Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes November 15th, 2012, 1:00pm, Room 150

Announcements

•  If you are interested in participating in, volunteering for, or donating auction items for the Race Against Racism weekend (MLK weekend), please contact Marva Rudolph
• Need volunteers at the race site

Webpage Update and Discussion

•  There was discussion on the webpage format and which elements to keep
•  The Committee agreed to have an open house event to celebrate our new webpage once it is  completed
•  Continue to send comments to Judy and Rabia

Human Libraries Presentation for the Black Issue Conference

• The Human Libraries’ subcommittee is scheduled to meet November 28, 2012
•  Conference proposal will be shared at the next meeting

Discuss Library Diversity Plan

• The Committee decided to discuss the diversity plan at a later date in 2013

New Business

• The Diversity Committee has been invited to participate in the Alliance of Women Philanthropists 2012 Giving Circle Grant
• The project will include writing a grant on the “Half the Sky” film and also offering a scholarship to successful student proposals
• The Standing Grant Committee includes:  Brian Broyles, Sojourna Cunningham, Thura Mack, Rachel Radom, and Ingrid Ruffin

Other Action Items

• Ingrid is monitoring social networking media (Facebook, Twitter, and WordPress)
• She will spearhead a social media drive (giveaway contests for t-shirts, stickers) and work with Robin Bedenbaugh
• Sojourna volunteered to update LibGuides on the Diversity website.  She will work with Rabia  and Judy in this effort.  Megan and Martha are contacts for website pictures

New Business

• Dean Steve Smith is planning a 10 year anniversary reunion for the Diversity Residency Program
• He has asked for our support to (Help) organize this reunion
• The veteran display and activities were a highly complimented by Dean Smith
•  The Committee discussed providing the new Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Ricky Hall, a welcome goodie bag when he arrives in July 2013
•   The Committee will discuss whether or not to request a Committee budget in a future meeting

Tentative Agenda Items for Next Meeting

• Announcements
• Webpage Committee
•  “Half the Sky” Grant Committee
•  Common Ground Book Club
•   Race Against Racism
•   Black Issue Conference Proposal – Human Libraries
•   Year End Wrap-up

UT Libraries Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: Diversity Roundtable
May 29th, 2012
1:00 PM
Hodges Library Mary Greer
In attendance:
Michelle Brannen (UT Libraries), Earnest Brothers
(Graduate School), Travis Griffin (Diversity Programs),
Annazette Houston (UT Disability Services), Anne Hulse (Center for International Education) Matt Jordan (UT Libraries), Thura Mack (UT Libraries), Allison Roberts (UT Libraries), Marva Rudolph (Office of Equity & Diversity) Allison Sharp (UT Libraries), Regina Mays, (UT Libraries), Meghan Smith (UT Libraries), Rachel Flemming May (Information Sciences), Teresa Berry (UT Libraries), Sekeenia Haynes ( Biochemistry,Cellular & Molecular Biology), Harry Richards ( Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology), Brad Binder (Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology)

Roundtable Discussion:
Engineering REU two secessions with Jeannie Williamson. Outline use of engineering information.

Biochemistry working with Donna, Dr. Binder

Use package for undergraduate orientation

REU stands for undergraduate research experience.

Undergraduate outreach programs can have up to 60 to 80 students.
PRESENTATION model for library training.
Rachel May Arts and sciences: Program this spring that might be useful
for undergraduate-looking at the support for
Construct a series of workshops designed to teach students how to us the Library. 3 week recruited from English 104. Late spring 3 sessions
Rachel Radom and Teresa Walker
Objectives apply to research library
Plagiarism, resources, reach skills development, when to use free resources
What are the lures-
Demonstrate how Liberians help students with these
Students are assessed by quizzes- Discussions- Scavenger hunt to gain familiarity of library.
Targeted information needs for research
Out come- comfort in the library knowledge of tools

Other possible assessment
Review writing citations, plagiarism,

Feedback from pilot- learned new skills, comfort level increased

Resources offered: James Agee, books, local newspapers, magazines, why writers use the information the way they do- How information is presented and why.
Electronic compared to physical resources. Over lap tools learned with resources used in workshops -Using research tools.

All participants were undergraduate. Recruitment was low -Looking into how to get more involved. Smaller student group have more impact. Larger groups can be accommodated.

Travis spoke of a grant from the National science foundation. Plan for August- session for diversity student group- Tennessee Louis Stokes alliance for minority participation.

The assessment groups working with science groups to make sure all the students are receiving the same information and assessment tools. Tailor for what the program want the student to gain for the program and ease library anxiety.

Model will work well with NIH cohort based PEER working for two. Get the information to entering graduate students at the beginning of their placement- Emphasis on the LIBRARY AS AN IMPORTANT COMPOONANT TO THEIR WORK.

