CODRE

Minutes 11-14-08

Page One

Present:  Michael Anthony, James Brown, Rhonda Buchanan, Brian Buford, Vaquita Doss Bunton, Valerie Browning, Pamela Feldhoff, Demetrius Gray, Robin Harris, Vicki Hines-Martin, Erica Holloman, Harvey Johnson, Irving Joshua, Sharon LaRue, Weiling Liu, Georgette Moore, OJ Oleka, David Owen, Kathy Pendleton, John Ralston, Charles Sharp,  Prafula Sheth, Mary Ann Stenger, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Diane Whitlock, Andrew Williams and Guest(s):  Anshu Anand, Channell Barbour, Rachel Quick (for Linda Lewis), Julia “Paige” Quiggins

Absent:  Michael ben-Avraham, Joy Carew, Joan D’Antoni, Nannette Dix, Linda Lewis, Linda L. Wilson and Wei Bin Zeng

Minutes: October 10, 2008.  Note:  A correction in attendance was noted by Mary Ann Stenger: Linda L. Wilson was present at the October meeting.  A motion to approve the October 10 minutes with noted correction was made by Rhonda Buchanan.  The motion was seconded by Valerie Browning and passed after vote.

Chair Update:  Chair Hines-Martin informed the Commission that as a result of discussion at last month’s meeting, a letter to the President regarding communication had been sent.  Copies of that letter will be put in the mail to all CODRE Commissioners.

COSW Update:  COSW Chair, Sharon Larue, reported on the following:

• COSW Logo:  The COSW now has a logo largely due to Kathleen Smith.  At the suggestion of Kathleen, the COSW contacted Rowland Design who created the logo that the COSW will soon be using;
• Early Learning Campus:  The COSW presented a painting, “Pulling Together” by artist Debra Lott, to the Early Learning Child Care Campus for their opening;
• 1994 Task Force:  The COSW is updating the 1994 Task Force report by going over recommendations from that time to see how and if women have advanced at the University.  A draft of the results will be sent to CODRE in January 2009;
• Kentucky Council on Higher Education:  ACE Women in Higher Education convened October 30^th at Churchill Downs.  Officers were selected at the informal setting and women were given an opportunity to network;
• Focus Groups for Female Staff:  In July the COSW conducted a series of focus groups to gather information from female faculty.  The COSW will do the same for female staff (classified and P&A) in December.  Sessions will be coordinated by Dr. Edna Ross (College of Education).

Presentation by Dr. J. Michael Mardis

M. Mardis’s responded to the Commission’s inquiries regarding the following topics: 

• ACCESS
• Impact for commuter students.  There is a space in Davidson still open and functioning;
• Housing property advertised;
• Welcome weekend with Dean;
• Information tents at Cardinal Stadium;
• Moved Graduate Student Council;
• Extend food service  options;
• Block party;
• Commissioner Harris expressed concern about the committee time devoted to salvage ACCESS and the diversity population of students that once utilized its service.  Dr. Mardis is hoping to provide another location on campus like Davidson.

• Dr. Mardis’s role at the University as Assistant Vice President/Student Life.  Issues discussed: 
• Where does Student Affairs stand on Diversity?  Does Student Affairs actively promote diversity initiatives?
• Severity of Sanctions on Black Greeks (Alpha Phi Alpha) at UofL though not nationally;
• Former Commissioner, Ed Laster is working with Student Affairs on matters of Diversity;
• Changes within Student Life.

Diversity Programming Update:  Commissioner Robin Harris reported that the Programming Committee has agreed to support the following initiatives:

• Increasing Cultural Competency Workshop (was on 10-23-08)
• Separate Is Never Equal 11-20-08
• Persian-Iranian cultural evening11-06-08
• Diwali 10-28-08
• Vietnamese Veteran Dinner 11-09-08
• Dr. Rhonda Buchanan  Day of the Dead  11-01 thru 11-07-2008
• African Philosophy Conference  !0-31 thru 11-01-08
• Jerry Tolson Event on 2-15-09 and 2-16-09

Faculty/Staff Concerns:   Commissioner Joshua reported that he is ready to send research scholarship information to Georgette to advertise.

Student Concerns:  Andrew Williams reported that the Student Concerns Committee will meet on Thursday at noon in room 340 Gardiner Hall.  He also expects to meet with Joni Burke regarding Black Greeks and the severity of sanctions.  Quita Bunton will assist Andrew with issues concerning Black Greeks.

Diversity Update:  Mordean reported that:

• There will be a CPE meeting in January 2009;
• UofL will be charged with developing a statewide diversity plan;
• Dr. Taylor-Archer will share diversity interpretation with CODRE;

Also, Dr. Taylor-Archer reported that several individuals have been contacted to work on the Campus Environment Team.  The group will meet on December 8 and charged with the goal of developing a plan of action.  They will fashion a charge to represents our needs on campus.  Racial effigies have been found on campus. 

Commissioner Bunton reported feeling left out of the loop receiving information possibly due to the location of her office in the Med One Center on East Broadway.  (Note: HSC is responsible for notifying employees at this location.)  Dr. Taylor-Archer informed Bunton that her comments were duly noted.

LGBT Services:  Brian commented on the following issues:

• HSC – the LGBT student population on HSC is struggling.  LGBT Services aspires to provide support, education and social opportunities for students (faculty and staff) on both campuses.  Commissioners were asked to please be an ally;
• LGBT launched website.  http://louisville.edu/lgbt/;
• Transgender issue was the focus in the Cardinal this week;  dated11-11-08 Vol. 83;
• New RSO – Transformation.

Announcements:

• Multilingual Welcome goes up this week.

• ABS along with Cultural Central, NAACP presents Tim Wise on November 20, 2008 in Bingham Humanities, Room 100, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Presidential Inauguration – The BFSA is in the planning stages for a campus-wide viewing of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration at noon on Tuesday, January 20^th;
• Town & Gown

Adjournment