UT Libraries’ Diversity Committee
August 7, 2003
Meeting Minutes
Room 605, Hodges Library
Members present: Arab, Blocker, Deeken, Conner, Hines, Mack, Manoff, Myers, Renee Smith,
Stephens, Roller, Royse
I. Announcements
Becky and Molly welcomed new members to the Committee, and provided refreshments as a celebration of the Committee’s past, present and future. The contributions of those members rotating off the Committee were acknowledged. The Committee welcomes their ongoing and future contributions to diversity efforts.
Thura was recognized for her leadership of the Committee since its inception over two years ago. The Committee will be taking her to lunch once a date and place are selected.
II. Committee Organization
Becky introduced the concept of establishing some ground rules for the Committee as we begin a new year:
1. All committee members should be given a chance to speak on issues—perhaps use a modified
version of Roberts Rules of Order.
2. As the Committee operates as a team, all committee projects should be presented as team projects. Individual contributions will be acknowledged as appropriate.
3. Confidentiality – Discussions involving sensitive issues will need to be kept confidential and
not shared outside of the Committee.
4. Communication – As the Committee transitions to a co-chair arrangement, remember to
communicate with both Becky and Molly. At the same time, Becky and Molly will meet
regularly to keep communication lines open.
Molly reviewed Committee assignments:
1. LouAnn will continue to take meeting minutes, which will be distributed after
editing with meeting agendas. At that point, the minutes will be posted to the
committee website.
2. Jeffrey has agreed to be in charge of the Committee’s website.
Becky has distributed a list of meeting dates for the semester. The meetings fall on the first and third Thursday of each month. The Committee will only meet once in November and December.
Dean Dewey has yet to announce to the library the Committee’s membership for this year. She will do so when she announces membership of other library-wide committees.
III. Goals & Priorities for 2003-04
Committee goals and priorities for the new year will need to be established. At the next
meeting on August 21, ideas and input will be solicited from committee members. The goals
will be finalized by the September 18th meeting. The last two sets of goals are available for review on the committee website.
IV. Updates
A. Annual Report, 2002-03
Molly is still working on the final draft of the annual report and will distribute it to the Committee when it is done.
B. Budget Request, 2003-04
Thura is working on a budget request to be submitted to the Dean for the new year and would appreciate any suggestions.
C. “Life of the Mind” Book Project
Dianne reported that the plans for the display are developing well, with Martha Rudolph assisting. The display will include information on the “Life of the Mind” Program, as well as on James McBride and The Color of Water. How the Libraries can assist with research will also be highlighted.
The Culture Corner reading area is in the final stages of being finalized and ready. Thanks to GiGi and others, the physical space is ready and the process is in place to get books there. The Corner’s purpose and the subject focus and criteria for what titles are selected for the Corner were discussed. This semester the Corner’s books will support the “Life of the Mind” Program and revolve around key themes in McBride’s Color of Water. As soon as the books are in place and the signage finalized, the Corner will be publicized in various venues, both inside and outside the library.
D. Minority Residency Program
The Residents begin at the Libraries on September 2nd. The September orientation program for the Residents was discussed. Jill has distributed a draft schedule to all library faculty and is getting input. Nathalie Hristov, a new cataloger who is also beginning at the Libraries on September 2nd, will be included in much of the Resident’s orientation. Molly and Becky will meet with Jill to discuss the schedule further. There are opportunities here for the Libraries to re-examine how new library faculty are welcomed and oriented to the organization.
Several events are being planned for the Residents:
1. September 2 (1:30, Room 605) – The Diversity Committee will welcome the Residents and provide light refreshments.
2. September 17 (4:00, Room 605) – Tiffani is working with Dr. Raber in SIS to plan this time for the SIS faculty to meet the Diversity Committee and the Residents, and learn more about the Residency Program and the Libraries’ other diversity initiatives. This could also be a time for the SIS faculty to provide an update on their diversity-related programs. Tiffani will consult with Jill and Dean Dewey re. funding for refreshments, and contact Dr. Raber about invitations to the SIS faculty.
3. September 25 (2:30-4:00, Faculty Lounge) – This is a tentative date for a library-wide reception for the Residents. Jill and the Dean need to be consulted on the date. Invitations will be extended to campus individuals who have played a role in the development of the Residency Program and/or should be kept informed (Chancellor Crabtree, Theotis Robinson, Vice President of Equity and Diversity, etc.) Dianne, LouAnn and JoAnne volunteered to work on the food details.
E. Committee T-Shirts
Sheila has prices and information. The funds needed will be a part of the budget request
for the new year.
V. Other Business
Molly noted that the UT Faculty/Staff Fall Festival has been scheduled for October 16th this year. Last year the Committee entered a diversity scarecrow in the scarecrow contest and won 2nd place. The Committee needs to decide if it wishes to participate in some way again this year.
The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
LouAnn Blocker