Belonging & Engagement Committee Meeting 04/18

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Meeting Information

Meeting Date: April 18, 2024 1 PM – 2 PM

Location: Hodges Library 6th Floor, Room 605

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Meeting Agenda

1. HR Topics

• Documents in the HR folder are for potential topics.
• Topics
  • State of AAPI Forum, Friday May 3rd
    • Inaugural State of AAPI Forum 2024, an inspiring and interactive event dedicated to sharing stories, experiences, research, and insights on topics related to the Asian American and Pacific experience. This forum is designed to amplify diverse voices and perspectives, promote understanding and solidarity, and inspire action towards equity and inclusion through a series of keynote speeches, lightning talks, panels, and networking opportunities.

• Medication Take Back, Wednesday May 8th
  • Reduce the number of unused, unwanted, and expired medications on campus and in our community. Disposing of medications properly reduces the risk of substance misuse and environmental harm caused by flushing or throwing medications away improperly. Items dropped off are kept anonymous and no questions asked. Naloxone kits, trainings, medication lock boxes, snacks, hot chocolate/tea, and giveaways will also be available.

• Global Accessibility Awareness Day, May 16th
  • Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an awareness day focusing on digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people alive today who live with disabilities or impairments. It is marked annually on the third Thursday of May.

• National Decency Day, May 14th
• Celebrates the basic standard of civility that every American deserves. DECENCY is a non-partisan grassroots movement launched to inspire decency in everyday life – in both conversations and actions.

• National Creativity Day, May 30th
  • It’s a day to celebrate your creativity, whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, filmmaker, blogger, photographer, or graphic artist. The day was founded by Hal Croasmun and ScreenwritingU to encourage people to keep creating and support the creativity of others.

• Holocaust Remembrance Day, May 6th
  • Observed as Israel’s day of commemoration for the approximately six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, and for the Jewish resistance in that period. 

• Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  • The month recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
  • Newest Chancellor’s Commision for AAPI

• Jewish American Heritage Month
  • Celebrated in May to recognize the contributions and experiences of Jewish Americans throughout American history.

• Big Orange Finish Line / DeStress for Success
  • Renamed ‘DeStress for Success’– campus wide for finals week; the theme is about mental wellbeing and health

• new to this year
• be sure to use the ‘finish line’ because big orange finish has another connotation online (from Michelle)
• Promote campus resources that people can take advantage of for a mental break in June (resource list from April Lunch & Learn)

• Knox Pride Saturday Markets, May 25th
  • Add to June Calendar since June is pride month.

• Older Americans Month
  • Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country.

• Compile a calendar for the rest of the events. Focus on writing about the Big Orange Finish Line. 
  • Joseph will be writing for Big Orange Finish Line.
  • Ms. Thura and Angelica will work on the calendar consolidation.

2. Announcements

• Our Mental Wellness Lunch & Learn program will be on Friday, April 19th from 12 PM – 1:30 PM in the Mary Greer Room (Hodges Library, Room 258)
  • Samantha and Michelle are working on the surveys
  • Megan is the designated tech person; she has already communicated with the panelists and moderators– confirmed set up for tomorrow.
  • Send out an All Staff email.
  • Resource List Update (Samantha Ward)
    • Printed copies for people who show up in person to the event.
    • Able to send out an e-copy of resource list for people after the event.
    • Put the resource list on the website.
      • Make a QR code able to retrieve it digitally. 
      • Megan and Michelle can work on it together.

3. BE Committee Retreat

• Form Responses
  • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FCYk76l9oC919OsYRLuTWKcCgbBexjgJBCT94_Qfu4E/edit 

• Date
  • Decided on Thursday, May 23rd (70%) 

• Location
  • International House, Great Room (55%)
  • Need to reserve ASAP

• Activity for 9:30 AM Ideas
  • Everyone is given a blow-up balloon and a tooth-pick. In 30 minutes, try to protect your own balloon and to burst others’ balloons with the tooth-pick. Who still has her/his balloon at the end is the winner.
  • Show and tell of something that’s meaningful to us, brings us joy, etc. 
  • Two Truths and a Lie
  • Team Building Activity – get to know your neighbor. Everyone brings one interesting fact or something about them no one knows and writes in on a notecard. Everyone then guesses whose interesting fact that is and answers are revealed at the end.
  • We could all make a Zine using paper, markers, etc. (homemade magazine with self expression content)
  • Take a quick personality test.
    • 4 animals: lion, otter, golden retriever, or beaver
      • https://animalinyou.com/ 
    • 5 minute personality test
      • https://communityengagedlearning.msu.edu/upload/Situated%20Spartan%20Handouts.pdf 

• Human Bingo
  • https://myfreebingocards.com/human-bingo 
  • Would be more engaging if it required to talk to other people.
  • Suggestion: Do Tyler’s sticky notes activity instead of human bingo.
    • Sticky Note Activity: everyone puts their fact on a card and then all cards are mixed together. Each card is hung up on the wall and everyone must guess each person’s fact.
      • The person with the most correct answers is the winner. (prizes for this activity)
• Asked them to let us know if they had any ideas for prizes, but no response.

