March 4, 2009

 

 

Members in attendance: Tommie Redwine, Joanie Weatherly, Moria Golub, Rinda Johansen, Joanne Swenson, Deac Guidi, Margaret Frimoth, Candice Watkins

 

 

Next meeting: Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 2 p.m. – 3:30ish in the Library’s Chart Room (upstairs)

 

 

Summary:

For the majority of the meeting we discussed the Diversity Assessment, a questionnaire that was given to graduating students at the 2007-2008 graduation.  After much discussion, the bottom line is that while we feel that the questions on the questionnaire are good and valid questions, we do not feel that the institution has adequately prepared students to answer these questions. Since we do not teach “Power + Privilege + Prejudice = Oppression” at this institution, and there is no curriculum devoted to the teaching and learning of these concepts, we haven’t provided students with a repository of shared language or the beginnings of understanding diversity.

 

 

We do, however, feel that the questionnaire is appropriate for staff and faculty. And, who is more central in impacting student learning and, consequently, the ISLOs than staff and faculty? We, meaning the campus staff and faculty, must first understand “power and privilege” in order for the students to understand it.

 

 

Joanie Weatherly and Candice Watkins will take this feedback to the Campus Assessment team.

 

 

Candice will look into similar assessment attempts at OSU, Lane CC, and the Diversity Institute in Portland.

 

 

Other items discussed at meeting:

• Continuing Courageous Conversations (CCs) – Deac presented about CCs to the Faculty and the idea was well received. We have a handful of requests for CCs in the Spring term: Human Relations with Tommie Redwine, World Literature with Julie Brown, Intercultural Communications with Deac, and Small Business Management with Jim Entler. Although we may not “hit” all of these venues, we will plan to iron out the wrinkles/streamline/perfect our presentation so that we can perhaps address multiple requests in varying environments in the future (i.e. differing time constraints, audiences, etc.)
• Deac expressed the value of the CC to his class. The CC gave his students the opportunity to practice and act on concepts that are, many times, only discussed in theory. This introduced a tangible relevancy to these theories.
• Moria brought forth the idea to follow through with students after we present a CC; maybe email or other type of contact to encourage them to come to our meetings and participate in our work. This could eventually branch off into a student group or club.
• Ideas to improve CCs – While the overall CC in Deac’s class was a success, students did seem to struggle with the Cultural Proficiency Continuum and certain terms. So, we will improve handouts with more relevant examples of the different steps in the continuum, and we will define certain key terms for them, such as power, privilege, oppression, etc.

 

 

Homework:

Committee members: think of examples for each step of the Cultural Proficiency Continuum and bring to next meeting

 

 

____________________________________________

February 11, 2009

Attendance:  Melissa McLeod, Joanne Swenson, Candice Watkins, Rinda Johansen, Jessica Johansen, Joanie Weatherly, Moria Golub, Margaret Frimoth

 

 

Courageous Conversations:

MG reported that Deac Guidi has welcomed committee to facilitate a pilot “Courageous Conversation” in his Cultural Communication class Thursday, February 26^th @ 6 pm.  The committee discussed a variety of approaches to the presentation format for that evening.  RJ informed us that she had heard some tolerance/communication issues exist already in the class.  The committee decided on the following agenda for the evening of the 26^th, our first “Courageous Conversation.”

 

 

·         Opening Statements (Moria):        Purpose/rationale for engaging in “Courageous                                                                Conversations”

Introduction of committee/ how it formed

Introduce reading of CCC student statements regarding diversity

 

 

·         Reading CCC student statements from “CCC Diversity/Values Publication”: Melissa, Rinda, Joanne, Joanie, Candice, Margaret

 

 

·         Introduce/Bridge us to the Cultural Proficiency Continuum CPC (Margaret)

 

 

·         Describe stages 1-3 of Cultural Proficiency continuum (Candice)

 

 

·         Describe stages 4-7 of Cultural Proficiency continuum (Moria)

 

 

·         Divide class into 4 groups/Discuss ground rules/assign “stages on the continuum” to discuss and report back examples of the stages of the CPC in their own lives ( Moria)

·         Small group “Courageous Conversations”

·         Circulate among groups (all IOU members present)

·         Groups report:  Margaret will facilitate and conclude

 

 

Preparation Responsibilities:  Rinda bringing photocopies of Diversity /Values publication statements and discussion group prompts.  Candice will request overhead and organize slides with continuum/ discussion prompts.

