Minutes are not final until approved by the Board of Regents at the June 2010 meeting
BOARD OF REGENTS and its
CULTURAL DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Building D, Room 101
College of Southern Nevada
6375 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas
Friday, March 5, 2010
Members Present:
Mr. Cedric Crear, Chair
Mr. Kevin J. Page, Vice Chair
Dr. Andrea Anderson
Mr. Robert Blakely
Dr. Jack Lund Schofield
Other Regents Present:
Dr. Jason Geddes
Mr. James Dean Leavitt
Others Present:
Mr. Daniel J. Klaich, Chancellor
Dr. Jane Nichols, Vice Chancellor, Academic & Student Affairs
Mr. Bart Patterson, Vice Chancellor, Administrative & Legal Affairs
Mr. Bob Moulton, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Technology
Ms. Crystal Abba, Assistant Vice Chancellor
Ms. Sandi Cardinal, Assistant Vice Chancellor
Mr. John Kuhlman, Manager of Public Information
Dr. Michael D. Richards, President, CSN
Dr. Stephen G. Wells, President, DRI
Dr. Maria C. Sheehan, President, TMCC
Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, President, UNLV
Dr. Milton D. Glick, President, UNR
Dr. Carol A. Lucey, President, WNC
Ms. Mary Kaye Bailey, CSN
Mr. Thomas Brown, CSN
Dr. Arthur Byrd, CSN
Mr. Mark Cahill, CSN
Dr. Sondra Cosgrove, CSN
Dr. Darren Divine, CSN
Ms. Ann Johnson, CSN
Ms. Shirley Johnston, CSN
Dr. Chris Kelly, CSN
Ms. Melise Leech, CSN
Dr. Shari Lyman, CSN/NFA
Mr. Larry Mason, CSN
Ms. Jacqueline Matthews, CSN
Dr. Joan McGee, CSN
Ms. Anne Poliquin, CSN
Mr. Dustin Rains, CSN-ASCSN
Mr. Jack Sawyer, CSN
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Others Present: (continued)
Mr. Greg Bortolin, DRI
Dr. Cleve McDaniel, DRI
Dr. Mike McFarlane, GBC
Ms. Sonja Sibert, GBC
Ms. Angela Brommel, NSC/NFA
Dr. Lesley Di Mare, NSC
Ms. Ly Doan, NSC
Ms. Nichole Miller, NSC
Ms. Nayelee Villanueva, NSC
Ms. Kimberly Williams, NSC
Mr. Lee Young, NSC
Dr. Jess Carreon, TMCC
Ms. Delores Sanford, TMCC
Mr. James Menzel, UNCE
Dr. Bill Boldt, UNLV
Dr. Michael Bowers, UNLV
Dr. Juanita Fain, UNLV
Ms. Sharrie Mayden, UNLV
Mr. Jose Melendrez, UNLV
Dr. Sandra Owens, UNLV
Dr. Ron Smith, UNLV
Mr. Jason Wasden, UNLV
Dr. Marc Johnson, UNR
Ms. Connie Capurro, WNC
Ms. Bernetchia Cooper, Cemetrics
Mr. Clifton Miller, Cemetrics
Ms. Juana Hart Akers, J-Hart Communications
Mr. Kevin Melcher
Faculty senate chairs in attendance were Mr. Mark Rauls, CSN; Dr. Alan Gertler, DRI;
Dr. Frank Daniels, GBC; Dr. Gregory Robinson, NSC; Mr. Scott Huber, TMCC; Dr.
John Filler, UNLV; and Mr. Gil Martin, WNC. Student body presidents in attendance
were Mr. Nathaniel Waugh, CSN; Ms. Paulette Batayola, GBC; Ms. Amsala AlemuJohnson, NSC; Mr. Adam Porsborg, TMCC; Ms. Jessica Lucero, UNLV-GPSA; Mr. Eli
Reilly, UNR; and Mr. Andy Pozun, WNC.
Chair Cedric Crear called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with all members present
except Regent Schofield.
1.
Approved-Minutes – The Committee recommended approval of the minutes from
the December 4, 2009, meeting (Ref. CD-1 on file in the Board office).
