Present: Stacy Allie, Karen Baker, Barbara Burrell, Virginia Cassidy, Sally Conklin, Deborah Haliczer, Kathy Hotelling, Sharon Howard, Lisa Kay, Amy Levin, Carol Patch, Regina Rahn, Jan Rintala, Julie Robertson, Lise Schlosser, Denise Schoenbachler, Lorraine Scurti, Josephine Umoren.
Absent: Glenda Jones, Doreen Mace, Debbie Smith-Shank, Randi Wolfe (on leave).
The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by Chair Josephine Umoren in Altgeld 203. Denise Schoenbachler made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 14, 2005 meeting with an addition of approval of the May 4, 2005 minutes and Virginia Cassidy seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Affirmative Action Diversity Resources Report: No report.
Campus Climate and Quality of Life: Carol Patch discussed the need of a survey on climate with members; this is primarily because of results from the Salary Equity Task Force Reports. Carol has met with Amy Levin and compared surveys from other universities. Guidance and volunteers are needed for this project. There is a feeling of receiving false negative results from the salary equity task force report. If we decide to proceed with the survey we need to narrow the focus. Access to the qualitative report or information from Deborah Haliczer on the major areas of concern would be helpful.
Kathy Hotelling reported that the NIU Alcohol Education Task Force has delivered its final report to Dr. Brian Hemphill. It included 14 recommendations along with five sets of data.
Voices for Change now officially reports to Health Enhancement. Counseling and Student Development Center will complete their commitments for this semester. Mandatory sexual assault awareness workshops were completed in 6 weeks for fall semester, 3200 students were invited.
Personal Professional Development: Julie Robertson distributed handouts with suggestion of possible event ideas for PCSW 25th Anniversary. It was discussed that there should be one gala event with several events leading to it, the networking luncheons being the logical smaller events. The gala event will be managed by a special ad hoc committee comprised of Barbara Burrell, Rebekah Kohli, Rita Reynolds, and Marianne Tomlinson. If others are interested in join this committee they should contact either Josephine Umoren or Barbara Burrell. Our first Networking Luncheon will be held November 4th at the Chandelier Room. The speaker has not been finalized as yet. Two other Networking Luncheons will be held in February and March. Speakers will have a women’s history theme, possibly NIU history, to go along with our 25th anniversary. The Women’s Resource Center will also hold the annual International Women’s Day Luncheon during March (March 8th is International Women’s Day) and the Women’s Studies Program will have the scheduled monthly women’s history programming events. A memo will be sent asking for involvement on an ad hoc committee to work on these events. Kathy Hotelling made a motion to create an award for 25 women to be presented at the gala event which will be administered by the PCSW Awards committee. Denise Schoenbachler seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Research: Jan Rintala suggested that the committee respond to the data on the report of the status on women, based on that decision set their goals for research. They will resend the letter to Steve Cunningham asking for a response.
Awards and Recognition: Sharon Howard reported on the Fall Welcome for New Female Employees that was held on September 23rd. Attendance was dismal at best; three new employees were present, with 22 in attendance. Discussion as to what factors may have contributed to the poor turn-out was inconclusive. Thanks to all where involved.
Salary Equity Task Force: No report.
The Fall Welcome was discussed under Awards and Recognition.
The PCSW 25th Anniversary activities were discussed under Personal Development.
Discussion on concerns for support of women in athletes and various other related issues was held. Jan Rintala and Stacy Allie will pull together some information for members.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Amy Levin and seconded by Denise Schoenbachler. The motion was approved unanimously. Josephine Umoren adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Baugh