DAC Archived Reports: February 2007
The Diversity Action Committee and the Minority Faculty and Staff Assocation met weekly in February to design a job description and rationale calling for an ombudsperson post at Ramapo. This position would not supplant existing resources, remedies for pursuing formal complaints. Both DAC/MFSA hope to complete the proposal by early March.
The DAC, at the request of the Cahill Center, agreed to conduct a workshop on March 27 for the Cahill Center Advisory Board members AHILL to explore diversity at the workplace. The aim is to assess how the workplace views diversity and how this translates to career preparation for our students. President Mercer agreed to provide breakfast for the event. Edna Negron met with Cahill Staff on Feb. 21 for initial discussions. The DAC continued the discussion at its monthly meeting the same day. DAC is forwarding a draft plan to the Cahill Center and a final planning session scheduled for March 21.
In other matters, the DAC raised the question of accessibility to the Mansion. President Mercer agreed to look into it with facilities. Follow-up sessions on the DAC Diversity Convocation continued in February. The DAC also asked President Mercer for funds to hire a part-time student aide to help with projects/clerical work. He agreed.
Subcommittees
INTER-INTRA GROUP and POLICIES: Both groups are working to set up a meeting with "Stop the Hate" group, Respect and New Media Learning, as part of a contuing review of possible train the trainer programs. The Inter-Intra group has interviewed a representative from the National Coalition Building Institute.
The Inter-Intra Group Subcommittee is also at work creating several 4-week discussion series for students to begin after Spring Break.
The Recruitment and Retention of Students Subcommittee met with Jackie Skrzynski and Daniel Jean to talk about ways to target support and gather relevant stats on student trends re: retention and academic needs. Sue Zhang is working on the stat piece. A second meeting is scheduled for March 7.
The Pedagogy/Curriculum Subcommittee launched Dangerous Discussions, along with the Faculty Resource Center with presentation by Karl Johnson on African American Studies in a Liberal Arts Institution and Maya Poran on LGBT Transgender student issues/needs. In March, Dangerous Discussion sessions include Ruma Sen on "Global Perspectives in the Classroom" on March 21 and Kay Fowler on "Death and Grief in the Classroom" on March 28.
Missy Long and Sue Zhang, co-chairs of the Assesesment Subcommittee, have begun work on recasting the DAC ACTION Plan into assessable outcomes and developing appropriate measures.
Christine Komoroski-McCohnell, adjunct professor of disability studies has joined the Diversity Action Committee.
The DAC is co-sponsoring with the Women's Center a screening and discussion of Beyond Beats and Rhymes a PBS documentary which focuses on isues of masculinity, sexism and homophobia in hip-hop culture and the larger society. The film will be screened on Mar. 29.
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