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Core Committee for the Support of Underrepresented
Ethnic Groups
May 9, 2007
Meeting Highlights
Members present: S. Chachere, J. Gonzalez, C. Houston, R. Lewis, F.
Paniagua, S. Peloquin, A. Porter, Rebecca Saavedra, Kathy Shingleton and
M. Williams. Guest: Elizabeth Protas, Interim Dean, SAHS
1. Approval of the Minutes
Minutes of April 11, 2007 were accepted as written.
2. Old Business
a) Gap Funding Statement – Jose Gonzalez
Dr. Gonzalez reported that Raymond Lewis had presented the gap
funding statement to the Core Committee for Women for their support and
reported that the votes stand at 7 to approve, 1 to not approve, and 1
to abstain. Dr. Gonzalez informed the committee that he will be
presenting it to the Institutional Diversity Council at their May
meeting to seek their support prior to presenting it to the Council of
Deans for their approval and funding.
b) Core Committee Action Plan Workgroup – S. Peloquin
Dr. Peloquin updated the committee on the “Resources for New Faculty”
document prepared by her Action Plan Workgroup. She had received
additional resources from Amanda Porter regarding UTMB’s Benefits
Service Center for the Personal Resources section and Robinlyn Sayers.
She informed the committee that the Community Resources portion needs
some information and asked the committee to forward any recommendations
for inclusion.
c) Diversity Reports – Melvin Williams
Melvin William’s diversity report was tabled until the next meeting.
d) Dr. Elizabeth Protas, Interim Dean, School of Allied Health
Sciences
Dr. Protas presented her report on diversity efforts within the
School of Allied Health Sciences and provided the committee with a
handout with answers to the Standard List of Questions for Deans and
Department Chairs. Dr. Protas informed the committee that the SAHS is
focused more on underrepresented ethnic groups when identifying and
recruiting faculty, search committees include at least one
underrepresented group member when possible, and advertising is placed
in publications that target underrepresented groups. Obstacles to this
process include low turnover in the SAHS which results in fewer hiring
opportunities, limited applicant pool in all disciplines and in
particular URM, and extreme competition for qualified applicants. The
SAHS FTE faculty by ethnicity is 75% white and 25% minority; by gender
41% are male and 59% are female.
Dr. Protas informed the committee that the SAHS is working to
identify the best and brightest of students to mentor them into faculty
roles. She also informed members that the SAHS faculty attrition rate of
10% for 2006-2007 is lower compared to UTMB at 12%. She identified the
competitive market in close proximity to Houston as a major barrier to
retention.
Dr. Protas also cited accessibility issues on campus and in
particular the SAHS/SON building as a barrier to recruitment for
individuals with disabilities. She believes that there has been more
than enough time to improve accessibility at UTMB.
3. New Business
a) Scheduling Deans/Chairs to meet with Committee Update – F.
Paniagua
Dr. Paniagua asked the committee for their recommendation regarding
the next Dean to invite to present on diversity efforts in their school.
The general consensus was to invite Dr. Cary Cooper, Dean of the
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to the July meeting.
b) Council/Core Committees Collaboration Update – J. Gonzalez
Dr. Gonzalez informed the committee that he, Melvin Williams, David
Ketchens and Patrice Yarbough, who conferenced in by telephone, met with
Dr. David Callender, the sole presidential finalist for UTMB on Tuesday,
May 8 at Open Gates, regarding his thoughts on diversity at the
institution.
c) Announcements by members; agenda items for next meeting
Dr. Gonzalez wanted to encourage committee members to submit an
application to the Academy of Master Teachers. He also wanted to
encourage committee members to join a Diversity Council subcommittee and
he also wanted to thank those that had already signed up to serve.
Dr. Houston shared copies of a flyer regarding a Regional Diversity
Conference scheduled for June 12, 2007 at the Houston Hobby Airport
Marriott for members interested in attending.
4. Next Meeting
The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13,
2007.
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Recorder: Sheryl Lashway, Office of the President
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