• Lunch & Vision Board
  • Vision board is created in relation to the entire committee goals and its future.
  • Suggestion: 10:50 is early for lunch; swap it with something later.
    • Switch Leadership Activity 1 with Lunch. Lunch will now be at 11:50.

• Contingency Planning
  • Consensus that contingency planning is an important topic.
  • Aspects to address:
    • Changes in the university 
    • Create a plan. How do we discuss things going forward and how to make plans to anticipate the future?
    • Better define our role and responsibilities, especially in the context of the university’s decisions on diversity and inclusion.
    • There is not true clarity of what the boundaries are about what you can say and do; we are currently moving cautiously.
      • This places stressors on people.
      • Address the conversation not often talked about: How do you cope and handle the situation when you are in the “political winds of change”?
        • What is a safe space?
        • What resources can I go to?
• Initially thought about inviting someone in to facilitate this discussion, but we need to have our own conversation first. 
  • Being in person is a good idea for this activity.
  • Suggestion: It would be nice if there are prompts or discussion starters since the conversation can go in multiple many different directions. Need some guard rails or something specific to tackle within the big picture.

• Identity Circle & Sword & Shield
  • We can take away an activity to focus more time on what we hold more important to us.
  • Suggestion: Combine Sword and Shield & Identity Circle
• Good activity
• Suggestion: drop letter to a colleague to do Tyler’s Sticky Notes Activity.
  • Tyler will bring the supplies for this activity. 
  • Are we still doing human bingo? This needs to be discussed.

• Other
  • Drop ‘Letter to a Colleague’ activity for the retreat and instead complete it at a later meeting. Many people suggested June as it will be time where people would like to take a mental break.
  • Judy cannot make it due to time conflicts with attending conferences.
  • Do not use Aramark or the Student Union for food. Anything else besides those will be fine.

Belonging and Engaging Committee meeting

February 15, 2024

Hodges 605 and zoom

Attending: Kim Blaylock, Nathalie Hristov, Lee Ann Ratledge, Kris Bronstad, Alex Boris, Will Thompson, Joe McGuire, Tyler Schlandt, Judy Li, Megan Venable, Samantha Ward, Lizzie Cope, Peter Fernandez, Angelica Nepomuceno and Thura Mack

Nathalie reported on year’s Ready for the World Music Series: Turkey program on Sunday, February 25, 2024, in the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center

Joe suggested resources for Women’s History Month in the library for the March HR topic with CEHHS. Megan offered that she and her FUTURE student will pull titles on the subject for a display.

Thura suggested Mental Health Monday on the UTK calendar event. Rocky Top Recovery’s Mental Health Monday peer support meetings are an opportunity to connect with other students, share your struggles and progress, and learn about different mental health topics and coping mechanisms.

https://calendar.utk.edu/event/mental_health_monday_1790

Thura asked that everyone share their reflections on the Privilege Layer Cake development activity.

Announcements

HR topics

PLC reflections

Subcommittee meetings

Belonging and Engaging Committee meeting

January 18, 2024

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Samantha Ward, Lizzie Cope, Tyler Schlandt, Judy Li, Alix Boris, Michelle Brannen

HR topics for February: Privilege Cake on February 8^th at 12:30 and Office of Access providing translators for classes and events, as well as resources UT Writing Center (https://writingcenter.utk.edu/) as well as Student Disability Services (together with what UT Libraries provide).

We will spend the rest of the meeting in sub-committees: Megan will help set-up breakout rooms for our sub-committees.

BE Committee website/ VCC/Culture Corner

Kelly Gray

Lizzie Cope

Peter Fernandez

Kris Bronstad

Megan Venable

Kim Blaylock

Alex Boris

Michelle Brannen

Outreach to campus and community

Joseph McGuire

Judy Li

Lee Ann Ratledge

Tyler Schlandt

Lunch and Learn

William Thompson

Samantha Ward

Thura Mack

Belonging and Engaging Committee meeting minutes

December 14, 2023

Room 128 and Zoom

Attending: Joseph McGuire, Tyler Schlandt, Lizzie Cope, Leeann Ratledge, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Judy Li, Samantha Ward, William Judd, Kim Blaylock, Kris Bronstad, Nathalie Hristov

HR Topics – MLK Day of Service suggested by Thura, Tyler suggested a calendar of events, Joe suggested highlighting the office of access provides translators for classes and events, Samantha suggested a reminder that we have volunteer hours.

The topics will be MLK Day of Service and reminder about the volunteer hours. Samantha and Thura will write something up for the HR Bulletin.

HR0446-K – Volunteer Activity Procedure

As you’re making your calendars for 2024 there’s a resource for important dates https://www.adl.org/resources/tools-and-strategies/calendar-observances

Save the date: Privilege Layer Cake

• Online session with Kawanna Bright is January 24 at 11 in Hodges 605 and Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/83977153774
• Breakfast with Kawanna Bright is February 8^th at 8:30 AM in Hodges 605.

