund Balance: $677.23
Council members:
Chair – Open Position
Secretary – Erin Draper
Parliamentarian – Angela Agans
Vice Chair – Kate Tessier
Treasurer – Susan Cutler
PROFESSIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF COUNCIL
Committee Reports:
1. Compensation Committee
 The compensation committee will be meeting with Nancy Kin on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 to
discuss level changes and membership in Group III.
New Business:
1. Proposed Purpose Statement was distributed and discussed. The council will meet to further revise
before putting the amendment to a vote.
2. Goals and Initiatives for the current year were discussed. Any member of Group III that would like to
contribute a goal, please contact any council member.
3. Membership Participation at Meetings:
a. Some people feel they are unable to attend meetings due to pressure from supervisors or coworkers. Members should know the group is taking positive strides to enhance the working
environment at Clarkson.
b. It was suggested that an e-mail be sent to supervisors notifying them of our meetings. This is
not to ask for permission, rather just as a courtesy.
c. Jen de Coste suggested we create a Blackboard site or a website for distributing information
and minutes.
d. Marcy Wilcox noted that having meetings in different locations around campus may help
increase attendance.
e. Adrienne Boswell stated that bringing guest speakers to talk about important topics is a big
draw.
4. Human Resources:
a. Currently Mike Carroll is on leave.
b. Jen de Coste suggested that Group III request representation on the hiring committee for the
new Executive Director of HR.
5. The Professional and Administrative Staff Council will be meeting the first and third Thursday of each
month at 2:30 in Cheel.
Motion to Adjourn at: 12:25
Motion to Adjourn by: Marcy Wilcox
Seconded by: Shawn Seymour
Council members:
Chair – Open Position
Secretary – Erin Draper
Parliamentarian – Angela Agans
Vice Chair – Kate Tessier
Treasurer – Susan Cutler