Daemen College : Academics & Research : Academic Policies and Procedures : Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Committee

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Committee

Minutes from:
September 22, 2006 | November 20, 2003

September 22, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:  Kathy Boone, Pam Neumann, Mary Fox, Catherine Mann, Joanne Sadler, Shantelle Songster, Damian Desbordes, Sue Buczko, Karl Shallowhorn, Lola Atanda, Blake Thurman, Dan Nilsson, Wendell Sisnett, Jeanett Harris, Richanne Mankey, Adrianne Williams, Beverly Weeks, Jacqueline David

Members Absent: Christian Brandjes, Mark Brown Amy Nelson

Dr. Kathy Boone opened the meeting to state that this was a big committee and that it was large given the responsibilities that the committee would assume in the coming months. She stated that the events of the Spring, involving the police and some students, would not drive the committee but would be a catalyst for going forward with diversity activities.

There was discussion involving possible other students who may be asked to join  the committee to add to the diversity of the membership.

Dr. Boone stated that there were recurring themes brought on by the events of last Spring. Segregation, self segregation (groups of students sitting together in the cafeteria). These themes brought on certain questions such as “do students of color feel safe/comfortable here?” If police show up, what is the reaction among groups of students? The importance of asking and getting answers to these questions are highlighted by the fact that our retention year to year ratios are not as high for minority students.

Dr. Richanne Mankey addressed the group about the meeting between a group representing Daemen and two Captains on the Amherst Police Department (APD) this past summer. The Captains were amenable to having further discussions. 

One observation that came out of the discussions this summer was the Captains’ belief that our housing was like that of Campus Manor with individual apartments and single occupants that did not necessarily have anything to do with each other. They were surprised to find that premise to be untrue. There was talk about students being profiled and what the effect of a uniform could have on students’ attitudes and perceptions.

There will be further interactions with the APD in the future including discussions with small groups of students. Also, the police may come to campus to discuss positive activities such as workshops on personal safety, etc. Students wondered “how do we respond to police when stopped?” Students stated that the actions of the police have led to mistrust.

There will also be continued discussion with our security about how to handle incidents such as problems with noise. The security detail on campus will no longer threaten students with a call to APD as a noise control mechanism. There will also be a future meeting between our security lieutenants and the APD Captains.

The students wanted the committee to know that the students are not concentrating on the events of the Spring. It was believed that diversity training with freshman and R. A.’s was helpful. The IND classes were lauded as a way to get the diversity message across to students.

Discussion centering around attrition of minority students highlighted the fact that students leave because the environment in and around Daemen is not comfortable due in part to lack of minority faculty and the atmosphere off campus (walks to Denny’s and having police watch every move was given as an example).

It was stated that students sometimes need help with academic preparedness. Students who succeeded at Daemen should help each other. However, others stated that embracing diversity should mean cross cultural support to break down barriers of race and sex.

As the meeting drew to a close, some themes began to emerge. Does everyone feel secure at Daemen? Do people feel safe in Amherst? On campus - are staff, faculty and administrators supportive of students? How does the two sided question of affinity and segregation enter into our campus life?  What about students who have never been exposed to diversity? (some from rural areas).

Dr. Boone stated that the committee this semester would concentrate on three activities. 1. On going dialogue with police. 2. Forum follow up with Dr. Sadler.
3. A town meeting using techniques from improvisational theater.

Dr. Boone will send out an email eliciting responses from those who wish to work on the improvisational theater town hall. She will also speak to Dr. Sadler regarding dates for a future forum.

Meetings this fall will tentatively be scheduled on Fridays at 2:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Beverly Weeks

November 20, 2003

Minutes

Present: Kathleen Boone (chair), Will Brinson, Peter Brodie, Mary Fox, Catherine Mann, Dragica Mikavica, Joseph Sankoh.
Excused: Lorraine Floyd, Pamela Neumann, Adriane Williams

The meeting opened with review of recent changes in New York State law and Daemen College policy, adding sexual orientation, genetic predisposition and carrier status to classes protected against discrimination. Dr. Boone will check on whether sexual orientation is included in the online program the College currently uses for sexual harassment training. A question was also raised regarding education on other types of discriminatory harassment. Dr. Boone reported that she has been looking for online material in this regard but as yet has found nothing suitable. The possibility of creating our own program was mentioned. The Blackboard course on principles of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination also needs to be updated, and a check made of whether there are new department heads who have not been contacted about completing the course.

Discussion turned to campus accessibility issues for people with mobility disabilities, specifically wheelchair-users. Although the College appears to be ADA-compliant in all respects, older buildings which are "grandfathered" remain problematic. Limited funding often results in making only changes which are strictly required. Examples of problem areas include the two elevators in Duns Scotus Hall. One is small; the other requires users to pass through a classroom (DS 34). There was a question about whether ramping could be installed to allow users of that elevator to use the adjacent outdoor exit when a class is in session. Library floors other than the ground floor are inaccessible. If the main entrance to the new library is via DS (as planned), DS accessibility issues may continue to be a factor in library access (this will be discussed with the Head Librarian). A question was raised about creating accessible rooms in Canavan Hall when one wing of the ground floor is converted from offices to student housing this summer – this possibility has already been discussed with the Director of Residence Life. Committee members also recommended investigating whether there are external funding sources to make accessibility-related improvements.

The committee then discussed follow-up to last year's student-faculty "Respect" forum - which centered on communication issues between students and faculty. It was agreed that a forum should be held in the spring, with Dr. Fox expressing interest again in facilitating. Will Brinson observed that there is a continuing need for mentoring of new students, particularly students from urban settings/students of color/first-generation college students. Although all Conditional Admit students are specifically linked either to HEOP/Vision or Academic Advisement, there are regular admit students also in need of transitional assistance.

Associate Dean of the College
and EO/AA Officer
11.21.03

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