 

 

Committee agreed to meet at 5:30p.m. in the  Library Conference room prior to presentation.

 

 

ASG Update

Jessica Johansen, ASG President, informed committee about Women Celebration occurring at the PAC on March 21^st from 7-9 p.m.  Evening event will include speakers, music and an art show.  ASG is currently accepting art submissions for the event.

 

 

Women’s Studies Course:

Committee discussed the syllabus MF distributed through e-mail to committee and responses she had received as a result.  MF shared with the committee that all the feedback she had received regarding the class was positive.  She also indicated she had received an e-mail from Stephen Schoonmaker that included suggestions of steps that could/should be taken to get the class implemented.  MF agreed to read through Stephen’s e-mail and others relating to implementing the course and follow-up with Mindy Stokes (class instructor). 

 

 

Other courses:

 

 

MF also introduced Bill Eldridge and the course he is interested in proposing to CCC.  Formerly an Ohio State University professor, Dr. Eldridge recently conducted a “Peaceful Lifestyles & Development of Community” course locally.”  Dr. Eldridge would like to propose a “Lifepath Development” course to CCC.  Committee members mentioned hearing positive reports about the course Dr. Eldridge had conducted already. After reviewing materials MF presented, committee decided to support his curriculum.

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous topics:

Committee discussed initiating a student diversity/cultural club.  MG and CW both expressed interest in serving as staff advisors.  MG voiced concern about not being to fulfill the responsibilities adequately because she does not work on main campus

 

 

______________________________________

 

 

 

IOU MINUTES

January 14, 2009, 2-3 p.m.

 

 

Attendance:  Melissa McLeod, Moria Golub, Joanie Weatherly, Rinda Johansen, Margaret Frimoth

 

 

Miscellaneous Business:

Joanie handed out posters for “Career and Transfer Information Day” on January 20^th.

Melissa brought information from Stephen Schoonmaker regarding diversity themed conferences:           

“National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education,” May 26-30, 2009, San Diego, CA

“Diversity: Our Vision. Our Value.”  April 4-7, 2009, Phoenix, AZ

 

 

Committee discussed whether IOU has any budget left for sending representatives to conferences.  Current information on budget status was unknown.  Melissa volunteered to inquire with Lindy Overton about budget status/existence.

 

 

Courageous Conversations:  Committee present recognized that limited efforts had been made to launch this project since the term had resumed.  Moria volunteered to communicate with Deac Guidi, via email, about allowing IOU a trial opportunity to facilitate “Courageous Conversations” in his Intercultural Communication class this February. 

Committee present decided to conduct CC using the same format Margaret, Rinda, Moria and Candice used at the fall in-service.  This format would include, first, explaining the stages along the continuum of Cultural Proficiency.  Then students will be asked to come up with examples of those stages and discuss them in small groups and as a class.  Our request is 45-50 minutes for this activity.  Moria will report back to the committee once she is able to connect with Deac.

 

 

Martin Luther King Day, January 19                    

ASG event at Astoria High School, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

  

Presidential Inauguration, January 20, 2009  (addressed by other CCC staff members)

 

 

Committee decided to send out a campus-wide e-mail supporting these significant events.  Margaret and Rinda volunteered to send out the messages from IOU.

 

 

Women’s Studies Courses:

Committee discussed the lack of diversity-themed course offering at CCC and the need to have more diversity-based courses to meet the new AOT degree requirements.   The committee is aware of a part-time adjunct faculty member certified to teach Women’s Studies courses.  The diversity committee intends to ask her to submit a proposal for Women’s Studies or diversity-related course for spring term.

 

 

Next IOU meeting:  February 11, 2-3 p.m. (library conference room)