Regent Page moved approval of the minutes
from the December 4, 2009, meeting.
Regent Blakely seconded. Motion carried.
Regent Schofield was absent.
Regent Schofield entered the meeting.
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2.
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Approved-Supply Chain Inclusion Program – Vice Chancellor Bart Patterson and
consultant Clifton Miller of Cemetrics presented for the Committee’s
consideration a report and assessment of current NSHE practices (Ref. CD-2a and
Ref. CD-2b on file in the Board office), as well as recommendations to establish a supply
chain inclusion program. The Committee accepted the report and directed staff to
bring an implementation plan back to the Committee at its June 2010 meeting.
Chair Crear observed that the report submitted to the Committee is the
culmination of a lot of hard work done by many people including institutional
presidents, business officers and procurement officers. He offered a special thank
you to Mr. Bart Patterson, Vice Chancellor of Administrative and Legal Affairs,
and Dr. Maria C. Sheehan, President, TMCC, for their leadership and vision.
Vice Chancellor Patterson reported that Mr. Clifton Miller of Cemetrics was
selected to assist the NSHE in developing a supply chain inclusion program that is
workable, implementable, sustainable and legal. His recommendations have been
vetted through the presidents, business officers and procurement officers. Vice
Chancellor Patterson noted that the current budget situation has made it difficult
to identify how much in the way of resources can be applied to various projects,
and the Committee should keep that in mind as it moves forward.
Mr. Miller gave a PowerPoint presentation on his conclusions and
recommendations regarding the supply chain inclusion project (Ref. CD-2c on file in
the Board office).
With regard to slide 17 and the internal process owner’s dashboard on rationale
and philosophy, Mr. Miller indicated that the important thing to take away from
the data is that although internal stakeholders may not know what is happening at
the campus and System level, they do believe that inclusiveness and diversity are
important.
Regent Page asked how the NSHE data compare to other institutions. Mr. Miller
stated that, in his experience, the level of knowledge within the System regarding
diversity initiatives is low. He noted that the NSHE’s decentralized purchasing
system may have something to do with the level of awareness.
With regard to the supplier diversity process modified for the NSHE, as shown on
slide 9, Regent Page asked if the process could happen quicker so that a quality
program is achievable before fiscal year 2014. Mr. Miller indicated that the
process has to be implemental, achievable and based upon available resources.
Mr. Miller explained that current NSHE purchasing practices are paper-based and
end-user driven. Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, President, UNLV, noted that sometimes
there are good reasons for an end-user driven process. For example, in his
previous work as a scientist, if he needed something for a very specific and highly
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2.
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Approved-Supply Chain Inclusion Program – (continued)
technical application and could not order it himself, he would need to write his
specifications very carefully or else purchasing would order the wrong thing.
Regent Page stated that it is important to differentiate between regular and
specialized purchasing. He stressed the importance of automating the purchasing
process.
Chair Crear asked whether the program liaisons at NSHE’s three procurement
centers have the autonomy, resources and support necessary to get their jobs done.
Mr. Miller indicated that they have the support, but they do not have the
autonomy or the resources. If the desired objective is to positively impact
procurement results, Mr. Miller believes that the current model must change, and
that tracking and reporting must be standardized and consistent.
Regent Page suggested that the System examine the efficiencies of an online
purchasing process as well as best practices.
Mr. Miller indicated that the recommendations provided are meant to be a
guideline and, due to resource and budget challenges, should be adjusted
accordingly.
In response to a question from Regent Page, Mr. Miller indicated that his timeline
for implementing a similar program in the private sector would be 13 months.
Regent Page stated that if the private sector can do it in 13 months, it should not
take the System four years. He also suggested looking into whether the entire
System can be combined into one account for purchases such as shipping services
in order to obtain the best possible rate.
Chair Crear concurred with Regent Page. He indicated that the next step is to turn
Mr. Miller’s recommendations into an implementation plan.
Vice Chancellor Patterson stated that this is an ongoing process and a lot of
internal resolution is necessary. An implementation plan can be presented to the
Committee in the fall, and at that point the timeline can be revisited.
