Present: Dee Abrahamson, Virginia Cassidy, Kay Chapman, Glenda Jones, Deborah Haliczer, Amy Levin, Judith Lukaszuk, Doreen Mace, Shirley Mashare, Adriana Moreno Nevarez, Julie Robertson, Rhonda Robinson, Lise Schlosser, Marianne Tomlinson, Lesley Rigg, Josephine Umoren (chair), Brian Hemphill (guest).
Minutes of February Meeting: Haliczer moved to accept the minutes with the following amendments; Mashare seconded. Amendments:
Hemphill visit: Brian Hemphill, Vice President for Student Affairs, announced that he is visiting all the commissions. He is concerned about diversity and inclusion; while Northern has tolerance "down to a science," the university still needs to move toward greater understanding and appreciation of differences. NIU may still be a challenging place for some groups, such as LGBT or African-American students.
Hemphill stated his support for a campus climate survey, which has also been requested by the Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation. Norden Gilbert, chair of that commission, has talked about getting chairs and directors of relevant programs together. Hemphill hopes the survey will proceed, because data is necessary to know what additional diversity work needs to be done.
Hemphill provided an update on new housing for students with dependents and graduate students. Interest in the new development has far exceeded expectations, with over 200 applicants for 120 spots. Builders are behind schedule but are working extra shifts so the residences will be ready on time for the fall semester. He asked that commission members continue to encourage students to apply for spots in the new housing, as not everyone who has applied will actually move in.
Hemphill is coordinating a volunteer initiative, which will result in a program on April 14 called "NIU Cares." He aims to have 1000 student volunteers (faculty and staff are welcome as well) to complete approximately 22 projects across the county.
The search for a director of the Women’s Resource Center is drawing to a close, and the new director will be named shortly.
The group then posed questions to Hemphill. Robertson suggested that in addition to having a campus climate survey, it would be helpful to know how other campuses have solved problems similar to the ones we might identify. Haliczer noted that the strategic planning committee is looking at ways to promote a sense of community on campus, which should help improve the climate. Moreno Nevarez commented that prevalent misinformation from academic advisors about CHANCE and stereotypes of students participating in the program contribute to a less than ideal campus climate. Rigg responded that advisors do not always realize the impact they have on campus. According to Cassidy, the strategic planning group has talked about "relentless" outreach, or the constant need to educate people about different populations on campus. Haliczer agreed, indicating that many people on campus need more training. Chapman added that off-campus students want to connect but often feel isolated. Jones questioned how international students are included. Cassidy replied that no constituencies are being excluded from strategic planning discussions. Hemphill concluded his visit.
AADR—Levin reported that the group discussed mission and diversity statements. She will not be able to attend the next two meetings; the commission decided not to appoint a substitute since other members of the group already serve on the AADR committee.
Campus Climate Committee—Levin met with Steve Cunningham and asked him to write a letter to administrators asking them to be flexible when arranging leaves for women who become pregnant during their first year at Northern, when there is a gap in coverage. She also asked that Haliczer be requested to prepare an administrators’ handbook on such issues. Cunningham agreed to both requests, although the former is contingent on approval from the Council of Deans. Levin has also been researching the Sloan Foundation/American Council on Education grants for flexible faculty work/life arrangements and will meet with the rest of the campus climate committee to discuss these grants and see if there are any policies or procedures that might be adopted at Northern.
Personal and Professional Development Committee—Robertson informed the group that the Burrell networking luncheon was very exciting. The next luncheon, on March 30, will feature Judith Lukaszuk discussing women’s health and nutrition. The lunch on April 10 has been cancelled because of competing events.
Robertson encouraged individuals to come to the lunches because attendance has been lagging. The group discussed promotion of the events and strategies for improving attendance, such as listings in Northern Today and more inviting flyers. Umoren wondered whether the cost could be lowered for students, while other members noted that individuals could come to the talk without having lunch (though that might be uncomfortable) and that faculty members frequently treat their graduate students. Umoren agreed to investigate whether a room might be found where people could bring their own lunches if they did not wish to purchase them. The group also agreed on the importance of explicitly stating on luncheon invitations that all groups (students, faculty, and staff) are welcome, cutting off the last half hour so the lunches end promptly at one, and encouraging operating staff to use their professional development hours if need be.
Monique Bernoudy suggested a networking lunch during the summer; however, the group felt this might be difficult to arrange. They suggested instead that Bernoudy pick a date and set up an informal lunch, which Betty Baugh could publicize.
Research Committee—The salary equity report is complete and will be sent to Betty Baugh for dissemination.
Awards Committee—The Outstanding Women Students Award selection committee will meet on March 23. The reception will be on April 15. The Stricklin selection group will meet on March 22. So far, nine applications for the Cooper Award have been received, a larger number than ever before.
Women’s History Month Update:
Schlosser reported that during the poster and essay contest winner recognition ceremony, a special certificate was given to Caleb Medaris, a student who has made major contributions to improving the lives of women on campus, but who is not eligible for an Outstanding Woman Student Award. Susan Douglas’s seminar and lecture on March 5 were well attended. After break, on March 22, a second graduate colloquium speaker, Betsy Beaulieu, will speak on the television show Weeds and on Rita Dove’s poetry. Schlosser is organizing a staged reading of the play Eelemosynary (yes, this is the correct spelling). The performers will include Schlosser, Bonnie Anderson, and Alex Bennett as three generations of women. Haliczer praised Schlosser for her poems in the exhibit "Conception" at the Pleasant Street Gallery.
New Awards:
Umoren will speak to the President on March 9 and hopes that the proposed new awards will be the focus of the meeting. Members of the commission emphasized that the awards would improve the campus climate by recognizing individuals’ contributions.
Haliczer moved and Rigg seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Levin
Next meeting: Wednesday, April 11, at 1 pm.