NDSU: Diversity Council

Diversity Council ::: Meeting Minutes ::: December 19, 2001

Present: Anderson, Boswell, Davis Wallette, Gleye, Holbrook, Malnourie, Okigbo, Peterson, Schnell, Slobin, Spiering, Stack, Ussatis and Wigtil

I. Introductions and Announcements

A. TOCAR (Training Our Campuses Against Racism) has been getting increased
publicity with an article in The Forum, a Fox News television interview and an NDPR
radio interview (12/18). Mark your calendars for the next anti-racism training at
NDSU, scheduled for April 4 at 7-10pm and April 5, 8am-5pm. 40-50 individuals can go
through this training. A second level of anti-racism training will take place in Fall 2002
and will serve to train a team of trainers for our campus.

B. "Keeping our Faculty" conference, scheduled for April 21-23 at the University of
Minnesota will focus on recruitment and retention of faculty of color. Please consider
attending this conference.

II. Review of Definitions Group handouts

A. Mission Statement (final):
"NDSU is committed to diversity and pluralism grounded in visions of justice and a
belief in the transforming power of education. Our commitment acknowledges a
history of prejudice, discrimination and exclusion in our society. We recognize that
institutional and social changes take intentional efforts to include all voices. We strive
to provide a climate where there is an open and free exchange of ideas rooted in
civility and a respect for the contributions of all those in our community."

B. Diversity Definition:
"Diversity encompasses the many different aspects that comprise our identity and
contribute to our value and creativity as people. For the purposes of its work, the
NDSU Diversity Council will focus primarily on those dimensions of diversity that have
the most significant impact on individuals and groups in society: age, ethnicity,
gender, physical and mental abilities, race and sexual orientation."

C. Vision Statement - Council members offered feedback on the ideas generated by
the Definitions Group. Group members will continue to work on this statement.

III. Follow-up from previous meeting re: brainstorming what needs to change
(notes provided as a handout)

A. Council members discussed conversations with the Multicultural Student Services
consultants who visited campus in November. The consultants specifically stressed
three points when meeting with Council members: the curriculum represents what is
important to the institution; someone needs to be in charge of ensuring that a plan
for diversity is implemented; and, explore what other campuses are doing.

B. Three key points, based on notes from the previous meeting and brainstorming
session, were identified:

i. Curriculum - needs to reflect diversity. Wigtil suggested that service-
learning reports include an element regarding diversity work for Spring
Semester

ii. Recruitment and Retention

iii. Community Education

IV. Sporting Events at UND

A. Schnell suggested that the Diversity Council address NDSU student behavior at
upcoming Bison/Sioux basketball games (Saturday, January 5 at UND and Saturday,
February 2 at NDSU).

B. Wallette reported some concerns about a member of the Spectrum editorial staff
who had written an article in support of the Sioux chant and who was recently
recognized for contributions to multiculturalism at NDSU.

V. Next Meeting

A. January 9 at 7:30am

B. Proposed Agenda Items

i. Opportunity for educational effort regarding our sporting events with UND
(carried over)

ii. Discovering Diversity Profile - Exploring Differences in the Workplace
(carried over)

iii. Discussion of organizational climate assessment (carried over)

iv. Report on institutional demographics (Situation Analysis/Research Group)
(carried over)

v. Other?

ks
12/19/01