CODRE

Minutes 01-09-09

Page One

Present:  Michael ben-Avraham, James Brown, Valerie Browning, Rhonda Buchanan, Brian Buford, Vaquita Doss Bunton, Pamela Feldhoff, Nannette Dix, Robin Harris, Vicki Hines-Martin, Erica Holloman, Harvey Johnson, Irving Joshua, Sharon LaRue, Linda Lewis, Karen Nalley, David Owen, Kathy Pendleton,  Prafula Sheth, Kathleen M. Smith, Mary Ann Stenger, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Diane Whitlock, Andrew Williams, Linda L. Wilson and Wei Bin Zeng Guest(s):  Kanisha Ford (for OJ Oleka)

Absent:  Michael Anthony, Joy Carew, Joan D’Antoni, Demetrius Gray, Weiling Liu, and Georgette Moore, OJ Oleka, Charles Sharp

Welcome.  The Chair opened the meeting and commissioners were introduced to new members and other attendees.  It was noted that Kathleen Smith will begin attending CODRE meetings.  Ms. Smith was newly appointed to the Commission by the President.  Kanisha Ford attended as a Porter Scholars representative.

COSW Update.  Sharon Larue reported that the COSW is continuing their task force focus group research.  They are currently working with BFSA to allow women in Physical Plant to attend a focus group session in the near future.  Past sessions have yielded a good cross-section of people.  Larue shared some of the questions that were asked at past sessions. 

The COSW will also look at RIF trends within HR.  Also noted:

• Linda Bledsoe is coordinating data on the update.
• Of the 95 focus group participants, 20 were African American.
• Sharon was nominated by Denise Troutman, CEO Center for Women and Families for a SAAMy Award.  She will receive the award at the:Statewide SAAM KICK-OFF at the Capitol on Thursday, February 26, 2009.  The purpose of this event is to raise awareness among Kentucky’s leaders about sexual violence, including critical issues facing victims, survivors, and service providers.

Chair Update.  Chair Hines-Martin highlighted [good] meeting with the President.  A letter of thanks for attending the CODRE meeting has been sent to him.  CODRE will be following up with several of his recommendations to: 1) invite Mike Curtin and his staff to discuss the budget and the priority of diversity; 2) invite Hazel Coleman to the next CODRE meeting. 

The Chair thanked Weiling Liu for assisting with getting the CODRE Welcome posted on the website in Arabic, Chinese and Hindi.  She further noted that Rhonda Buchanan and Prafula Sheth were monumental in getting the languages translated.  The site now welcomes readers in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Spanish as well as English.

HRAC Update.  Linda Wilson reported that John Ralston has returned to his previous position and a search will begin for a VPHR effective January 1.  There will be an interim for the position.  A letter of commendation for his services was written to John by HRAC.  Other:

• Shared Leave Policy:  proposed revision renamed to the Catastrophic Shared Leave Policy.  The revision specifically states what the catastrophic leave will not be used for such as “elective surgery”.
• Staff Grievance Reporting:  HRAC members brainstormed on how best to report staff grievances.  Currently, the staff grievance officer report findings to the Staff Senate.  Sexual harassment charges (for faculty and staff) are filed with Harvey Johnson and Malinda Durbin.
• Primary Care:  There is no co-pay for primary care when utilizing University physicians.  When asked if that included specialists, the response was yes.

Diversity Programming Committee.  Robin Harris reported that the Diversity Programming Committee has approved funding three requests:

• CommonGround $300 support for 3 workshops by speaker/educator Robyn Ochs;
• Mark Priest, UofL Associate Professor, presentation of “Underground Railroad Series - Harriet Tubman” on February 12 - 28, 2009 -- $1000;
• Natalie Polzer to support the screening of the film, Constantine's Sword on Feb. 16, 2009 at the Chao Auditorium in the Ekstrom Library, in connection with the 11th Annual Jewish Film Festival (Feb. 16 - 25, 2009). The committee is funding the screening in the amount of the request which is $250.00.

Other discussion involved additional requests.  There are no additional requests yet.  CODRE began with $16,000.  We now have about $3,000 left.  Comments were made about two initiatives that we have funded in the past: the Transformation Tea and Multicultural Teaching Award. 

Irving Faculty/Staff Concerns.  Research funding guidelines.  There is a need to encourage students to apply for the grants available.  Questions asked:

• ….starting date?
• When must students complete IRB requirements?
• Latest they must complete?  They have one year to complete;
• Who should students contact? Irv;
• Can we combine our effort with the COSW and their Lilialyce Akers Award?  There is a struggle to get a good pool of applicants;
• Better explain what is eligible as diversity on this opportunity;
• Team that will brainstorm other ways to get the word out:  Pamela Feldhoff, Mary Ann Stenger, Andy Williams and Diane Whitlock.

Andrew Student Concerns.  Andy reported that two areas the SC will work on this semester are:

• Black Greek organizations, penalties for wrongdoing;
• Enhancing the Porter Scholar program at the new Cultural Center (improving the graduation rate for Porter Scholars.

Andrew will give a breakdown of his budget at the next CODRE meeting.

LGBT Update.  Brian reported on the following:

• Awards presented to commonGround and Lambda Law;
• No bill yet on partner benefits;
• Harvey Milk event Tuesday night, January 13 at 7 p.m. at Chao Auditorium (at Ekstrom Library).  The event will be sponsored by LGBT Services, commonGround, and the Williams-Nichols Archives. Registration Cost: Free.  The release of the new film *Milk* about the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected leader in the U.S., offers insight into an important chapter in the struggle for LGBT rights. 

Campus Environment Team.  Dr. Taylor-Archer reported that:

• The team has its pulse on what is happening on campus;
• Designing a “difficult discussions” training;
• David Owen and Khaila working what diversity means;
• Michael Anthony and Brian collaborating on “slips of the tongue” workshop;
• Michael Anthony doing freshman orientation, using STOPM model;
• Brian putting diversity into New Employee Orientation.

Team will meet monthly.  Al Herring is leaving the University to begin his own company in Oakland, California.  A search will be lunched for his replacement.  Stacey ___ will serve as interim director.

What is happening at state level?

• Kentucky Plan.  Office for Civil Rights.  UofL reached 8 of 8 objectives in 2008.
• We are officially released from the title VI.  It says we made progress but in no way has the commitment to African Americans been met.  The Kentucky Plan remains in effect until the new diversity plan is developed.

Announcements

A&S bringing NPR News/Notes host to campus on Tuesday, January 27.  Her book will be on sale.

Joint appointment for Linda Lopez.  Cultural Center and LAS outreach to Latino community.

This is the end of Vicki’s term as president.  What do you want her to complete before the end of her term?  Three names must be forwarded to the President to choose the new chair.

The Black Faculty/Staff Association, the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology and the Rauch Planetarium have partnered to offer faculty, staff and students an opportunity to watch the Jan. 20 inauguration. The ceremony will be shown at noon in Bigelow Hall, Miller Information Technology Center and at the Rauch Planetarium, both on Belknap Campus, and in the Kornhauser Library Auditorium on the Health Sciences Center Campus.

A Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration featuring an overview by Blaine Hudson, College of Arts and Sciences dean, and a performance by African American Theatre Program will be at 1 p.m., Playhouse, Cardinal Boulevard between Second and Third streets

Meeting Adjourned.