Committee on Equal Opportunity and Diversity

Commission on Diversity and Inclusion Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of November 5, 2014 Noon – 1:30 p.m. College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Conference Room Social Sciences Building (Building 51), Room 3201 Present: Executive Committee Members – Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder, CODI Chair; Dr. Judith Rodriguez, CODI Associate Chair and Chair for CODI Academic Enhancement Committee; Ms. Edythe Abdullah, Chair, Recruitment and Retention Committee; and, Dr. Jay Coleman, Chair for CODI Sub-Committee on Faculty Recruitment and Retention.

Ex-Officio Member – Allison Cruess, Rocelia Gonzalez CODI Staff - Ms. Flora Coleman

Guests - Mr. Phillip Simmons

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 12:12 p.m. by Chair Wilder. A quorum was verified. Chair Wilder welcomed everyone.

II. Adoption of Agenda and Minutes of last meeting

Today’s agenda and minutes of September 3, 2014 Executive Committee Meeting were moved for adoption by Dr. Judith Rodriguez and seconded by Ms. Edythe Abdullah. A vote was called and the Committee unanimously approved both

III. Updates from Chairwoman, JeffriAnne Wilder, Ph.D. Chair Wilder stated that she will discuss Strategic Plan at the next meeting. She discussed the results from the cards that she distributed to at September Commission meeting, to poll the Commission on goals, ideas and suggestions to make us better. The top two goals/suggestions: A. To be more visible and B. Increase Awareness of the CODI.

Chair Wilder informed the Committee that they received $30,000.00 in funds from Academic Affairs and the President’s Office to start an Institute. She mentioned that it was a desire of Dr. Henry Thomas to have an Institute here on campus.

Commission on Diversity and Inclusion Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of November 5, 2014 Dr. Judith Rodriguez, Ms. Edythe Abdullah and Dr. Christopher Johnson will move forward with the Institute on Race Relations. They have $30,000.00 to spend quickly. See the attachment for full update. Chair Wilder discussed Office Space for the Institute and mentioned that Dr. Kanter stated that space may be available in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

It was announced that Drs. JeffriAnne Wilder, Judith Rodrigues and Christopher Johnson attended the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, October 30 – November 2, 2014.

The SREB Conference was discussed: Several hundred students to stop by their table. They provided Ms. Abdullah with a list of contacts. Next year the Conference will be back in Arlington, Virginia. About 80 other schools were in attendance. One school had their President, deans, etc. in attendance. Lots of Research one institutions were there. There were schools from North Dakota, Utah, Minnesota, etc. They all stated that it was a great experience.

Discussed also was UNF becoming a member of SREB. Director said that he would be willing to come to UNF.

Dr. Jay Coleman asked if any of the Doctoral Students applied to UNF? He stated that the students/applicants should be tracked. We want to be proactive.

Ms. Abdullah stated that we have the data from last year so it would be easy to compare with this year. Last year, Provost and Vice President Traynham did a follow-up with each student. They were sent a letter and a packet. Many were post doc.

Dr. Wilder stated that they met someone from Hillsborough in Tampa. They were informed of an upcoming Summit: Black, Brown and College Bound, scheduled for February 18-21, 2015. This year the guest speaker is Steve Harvey. Last year they had Magic Johnson. We may consider sending a couple of students. Ms. Abdullah said that it is a good network.

Ms. Abdullah will call a meeting with everyone who went to SREB. They discussed collaborating with other institutions.

IV. Committee/ Updates

A. Ms. Edythe Abdullah - Recruitment and Retention Committee Ms. Abdullah stated that she had a good meeting with Dr. Jay Coleman, Mr. Albert Colom and Mr. Thomas Van Schoor. Mr. Van Schoor is working on . The Sub-Committee on Retention is moving forward. McKnight Fellows wants to do a post doc with us. She will get with Drs. Traynham and Coleman. Discussed also was a public records request made by the Spinnaker.

V. Old Business A. Academic Enhancement Grant was discussed. Dr. Suzie S. Weng will make her presentation to the Commission next week.

B. Presidential Diversity and Inclusion Awards Application process for the Diversity and Inclusion Awards will be the same as in the past.

Commission on Diversity and Inclusion Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of November 5, 2014 VI. New Business Morris Dee’s Event was discussed. A committee has been formed; they will try and bring him in December.

VII. Additional Reports or Announcements Associate Chair, Dr. Judith Rodriguez asked about the student survey. Dr. Abdullah mentioned that there was a problem with the email system and some students did not get the email; therefore, the deadline was extended. Ms. Abdullah mentioned that the Commission needs to push the work that Cheryl and Kolanda did with the HEED Award.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 1:01 p.m.

Commission on Diversity and Inclusion Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of November 5, 2014