A signup form will be sent in January for people to sign up for sessions for Dr. Bright’s two in-person PLC

Belonging and Engagement Committee meeting minutes

Belonging and Engagement Committee Meeting

October 19, 2023 | 1-2 PM | Hodges 605/Zoom

Present: Thura Mack, LeeAnn Ratlidge, William Judd, William Thompson, Tyler Schlandt, Judy Li, Kim Blaylock, Lizzie Cope, Nathalie Hristov, Kelly Gray, Peter Fernandez

Agenda

HR Topics (Thura Mack)

• Members brought a variety of topics to share on the HR bulletin for November.
  • The group voted to submit a piece on bringing awareness to Native American customs and food to prepare during the Thanksgiving holiday. This will include a recipe or other resources and how to support food insecurity on reservations.
  • Secondly, several events on campus were shared. The group voted to submit a list of events with minimal description to share with library personnel.

Dean of Libraries’ Student Advisory Committee Brainstorm – (Kate Shepas)

• The group brainstormed ideas on what we would like to DSAC feedback on or input.
  • Topics students are concerned about or interested in
  • How do they see or hear about diversity events on campus? How about their peers? How are they deciding what to go to?
  • Feedback on their views of the library in terms of diversity, inclusivity, and welcomeness. Feedback on signage, spaces, and other things we can improve upon when it comes to diversity in our spaces.
  • Feedback on the Lunch & Learn and other programs. How could we get more participation from student groups and student organizations? Student voices are important, and we do not want to miss those opportunities.
  • Express to DSAC that we are reaching out to them because we truly want to hear their voices and take action on things that we can change.

Announcements:

• Lunch & Learn: Blackness on Campus will take place on November 9, 2023 from 11:30-1pm in Hodges 605 or Zoom.
• The Book Read kick-off is next week in the student union.
• January 24 at 11am in 605 Dr. Kawanna Bright will be running an activity about privilege for the Diversity Committee. She will be visiting campus in February to conduct the activity for the Libraries.
• In the spring, the Diversity Committee will host a retreat.

Action Items:

• Thura will email Melanie and Niki about promoting their event in the HR Bulletin.
• HR Topic #1 will be written by William Thompson, Kelly Gray, and Thura Mack.
• HR Topic #2: Save the Dates will be written by Kate Shepas
• William and Kate will send a Google Doc to the Diversity Committee to contribute questions for our November Lunch & Learn: Blackness on Campus.

UT Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee meeting

September 21, 2023

Attending: Will Thompson, William Judd, Lizzie Cope, Joe Ferguson, Megan Venable, Kim Blaylock, Joseph McGuire, Lee Ann Ratledge, Samantha Ward, Tyler Schlandt

• Special guest Joe Ferguson (Joe needs advice from the committee as to whether or not it is discriminatory practice for individuals without a first or last name to leave the field blank in official records) Alma will continue to leave the blank field blank, but make a note on the student record to indicate that states the user has only one name. That way the student will see their name on notices without an indication they only have one name.
• HR topics
  • Day of the Dead will be observed Friday, October 27^th in the Reese Galleria. Come visit the ofrendas the students have crafted for the celebration at the day-long event.
  • International Festival is October 20^th 10 – 2 PM on the Pedestrian Walkway. The UT Libraries will be hosting a table; keep an eye out for a sign up to volunteer at the event.
  • Lunch and Learn on October 12^th noon – 1 PM in Hodges 605. It will be a panel discussion on Civil Conversations. THIS HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
• Sub-committee reports –
  • Privilege Layer Cake update (Lizzie) – Dr. Bright will come as a visiting lecturer in spring 2024.
  • Book Read update (Megan) – the kickoff meeting is scheduled for October 26 from noon – 1 PM in SU 225 and will feature the head of the Africana Studies department Shayla Nunnally and faculty member Robert Bland.
  • VCC update (Megan) – the site has been updated with the resources for Iranian Culture for women, and a new topic on African American history has been suggested to Molly Royse.
  • International Festival (Joseph McGuire) – October 20^th 10 – 2 PM on the Ped Walkway and will feature international sports and games.
  • Will reported that there will be a Lunch and Learn October 12^th on Civil Conversation in 605. An invitation will be sent out to the DC to come and brainstorm questions for the panel with Kate and Will. THIS HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
• Next DC meeting will be October 19^th in 605 and https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/99863783936

Belonging and EngagementCommittee Meeting: Thursday August 17, 1-2

Room 605 or https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/96659207242

Attending: Thura Mack, Peter Fernandez, Lee Ann Ratledge, Judy Li, Kate Shepas, Kim Blaylock, Tyler Schlandt, Joe McGuire, William Judd, Kelly Gray, Kris Bronstad, William Thompson, Alex Boris, Samantha Ward

Agenda:

