Present: Stacy Allie, Karen Baker, Barbara Burrell, Virginia Cassidy, Michelle Emmett (Guest), Deborah Haliczer, Kathy Hotelling, Sharon Howard, Glenda Jones, Amy Levin, Doreen Mace, Carol Patch, Regina Rahn, Julie Robertson, Natalie Santiago, Lise Schlosser, Denise Schoenbachler, Lorraine Scurti, Josephine Umoren, Randi Wolfe.
Absent: Sally Conklin, Lisa Kay, Jan Rintala, Debbie Smith-Shank.
The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by Chair, Josephine Umoren in Altgeld 203. Carol Patch made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 11, 2006 meeting with one change, that the meeting was called to order by Chair, Josephine Umoren. Lise Schlosser seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Discussion of moving the date of the March meeting to the alternative date of March 22nd to accommodate the guest we have invited on the topic of the Salary Equity Report Summary was our first priority. Consensus of the group was to change the meeting date to March 22nd rather than the March 8th date scheduled. This agenda item will be held for that meeting.
Affirmative Action Diversity Resources Report: Karen Baker reported that the AADR had not met. They have added a link on their homepage for complaints; up-dated the student handbook, both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs; considered adding trainings on religion.
Campus Climate and Quality of Life: Carol Patch reported that the committee had not met since its last report. The AAUW Sexual Harassment on Campus report that was emailed to PCSW members indicated a harassment rate higher than we might expect. It was suggested that PCSW may want to review current NIU policies. It was thought that if anonymous reporting with reprimand was possible more people would likely come forward but this is not possible because legally an accused person has a right to face his/her accuser. Karen Baker explained that once ADDR receives information on harassment full disclosure needs to happen. Anonymous complaints are dealt with as much as possible. Denise Schoenbachler made a motion that the Campus Climate and Quality of Life committee look into the AAUW report further and see how the PCSW could more effectively advance NIU in the fight against Sexual Harassment. Natalie Santiago seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Personal Professional Development: The February 24th Networking Luncheon with Brigid Lusk, “Pretty and Powerless: A Historical Perspective of Nurses’ Public Image” is going well. We have 24 reservations at this time. The next scheduled luncheon will be March 24th and will be comprised of a panel coordinated by Deborah Haliczer of individuals speaking to the Women’s Movement on the NIU Campus. An oral history of sorts, everyone mark your calendars!
Research: No report.
25th Anniversary Gala Event: The 25th Anniversary Gala event will be held April 27th, 4:30 p.m., HSC Ballroom. Our speaker will be Gail Blanke, who has reduced her fee substantially from $20,000 to $1,500 plus travel. She is an acquaintance of Provost Legg and he will be introducing her. The President’s office has committed to $3,500 funding; the Provost Office has committed to $500; James Brunson, Assistant Vice President, Diversity and Equity, Division of Student Affairs has offered to fund the video taping of the event. The planning committee is proceeding with the details.
Awards and Recognition: We received over one-hundred-fifteen nominations for the Outstanding Women Student Awards and are now waiting for the applications to be returned. Denise Schoenbachler and Glenda Jones offered represent the PCSW on the selection committee this year. We have gotten ten nominations for the 25 Amazing NIU Women Award nominations with a deadline of February 15, 2006. The selection committee will consist of: Stacy Allie, Kathy Hotelling, Sharon Howard, Denise Schoenbachler, and two past Stricklin recipients yet to be chosen.
“Plus One Benefits” were a topic that was mentioned at a conference attended by Amy Levin that the University of Maryland now offers instead of a “couple” benefit that offers coverage for the employee and a person of his/her choice—a child, a close relative, a domestic partner, etc. She wondered if Illinois ever considered it or if the PCSW thought it would be a good project to pursue. Deborah Haliczer informed us that Illinois defined dependent by state statute. There is a proposal to provide same sex domestic partner health insurance starting July 1, 2006 through the State of Illinois employee health insurance plans. NIU and other universities have proposed that the state provide benefits to both same and opposite sex domestic partners as well as children of domestic partners. At this point the state is only planning to provide same sex domestic partner benefits, though the university is considering implementing the broader plan.
An email was forwarded to us by Carolinda Douglass, a former PCSW member, regarding University support for female graduate students regarding childbirth policy from Stanford University. The report seems to benefit students. Deborah Haliczer made a motion that the Campus Climate Committee reviews the report and makes recommendations to the Provost to reconvene the “ad hoc committee on tenure clock” if it seems necessary. Virginia Cassidy seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Stacy Allie and seconded by Jan Rintala. The motion was approved unanimously. Josephine Umoren adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Baugh