COSW Minutes January 26, 2007 Page 1
Present: Nancy Barr, Linda Bledsoe, Brian Buford, Denita Campo, Valerie Casey, Michelle Clemons, Julia Dietrich, Dwight D. Dozier, Shirley Hardy-Trice, Ashley Howarth, Vicki Hines- Martin, Harvey Johnson, Susan Kosse, Victoria Molfese, Kathy Pendleton, Bobby Plienis, Mary Karen Powers, Holly K. Sheilley, Prafula Sheth, Marsha Shields, Jill Suttles, Wanda Taylor, Mordean Taylor-Archer, Nancy Theriot, Miggeletta Wade-Wright and Georgette Moore Guests: Kenny Brown, Wayne Hall
Absent: Michel C. Atlas, Cindy Conley, David Horvath, Dawn Heinecken, Sharon LaRue, M. Cynthia Logsdon and Anita Moorman
Minutes: Motion to approve the minutes from the December 1 meeting was made by Victoria Molfese. The motion was seconded by Miggeletta Wade Wright and passed after vote. (NOTE: It should be noted that Georgette reported difficulty in hearing reports as they were given.)
Title IX Gender Equity Report: Holly Sheilley gave a report that the University continues to advance commitment to gender equity under Title IX. Other highlights are as follows:
o Saturday, February 10th against Syracuse at 7:00 PM (Father/Daughter Valentine's Night, Women's Basketball Alumni Night, Robbie Valentine STARS Club)
o Tuesday, February 20th against St. John's at 8:00 PM (Black History Month Celebration, Women4Women Night, Corporate Partner Appreciation Night)
o Monday, February 26th against West Virginia at 7:00 PM (Red out night - wear your Cardinal Red, Senior night, Camper Reunion night, Youth League Night)
Holly will be happy to provide tickets to COSW members and their families if they are interested in attending the games.
New Business: Prafula introduced to the Commission the concept of a reception for new administrators, (Jim Chen, Law School; Ed Halperin, School of Medicine; Keith Inman, University Advancement; Tom Jackson, Student Affairs; Manny Martinez, Research) as the idea presented to her by Linda Wilson (CODRE). The idea was that it be a collaborative effort by both Commissions. Chair Suttles and CODRE Chair, Vicki Hines-Martin will come up with some dates as a basis for Georgette to work with in setting up a meeting with the four new administrators.
DPS Update: Wayne Hall introduce new DPS officer, Jacqueline Caldwell.
PEACC: Sharon LaRue reported on the following:
o V-Day Tickets go on sale February 6-8. o 7 p.m. performances of the Vagina Monologues will be at the Playhouse, February 8 through the 10th. o Cupid’s Arrow—A Valentine Lunch and Learn session on February 14. o Beyond Beats and Rhymes: Masculinity in Hip-Hop Culture, a 2006 Sundance Film Festival selection - is a riveting PBS documentary that examines representations of manhood, sexism and homophobia in Hip-Hop culture. o A Minute Without Silence. Scheduled for March 1. More information to be announced. o Free Spring Break Goodies will be given on March 7 and March 8 from 11-1 p.m. in the Student Activities Center. o International Women’s Day will be observed on March 8 at 6 p.m. at the Americana Center. o UofL students, faculty and staff will wear black on Thursday’s in memory of victims of violence. The observance will begin on March 22.
COSW Goals: The Commission discussed goals for 2007. Three topics were 1) Maintenance of a safe campus environment; 2) methods to improve the recruitment and retention of women at all position levels at UofL; and 3) supporting the integration of work and family at UofL.
o There was discussion regarding increasing the number of DPS officers as well as increasing salaries and support to ensure officer retention at UofL. Notification methods for alerting the campus community regarding safety issues need to be improved.
o Dr. Taylor-Archer reported that a study of staff salaries has been ongoing. It was also reported that there is a pool of money designated for staff salary “catch up”. Brian said he was unaware of a pool of money but Human Resources is planning a marketing study for staff this year.
o The COSW will continue an active role in child care issues/services for UofL students and employees. University policies need to be reviewed regarding family work leave.
o Continue and expand as needed support of the PEACC and Women’s Center programs. Mary Karen will work on text that specifically mentions the Women’s Center.
o The COSW continues to be concerned regarding recruitment and retention of women at UofL. Develop a method to identify women and minority candidates for open positions at UofL (all levels).
o Create career workshops and mentoring for female staff and faculty at all levels at UofL
Faculty Staff for Human Rights: The FSHR faces future challenges of figuring out how to continue to get policies implemented such as bereavement and sick leave. The issue of equality regarding tuition remission is harder to get passed. The goal is to make the University a family friendly place for all employees.
Committee Updates 2 Child Care: Susan Kosse reported the following:
o On January 9th Susan met with the Provost and Vice Presidents. They were very positive about a child care center. They wanted to see 5 year budgets for NAEYC and the 3 star approach. Kosse sent those budgets to the Provost.
o On January 12th Susan met with Mike Curtin, Tom Jackson, Larry Owsley, legal counsel and Project Women reps. It was decided based on the advice of counsel to have the child development center be part of UofL. There really was no benefit to having it in a 501(c) (3) and in fact other issues may arise if we did create a 501(c)(3).
o Based on the Jan 12th group's recommendation to the Provost the center will be housed out of Tom Jackson's student affairs office. An advisory board of U of L and Project Women representatives has been appointed. The UofL members include Chair: Susan Kosse, members: Tom Jackson, Dhiane Bradley, Victoria Molfese, Tracy Eels, Terri Rutledge. This group will immediately start to decide on some of the core management issues (e.g. if outside vendor runs it, the % of spots allocated to faculty, staff, students, etc).
o On Feb 2 Bright Horizons will be returning to campus to go over the proposed budgets in detail with Larry Owsley, Mike Curtin, Tom Jackson, legal counsel and the Advisory Board. We are going to go over all the numbers again and the effects of changing ratios etc. At this point the numbers are still too high.
o Development is working on trying to get commitments for the capital expenses. They have already had some very encouraging leads and will be putting together proposals.
o Project Women has not heard about the grant yet. The agency keeps pushing back the announcement. Project Women is hopeful by March they will know something.
o From the VP meeting, the Provost indicated the committee should continue to look for HSC options.
Announcements
o Cindy Conley reported that the Office of LGBT Services has an intern (Bradley Pearson) this semester. He will be attending COSW meetings.
o Wayne Hall thanked the Commission for Nancy Barr who participated in the officer interview process. Officer Diana Taylor was hired. Officer Taylor is retired from Louisville Metro Police Department.
o Women’s Center at Uof L Presents, LGBT Voices: Representing Women in the Community on January 29, 2007 from 5-7 p.m. at the UofL Red Barn. Muliticultural sisters and men will come together in solidarity to create a vision through poetry, dance,
3 performance and contributing to the fight for equality across sexual orientations and identities. There will be speakers, food, excellent performances and informational tables.
o Wear Red Day on February 2: People are encouraged to wear red for National Heart Association.
o Ward Connerly is scheduled to be in Louisville at UofL on March 6th 2007. Connerly is probably most known for his action in the area of Civil Rights and Affirmative Action.
o Sharon LaRue will have a birthday on next Friday (February 2) and Brian Buford will celebrate his birthday on Tuesday, (February 6).
Meeting adjourned.
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