Announcements – Host Will Wilson exhibit tour @ McClung on August 30 at 1 PM

HR bulletin topics –

Day of the Dead celebration will be on October 27^th, Jewish New Year is starting September 16^th, and Hispanic Heritage Month is September and There will be a workshop on Title IX on September 12^th

All the book lists from various Culture Corners in the past have been archived and available for viewing on the libguide here: https://libguides.utk.edu/culture-corner

William Judd and Tyler and Lee Ann will work on the calendar piece for HR bulletin

Structure: Breakout into subcommittees – select co-facilitators for each group, edit guidelines for each subcommittee and set up 2 – 3 goals for the group and action items to reach those goals

1. Subcommittees report out progress (If we run out of time facilitators email Megan your subcommittee report to be included in the minutes)

Website subcommittee – Megan will serve as facilitator.

Want to find a way to determine what users want from the site and seeing if we can provide that for them.

Examine peer sites for their content and perhaps borrow ideas from them. Have some questions identified by the next meeting to ask of faculty and staff. Do you know the website exists and does it provide the information you are interested in?

Lunch & Learn Subcommittee Meeting

Aug 17, 2023 12:00 PM

Present: William Judd, Thura Mack, Kate Shepas, William Thompson, and Samantha Ward

Agenda: 

1. Define Lunch & Learn series 
2. Discuss first topic: Civil Conversations 
   1. Select potential panelists/moderators
   1. Communication email to send to panelists/moderators 
3. Discuss second topic: Blackness on campus
   1. Select potential panelists/moderators
   1. Communication email to send to panelists/moderators 
4. Communication email to panelists

Announcements

1. Will Judd spoke with Lola in marketing. Their team will need 3-4 weeks notice for a marketing campaign of the event. Cathy Jenkins left past materials, which we could quickly modify for the event. 

Minutes: 

• Define Lunch & Learn Series

2. The subcommittee determined that the Lunch & Learn programs will incorporate traditional elements from the past such as panel discussions while having the ability to explore creative options to add or improve the program for the future. 
3. The Lunch & Learn Series is a program hosted by the UT Libraries Diversity Committee to promote civility and awareness of diversity issues. The subcommittee group identifies a social justice or cultural awareness topic or opportunity that is impacting our society, campus, library, etc. Traditionally, the program is a panel discussion with a moderator offered from 11:30-1 PM in a hybrid environment in either the library or the Student Union. 
4. We always communicate that Lunch & Learn Spaces are a safe space, and we have a ground rule that everyone in the room is respected. 
5. Suggestions were made to grow the vision for future Lunch & Learn programs to have more creative spaces and somewhat less knowledge based discussions and more creative based discussions. 
6. Questions for the panel will be formed partly by subcommittee members as well as inviting the panelists and moderators to add questions to feel they have a voice and are respected for their knowledge. 
7. Role of moderators: people with related experiences or people who we feel will do a great job. 
8. The group was interested in offering HR credit for Lunch & Learn events. This was done in the past and would need to be coordinated with Susan and Elizabeth. 
9. Discussion: Civil Conversations topic

2. The group selected potential panelists, back-up panelists, and moderators. 
3. Potential panelists include: 
   1. Be One UT rep: Delphia Howze, Chief Inclusion Strategy Officer, Email: delphia.howze@tennessee.edu, Phone: 865-974-8170
   1. Dr. Ernest Brothers, ebrother@utk.edu 
   1. Duren Thompson, Educational Program Coordinator, Ombuds, duren.thompson@utk.edu 
4. Back-up panelists include: 
   1. Dorothy Wallis, dwallis@utk.edu, experience in de-escalation techniques, College of Social Work. 
   1. Representative from the Counseling Center
5. Potential moderators: 
   1. Anthony Prewitt, Director of the Multicultural Center, aprewitt@utk.edu 
6. Discussion: Blackness on campus topic
7. The group was unable to reach this discussion topic. We will reach out via email regarding this topic. 
8. Communications Email to Panelists

2. The group worked together to edit the communication email to send out to panelists and moderators. 
3. Deadline for edits is August 25, 2023. 
4. After the email is complete, the group will delegate responsibilities for communicating out to panelists/moderators.

Outreach Subcommittee

•  Co-facilitators: Joseph McGuire and Tyler Schlandt
  • Create and maintain shared event calendar document
  • Create a stand alone event for students and community 
    • (Film festival?, gaming tournament?,) 
  • International Festival 
    • Theme this year International Sports and Games
      • Have popcorn, giveaways, and sports and games at the tables, international candy
      • October 20

Meeting Minutes June 15, 2023

Attendees: Thura Mack, Kim Baylock, Kate Shepas, Kelly Gray, Tyler Schlandt

Agenda

Announcements

• All current committee members are to send Megan their short bio to update the Diversity Committee website!
• Nathalie Hristov agreed to join the committee as Ex-Officio.
• The website subcommittee has been working on tidying up the website.
• New member orientation is next Thursday, July 22^nd from 1-2 PM in the Mary Greer Rm and https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/96870887761. Mark your calendars and come out to support Thura, Megan, and Tyler running the meeting and welcoming new members. 

