CODRE

Minutes 8-08-08

Page One

Present:  Rhonda Buchanan, Brian Buford, Vaquita Doss Bunton, James, Brown, Joan D’Antoni, Nannette Dix, Robin Harris, Vicki Hines-Martin, Erica Holloman, Harvey Johnson, Irving Joshua, OJ Oleka, Kathy Pendleton, John Ralston, Charles Sharp, Prafula Sheth, Mary Ann Stenger, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Diane Whitlock, Andrew Williams, Linda L. Wilson, Wei Bin Zeng and Georgette Moore, Guest(s):  Anshu Anand, Demetrius Gray, Michael D. Anthony, Thaddeus Dumas

Absent:  Joy Carew, Sharon LaRue, Linda Lewis, Weiling Liu, Wendi Sachs

Call to Order and Welcome:  Dr. Hines-Martin called the meeting to order at about 12:10.  Commissioners were reminded to respond to notices sent out regarding lunch meetings.  An announcement was also made about Georgette’s promotion. 

Minutes: Irving Joshua moved that the minutes from the May 23 meeting be approved.  The motion was seconded by James Brown and passed after vote.

Updates   

·         Diversity Study:  Dr. Taylor-Archer gave an update on the Diversity Study.   

·         Cultural Center:  Michael Anthony, Director of the new Cultural Center attended today’s meeting and was invited to come back and share with CODRE his vision for the Cultural Center.  He noted that a webpage for the Center will be up and running by the time school starts.  Anthony will be making appointments with units to address how they can partner.  The Commission was reminded that no state money was allocated to the University for building the Cultural Center.  The University will be looking to private donors for funding.  It was suggested that a campaign donation form be made available to persons at the University who might be interested in financially supporting the construction of the Cultural Center.  Hazel Coleman, who is Director of Development, will be working on the Cardinal Covenant, raising funding for diversity initiatives.  The Center is one of the diversity initiatives. 

A question was raise regarding what will happen to Porter Scholars now that the Multicultural Academic Enrichment Program Center no longer exists and before staff is in place at the new Cultural Center.  Mordean and Michael assured CODRE that Porters will be taken care of.  A PIQ has been submitted to HR for an assistant director of the Cultural Center for the Porter Scholars and who will be working with Student Advocate, Prafula Sheth.  The assistant director position will be a permanent position; a search committee will be formed.  The Black Family Conference will also stay with the Cultural Center as will multicultural student organizations, the Black Diamond Choir, etc.  The Porter Scholars still have an office in the building. 

·         CODRE Committees:  The Chair informed new commissioners that everyone who is a member of the Commission is expected to serve on at least one committee.  If you have not chosen by the end of the next meeting, the Chair will appoint those members.  Linda Wilson informed the Commission that this past semester, the President, Provost and Dean Hudson created an Arts and Culture Committee.  That committee is comprised of the different curators of historic homes and cultural groups in the community.  They will be developing internships, collaborative programs, etc.  CODRE will have an opportunity to collaborate with them. 

·        CODRE Vice Chair/ Bylaws:  Any commissioner interested in submitting his/her name as a candidate for CODRE Vice Chair will have until 8/25/08 to put forward their name and brief bio to Georgette.  Nominees are limited to persons who have served on the Commission for one year.  Georgette will compile the information into one document to share with the full Commission for review prior to voting at the September meeting.  Linda reminded the Chair that Joan and Robin were given the charge of making changes to the document.  Because the Chair did not get feedback from them she stated that the Commission had to move forward.  Note:  The Vice Chair shall serve a two year term; he/she will preside over commission activities during the absence of the Chair.  The Vice Chair will also serve as representative at COSW meetings. After some discussion, two options were given related to handling of the laws Option 1:  Discuss needed changes at this meeting;  Option 2; forward changes to bylaws before the next meeting and vote on bylaws in September meeting.  A motion was made to go with Option 2, seconded and passed after vote.

o       The deadline to submit corrections to the Bylaws is 8/25/08 by 5 p.m. 

·        LGBT Issues:  Brian reported on Annual Pride Week.  The celebration will be observed October 6 through October 11.  Kick-off for Pride Week will begin on October 6 with Keith Boykin.  The Harvard Law School graduate is self described as one of America's leading commentators on race and sexual orientation.  He will deliver his keynote address on how race, gender, and sexual orientation will influence this year’s presidential election in Chao Auditorium at 7 p.m.   Boykin will also talk with students from ABS, commonGround, etc., and will address LAMBDA at the Brandeis School of Law.

·        CODRE Welcome translation:  The Chair reported that Weiling and Prafula accomplished what they were requested to do for the CODRE website Welcome but she has been slow giving them the go-ahead.  It was decided that the Welcome would be translated in Arabic, Hindi and Spanish languages as well as English.  Rhonda Buchanan offered to assist with the translation of the welcome into any language.  The language will also be accessible for individuals with disabilities.

·        Update on Grievance Policy for Staff:  HRAC will meet next week.  The template is ready to move forward.  University Faculty and Staff Senates have had an opportunity to review new terminology, i.e., gender identity and expression, qualifying adult language.  A report will be provided at the next meeting.

·        Salary Admn.  A policy workgroup consisting of two reps from CODRE, COSW and Staff Senate along with Angie Givan and Dennis Finnegan and Harvey Johnson are reviewing the salary administration policy.  Of particular concern is focusing on eliminating salary compression with the policy itself.  Other policies that are being examined are tenure clock and parental leave.  Language is being tweaked on leave policies.

·        Tuition Remission:   John Ralston reported that tuition remission has not really changed except for the spousal piece. 

·        Exit Interview Committee Report:  Due to time constraints, Nannette Dix will present her report at the next CODRE meeting.

Announcements

·        Relief for China:  Joy Carew announced that fundraisers to aid victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China have been organized.  Several events will take place throughout the year beginning on September 2.  More information will be announced.

Meeting adjourned.