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Governance Minutes ArchiveMarch 21, 1990
University Committee on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action March 21, 1990 Present: Robin Ball, Alan Bayer, Virgil Cook, Muriel Flynn, Valerie Giddings, Jane Harrison, Michele Holmes, Pat Hyer, Mike Lambur, Larry Lawrence, Kathy Lewis, Brian McConnell, Wayne Speer, Chris E. Tayloe, Linda Woodard, Anne Zajac Michele Holmes called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Since Dr. Morton was conducting the Black Students/White Faculty Workshop, he was unable to preside over the meeting. 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Pat Hyer requested that this meeting's agenda include a discussion of events for the remainder of the year. Michele Holmes then requested that agenda items 5a and 5b under New Business (the "Mission of the Subcommittee on Minorities" and "EO/AA Representation on the Faculty Senate") be tabled until Dr. Morton could be present. She added that discussion of the draft Proposal for Accommodating Disabled Employees would also have to be postponed until the next meeting. The agenda was adopted as amended. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the meeting of February 21, 1990, were approved with minor amendments. 3. ANNOUNCEMENTS o Ms. Holmes announced that the fifth and final "Breakfast With. . ." program of this academic year would take place on Friday, April 20th. The topic will be curriculum transformation with speakers Johnnella Butler and John Walter from the University of Washington. o Ms. Holmes noted that the EO/AA meeting scheduled for April 19th (it has since been rescheduled to Tuesday, April 24th) would likely be the final meeting of the 1989-90 academic year. In response, Pat Hyer expressed her concern that the Subcommittee on Women would not have sufficient time to present a draft of the sexual harassment policy to the committee before the close of the year. She added that the Subcommittee's proposed timetable involves the submission of a draft to University Council sometime in the fall. Thus, unless the draft can be discussed and approved by EO/AA Com- mittee members before the end of the year, it would be difficult to submit it for university-wide approval as planned. o Ms. Holmes suggested the possibility of calling another meeting in May to address this and other important issues. Several committee members voiced their concern about the direction of the EO/AA Com- mittee. Ms. Holmes suggested that the committee consider appoint- ing a new chairperson for the coming year to provide relief for Dr. Morton. Additionally, she suggested that members reexamine the mission and goals of the committee. A suggestion was also made to name an alternate chairperson so that, in the event of the chair- person's absence, substantive work could still be carried out. 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Ms. Holmes announced that the three "Black Students/White Faculty" workshops have been well-attended (about 150 total participants). Additional campus climate workshops are planned for the fall. b. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS o Subcommittee on Minorities Valerie Giddings announced that the subcommittee had not had an opportunity to reconvene since the last EO/AA meet- ing. She added that until meaningful discussion can be en- acted concerning the Subcommittee's mission, there is little that they can accomplish. o Subcommittee on Women Anne Zajac reiterated that the Subcommittee continues to work on the sexual harassment policy. They have also sent a memo to the Dean of Students' Office regarding the incor- poration of a sexual harassment statement in the PYLON. o Subcommittee on Disability Concerns Dr. Cook reported that the subcommittee met in early March to discuss the set of guidelines for accommodating disabled employees. He noted that copies of the document had been sent to EO/AA committee members and he invited their com- ments. The members also proposed that the title of the subcommittee be changed from Subcommittee on the Physically and Mentally Challenged to Subcommittee on Disability Con- cerns. The members felt that a shorter title was more congruent with the titles of the other subcommittees. The motion was seconded and approved. c. FACULTY/STAFF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLANS Ms. Holmes reported that a draft proposal of the staff affirma- tive action plan is being circulated to various individuals and constituencies for their review. The staff proposal was writ- ten primarily by personnel services, under the direction of Linda Woodard. Ms. Holmes said that copies of the draft pro- posal will be shared with members of the committee before a final draft is approved. Ms. Holmes also reported that the draft proposal of the faculty affirmative action plan is currently being prepared. The pro- posal has not been circulated to the faculty yet. Copies of the proposal will be shared with EO/AA committee members once it has been released to faculty. Ms. Holmes added that both proposals will be discussed at the next EO/AA meeting, provided that both are available at that time. 5. OTHER BUSINESS a. Brian McConnell, student representative, proposed the development of another subcommittee that would address gay and lesbian rights. Pat Hyer suggested that a separate organization -- not affiliated with the University Committee on Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action -- be formed to address these issues. Such a group would be similar to other focus organizations, such as the Women's Network and the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus. Wayne Speer suggested that a survey be developed and administered to identify the needs and concerns of these individuals. Ms. Holmes stated that issues con- cerning the rights of gays and lesbians are not currently a part of the University Affirmative Action Plan or the Virginia Plan for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. Additionally, the state EEO policy does not include a statement regarding such issues. The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Laurie S. Good Executive Secretary
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