CODRE

Minutes

February 09, 2007

Present:  Vaquita Doss Bunton, Marchello Cavitt, Joy Carew, Aris Cedeno, Nannette Dix,  Robin Harris, Bryan Hicks, Vicki Hines-Martin, Harvey Johnson, Irving Joshua, Barbara King, Ed Laster, Kathy Pendleton, John Ralston, Wendi Sachs, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Andrew Williams, Linda L. Wilson, Julius Wong and Georgette Moore  Guest: Perry Green

Absent: Cindy Conley, J. Blaine Hudson, Shauntrice Martin, Darrell Messer, Jill Suttles, Gerald Tolson.

Call to Order:  The Chair opened the meeting at 12:15 and asked for a motion regarding the minutes from the January 2007 meeting. 

Minute Approval:  Robin Harris moved that the minutes from the January 19 meeting be approved.  The motion was seconded by Aris Cedeno.  The motion to approve passed.

Athletics Update:  Bryan Hicks reported on the following:

• On February 27 Athletics will co-sponsor a program with the Ali Center, “Definition of a Champion”.  The program will begin at 6:30 p.m.  A series of programs are designed to explore the complex political, social and religious values and ideology of Muhammad Ali.  Other programs are "Ali: From Hood to Hero" and "Ali the Man: Black Masculine Identity."  The programs are an open forum.

• Houston/Bridgeman Fellows Cardinal Degree Completion Program – The Houston/Bridgeman Fellows Cardinal Degree Completion Program is for former student-athletes whose NCAA four-year eligibility has expired before completion of their degrees.  The Fellowship is an educational and employment package for former athletes to return to UofL to finish their degree. Houston/Bridgeman Fellows provides full or part-time tuition support and books to the former student-athletes.  The Houston-Bridgeman Fellows Cardinal Degree Completion program has had 51 students enrolled in the program; 31 have graduated and nine are still in the program as of spring 2007.

Child Care Update:   Kathy Pendleton reported the following data as it was presented by Susan Kosse (Commission on the Status of Women).

o      On January 9th Susan met with the Provost and Vice Presidents.  They were very positive about a Child Care Center.  They asked to see 5-year budgets for NAEYC and the 3 star approach.  Kosse forwarded the budget information to the Provost.

o      On January 12^th Susan met with Mike Curtin, Tom Jackson, Larry Owsley, legal counsel and Project Women representatives.  It was decided based on the advice of counsel to have the child development center be part of UofL.  There really was no benefit to having it in a 501(c)(3) and in fact other issues may arise if we did create a 501(c)(3).

o      Based on the [Jan 12] group's recommendation to the Provost the Center will be housed out of Tom Jackson's Student Affairs office.  An advisory board of UofL and Project Women representatives has been appointed.  UofL members include Susan Kosse, as chair; other members are:  Tom Jackson, Dhiane Bradley, Victoria Molfese, Tracy Eels, Terri Rutledge.  This group will immediately start to decide on some of the core management issues (e.g. if an outside vendor will run it, what percentage of spots would be allocated to faculty, staff, students, etc).

o      On Feb 2 Bright Horizons will be returning to campus to go over the proposed budgets in detail with Larry Owsley, Mike Curtin, Tom Jackson, legal counsel and the Advisory Board.  We are going to go over all the numbers again and the effects of changing ratios etc.  At this point the numbers are still too high.

o      Development is working on trying to get commitments for the capital expenses.  They have already had some very encouraging leads and will be putting together proposals.

o      Project Women has not heard about the grant yet.  The agency keeps pushing back the announcement.  Project Women is hopeful by March they will know something.

o      From the VP meeting, the Provost indicated the committee should continue to look for HSC options.

There will be some subsidy for students from 4C’s, but it was not stipulated whether UofL will contribute.

Faculty Staff for Human Rights (FSHR) Update:  Wendi Sachs reported that:

• There is a new ruling from Michigan attached to marriage stating that no benefits will be granted from an employer to anyone who is not legally married.  A panel of three judges stated that a ban approved by voters in 2004 regarding same-sex marriage, affects the benefits same-sex partners would receive. The ruling came down Friday, February 2nd, in response to a lawsuit that had been filed by 21 same-sex couples employed by Kalamazoo, colleges and the state of Michigan.  
• There will be an organized rally in Frankfort on February 22 (voicing concerns about domestic partner benefits). 
• Kentucky House Bill 10 was introduced by Rep. Rick Nelson on February 6, 2007, to prohibit public colleges and universities from offering health benefits to domestic partners, whether same-sex or heterosexual.   The bill was referred to the House Health and Welfare Committee.
• The office space situation concerning LGBT Services.  Cindy Conley and other LGBT staff are currently working out of boxes.  When they were told in October (2006) to move there was space available but the location where they were told to move to is now occupied.  No new location has been designated.  When an inquiry was made, the answer came back that it was thought that LGBT had already relocated.
• Commissioner Joshua recommendation that CODRE go on record regarding LGBT office space.  The treatment of LGBT affects diversity.  Commissioner Sachs will draft a letter to forward to Commissioners for review.
• Commissioners were also encouraged to write to their State Representative regarding Kentucky House Bill 10.   2007 House Bill 10 (prohibits domestic partner benefits at state schools).

