CODRE

Minutes 10-12-07

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Present:  Vaquita Bunton, Nannette Dix, Robin Harris, Harvey Johnson, Barbara King, Ed Laster, Georgette Moore, John Ralston, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Gerald H. Tolson, Andrew Williams, Linda Wilson (Guests: Bradley Pearson, Martyna Warren)

Absent: James Brown, Joy Carew, Aris Cedeno, Bryan Hicks, Irving Joshua, Vicki Hines-Martin, J. Blaine Hudson, Kathy Pendleton, Wendi Sachs

Presentation:  Associate Dean Audrey Kline, Administrative Director of Masters Programs, Kevin Kane, and new faculty, Professor Nat Irving addressed issues related to CODRE concerns.  In a letter from Chair Hines-Martin (dated October 10, 2007) the following concerns were submitted to Dean Kline:

1.      Most UL staff taking classes in the MBA program are doing so on a part- time basis (to address their need for full-time employment). How do the changes in the MBA program address the needs of part-time and nontraditional students?

2.      There are students who are enrolled in other disciplines who are also interested in classes in the MBA program (e.g., law, medicine, etc.); what will be the process for addressing those student needs?

3.      UL staff (and others) has the benefit of tuition remission, which covers 6 credit hours. It is our understanding that the development of the MBA program is based on cohort admission and progression in full-time study. Was any considerations give to the disparities encountered by UL staff to whom this may apply? Are there plans to address this potential gap?

Minutes:  Vice Chair Laster convened the meeting and called for a motion to approve CODRE September 14 minutes.  The following corrections were suggested: change word to Kingsville from Kingsley; Cheri (is spelled with “C” not “S”) Bryant Hamilton; the LGBT position posted is for manager not director.  Commissioner Wilson made a motion that the minutes be approved with the noted corrections.  The motion was made to approve the 9/14/07 minutes and seconded by Commissioner Harris and passed by the Commission.

Vice Provost for Diversity Update:  Dr. Taylor Archer read a letter from President Ramsey and Provost Willihnganz demonizing hate messages and supporting student safety.  Also indicated in the letter were the numerous changes that UofL had taken to improve camps safety for students.  The President’s letter further noted significant improves the early warning alert system in cases of campus emergencies.  Mr. Al Herring took a group of UofL students to Jena, Louisiana for a rally.  The national rally included hundreds of thousands of students and others from across the country.  ABS held a rally on the Belknap campus (10/1/07) as a followup to the Jena protest which was covered by the local media.  Later in the evening a few students Googling the ABS President’s name, and discovered that white supremacists and the KKK had posted negatave comments directed at the ABS President.  UofL’s Rapid Response met (10/4/07) and discussed institutional reaction to this development.  Following the Rapid Response Team meeting the President wrote the previously noted letter.  ABS collectively decided not to give creedence to any white supremacist web postings.  ABS insted determined to start a JENA movement addressing the criminal justice system in America.

Dr. Taylor-Archer also discussed meeting with the Vice President of Student Affairs to develop programs to better sensitize students in areas of diversity.

CPE Visitor:  Vice Chair Laster reminded the Commission that Mr. Sherron Jackson from the Council on Postsecondary Education would be attending the November meeting.  Mr. Jackson has been asked to talk about the following:

·        University of Louisville's Campus Environment Team;

·        The CPE's view of the Campus Environment Team and what are the CPE's expectations;

·        Issues related to Diversity from the CPE's perspective.

Diversity Programming Committee Update:  Commissioner Wilson reported that the Programming Committee has agreed to fund the following initiatives:

·        African American Music Heritage Institute: $750

·        Brandeis School of Law Symposium: $750

·        C. Fossel/Braden Institute: $300 “Peace and Justice Week Panel Discussion”

·        Women’s and Gender Studies

Three other initiatives are being considered.  They are:

·        African American Theatre Arts Program (China trip), a revised request has been submitted.

·        Diwali (Event date November 17, 2007)

·        Career Center (Event date November 3, 2007)

Note:  CODRE recently received a request from LGBT (commonGround) for funding for UofL Gay Pride Week.  This request will be discussed at the next Programming meeting on October 23^rd.  Also, in previous years CODRE has co-funded the International Banquet.  It is unclear if there will be a banquet this year.

Announcement:  Dr. Sharon Moore, Kent School of Social Work will be speaker at the October 25^th NETWORK luncheon.  She will discuss, “Making a Difference in the Lives of African-American Males through University/Faith-Based Collaborations”.   The lecture/luncheon will begin at noon at the University Club (Belknap campus).

Meeting Adjourned.