President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
President’s Conference Room, J.J. Daniel Hall (Building 1), Suite 2800
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
AGENDA
I.
Call to Order/Welcome/Introductions
II. Adoption of Agenda/Minutes
III. Approval of Minutes of November 12, 2014
IV. Updates from Chair—Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder
Business Matters:
A. CODI Leadership Changes for 2015-2017 (next two-year term)
 CODI Chair—According to the bylaws, the CODI shall be appointed by the University
President. The full commission, however, will submit a list of names to the President for
consideration. [The bylaws do not indicate the length of appointment for the CODI Chair]
 The Associate Chair shall serve a two-year term and will be elected by the full commission.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Solicit Names for CODI to submit to President Delaney
2. Seek Nominations for Associate Chair (voting shall take place at April meeting)
B. CODI Structural Changes for the 2015-2016 year (and beyond)
 Given the evolution of the commission of the past two years, in addition to other institutional
changes (e.g. the establishment of ONEJax as an Institute of UNF and the appointment of
Edythe Abdullah as Special Advisor to the President), the work and initiatives of CODI have
grown tremendously. Further, there is a considerable amount of overlap in the work of CODI
and other UNF organizations. Additionally, the way in which colleges and universities operate
(specifically our modes of interaction and communication) is simply changing. In order to
accommodate these changes, it is a good time to review our existing operating structure.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Discussion of how our current structure operates and generate feedback on other
models/alternatives for operation.
o Option 1: The CODI organizational structure remains the same.
o Option 2: CODI transitions into a governing board/Advisory Council made up of
AGENDA – Page two
elected/appointed delegates of smaller diversity-related affinity groups or advisory
bodies (e.g. Council on Race & Ethnicity; Women’s Council, LGBT Council,
Interfaith Council, etc.). The work of each affinity group is decided upon and carried
out by that internal body. CODI would then function as a clearinghouse and
communicative structure to the President in order to make recommendations for action
on an as needed basis. (This is the model currently in place at Penn State University:
http://equity.psu.edu/pce)
o
Once a Commission Structure is voted and agreed upon, CODI can begin the work of
strategic planning.
C. Review 2014-2015 Budget and formalize request for the 2015-2016 academic year
D. Voting approval of the CODI Research Awards (see attachments).
E. First Coast Diversity Council Membership Renewal
V. Standing Committee/Subcommittee Reports
A. Academic Enhancement — Dr. Judith Rodriguez
B. Recruitment and Retention — Dr. Edythe Abdullah
C. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives — Mr. Kamele “Oupa” Seane
VI. Old Business
A. Dr. Edythe Abdullah, Special Advisor to the President - UNF Racial Climate Survey
VII. Announcements
A. Morris Dees Lecture” With Justice for All in a Changing America,” Thursday, February 19, 2015 at
6:30pm University Center Ballroom
B. 34th Annual Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at
UNF Adam W. Herbert Center Banquet Hall.
C. Atlantic Institute Distinguished Speaker Series, Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr.
Pastor Emeritus, Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, Guest Speaker.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Student Union (58-West), 3rd Floor Ballrooms,
3703 A&B.
VIII. Adjournment
LUNCH PROVIDED BY THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
Dr. Tom Serwatka, Vice President and Chief of Staff