12-12-08
CODRE
Minutes 12-12-08
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, Linda Lewis, 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, Linda L. Wilson and Guest(s): Anshu Anand, President Ramsey and Provost Willihnganz
Absent: Michael ben-Avraham, Joy Carew, Joan D’Antoni, Nannette Dix, and Wei Bin Zeng
Minutes: October 10, 2008 were approved at the November meeting. Minutes from the November meeting were deferred to January 2009 due to lack of time.
President Ramsey attended the meeting and responded to the following questions with a Power Point Presentation:
CODRE forwarded correspondence to the President which focused on diversity and the affect of communication on perceptions of inclusiveness and cultural sensitivity in our university community. CODRE supports and is planning a series of university community conversation programs to discuss and provide teachable moments in regard to how each of us intentionally and unintentionally affect our U of L campus climate. The following questions generated by CODRE members centered on this topic.
- What efforts do you see yourself being engaged in to support cultural sensitivity or awareness as it relates to CODRE’s planned community conversations initiative and encouraging members of the university administrative team to continue their and your personal learning about diversity through this approach?
- Would you be willing to lead a small team of administrators, faculty, staff and students to attend a conference together (such as the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education, or others) to lead by example?
Others questions are focused on ongoing budget cuts and changing priorities related to diversity.
1. Local corporations such as Caesar’s (Horseshoe casinos) and the Lottery have laid off their Diversity officers in efforts to cope with diminishing budgets and in some cases eliminated those functions. A persistent fear for those who support, value diversity and inclusion, believe in education that is multicultural is that businesses, organizations and universities will cut/eliminate diversity initiatives in ways that marginalize if not diminish/eliminate these initiatives when budgets gets tight.
2. How do you see potential budget shortfall affecting diversity initiatives for students, faculty and staff (for example CODRE, the International Center, diverse student support, Disability and LGBT services, and the President’s Diversity Vision Award for 2008-2009)?
3. Does the University have any contingency plans in place to address a potential mid year budget cut?
One question focuses on strategies to combat negative perception.
1. Employees of color at UofL have cited their concerns regarding the inconsistent application of university policies relating to staff, and feeling undervalued as part of the university community.
2. As President, what do you recommend to change this perception?
The President suggested that CODRE invite Mike Curtin and Susan Howarth to meet with them for a more comprehensive discussion of the budget.
Other discussion included:
- The Staff Grievance Process
- New Direction for HR
- John Ralston will be stepping down in January 2009
- An interim will be hired
- Will begin a search at the Vice President level
- How to show appreciation to staff
- Community Conversations
- How the President and CODRE can work together
Meeting Adjourned.