Lunch & Learn

• Move this agenda item to next month.

July HR Bulletin topics

• In honor of National Culinary Month, visit the Diversity Committee’s International Festival LibGuide from 2022 highlighting recipes and cookbooks from Around the World.
• McClung Museum 54 faces exhibit for PRIDE month. Invite others to walk July 6 from 1-2 PM
• As a future August HR topic, we will share the McClung Museum event, In Conversation with Will Wilson on August 18^th , https://calendar.utk.edu/event/in_conversation_will_wilson?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=University+of+Tennessee%2C+Knoxville.

Committee restructuring

• The restructuring volunteer group (Peter, Megan, Tyler, Christy, Judy, Alex and Thura) met and decided on four areas that the committee will focus on for the meetings.
• The new meeting structure will consist of: whole committee meeting, split into small working groups, and potentially come back to report out at the end of the meeting.
• Members will submit the area they would like to participate in. The working groups will decide on their goals for the year with a subcommittee working group leader.
  • Diversity committee website.
  • Virtual Cultural Corner website/physical culture corner (topic proposal)
  • Outreach to campus and community/International Festival
  • Lunch and Learn programs (program coordination)
• Spreadsheet will be done in July for members to volunteer for subcommittees.
• On the spreadsheet, we would like members to be able to indicate if they want to take on two opportunities.
• We will pilot the restructuring for the Fall, reflect and assess in December/January for moving forward.

Action:

• Write ups for HR Bulletin, Deadline Friday, June 17^th
  • Thura will write up for the 54 faces exhibit at McClung Museum.
  • Kate will write up the National Culinary Month.
• Thura will send a save the date to all-staff for 1-2 PM July 6 to McClung Museum fifity-four faces exhibit, https://calendar.utk.edu/event/fifty-four_faces?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=University+of+Tennessee%2C+Knoxville.
• Tyler will see if we can get a tour guide for fifty-four faces exhibits.
• Move Lunch & Learn topics to the next meeting agenda.
• Tyler will draft a spreadsheet in Google Forms that feeds into spreadsheet for the Committee restructuring.

Thursday, May 18 at 1 PM

Attending: Michelle Brannen, Kim Blaylock, Megan Venable, Thura Mack, Kate Shepas, Tyler Schlandt, Sara Green, Alex Boris, Christy Cortes, Judy Li, Kelly Gray and Peter Fernandez

Announcements –

Save the date for the International Festival is October 20^th from 10 – 2. The committee agreed to participate in having a booth for it; perhaps put together a task force to talk about a plan for it.

HR Bulletin topics for June –

Topic 1: announcement to welcome new members.

Topic 2: Project GRAD will be held in Hodges Library in June and taught by members of the Diversity Committee.

New member selection – discussion was held and there was an agreement to invite Will Thompson, Lizzie Cope, Lee Ann Ratledge, Kris Bronstad, Joseph McGuire, William Judd, Samantha Ward. Dean Smith will be given the slate of proposed new members for his approval. New members would be invited to attend orientation in June and attend their first meeting in July. Additionally, Nathalie Hristov will be invited to join as an ex-officio member in recognition of our collaborations over the years. Kate will work with Thura on getting an invitation letter to her to ask her to join the committee.

Lunch and Learn updates – please think about ideas for upcoming L&L topics (including potential speakers as well as subject ideas). Megan will send out some standard language describing the Lunch and Learn series. (see below)

The UT Libraries Diversity Committee hosts and participates in a number of campus-wide activities to promote civility and awareness of social justice issues. Our Lunch and Learn series has covered a variety of topics such as “How to be an Anti-Racist: From Theory to Practice,” and “Reflecting on our Foundations: Native Voices and Stories.” We’ve also covered topics such as “Financial Literacy” and “Conversations on Immigration,” so you can see we cover a wide variety of subjects during these programs.

Ideas for new meeting structure – there will be a push to make meetings more productive. Peter suggested we examine the committee members strengths for assessment. Christy, Peter, Judy, Alex and Thura will be a subcommittee to meet to discuss how to restructure. The subcommittee will report to the full committee in June.

Belonging and Engagement Minutes – April 20

Present: Kim Baylock, Elizabeth Greene, Sara Greene, Judy Li, Tyler Schlandt, Kate Shepas, and Megan Venable

Concern for Chinese Students

• A UT Daily Beacon article surrounding the ban of Tik-Tok and WeChat addressed feelings and concerns from our Chinese students as they use these apps to communicate back home. Continue to be aware of the affect this state law is having on our students and making them feel isolated.  
• Additionally, be aware of the house bill being passed at the state level that affects the campus, professors, and students.

Book Read Update

• The title for the upcoming book read is The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story. It is available as an e-book in the collection, https://utk.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01UTN_KNOXVILLE/bcmt7h/alma9926224986302311.
• The committee has a meeting scheduled to discuss next steps.

