Faculty Senate Diversity Committee Report for MAY 2, 2008

FACULTY SENATE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage Alaska 99508 Drs Robe rt Boe c kma nn & Da ve Fitz ge ra ld, Co-c ha irs. Agenda for April 18th, 2008 (GHH103: 3:00 - 4:30) x Robert Boeckmann x Jeanne Eder Timothy Jester x Yong Cao x Patricia Fagan x Sean Licka x Ping-Tung Chang Dave Fitzgerald x Natasa Masanovic x Robert Crosman x Nancy Furlow x Sudarsan Rangarajan x Herminia Din x Songho Ha x Sam Thiru Dennis Howard

Consultants and Representatives Marva Watson, Interim Director of the Campus Alice Hisamoto AHIANA representative (present) Diversity & Compliance Office Provost Driscoll (consulting only)

I. Review of minutes/report from last (joint FSDC / DAC) meeting - March 21st 2008 approved II. Review Agenda of Current Meeting - III. Informational Items - A. NCBI student workshop March 28th – success according to student participants! B. “Up Downs” to feature in new student orientations – Heather and Chubai led one yesterday at AHAINA C. Leadership from FSDC membership on Anchorage Media Hate Speech-write a letter to ADN and Fox Radio signed by chairmen and Chancellor if possible D. Guests: Mao Tosi, Anchorage Youth Initiative, Larissa Choprina, Mary Reeve, Ellen Pearson IV. Review of Progress on Annual Goals: A. Participate in the hire of Director of Diversity and Compliance (the position continues to be defi:pr) B. Hold one diversity appreciation / focused event per semester (Spring Semester) C. Encourage the formation of a Faculty Senate Indigenous Faculty Committee (Faculty Senate supportive: name needed and mission need defining) D. Create a structure for greater coordination of effort between diversity focused committees / units (started: progress made) E. Enhance faculty awareness of diversity issues (ongoing thru NCBI, training for new faculty)) F. Coordinate with Office of Diversity and Compliance re hiring of International Faculty (yes) G. Coordinate with members of the Anchorage community to better serve the community (started with Mayor, Mayor’s diversity office, Mao Tosi, Nancy Andes) H. Develop a set of diversity questions to be included in the new IDEA faculty-evaluation instrument (it’s been made voluntary, not mandatory) FACULTY SENATE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE REPORT FOR MAY 2, 2008

Goals for Next Year:

I. Participate in the hire of Director of Diversity and Compliance J. Hold one diversity appreciation / focused event per semester (Mao Tosi volunteers to give one) K. Continue to support the formation of a Faculty Senate Indigenous Faculty Committee L. a structure for greater coordination of effort between diversity focused committees / units M. Enhance faculty awareness of diversity issues N. Coordinate with Office of Diversity and Compliance re hiring of International Faculty O. Coordinate with members of the Anchorage community to better serve the community (started) P. Develop a set of diversity questions to be included in the new IDEA faculty-evaluation instrument (get Chancellor to make it “highly desirable”)

V. Presentation by Ma’o Tosi: Pride and the Future of Anchorage Teens. Program hindered by insufficient funding from ASD. Opposition cites bad grades of participants, but ignores the fact that the kids are coming regularly to after-school program. Now divorced from ASD, has private backing. Kids want recognition. A. Description of program for high school students and current status of program B. Discussion of ways UAA Faculty / Students might support these efforts-needs grant writing, research studies, funding, performances on campus, space on campus (weekends, summer) VI. Presentation by Dr Larrisa Chuprina: Diversity from Global Perspective: A. Combining global societies with social justice. What is democratic? What is fair? Not all have equal needs: fairness and equality may not be the same. B. Knowledge of cultural self. Going outside their cultural community may be frightening for some. C. Creating a safe space for diversity of ideas D. Faculty and staff as a resource – tapping into the existing talents within E. Pluralism of ideas -> democratic society F. Continuous learning/development without losing identity G. Recruiting and Retaining International Faculty (and students?) Do our diverse student body feel recognized and appreciated? H. Positive Psychology – studies what people do right and how they manage to do it. 1. focus on potentials and possibilities 2. concern for understanding the self-when you have self-understanding, you accept, respect, and understand others. 3. commitment to enhancing quality of life/well-being of all individuals I. “Minorities” will soon be in the majority. Intercultural relations will be necessary to teach and learn in such an environment, including international students and faculty. Including these segments and supporting those who need extra support, will guarantee a healthy workforce, avoid outsourcing jobs and importing “guest workers.” It will also avoid creating a disaffected underclass that participates in crime and other social ills. J. Formulate a “Declaration of Diversity” that welcomes and values diversity as a positive educational asset to the university. 85%-90% of faculty agree that diversity is essential, and enhances student learning.

2 FACULTY SENATE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE REPORT FOR MAY 2, 2008 K. It is necessary to develop new criteria for evaluating students, and to learn how to avoid confrontation among an ethnically diverse student body. Testing is often a way of excluding potentially successful students who do not understand the way the test works, or who have a different cultural background, or who are simply frightened of taking the test. L. If these recommendations are followed, the university can be a model for the whole society of living harmoniously in a diverse environment. VII. Any Brief Reports from Subcommittees VIII. Any Other Business?