CODRE

Minutes 5-09-08

Page One

Present:  Brian Buford, Vaquita Doss Bunton, James, Brown, Joy Carew, Nannette Dix, Robin Harris, Bryan Hicks, Vicki Hines-Martin, Irving Joshua, Barbara King, Sharon LaRue, Edward Laster, Linda Lewis, Weiling Liu, Georgette Moore, John Ralston, Wendi Sachs, Prafula Sheth, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Andrew Williams, Linda L. Wilson, Guest(s):  Demetrius Gray, Brenda Hart, Cindi Logsdon, David Owen, Melissa Pinto-Foltz, Shannon Scroggins, Ede Warner

Absent:  Aris Cedeno, Joan D’Antoni, J. Blaine Hudson, Harvey Johnson, Kathy Pendleton, and Gerald Tolson

Call to Order and Welcome:  Dr. Hines-Martin called the meeting to order at about 12:15.  Guests were acknowledged.  Individuals who were awarded the Presidents Exemplary Multicultural Teaching Award were acknowledged: Dr. Ede Warner; Dr. David Owen received honorable mention.  Art work was presented to both.  Also acknowledged were the recipients of the CODRE/Office of the EVPR Research Grant for Graduate Students, Shannon Scroggins and Melissa Pinto-Foltz.  Tara Schapmire also received a grant but was not able to be present.

Minutes: Joy Carew moved that the minutes from April meeting be approved.  The motion was seconded by Ed Laster and passed after vote.

Bylaws:  Changes to the bylaws that were suggested at the last meeting were made however, Robin and Joan were not able to meet and review the document for sentence structure.  The goal now is to have a final draft ready for ratification at the next business meeting.

Nominating Committee:  The Nominating Committee includes Vaquita, Barb and Ed.  The names of potential candidates to serve on CODRE have been forwarded to Ed.  Another call was made at today’s meeting; any additional names should be forwarded to Ed as soon as possible.  Commissioners were reminded to keep diversity in mind when making recommendations.

LGBT Letter:  CODRE corresponded with the Provost regarding the recent incident at Woody’s Tavern involving a UofL professor and several students.  According to a number of individuals, the students and professor were harassed by the owner of the tavern who entered the establishment with unleashed dogs.  After verbal confrontation, the students and professor were asked to leave.  The students and professor were verbally accosted even after they left.  Two of the individuals have filed a lawsuit against Woody’s and students have called for a boycott against Woody’s and the Magnolia Bar.  Both establishments are located in Old Louisville.   

MAEP:  MAEP (Multicultural Academic Enrichment Program) will transition to the new Cultural Center located on Belknap Campus. The Center will replace the Office of Minority Affairs (MAEP).  The decision to revamp MAEP was not based on performance as much as a way to better serve UofL students.   Dr. Taylor-Archer has met with community leaders: Rev. Lewis Coleman, Mattie Jones, Raoul Cunningham, Ben Richardson, and other community activists.  There is much concern for (RIF'd) employees who have been at the University 25 plus years.  Dr. Taylor-Archer has appointed an advisory committee to make recommendations on the expansion of services. 

Standing Committee Reports 

Students Concerns:  The Student Concerns group met and discussed the status of Black Greeks and their absence on campus, a number of whom have been suspended for several years from campus.  Andrew and some committee members met with the person who will work with the Black Greeks;

o        There is concern that the help that Porter Scholars were getting from MAEP may not be available during the transition.  Consideration is being given that a program be developed for Porter Scholars similar to the program in place for McConnell Scholara.

Diversity Programming Committee:  Linda reported that a pending proposal coming from Ken Shader is on hold until more can be learned about the CODRE budget;

o        The travel policy is being examined for clarity about individuals who plan to go overseas;

o        Linda will be talking to Vicki and Andy regarding funding for students;

o        The last Diversity Programming meeting will be May 22.  There will be no meetings during the summer months.

Faculty/Staff Committee:  Irving reported to the Commission that three grants were awarded.  Awardees of the CODRE/Office of the EVPR Award for Graduate Students were:  Melissa Pinto-Foltz; Shannon Scroggins, and Tara Schapmire.  The Selection Committee was not able to award the SPIGG Award, however it will be made available again Fall 2008.  Applicants for the SPIGGS grant must be more focused in West Louisville.  Guidelines will be redefined in time for Fall. 

COSW Update:  COSW Chair, Sharon Larue reported that several COSW commissioners met with UK’s Women’s Commission and Eleanor Jordan for a joint meeting on April 25.  The Violence Against Women Advocacy Office was reestablished and located the near the Governor’s Office;

·          The focus for 2008 Fall joint meeting will be on health and well being.  The Lieutenant Governor and the KCW are planning a cervical cancer awareness campaign in September for all of Kentucky;

·          UofL’s COSW challenges and successes were presented by COSW Chair LaRue and compared to those discussed at 2003 joint meeting;

·          LaRue met with President Ramsey and presented him with the COSW’s annual report;

·          A letter of commendation for DPS officers was written to the President (in lieu of the recent campus incident) by the COSW; it also highlighted the COSW’s concern about the promised pay raise that DPS officers received.  It was believed that all officers would receive an increase but only 8 were affected.  Vice President Larry Owsley committed to raising hiring salaries of new officers;

·          Statistical data regarding the advancement of women at UofL is being run that will be compared with the 1994 the Task Force Report;

·          The COSW is planning to host several focus group sessions for women during the summer months.  The COSW hopes to have some participation from CODRE members.

Appreciation:  Chair Hines-Martin presented several certificates of appreciation: (1) Committee Chairs, (2) persons rotating off the Commission.

June Meeting:  After discussion, a motion was made not to convene in June by Andrew.  The motion was seconded by James.  The next meeting will be August 8^th.

A recommendation was made that CODRE invite Jenny Sawyer, Executive Director Admissions, Angela Black, Assistant Director Scholarship (Financial Aid) to a CODRE meeting.

Meeting Adjourned