Diversity and Equity Action Council

Goals

• Nurture a diverse learning community that encourages individual and collective responsibility for diversity objectives.
• Identify ways in which we can improve "our preparedness to be allies, advocates and diversity change agents dedicated to the creation of a more welcoming and inclusive institutional environment." (Steve Michael, Aug. 2006) ie: provide opportunities/support for faculty and staff to expand their understanding and competency to infuse diversity into our learning community.
• Recommend policies related to diversity issues.
• Provide resources and manage a budget to support curricular and co-curricular programming and diversity initiatives throughout the college community.
• Periodically assess the college climate as related to diversity.
• Maintain an Affirmative Action sub-committee that will provide a pool of knowledgeable members from which to pick hearing panel members if needed.

Leadership

A Chairperson and Vice Chairperson will be selected by the group. The role of the Chair will include but not be limited to the following:

• Acts as a liaison with other groups and committees and delegates liaison roles to members as appropriate.
• Schedules council meetings.
• Works with the council members to set the agenda and to record minutes.
• Attends Board meetings regularly and reports to the Board of Trustees periodically.
• Coordinates efforts with the Chief Diversity Officer.
• The Chair will be compensated with a 3 credit reduction in load or the equivalent.

The Vice Chair will serve as Chair when needed and will support all leadership functions.

Objectives

• Involvement and input on search committees to support diversity goals.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff and students on programming and curriculum.
• Establish an annual agenda and additional objectives once it has convened in this new form with the following being some possibilities:
  • Implement strategies that will support diversity learning in the classroom.
  • Enhance recruitment of underrepresented students.
  • Ensure higher levels of underrepresented student retention.
  • Study the concerns for safety and support of GLBT students, students of color and students with disabilities.
  • Provide calendars with multicultural events for planning purposes and list events on college-wide calendars.

Membership

Council membership will consist of a minimum of:

• Three administrators
• Three classified staff
• Three faculty members, at least two of whom are teaching faculty
• Director of Human Resources
• Chief Diversity Officer

These individuals will serve a two-year renewable term. People who serve as chair will have their term extended to one year beyond chairmanship for purposes of continuity.

• Students
• Community members

These individuals will have a one-year renewable term.

Members will be appointed by the President.