Mr. Miller observed that the NSHE has an opportunity to become a leader in
terms of inclusion within the state of Nevada.
3.
Public Comment (Agenda Item #7) – Ms. Juana Hart Akers, J-Hart
Communications, representing Mr. Tom R. Akers of BIP Software, Inc., stated
that BIP Software, Inc. is a computer software development firm located in
southern Nevada. They offer tools to manage, track, monitor and report all of the
outcomes the Committee has been discussing, and would be happy to provide a
product demonstration at any time.
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2.
Approved-Supply Chain Inclusion Program – (continued)
Regent Page moved approval of the
Cemetrics report and for an implementation
plan to be presented to the Committee at its
June 2010 meeting. Regent Schofield
seconded. Motion carried.
4.
Information Only-Institutional Diversity Report, CSN (Agenda Item #3) – Dr.
Arthur Byrd, CSN Vice President for Student Affairs, led a collaborative
PowerPoint presentation on the institution’s initiatives to promote student success,
especially efforts to improve recruitment, retention and graduation of students
from diverse backgrounds (Ref. CD-3 on file in the Board office). He was joined by Mr.
Larry Mason, Interim Vice President for Diversity and Cultural Affairs, and Ms.
Anne Poliquin, Director of Tutoring.
The presentation included information on student demographics, recruitment and
retention efforts, tutoring and resource labs, transfer and graduation rates,
persistence rates, diversity and cultural affairs advisory boards, heritage month
recognitions and various programs including the CSN High School, JumpStart,
Tech Prep, Learning and Earning, TRIO and ReEntry.
Chair Crear expressed the Committee’s gratitude to Dr. Byrd, Mr. Mason and Ms.
Poliquin for their presentation. Regent Page congratulated CSN on the progress
made in this area.
5.
Information Only-Institutional Diversity Report, NSC (Agenda Item #4) – Mr.
Lee Young, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Student Services,
NSC, led a collaborative PowerPoint presentation on the institution’s initiatives to
promote student success, especially efforts to improve recruitment, retention and
graduation of students from diverse backgrounds (Ref. CD-4 on file in the Board office).
He was joined by Ms. Nayelee Villanueva, Director of the Student Academic
Center, Ms. Kimberly Williams, Director of Upward Bound and Ms. Ly Doan,
Program Specialist in Multicultural Affairs.
The presentation included information on student demographics, enrollment
management and student services, retention programs, centralized advising, the
Student Academic Center, Upward Bound, the Heritage Center, ethnic student
clubs, the Crossroads program and NSC promise.
Mr. Daniel J. Klaich, Chancellor, stated that the NSC Promise is a great program
and the college should really start thinking about funding it. It is a contingent
liability that NSC is obligated to fulfill and currently there are no funds behind it.
Mr. Young indicated that NSC is looking at that going forward.
Regent Anderson complimented both NSC and CSN on their programs, outreach
efforts and retention.
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6.
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Information Only-Diversity in Faculty Promotion and Tenure (Agenda Item #5) –
At the September 2009 meeting, the Committee received information on the
current number of tenured and tenure track faculty, by rank and ethnicity. At that
time, the Committee also reviewed information on the number of applications for
promotion and/or tenure over the past two years, by ethnicity, including those
applications ultimately approved. Institutional representatives reported on
progress to date toward plans to improve faculty diversity.
Dr. Jane Nichols, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, stated that
this work has been assigned to the presidents, with President Sheehan serving as
the lead. In order to ensure that the process is completely inclusive of faculty, the
final report will be presented to the Committee in September instead of June.
Chair Crear observed that when the final report is presented in September, it will
have been one year since the topic was first discussed by the Committee. He
advised that the final plan should be extremely well-vetted and ready to
implement immediately after the September meeting.
President Sheehan stated that the institutions are heavily engaged in meeting that
deadline and will be ready to hit the ground running. She invited Mr. Scott
Huber, Faculty Senate Chair, TMCC, to provide a brief update.
Mr. Huber indicated that there is engagement at the faculty level in the
recruitment and tenure process, and they are keenly aware of the diversity side of
the issue.
