COMMISSION ON INCLUSION & DIVERSITY INITIATIVES
MEETING MINUTES
2/26/2019
11:00am – 12:12pm
EU-101
In Attendance: Boris Ricks, Carlos Fuentes, Debra Hammond, Elizabeth Gutierrez, Flavia Fleischer, Marcella DeVeaux, Marta Lopez, Mary-Pat Stein, Natalie Mason-Kinsey, Pastor Charles Humphrey, Theresa White, Susan Cohen
Discussion Items:
A. Roundtable Updates: The meeting began with commissioners checking in, and sharing how their areas have been functioning after the events of last semester. A commissioner shared that in their work with Associated Students (AS), they have received significant feedback regarding students’ concerns. Specifically concerns regarding safety, and access to information. Overall students have shared their dissatisfaction with the lack of uniformity from their professors in regards to emergency protocol, campus safety in the evenings, the amount of signage for the number students can use to send text messages to the police, and the President’s lack of presence on campus. The commissioner hopes to share a list of direct quotes from students with the commission.
Another commissioner shared that they had an opportunity to meet with the Associated Students, to discuss their thoughts on the current state of the campus. The commissioner shared that students perceived central communication on campus to be very poor. Additionally, many students have shared their dissatisfaction with the administration being more concerned with the media’s perceptions, rather than communicating with students and the campus community. Students have not forgotten the events that transpired towards the end of last semester, and some feel upset regarding the mixed messages regarding their finals.
One commissioner shared that they have been working to identify solutions for some of the challenges the campus has been facing. They explained that some faculty members were under tremendous stress during the end of last semester, which may have led to them saying hurtful things to students. The commissioner hopes that rather than punishing faculty members who reacted unfavorably, they reflect on how hurtful their actions may have been. Additionally, they mentioned that it may be advantageous to have more experienced faculty members mentor newer faculty members and provide them with the tools to do better in the future. The commissioner continued to share that many faculty members felt out of the loop while the campus was dealing with emergencies last semester, and that reducing their stress will allow for them to work harder to make their students feel safer.
Another commissioner shared that some feel as though faculty no longer have governance, or that their governance could be called into question, after voting against the implementation of EO 1100. The commissioner felt that a vote of no confidence in the chancellor was critical. They shared that the morale on campus is quickly declining, and must be attended to immediately. Additionally, they shared the need for clear emergency response protocols as a campus, and for every department. Another commissioner agreed, and echoed that on campus there is a great deal of miscommunication and inconsistency. They believe that training for faculty may be better received if it comes from fellow faculty members, rather than administrators.
A commissioner shared that it was troubling seeing conflicting information on social media during the end of last semester. Additionally, they shared their appreciation for the Chief Diversity Officer, who attended a community event in the previous weekend. One commissioner explained that after the events of last semester, their wellness, mindfulness, communication and sense of belonging on campus have been challenged. They shared their hopes that moving forward, the campus will be more aware of how our students may be feeling the same conflict. A fellow commissioner shared the same sentiments, and explained that students have also reported feeling angst toward their feeling a lack of belonging, and microagressions in the classroom. They added that even staff have shared their feelings of discomfort due to safety concerns.
Another commissioner agreed with the concerns of others that were discussed. The commissioner shared that they were able to allow their students to complete their final presentations off campus last semester, and that their students appreciated the instructor’s efforts to contact them on a daily basis. They also shared their belief that staff on campus were not acknowledged, specifically ones that had young children, or whose parents urged them to stay home when campus safety was being discussed on the news. Additionally, they shared that it might be in the Administration’s best interest to attend events such as the Black Matador Forum, where they can hear directly from the students. A fellow commissioner shared that their family had concerns of them coming to work last semester, during finals week. They allowed their students to take the final exams online, in an attempt to keep them safe and less anxious. They shared their hope that the University develops plans for emergencies of this nature, as this could happen again. Additionally, they explained that at this time, faculty are against one another, students are opposing faculty and that everyone is opposing the administration. Many are feeling hopeless, as colleagues are finding it difficult to communicate respectfully with one another.
Mason-Kinsey shared that the cabinet is aware that their communication efforts must be improved, and are currently working with the executive cabinet and community resources to develop emergency response procedures. She mentioned that safety concerns will continue to be looked at throughout the semester.
One commissioner stated that while town hall meetings serve a purpose, they may not be the ideal format for every constituent group on campus. They suggested that by considering the needs of the target audience, another format may allow for greater attendance. Another commissioner shared that Associated Students is planning a town hall meeting, where they hope to have psychology faculty members available to students who may need assistance with processing the events of last semester.
It was noted by another commissioner that during the end of last semester, the University missed an opportunity to address the concerns of the campus community. There was a discussion regarding the de-centralization of the campus, and how that may lead to a breakdown in communication. As commissioners have shared their preference for ground-up decision making, it was shared that collaborating could lead to faculty learning how to navigate varying cultural backgrounds and effectively connect with their students.
A commissioner suggested that an informal event such as “Pizza with the Provost” may be a suitable format for future meetings between administrators and students. Another commissioner suggested that cabinet members should be required to attend events such as these, in order to hear directly from students. There was a conversation regarding strategic dialogue, and not allowing politics deter honest conversations. Commissioners suggested that separating cabinet members into smaller groups for each meeting may be an ideal format.
Action Items:
1. Information regarding the “Building Student Trust on Campus” will be shared with the commission.
2. We will try and obtain the document that Counseling Faculty created, to assist faculty with supporting students.
3. Natalie will develop 3 – 5 topics for discussion, that cabinet members could meet with campus to discuss
4. Natalie will discuss the suggested meetings between cabinet members and students with the cabinet.
End: : The meeting concluded at 12:12pm.