GRA and new faculty orientation can individualize to what is needed. Word of mouth from people outside the library is a great promotional tool. Get faculty to back programs and spread the word

Hitting them at orientation can affect retention.

Library is working toward a cohesive message – workshops and training

Addressing the needs group
Focus on engineering and science group – focus on plagiarism
Summer REU program directors-graduate school

Customize For grad school and the grad school will helps promote assessment to follow program

Tennscore summer program

Request for a list of programs and when they are held.
Request for notification of upcoming programs.

Peer meets weekly
GTA Orientation
Grad announcements, newsletters, what Make students aware of what the
Library has to offer.

Assessment will occur after the summer REU in August.
Suggest that staff and faculty to attend information sessions to know
What content is available.
Library service bulletin (infomercial)

Library will work together on market the info Announcements to
Departments about diversity issue– Assessment- Digital Sign

UT Libraries Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: Diversity Roundtable

April 19, 2012

1:00 PM

Hodges Library Mary Greer Room

In attendance:

Brad Binder (Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology), Adam Hardebeck ( Center for

Electric Power), Sekeenia Haynes ( Biochemistry,Cellular & Molecular Biology), Claudia Rawn ( Materials Science & Engineering), Harry Richards ( Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology), Suzette Styles ( Center for Electric Power), Teresa Berry (UT Libraries), Donna Braquet (UT Libraries), Lana Dixon (UT Libraries), Peter Fernandez (UT Libraries), Jeanine Williamson (UT Libraries), Thura Mack (UT Libraries), Allison Roberts (UT Libraries), Michelle Brannen (UT Libraries), Rabia Gibs (UT Libraries), Earnest Brothers (Graduate School), Demetrius Richmond (College of Education, Health & Human Services Administration Advising)

STEM Focus Group Roundtable Discussion:

Roundtable Group is seeking Outcomes for collaborations with emphasis on Recruitment and retention.

Our focus is on utilizing and identifying needs in STEM enrichment of underrepresented students – Undergraduates, Graduates, Faculty.

Library Instruction Possibilities – Bibliographic management instruction -
Materials Camp Instruction, Scientific Communication workshops
Describe the process of information literacy – More than Google -
Point of interest – introduce the Services to potential students and scholars -
Program planning – need to know what programs we offer – Many don’t know what they need for instruction – training program extension – orientation collaboration –

Observations and Discussions
Workshops need to be early in the semester – learn how before you start – workshop for STEM – Tennessee Learning Center – package information for these events- REU – professional development – seminar – share the information – exposure to library resources –

Library offers: Graduate Student Open House, Dissertation workshop

Add Value to attending the workshops will bring people in – Library as a HUB -
Existing brochures could include into packets have resources for each Science (as per good advice from Rita)/ librarian info
Seminars – Site visits – UT is wired but not connected – REU programs -
Summer research experience inundated – go back to their inst. and go back viable marketing tool – foster relationships with incoming individuals.

Librarians could see offering workshops at available time – or invited to the groups -
willing to create a menu of available information and tailor for needs and time

Librarians can target needs.
Marketing the library Resources/Services is a natural accommodation easy – brand PR, market to the level of the person your speaking with. See the development – we have a need and seek money for support –

Context adds value to the instructions – work on a projects – go to the people that need and deliver the information.

Librarians are assigned to subject areas – why are there gaps in coverage of services -
awareness factor is low – marketing – time – Connect the librarians with the department or need

Outcomes

Who should the target audience be?

Librarians should build from the best customer – and make a model for other programs -
Music Library is embedding the library in black board – catered to course – course guides -
Put the librarian out to the area in need.

What makes the students pay attention? – professor endorses the resource or workshop – professor adds value – engineering fundamentals course – biology fundamentals – incoming graduate students – college of nursing does orientation with Lana –

Students are not trained on how to get information – students are depended on faculty -
Freshman English orientation does not prepare science research – limited time to learn

Focus Areas

Recruiting – research internship – all students come on a particular day – develop a curriculum -
REU-peer review -web of science – plagiarism and dishonesty

Incorporate the library UT experience process – required to go to the library – research paper – study at the library – Training – exposure to everything they need to be successful -
the earlier they are exposed the most impact – acclimated – learn about the resources -
collaborate – you don’t have to come to learn – accessible off campus – modify our approach -
library has made resources seamless – Have to hit student three times for library instruction to stick -
example Georgetown – long video – no student could register without seeing the video and taking a test.