HR Topics for May

• Kim will share a small list of video resources that represent the Cultural Corner.

Call for New Members

• ACTION: please review the call for new members https://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/2022/04/25/call-for-new-members-2022/ and submit any suggestions to Megan by Monday, April 24^th.
• A suggestion was made to ask new members to give examples of skills they could add to the committee, such as experience with fliers, programming, website skills, or event tabling.
• Megan will send out to ALL-STAFF after suggestions are taken into consideration.

Cultural Updates for Different Groups

• Kate explained the scenario encountered at the coffeehouse event with the Iranian Student Organization and the misrepresentation of the country’s flag.
• Kate proposed an idea to potentially include student groups in the diversity committee’s discussions when thinking about programs and events.
• The Diversity Committee will plan to meet with the Dean of Libraries’ Student Advisory Committee in the Fall to talk with the group and get recommendations for culture corner, lunch and learns, and other diversity committee programs.
• There may be an opportunity to reach out and get feedback from specific student organizations in the creation period and selection of library materials.

UT Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee meeting minutes

Diversity Committee meeting minutes 3.23.23

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Ernest Brothers, Alex Boris, Judy Li, Christy Urquieta Cortes, Kim Blaylock, Kelly Gray, Megan Venable, Kate Shepas, Tyler Schlandt, Michelle Brannen, Sara Green

• Announcements
  • Graduate school appreciation week is next week: https://gradschool.utk.edu/graduate-student-life/gpsaw-week/
• HR Bulletin topics
  • Medical Library Association April 19th “Why I Became a Director” Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlfuCpqzsiHteC9vPL-yOtTFTsCtCMrHTX to receive the Zoom information
  • Kate offered to submit a note about the April 5 coffeehouse on Iran from 1 – 3 PM and our current Culture Corner on Iranian culture for women
• Ideas for future space/programming
  • Judy suggested bringing some games to campus that offer an orientation into different cultures
  • Michelle offered that Paris Whalon is looking in to getting some games on civil rights/disparity
  • Kelly suggested a trivia night
  • Tyler suggested putting a stage in the area behind Starbucks and Kelly and Kate had ideas on how to utilize the space in the fall
  • Michelle suggested working with the International House on putting together a trivia night in the fall and Judy offered to work on that initiative
  • Michelle suggested a poetry reading
  • Judy suggested soothing music for Destress
  • Sara a table with a poster with squares listing different professions and in talking with students placing push pins into their major asking them if they have considered working in a corner of the field not regularly looked at. Have lists that have different culturally important businesses/offices that address these options.  An example would be health care on an Indian reservation, a rural area with low income residents or immigrant center.
  • Thura suggested having the radio station come over
• Book Read update
  • 22 titles were suggested; a vote will go out next week to all lib, SIS and the student ALA chapter
• VCC update
  • The physical culture corner is up; the website will soon be updated

Belonging and EngagementCommittee meeting minutes

Thursday Feb. 16, 1-2pm

Attendees: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Kate Shepas, Alex Boris, Kim Blaylock, Elizabeth Greene, Trey Hobson, Kelly Gray, Peter Fernandez, Tyler Schlandt

Belonging and Engagement Committee meeting: https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/92174505276

FUTURE student internship – making good progress with Lauren; please let Thura know if there are any projects she can be working on.

Women’s History Month update – Alex reported that we have a list of 45 titles and if you collect the book please initial that you retrieved it on the spreadsheet. The “notable women in history” display will go up March 1 in recognition of Women’s History Month.

Megan asked about the possibility of partnering with the Center for Financial Wellness and creating a book display in April on financial wellness. Alex agreed and we will work together on the display.

VCC – Molly is making progress on our next Culture Corner, and a meeting is scheduled for the VCC in early March.

Book Read update – meeting scheduled for Friday, February 17th

Upcoming Lunch and Learns –

Friday, February 24

1:00pm-2:00pm Lecture: Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online (SUCHO), Student Union 270 and Zoom: tiny.utk.edu/SUCHO

Thursday, March 9

Noon – 1:30 A panel has been set to discuss students and financial hardship/food instability Big Orange Closet (Blake Weiss), Big Orange Pantry (Johanna Ramb), Center for Financial Wellness (Philippa Satterwhite – moderator of panel), Dean of Students Office (Javiette Samuel) and Smokey’s Pantry (Nicole Carvagno).  Student Union 360 and Zoom: tiny.utk.edu/financial-hardship

Be thinking of future topics for the summer or fall Lunch and Learns.

Tyler asked that we find additional ways for the diversity committee to have more of a presence in the day to day libraries activities. It was suggested that a diversity committee highlight be part of the HR minute. Elizabeth suggested keeping the HR minute on each agenda so that she will know what to include on each communication.

Megan gave a brief overview of her work with the National Coalition Building Institute diversity training for the campus.

Alex will get Elizabeth the information about the women’s history month book display, and Thura will get Elizabeth information on Thoughtful Thursdays for the HR minute.

