The Diversity Steering Committee met on October 26, 2005, present were: Brad Bateman, Erin Duran, Sollie Flora, Anna Gilbert, Raquel Greene, Kristin Lovig, Nate Monaghan, Ralph Savarese, Michael Sims, Frank Thomas, Marlys Upah, and Eliza Willis.
Eliza Willis advised the committee that its charge came from the President of the College, who appoints the membership. The committee charge includes promoting diversity on the campus, including faculty, staff, and students. As a result of the Strategic Planning efforts the committee has received new tasks. Last year the committee re-wrote the definition of diversity in light of decisions made in the U.S. Supreme Court, known collectively as the Grutter cases. Those cases require that efforts to increase or support diversity must have a relationship to the overall goal of diversity without the effect of elevating a specific group over another.
The committee last year also began discussions of other duties that have developed from discussions within the Executive Council. Those duties include: 1. arranging for a convocation speaker who addresses diversity specifically; 2. conducting an all campus discussion about improving the campus climate and providing education for the campus regarding diversity; and promoting diversity increase within the faculty.
Willis also reported that last academic year, the college changed how it recruits faculty and engaged in designated efforts to increase diversity in the faculty. There was some notable success in this area as 9 of the 13 appointed faculty were faculty of color. There has also been an expanded use of the affirmative action guidelines in staff hiring and the college is in the early stages of working on its staff issues.
Willis stated that she will put together a proposal for the convocation slot. There was discussion of various candidates, including Anthony Farley, Associate Professor of Law at the Law School of Boston College. Discussion also considered having a couple of speakers over a week's time who might cover religious, racial, and disability diversity issues. Brad Bateman stated that he has a particular person in mind who is president of a divinity school who could speak about religious diversity. It was also suggested that we consider Anthony Appiah, who has just published a new book on identity in "dialogue" with John Stuart Mill. Ralph Savarese brought forward names of speakers who could add to our understanding of disability issues. Savarese stated that he could provide a list of speakers for such a weeklong effort.
Kristin Lovig reported on her recent attendance at the Iowa Diversity Conference. Lovig said that it was a good conference with an emphasis upon understanding Latino culture because of the number of Mexican and Mexican Americans who have moved to the community of Marshalltown. And as Marshalltown is a target market for the college in its future hiring, we have a particular interest in that area. Lovig mentioned that a group from which we might draw assistance is the Iowa Council for International Understanding.
Savarese told of the efforts by the ad hoc Committee on Disability Issues at Grinnell to bring Senator Tom Harkin to campus to speak on disability issues. The Spring term might be a better time to arrange a visit for Senator Harkin, given the election schedule and that there would not be an election that requires his involvement. It was decided that the committee should put forth a proposal for Appiah as a convocation speaker and see how it goes. Bateman will research information on Appiah and notify Willis.
Frank Thomas described the two types of diversity reports that are issued yearly: the numerical report that is issued in February and the narrative report issued at the end of the academic year. There was discussion of the difficulty of identifying persons on campus and the problems that might bring in trying to place people in specific identifying categories. The committee decided that it needed to continue discussion to determine the goals and define the categories. As a part of this Thomas will provide the committee with the Office of Management and Budget's proposed new categories that the federal government has been considering for a number of years.
The committee discussed planning for activities in the Spring semester. One suggestion was to have some training that would be appropriate for the staff of the college. Savarese stated that Lesley Wright, Faulconer Gallery Director, is considering bringing in a show of art created by students who have experienced disability and it would be good to work with Wright on this as a campus-wide event.
The committee discussed its meeting schedule and Willis stated it is her intent to have regular meetings. It was decided that the committee will meet on November 16 and December 7 at noon in ARH 312.
Under new business, Bateman reported that he had attended the ACM Deans meetings and that Associate Deans from Lawrence University brought a report from a group of minority faculty in the ACM. That group wishes to have a conference which might include discussions of curricular diversity and other concerns. It was discussed that there is a strong need to have a conference on liberal education and diversity. Bateman suggested that many people bring a non-academic sensibility to our campuses; but do we think that we are making such strides in the presence of diversity rather than not being aware of diversity. Michael Sims reported on the involvement of the ACM Committee on Minority Concerns and the discussion of how can we equip students that we send out from our schools to really work with a diverse population.
There was discussion of the easy in which the committee could sponsor discussion on campus of issues that it might raise. Blackboard was suggested as a medium through which to accomplish this. It was also suggested that the committee could host a conference next year as we will have a new facility in which to do so-the new Rosenfield Campus Center. The committee was charged with the task of thinking about what is being done on campus; what kinds of discussions are taking place in our various constituencies.
Next Meeting November 16, 2005, at Noon in ARH 312.
Frank Thomas, recorder