Best for All – greater good -

Library moving into scholarly communication piece – sustainability in career success – represent UT well – expanding scholarly communication –

Recruitment – getting people to come to UT – need to know what their needs – evaluation plan – see if library programs are working – impact – assessment – make a MODEL – project impact- content for – Outcome – Librarians will need to id needs –

Thank you for getting us all together….

UT Libraries Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: Diversity Roundtable
March 15, 2012
1:00 PM
Hodges Library 605
In attendance:
Michelle Brannen (UT Libraries), Earnest Brothers (Graduate School),
Travis Griffin (Diversity Programs), RJ Hinde (College of Arts & Sciences), Anne Hulse (Center for International Education) Matt Jordan (UT Libraries), Thura Mack (UT Libraries), Demetrius Richmond (Recruitment and Retention), Allison Roberts (UT Libraries), Marva Rudolph (Office of Equity & Diversity)

Roundtable Discussion:

Campus Diversity initiatives

Dr. Brother’s “UT is wired, but not connected”

Improve communication and collaboration within colleges and departments.

How can our group help to improve communication within colleges and departments?

Group focus on Recruitment and Retention:

How do we keep students in Knoxville? Intro to Knoxville (Library Course?)
Knowing the community helps retain and recruits future faculty to stay in Knoxville.

Outlay opportunities for engagement:
The Chancellor is focusing on STEM – how does that help the community- teachers.

How can our group support the campus STEM movement?

What can we do at UT to keep graduates here?
Community involvement – employers – Career services – More open houses – Job fairs focused on STEM opportunities – Oak Ridge

Celebrate small successes – Communications – Sell UT/Knoxville as a total package –
Joint Recruitment – future faculty – weekend visits
Money matters – Graduate student competitive funding –

Resources and solution

Recruitment collaborations – Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education (CIRE)
Resources for each department/college are limited. Collaboration of resources and sharing opportunity maximizes impact.
Library packets focused on STEM – lure future students and faculty with what our resources can offer – how they support your research – online resources – online help.
One stop shop – packets and people available with all the available resources and information at retention avenues (STEM) – conferences – Campus meet and greet STEM departments and librarians.
Professional Development – Graduate orientation – social engagement.

Life of the Mind programming – Bringing it home – collaboration with Ready for the World -sense of place -create packets with local information – place model

Next Meeting April 19: Bring STEM library resources and invite Donna and Jeanine.

UT Libraries Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: Diversity Roundtable
January 19, 2012
1:00 PM
Hodges Library 605
In attendance:
Michelle Brannen (UT Libraries), Trisha Brady (UT Libraries), Earnest Brothers
(Graduate School), Travis Griffin (Diversity Programs), RJ Hinde (College of Arts
& Sciences), Annazette Houston (UT Disability Services), Anne Hulse (Center for International Education) Matt Jordan (UT Libraries), Thura Mack (UT Libraries), Katrice Morgan (School of Law), Demetrius Richmond (Recruitment and Retention), Laurie Roberson (School of Architecture), Allison Roberts (UT Libraries), Marva Rudolph (Office of Equity & Diversity) Allison Sharp (UT Libraries), Elizabeth Young (UT Libraries)

Updates and announcements
Kynita’s last meeting is today.
Trish will leave in 2 weeks

Roundtable Discussion:
Diversity Definition brought to us by Dr. Earnest Brothers
“Diversity in higher education is a systematic blending of academic programs, recruitment, retention, policies, and curriculum that provide college students with an enriched multicultural environment for learning”
Erwin, K. S. (2001). Multiculturalism, diversity, and African-American college students: receptive, yet skeptical? Journal of Black Studies, 31(6), 764-776.

We had a lively discussion of campus diversity initiatives but did not get to resources and solutions.
• I wish that we had gotten to the point where we discussed ways to collaborate.
• Can we take some of the issues discussed and use those for collaboration?
• The issues discussed were university wide. Suggested that we send the agenda again since we didn’t finish the agenda. Trust was established quickly and we learned about what each department is doing.
• Were there other who wanted to attend and couldn’t? Vern Granger.

They really embraced the committee and the round table group.

• Discussion about Intro to Knoxville course- some students feel lonely and isolate when they first get to campus.

• Interesting that we are having dialog with groups of diverse academics. Each has unique agendas. Try to establish regular meeting times. (for the roundtable group)

Resolved: Start where we left off. Recap 1st part then start with Resources and solutions. Send a follow up to all invitees not just those who could attend this gathering. Suggested same Thursday meeting in 150 – have greeters and signs. Doodle poll for next roundtable gathering and let the group decide how often to meet.

Upcoming events for Diversity
Culture Corner – Global Beauty
Spring international Festival April 20th – display and books
Black issues conference Feb 19th – Music Resources – use clickers to survey students – ask students about diversity issue-. Assessment- Digital Sign