Mr. Huber read the following statement into the record:
TMCC proudly serves a diverse population in northern Nevada. As a community college,
we remain aware of how closely our faculty and staff workforce reflects the diversity of
the population we serve. Planning for future faculty hiring requires us to prioritize
institutional needs and goals including diversity efforts. Excellence remains the primary
criterion in faculty hiring.
Our college has accomplished several tasks so far. Dr. Sheehan appointed an ad hoc
task force to develop a faculty recruitment plan that addresses diversity issues. At a
college-wide diversity workshop in January, faculty and administration developed
strategies for attracting diverse candidate pools for future faculty openings. TMCC
participated in the videoconference with GBC and WNC in which, along with other ideas,
the concept of sharing recruitment pools among northern Nevada colleges was
discussed. TMCC’s ad hoc diversity committee has identified further steps to take
including Web site development aimed at would-be faculty hires. Human resources has
begun the task of reassessing our hiring process with special attention to supporting
search committees and department chairs in outreach, screening, interviewing and
follow-up efforts.
We are committed to reviewing and amending the plan after each recruitment cycle. We
are in the process of assessing our part-time faculty pools as we plan for full-time hiring.
TMCC recognizes the value of the individual faculty-to-candidate contact in recruitment
and retention efforts. Faculty and department chair buy-in to recruitment and retention
efforts is key, therefore, the faculty senate is bringing the issue directly to the attention of
the faculty.
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6.
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Information Only-Diversity in Faculty Promotion and Tenure (Agenda Item #5) –
(continued)
TMCC seeks better communication with UNR and its network of graduate students as a
potential source of candidates. The state’s fiscal crisis makes this the right time to
identify and plan for recruitment needs and strategies so that we are ready when hiring
becomes possible. However, in order to plan adequately we must recognize certain
realities that may present challenges to any faculty recruitment effort. Nevada ranks
among the lowest in the states nationwide in per capita output of higher degrees. The
state’s community college wage scale is not always attractive to candidates who may
have opportunities in other state’s systems. We remain optimistic, however, that in
addition to a highly skilled faculty, outstanding facilities and the college’s overall
commitment to excellence, the quality of life that we enjoy in Nevada, cultural events and
organizations, outdoor recreation, sports and other attractions will help us to secure an
excellent and diverse pool of candidates for future faculty positions at TMCC.
In order to keep the meeting on schedule, Chair Crear deferred the updates from
the other institutions until the June meeting.
7.
Information Only-Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council (Agenda Item #6) –
Mr. Larry P. Mason, Co-chair, NSHE Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council,
reported on the outcome of recent meetings of the Council.
Mr. Mason reported that the EDIC has been discussing the Equity Scorecard and a
recommendation from the University of Southern California’s Center for Urban
Education that the NSHE look at its use at other systems across the country.
NSHE Education consultant Dr. Magdalena Martinez arranged for a
teleconference with the University of Wisconsin System in mid-January to gain a
better understanding of their experience with the Equity Scorecard model.
Initially, six UW System institutions took part in the implementation of the
model. At this time, thirteen are utilizing the tool. The Equity Scorecard looks at
data in areas such as access, retention and institutional excellence, and challenges
the notion that only certain students can be successful.
There was consensus among members of the EDIC that the next step should be to
ask Chancellor Klaich to invite Dr. Estela Mara Bensimon, Co-Director of USC’s
Center for Urban Education, to Nevada for a half-day presentation on the Equity
Scorecard which institutional presidents and other critical stakeholders would be
invited to attend.
Mr. Mason noted that the EDIC’s next meeting is March 10, 2010, at 1:00 p.m.
Vice Chancellor Nichols indicated that the NSHE will be applying for a grant
through WICHE that will provide funding for five states to work with USC on the
Equity Scorecard. If the NSHE is awarded the grant, work on the Equity
Scorecard initiative will move forward much faster.
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3.
Public Comment (Agenda Item #7) – (continued)
There was no additional public comment.
8.
New Business – None.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
Prepared by:
Submitted for approval by:
Keri D. Nikolajewski
Program Officer
Scott G. Wasserman
Chief Executive Officer and Special Counsel
Board of Regents
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