Task Force Minutes
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Chancellor's Diversity Task Force Minutes
Notes from the Full Meeting of the Chancellor’s Diversity Task Force
April 23, 2007
Those present: John Blackburn, Beth Carroll, Robert Cherry, Chuck Claxton, Jerome Conley, Garner Dewey, Alyson Ebaugh, Renee’ Evans, Tom Fisher, Hank Foreman, Kim Hall, Eric Hart, Erin Hill, Tina Hogan, Susan King, Jesse Lutabingwa, Tanga McDaniel, Patricia Napiorski, Mike O’Conner, Gus Pena, Lynn Patterson, Suzette Patterson, Angela Quick, Karen Robertson, Linda Robinson, Stacy Sears, Kin-Yan Szeto, David Taylor, John Weaver, Suzanne Wehner, Harry Williams, and Tracey Wright
Excused: Tim Burwell, Dayton Cole, Jeanne Dubino, Randy Edwards, Edelma Huntley, Mary Reichel and Will Windley
Dr. Robinson opened the meeting by welcoming the members of the task force and thanking them for their commitment to this task force. The Chancellor then provided his charge to the task force.
Some of the things mentioned in Chancellor Peacock's charge to the group follow.
When he was appointed as Chancellor he had as his primary focus:
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financial security for the campus - included in this is a desire for our tuition and fees to be equitable and for our funding to be equitable to that received by other campuses |
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honors program - a desire for their to be appropriate and engaging support for our best and brightest students |
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internationalization - enhancing experiences for our students, faculty and staff while also increasing our presence on a global level |
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access- increasing financial support for those from low socio-economic backgrounds- he cited the Appalachian ACCESS Program as a step in the right direction |
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diversity - he talked about the success of the Faculty Fellows Program, but he also made it clear that increasing our faculty, staff and student numbers is not the only thing that we should be focused on, it is important, but it is not the only thing, he went to say that we need to do more to prepare students to live in this world that is more diverse, we have to create an environment where diversity is woven into the fabric, where respect and understanding of differences are present. He shared that these aren't things that one can learn from textbooks |
Chancellor Peacock made it clear that he expects a plan that offers respect and one that everyone feels comfortable talking openly about differences with pride. He said that the work of the task force will help him fulfill his dream of creating a community where diversity is interfaced with all other aspects of the campus. He closed by saying that we have his full support, and that he feels that the group assembled is the right group to guide this process along.
Following the charge, Dr. Robinson and Ms. Wright talked about the fact that the appointments were intentional as we wanted broad representation, including some individuals from the community. Each member introduced her/himself and told why they accepted the opportunity to serve on this task force. This was quite inspiring and a reminder to us that this should definitely prove to be a hard working and dedicated group which will raise questions that will make us stop and reflect about what we put forth, while also challenging us to move to the next level as we build on the firm foundation that has been established by those who have come before us.
A discussion of the contents of the binders that each task force member was provided. Everyone was asked to make time over the summer to read and review the items within their binders so that we can start our work together at the similar point of reference. The binders contain a listing of the members, demographic information for Appalachian and the state of North Carolina, former diversity plans from Appalachian which help provide the historical context for diversity at Appalachian, diversity plans from other universities, past Appalachian surveys and summaries, as well as readings.
Ms. Wright and Dr. Robinson shared that they would spend time over the summer working on survey instruments. They also shared that Dr. Tina Hogan has offered to lead this effort for the task force.
The meeting was adjourned.
