CODRE Minutes

November 9, 2007

Page One

Present:  James Brown, Vaquita Bunton, Joan D’antoni, Nannette Dix, Robin Harris, Vicki Hines-Martin, Harvey Johnson, Barbara King, Sharon LaRue, Ed Laster, Weiling Liu, Georgette Moore, Kathy Pendleton, John Ralston, Wendi Sachs, Prafula Sheth, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Gerald H. Tolson, Andrew Williams, Linda Wilson, Errol Wint, (Guests: Gina Bertocci, Judith Del Carpio, Mr. Sherron Jackson, Richard Mitchell, Jr.)

Absent: Joy Carew, Aris Cedeno, Bryan Hicks, Irving Joshua, J. Blaine Hudson

Open meeting:  Chair Vicki Hines-Martin opened the meeting at about 12:10.  She introduced new members Joan D’Antoni, Weiling Liu, Prafula Sheth, and guests before introducing Mr. Sherron Jackson of the Council on PostSecondary Education to the Commission. 

CPE Update by Mr. Sherron Jackson:  Mr. Sherron Jackson was invited by the Commission to discuss the following issues:  University of Louisville's Campus Environment Team (CET); the CPE's view of the CET, and the CPE's expectations for the CET.  The Commission was also interested in Mr. Jackson opinion regarding other issues of concern from the CPE's perspective.

Mr. Jackson addressed raising the standard of living in Kentucky to the national average by 2020 by doubling the number of college graduates living in Kentucky.  Kentucky must increase postsecondary educational attainment.  College graduates tend to earn higher wages, are more engaged citizens, enjoy a higher quality of life, and states with more college graduates have stronger, more diverse economies. 

The Kentucky Plan (House Bill 1) focuses on bachelor’s degrees.  The link between economic prosperity in Kentucky and educational attainment is most dramatic at the bachelor degree level.

Five strategies are being implemented to achieve the increased numbers in the 2020 goal:

• Raise high school graduation rates;
• Increase the number of GED grads and transition more of them to college;
• Enroll more first-time students in KCTCS and transfers those students to 4-yr programs;
• Increase the number of Kentuckians going to and completing college;
• Attract college educated workers to Kentucky and create new jobs for them.

Dr. Taylor-Archer agreed to share CPE information with CODRE, FSHR and the BFSA as it becomes available.

Domestic Partner Benefit Update:  Commissioner Wendi Sachs and guest, Gina Bertocci (representative from Faculty and Staff for Human Rights), addressed the Commission about the recent changes in domestic partner benefits.  For the Commissions information it was noted that the term “domestic partner” changed to “qualified adult.”  Both Commissioner Sachs and Gina Bertocci expressed their concerns regarding the University establishing equity in employee benefits.  Currently, employees with “partners” do not have the same benefit package as married employees in the areas of tuition remission and leave policies.  Effective January 1, 2008, the health plan will be unaffordable for “qualified adults” because the University will eliminate its subsidy.  Both Sachs and Bertocci appealed for support from the Commission in the area of “qualified adult” benefits.  After discussion CODRE agreed to the following:

CODRE would forward a letter to the President and Provost in support equity for employees with “partners” addressing the following areas:

• University policies and procedures regarding bereavement
• Healthcare, and
• Tuition remission

Minutes:  A motion to approve the October 12, 2007 minutes by Commissioner Wendi Sachs, and seconded by Ed Laster.  The motion passed after vote.

Diversity Programming Committee:  Commissioner Linda Wilson reported the following:

• $500 was awarded to LGBT’s for PRIDE week on November 8-14, 2007 to purchase event T-shirts;
• $1,000 was awarded to the Indian Student Organization for Diwali “the Festival of Lights”;
• The International Banquet is scheduled Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the SAC, but the Programming Committee has not been approached for funding;
• NETWORK Lunch is scheduled on Monday, November 19, 2007: a panel of speakers will address, “African American faculty at PWI’s, Benefits and Challenges: Strategies for Thriving”.  The panel will consist of Dr. Rudolph Alexander Jr., College of Social Work, Ohio State University, Dr. Debra A. Harley, Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Kentucky and Dr. Sharon Moore, Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville.  The luncheon will be held at the University Club at 11:30 a.m.

Student Concerns:  Andrew Williams reported that the Student Concerns Committee is scheduled to meet next Friday at noon.

Faculty Concerns/Staff Concerns Committee:  Dr. Joshua was not able to attend today’s meeting.

Update from Dr. Taylor-Archer:  Dr. Taylor-Archer did not have a report.

Bylaws Committee:  Vice Chair Laster did not have a report from the Bylaws Committee.

• Reminder:   Questions that commissioners would like to discuss with the President should be emailed to Chair Hines-Martin no later than December 4. 

Meeting adjourned.