DIVERSITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
8:45 a.m. Meeting Begins
10:25 a.m. Meeting Ends
Location: Academic Affairs Conference Room
I.
October 14, 2011: CALL TO ORDER – Dr. Richard C. Miller
Called to order at 8:45 a.m.
II.
ATTENDANCE – Those in attendance were Richard C. Miller, Monica Burke, Abraham
Williams, Janet Hall, Harold Little, Karl Laves, Aaron Hughey, Michelle Hollis, Martha Sales,
Finley Woodard, Pam Herriford, Quentin Hollis, Huda Melky and Cindy Smith.
III.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the September 23, 2011 meeting were reviewed and approved.
IV.
UPDATE ON WKU DIVERSITY PLAN
A. Campus Climate Survey – Aaron Hughey updated the committee on the progress of the
survey. The biggest complaint so far has been the length of the survey. All changes to
the survey should be done by the next DEC meeting. There was also discussion
regarding incentives to complete the survey.
B. Minority Hiring Plan – The plan was based on enrollment growth and WKU didn’t have
the significant enrollment growth stated in the Diversity Plan. WKU has a minority plan;
therefore, we are committed to make this happen. Even though the Minority Hiring
Plan isn’t being funded through enrollment, the Deans and Provost agreed to fund it.
V.
KENTUCKY SUMMIT ON DIVERSITY
A. Dr. Miller and Huda Melky attended the Kentucky Summit on Diversity in Lexington from
September 26-28, 2011. Dr. Miller said it was interesting, but could have been better.
There were only 2 members on the panel who were outside the University of Kentucky
and there were few who attended from other universities.
VI.
SREB MEETING
A. Dr. Miller and Monica Burke will attend the SREB meeting next week.
VII.
CEO MEETING
A. Dr. Miller and Abraham Williams will attend the CEO Meeting in Frankfort, KY. Dr. Miller
distributed the agenda; he will take to the meeting, to the committee members. It was
discussed at length.
VIII.
OFFICE OF DIVERSITY PROGRAMS – OFFICE REVIEW & SEARCH PROCESS
A. A draft job description was distributed at the last meeting. Dr. Miller said he feels ODP
needs to do more than programs. Departments similar to ODP at other universities are
being looked at. There was discussion as to whether ODP should remain under the
Chief Diversity Officer or move back under Student Affairs. Dr. Miller stated the ODP
staff feels there isn’t enough clarity to the office. There was discussion regarding the
restructuring of ODP and how to serve minority students more effectively. There was
also discussion regarding changing the name to attract more students. Martha Sales
suggested to Dr. Miller that the TRIO plan might be implemented in ODP and will send it
to Dr. Miller for review. Several committee members mentioned the possibility of
bringing in a consultant from the outside to assist with the search.