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Wednesday, December 14, 2016
12:00-1:30 pm, University Union, Sycamore Room
MeetMe line: (928) 523-6629
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Call to order
a. Roll call and introductions
i. Dr. Lanterman called meeting to order at 12:02 p.m.
b. Approval of minutes from November meeting
i. Dr. Camacho motioned to approve November minutes. Joseph Wright
seconded the motion. All commissioners were in favor of approving the
minutes from November.
Diversity committee meeting update
a. Dr. Lanterman discussed meeting that took place on December 5, 2016. Meeting
with co-chairs of the diversity commissions. At the meeting, commissioners
discussed high impact programing, social mixers that will be held in the spring
semester, and raising awareness of the work the diversity commissioners are
striving towards. On January 11, 2017, the co-chairs of the diversity commissions
will attend a writing/editing retreat, where they will have an opportunity to
workshop the diversity strategic plan. Also at the meeting, commissioners
discussed the letter the diversity commissions wrote to the NAU president.
b. Commissioners discussed reaching out to facility service workers. CDAD
members must engage with other communities and start conversations. Dr.
Lanterman discussed inviting the vice president for capital planning to the next
CDAD meeting.
c. Commissioners discussed CSAC and how there is an administrative structure
already in place. CDAD should advocate to add a CSAC representative to the
diversity committee.
d. Commissioners discussed the disparity between faculty and staff representation in
the diversity commissions. Staff work in the commissions on a voluntary basis.
HR has a policy in place where staff can work on the commissions as professional
development opportunity, so long as a staff member contributes to the university
and its goals. HR should make this information readily available.
Proposed action items for spring semester
a. Commissioners discussed high impact planning event. Is this event just a
presentation or a speech event? No, this event will be intersectional in nature,
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Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4142
(928) 523-0708 (fax)
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representative of inclusion, social justice, and equity. We will look to the events
held in the past—e.g. Larry Gallagher’s collaborative symposium series.
Dr. Lanterman discussed his idea to bring Lin Manuel Miranda, the
writer/director of the Broadway play, Miranda, to campus—as of now, this event
will not happen.
Commissioners discussed the possible intersection with Hip-Hop Week.
Commissioners posed questions—what will the social mixers scheduled for
spring semester look like? The goal is for the mixers to be well-attend. They will
be an extension from the diversity workshops held by Dr. Carmen Phelps
throughout this semester.
Commissioners posed questions—what is the lasting impact of bringing speakers
to campus? Cornel West came to campus, but what was the lasting impact?
Perhaps, it is best to have a speech event, then a discussion afterwards. NAU will
no longer hold the NAU Reads program. Commissioners discussed that many
events are student-focused. Perhaps, we should consider faculty and staff-focused
events.
Commissioners discussed two issues currently in higher education.
i. The rise in hate/bias crimes and reporting.
ii. Sanctuary campus discussion.
iii. What can we do with these issues that are happening right now? The
discussion on inclusion is evolving.
Commissioners discussed creating an event that is engaging and well-attended.
Perhaps, we can trick them into coming. This is an ongoing discussion, Dr.
Lanterman and Lauren are open to ideas.
i. Commissioners discussed that it’s important to acknowledge real issues.
We have to make people aware, we have to find was to comment, and
draw on a vastly broader audience. There is a YouTube video—how to
start a movement. The video provides some lessons, about being clear in
the work we are doing. Perhaps, we can have a multi-faceted approach that
will draw more participants—something like we do for Disability Heritage
Month. Perhaps, we can pair a local speaker with a famous speaker or
have a Q and A session with a famous speaker.
Commissioners posed further questions—can our money be better spent other
than paying for a speaker? This cannot be a zero-sum game. We still need money
in our budget to travel and support our students. Bring in a speaker, yes, but so
long as the event is not paid from our operational budget.
i. Perhaps, the most impactful event would be a speech by the NAU
president. She can answer questions about what is going to be done about
the sanctuary campus discussion.
What is the definition of high-impact programing? Why can’t we focus on bigger
advocacy pieces that serve staff and faculty members where we can come together
will other diversity commissions?
PO Box 4142
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4142
(928) 523-0708 (fax)
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IV.
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VII.
j. What is the current mission/vision of CDAD? How can we involve students for
they participate in CDAD? Perhaps, we can promote CDAD at student
orientation.
k. Commissioners discussed the NAU diversity strategic plan. When will the plan be
completed? Dr. Phelps will complete the plan by the end of the spring semester.
l. Commissioners discussed Gateway and their work with social media. Gateway
will sent out a data collection email.
m. Commissioners discussed the university strategic plan.
i. This plan has no language in it about universal design. Commissioners
were unaware that this plan was published. Most, if not all, of CDAD’s
input for the plan was disregarded. This is a very concerning thing, as
diversity and sustainability were not identified. In the past at NAU, there
were two-year cycles for new strategic plans—this allowed for editing and
fine tuning. The strategic plan has got to be an intention, it should not be
implicitly assumed, it has to be written in a clear language.
CDAD executive committee
a. The committee members will serve a greater role and work towards forwarding
action items. Perhaps, there will be other sub-committees. Voting for the
executive committee will open in February 2017, the same time as for the voting
for co-chair position. If there is any interested, please email Dr. Lanterman or
Lauren.
b. Possible work includes outreach, newsletter, etc.
CDAD leadership award
a. Nominations will open January 4, 2017 and close in March. Anyone who has
contributed to accessibility on campus can be nominated. Groups, departments,
faculty and staff members, can be nominated. There is an opportunity to name
three or four winners.
CDAD co-chair election
a. Send nominations to Lauren Copeland-Glen by January 23, 2017 (selfnominations are encouraged)
Facility services update
a. Vice-president for capital planning and campus operations
i. The new VP will start work on February 6, 2017. There is an opportunity
to engage with the new VP and promote the work of CDAD.
Commissioners discussed the need to have a good balance between
construction projects and maintenance.
b. Construction
i. University Drive will be closed from December 19, 2016 until the end of
spring break. Knowles Drive will reopen on December 28, 2016.
McConnell Drive is now open as two-way traffic.
ii. Commissioners discussed new honors college building construction. This
building will serve as a residence hall and lecture hall. This is an
American Campus owned community.
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Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4142
(928) 523-0708 (fax)
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VIII.
iii. Commissioners discussed a possible hole, a crack in the floor in front of a
men’s restroom in the SBS building.
iv. Commissioners discussed new recital hall. There is a design team for this
construction. This will be a 250-room recital hall, along with practice
rooms. The building will be universally designed.
c. Memo of understanding
i. It is important for CDAD’s input to be considered at the beginning of each
construction project.
Other business
a. Next meeting,
PO Box 4142
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4142
(928) 523-0708 (fax)