Faculty Senate Update:  No report was available.

Diversity Programming Update:  Linda Wilson reported that CODRE supported the International Banquet by funding $1300 for this event.  Four tickets for the banquet were given to CODRE which may be used by any member of the Commission who would like to attend.   No tickets will be sold at the door due to the very large turnout for this event.  The Programming Committee also agreed to fund the Paul Robeson Film Festival in celebration of Black History Month.  The films will be shown on successive weekends:  Song of Freedom (1936); Jericho (Dark Sands) (1937); Big Fella (1938) and The Emperor Jones (1933).  Screening schedule:  11:00 a.m. Saturdays--February 3, 10, 17, 24, at Highlands/Shelby Park Branch Library, Mid-City Mall (1250 Bardstown Rd.)  Also showings are at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Sundays--Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, at the Elaine Chao Auditorium of the Ekstrom Library.  Admission is free.

There are two slots available on the Diversity Programming Committee.  Commissioner Nannette Dix volunteered to fill one slot and serve on the committee.  Commissioner Wendi Sachs stated that she may be interested and would get in touch with Linda Wilson, committee chair. 

The Diversity Programming Committee will meet on Tuesday.

Ward Conerly:  This Commission discussed Ward Conerly, who will visit UofL March 6, 2007.  He has gained national recognition for his outspoken opposition to affirmative action and race based programs.  Examples of his efforts can be found in the California Proposition 209 legislation and a state ballot in the fall (2006) to overturn affirmative action efforts in Michigan.  While being sensitive to his First Amendment rights to speak, the Commission has heard from many faculty, staff, and students who oppose his visit to campus.

Meredith Case:  CODRE will be invited to the Law School’s symposium on the Meredith Case.  The case will be discussed in forum in the Fall.  Note: Chair Hines-Martin invited Susan Kosse (COSW) to brief CODRE in the Spring.  She agreed to attend the April 2007 meeting.

Collaborative talks with the Commission on the Status of Work (COSW) are ongoing regarding meeting with new administrators.

Porter Scholar Update:  There was no report.

Strategic Planning Update:  Commissioner Irving Joshua reported that CODRE is on agenda to meet with the Strategic Planning Committee but (he) unsure where.

• CODRE would like to invite a Strategic Planning representative to come and speak with the Commission.
• Submit questions, suggestions or points of interest we would like to raise (with the Strategic Planning representative) to Georgette.  She will compile the information and pass on to Irving.
• Wendi Sachs asked if gender identity was left off because it is already a protected class?  Irving said gender identity never came up.
• Ed will send his comments to Georgette.

Bylaws:  Ed provided the Commission with two versions of the bylaws.  The Bylaws Committee members are:  Ed Laster, Aris Cedeno, Kathy Pendleton and Linda Wilson.

New Business 

• Flow of CODRE:  The Commission discussed the Proposed Committee functioning for Spring 2007- Spring 2008.  Committees will continue to function—make recommendation as to who can come and talk to CODRE.

• Student Committee:  Andrew Williams agreed to head the Student Committee and will facilitate student issues.  Commissioners who agreed to work on the committee are Bryan Hicks, Nannette Dix, James Brown.  Students Perry Green and Shantrice Martin are student members.

Other Committees:

o       Faculty:  Aris Cedeno and Irving Joshua

o       Staff:  Vaquita Bunton

Announcement 

• Linda Wilson announced The February 2007 UofL NETWORK (New Energy To Work Out Racial Kinks) luncheon dialogue will be Thursday, February 22, 2007 at noon at the University Club on the UofL Belknap campus. The Luncheon dialogue will be “Working While Black: Staff Experience at a Public University”.  Drs. Vanessa Cunningham and Margaret D’Silva, Communication Department and Keneka Cheatham, Administrative Assistant, Communication Department will discuss their research on this topic.  Costs for the luncheon are $8.50.  Reservations will be accepted until February 20, 2007

Adjourned.