Kim suggested some streaming videos be featured for the April HR minute provided it doesn’t interfere with public performance rights.

Next Meeting is March 16

@https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/94782952399

UT Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Kate Shepas, Tyler Schlandt, Alex Boris, Christy Urquieta Cortes, Judy Li, Alison Meadows, Peter Fernandez, Kelly Gray

• Collaboration with Nathalie Hristov, for the Ready for the World Music Series: Ukraine
  • Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online (SUCHO) is an initiative of over 1,500 international volunteers who are collaborating online to digitize and preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage. Since the start of the invasion, SUCHO has web-archived more than 5,000 websites and 50TB of data of Ukrainian cultural institutions, to prevent these websites from going offline. The websites range from national archives to local museums, from 3D tours of churches to children’s art centers. ***This activity is open to a limited number of in-person attendees based on meeting room capacity. A Zoom option will be available for online participation and is open to the public.
  • Nathalie requests our assistance with tiny URL links for sessions and monitoring of Zoom; surveys (creation, distribution, collection, and input); attendance and participation for sessions (especially the 2/24 session from 1 – 2:30 in Student Union 270); submit questions for presenters; and any help setting up and breaking down after each session would be appreciated.

The full schedule for the visit is below:

Friday, February 24, 2023

1:00pm-2:00pm Lecture: Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online (SUCHO), Student Union 270 and Zoom: tiny.utk.edu/SUCHO

2:00pm-2:30pm Q&A from audience

2:30pm Wrap up with in-person attendees: what are UT Libraries’ social responsibilities to the community (regional, professional, global)? what strategies/and or takeaways from today’s session can be applied to our work in the UT Libraries?

3:00 Dismiss/Break down 

Presenter: Quinn Dombrowski (Digital Humanities Librarian, Stanford University; SUCHO Coordinator)

Marking the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, librarian and project coordinator Quinn Dombrowski (Stanford University) will present a lecture on a library-led effort, Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online (SUCHO). SUCHO is an initiative of over 1,500 international volunteers who are collaborating online to digitize and preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage. Since the start of the invasion, SUCHO has web-archived more than 5,000 websites and 50TB of data of Ukrainian cultural institutions, to prevent these websites from going offline. The websites range from national archives to local museums, from 3D tours of churches to children’s art centers. ***This activity is open to a limited number of in-person attendees based on meeting room capacity. A Zoom option will be available for online participation and is open to the public.

Sunday, February 26, 2023 (attend as able)

12:30pm-2:00pm Ready for the World Music Series (Art and cultural exhibits; reception), SOM Lobby 

Exhibitors: Viktoriia Cubbedge, Oksana Kravchenko, Anya Allen, Alina Blium Anderson, Oolidea, LLC, UT Libraries, koloHUB. https://music.utk.edu/rftw/ 

2:00pm-4:00pm Ready for the World Music Series (Music performance and lecture), SOM Recital Hall 

Presenters: Angelina Gadeliya, Solomia Soroka, Sergei Vassiliev https://music.utk.edu/rftw/ 

Monday, February 27, 2023 – Mary Greer Rm

1:00pm-2:00pm Lecture, Ukrainian Music: The Story of Passion, Struggle, and Hope  

2:00pm-2:30pm Q&A from audience

2:30pm Wrap up with in-person attendees (light refreshments).

Presenter: Solomia Soroka

Ukraine’s geopolitical history is probably one of the world’s most dramatic and tragic, as is its history of music. This lecture offers an insight into the Ukrainian classical musical scene starting with the 17th century and proceeding into modern times. The audience will be introduced to the music of four most important composers of Ukraine: Mykola Lysenko, Vasyl Barvinsky, Myroslav Skoryk, and Yevhen Stankovych, and discuss various musical and political factors that influenced life and their creative output.  

• International Café
  • First Wednesday of every month from 1 – 3 PM in the Mary Greer Room – Feb. 1 (China; Judy made note that this is also the start of the Chinese New Year), Mar. 1, Apr. 5, May 3
• FUTURE student intern
  • FUTURE is a UT comprehensive program that helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities make a successful transition from high school to adult life. They are looking for placement of one of their students in the libraries. Tyler volunteered to assist in transitioning this student in the library. David Castleman dcastle4@vols.utk.edu is the contact with FUTURE to work in transitioning the student into the library.
• Lunch and Learn updates
  • A panel has been set to discuss students and financial hardship/food instabilityBig Orange Closet (Blake Weiss), Big Orange Pantry (Johanna Ramb), Center for Financial Wellness (Philippa Satterwhite – moderator of panel), End Hunger/FEED Change (Javiette Samuel) and Smokey’s Pantry (Nicole Carvagno). We are planning on holding the event in-person/hybrid in early March.
• There will be Book Read and VCC updates in the February meeting.
• Tyler suggested we use the mobile book display in late February to feature a topic.
• Judy suggested a book display for female journalists for Women’s History Month. Judy, Alex, Thura, Alison, Kate and Kelly all agreed to work as a subcommittee on this subject and Megan will schedule a meeting for everyone.

