CODRE

Minutes

January 19, 2007

Present:  Vaquita Doss Bunton, Marchello Cavitt, Aris Cedeno, Nannette Dix,  Rafael Fernandez-Botran, Vicki Hines-Martin, Ibrahim Imam, Harvey Johnson, Irving Joshua, Ed Laster, Kathy Pendleton, Wendi Sachs, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Andrew Williams, Linda L. Wilson, Julius Wong and Georgette Moore  Guest:  Cindy Conley

Absent: Bryan Hicks, J. Blaine Hudson, Shauntrice Martin, Darrell Messer, Jill Suttles, Gerald Tolson,

The Chair opened the meeting at 12:15. 

Minute Approval:  Linda Wilson moved that the minutes from the December 8, 2006 meeting be approved.  The motion was seconded by Rafael Fernandez.  The motion to approve passed.

Welcome and Introduction of new members.  It was announced that Vicki Hines-Martin is new CODRE Chair.  Other new members introduced themselves:  Robin Harris, Jerry Tolson, and Aristofanes Cedeno.  The three are being appointed as at-large faculty.  James Brown, Barbara King, Linda Wilson are being appointed as at-large staff.  Dr. J. Blaine Hudson is being appointed as an Academic Dean.  John Ralston, Acting Vice President of Human Resources, introduced himself.  His role is an ex-officio member.  Members rotating off the commission were also acknowledged.

Child Care:  There was no report regarding Child Care.

FSHR Update:  Wendy Sachs reported that the Faculty and Staff for Human Rights group would meet on February 2 at 3 p.m. in Human Resources.  Sachs reported that the group has work ahead of them this year.  Any interested persons are welcome to attend.

Porter Scholars Update:  M. Cavitt reported on the following:

• The Porter Scholars are getting majors meetings up and running;
• They have come up with ideas to better support students;
• He has no knowledge about Scholar grades—Cavitt notes that he is not privy to that information;
• Students do not feel they are getting support from UofL staff.  Ms. Holmes cannot do all that is requested.  Commissioner Nannette Dix volunteered to assist.

Staff Senate:  Commissioner Dix noted that the Staff Senate does not meet in January but they are watching healthcare costs.

BFSA Update:  Commissioner Joshua reported that the BFSA is working with Human Resources to develop workshop policies regarding staff on Belknap and Health Sciences.  An overview will be presented to CODRE.  Commissioner Joshua reported that the BFSA is doing other things but the information given is most relevant to this group.

Diversity Programming Committee:  Commissioner Linda Wilson reported that:

• The Programming Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 23.
• They will discuss contributing toward funding the International Banquet.  The overall budget for the banquet is about $15,000.
• Also under consideration is University Libraries Big Read on February 15.  The amount requested of CODRE is $500.
• The President’s Exemplary MultiCultural Teaching Award.

• The Programming Committee also agreed that NCORE will receive CODRE support.

Old Business:  A potential guest for February is University Counsel, Angela Koshewa.  CODRE would also like to meet with the President and Provost in March.  Other issues for discussion:

• Diversity Report from Dr. Taylor-Archer.  CODRE should be involved with the strategic planning process.
• Key diversity hires-- (Jim Chen, Law School, Tom Jackson, Student Affairs, Manny Martinez, Research). 
• Structure a diversity coordinating council to communicate with each other.

• Connie Shumake will coordinate diversity planning as it relates to Access. 

Commuter Services:  Barbara King informed the Commission that there is a commuter student survey is online.  Commissioners were asked to encourage students to participate in the online survey.  Also discussed: The Outstanding Adult Learner Award.  Interested persons can go online and nominate someone.  Criteria for the award is detailed there.

 CPE Report:  Operating under the Kentucky Plan, UofL has achieved eight of eight objectives.

It was noted that some university presidents have asked that the term diversity be redefined to be more inclusive.  Commissioner Joshua asked that Commissioners review his draft report and submit any corrections to him by Wednesday to give him time to complete it and forward it to Dr. Taylor-Archer next week.

LGBT Update:  Cindy Conley reported that LGBT Voices will celebrate LGBT people in the community by having a Read-In at the UofL Red Barn on January 29, 2007, from 5-7 p.m..  The event is coordinated by the Women’s Center’s JaBani Bennett.  Cindy also reported that she will conduct Safe Zone Training on January 26 and February 2.  For more information about Safe Zone Training, please contact her.

Public Safety:  The Department of Public Safety is currently investigating racist fliers that were found around campus.  If found, faculty, staff and students are urged to turn the fliers over to DPS.

Tuition Lock-in:  Commissioner John Ralston shared an idea with the group.  He stated that UNC trustees were asked to consider increasing out-of-state undergraduate tuition by $4,000 for incoming students in 2007, bringing their tuition to $22,104 a year. Those students would be free from any further tuition increases during their four years at UNC.  Ralston will forward his email to Chair Hines-Martin to share with CODRE.

New Business: 

• Bylaws—the last time the bylaws were reviewed was 2004.  We are currently operating under 2001.  Linda will send copies to the Commission for review.

• A subgroup will look at the bylaws in detail.

• The Chair asked for volunteers to serve on the subgroup.

Announcements:

Law School Diversity Series Lecture:  Robin Harris reported that the Brandeis School of Law Diversity Committee will present professor Andrea Lyon, director of the DePaul Center for Justice in Capital Cases, Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m. in the Cox Lounge (2d floor). Professor Lyon’s talk, “The Death Penalty as a Political Tool,” is free and open to the public.

NETWORK (New Energy To Work Out Racial Kinks) Linda Wilson announced the first luncheon dialogue would be on Thursday, January 25, 2007, at 12:00 pm at the University Club.

Ms. Hope Pillow Walker, Norton Healthcare Palliative Care Nurse Manager, will discuss “Black and Blue: Black Women’s Health Issues”.

Campus Visit:  Ward Connerly, author of Creating Equal:  My Fight Against Race Preference, is scheduled to be in Louisville at UofL on March 6th 2007.

Adjournment.