November 17, 2022

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Judy Li, Bokeuim Yeom, Elizabeth Greene, Tyler Schlandt, Sara Green, Christy Urquieta Cortes, Ernest Brothers, Judy Li, Kate Shepas, Alison Meadows, Kelly Gray, Melanie Dixon, Megan Venable

The book read will wrap up at a short session on November 30^th at 2 PM, and our special guest will be Dr. Abebe Rorissa.

The votes are in and the VCC will be upcoming on Iranian culture for women. Molly seems to think there are enough books on the subject. Kate mentioned that they have a great documentary in the collection about the culture surrounding women singing in Iran. Alison mentioned that we might want to check Kanopy for resources. An upcoming meeting of the VCC subcommittee will be held.

Bokeuim presented on her plan for diversity and inclusion at Pendergrass Library and asked the committee for advice on how to move forward. Megan suggested getting with Sarah Johnson on planning the seed library and Allison Sharp for accessing international students/faculty. Dr. Brothers suggested Rachel Rui as a resource and Dr. Sean Hendricks. Sara suggested Louisa Trott because of her work with the rooftop garden. Thura suggested getting in the queue for marketing materials, LaTiffany Davis and disability services. Kate suggested Lauren Wood as the director of the International House.

Tyler has some funding on how to update the silent room and asked everyone to come to the next meeting with ideas on how that space might better serve our students.

Meeting adjourned.

Belonging and EngagementCommittee Meeting

October 20 via Zoom

Attending: Kim Baylock, Alex Boris, Kelly Gray, Elizabeth Greene, Judy Li, Thura Mack, Alison Meadows, Molly Royse, Tyler Schlandt, Kate Shepas, and Megan Venable

Announcements:

No announcements were made.

Virtual Culture Corner (VCC) & Culture Corner (CC)

• Molly Royse shared the process for the CC. 
• The diversity committee decides on a topic and shares with Molly.
• Molly creates a spreadsheet with physical resources, e-books, and/or databases, journals, and web-based resources.
  • She looks for current resources and fills gaps in the collection as needed.
• Materials are pulled by Molly or a GA
• Materials from the previous CC display are placed back to their original location in Alma and reshelved.
• The location for the new CC materials is changed in Alma to the temporary CC location.
• Materials are added to a LibGuide.
• Molly periodically checks the location of CC materials to ensure that materials are returned to the appropriate location.
• Molly mentioned that this is not a static display and materials are added periodically to the LibGuide and the physical display.
• Committee members asked how the CC and VCC correlate, how the VCC and CC information is shared, and if they had metrics for the materials loaned.
  • The topics of the CC and VCC try to be similar or the same.
  • The information is available on the library homepage. They have been investigated navigation issues to the VCC with hopes to improve the user experience and raise awareness to the display.
  • The current display is highly visible.
  • They have not pulled recent metrics for the CC, but this could easily be done with the help of Louis Becker. From observation and working closely with the collection, Molly notices when taking down the display that half or more than half of the materials originally included in the display are not on the shelf anymore and loaned.
• Suggestions were made to improve and raise awareness for the VCC and CC. Suggestions included:
  • An overarching theme for the CC could represent the entire year, and the VCC could have related topics to that overarching theme that change each semester to have two semesters worth of material. This suggestion was well received as long as the topic has enough materials in the collection to support it.
  • Improve signage for the CC.
    • Collaborate with Tyler and Marketing and Communication to raise awareness to the physical display.
    • Add QR code to the display to link to the LibGuide
  • Raise awareness through a collaboration with the International Coffeehouse events.
    • Create a handout to distribute to students at the event.
    • Collaborate with GSLAs to add information about the CC and VCC to the display.
  • Have more of a presence on the website.
  • Alex and Molly could work together to create a book display where the leisure reading display is to highlight the CC.
• VCC & CC Topics
  • Gullah Culture https://www.beaufortsc.org/things-to-do/gullah-culture/
  • World Thinking Day – https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/world-thinking-day/
  • Hispanic American Culture
  • LGBTQIA+ Culture
  • Iranian culture for women – specifically related to women fighting for freedom in Iran.
  • Immigration week
• ACTION ITEMS
  • Schedule a sub-committee meeting and invite others from the diversity committee to attend and have discussion regarding the VCC & CC topics.
  • Send a form for members to vote on the VCC & CC topic. Once the topic is decided, the CC display can be completed for the Spring semester.
    • Deadline: before January

International Festival Reflections (Kate and Judy)

• Judy shared photos from the International Festival displaying the display board with recipes, candy, LibGuide, recipe cards, physical cookbooks represented, and the flipchart where users added their favorite food or recipe.
• Kate shared that it was fun to see users take interest in the recipe card with the QR code to try the recipes represented on the LibGuide.
• A big thanks was given to all those involved and who volunteered.
• We built our relationship back up with the International House and should not have an issue participating in the festival again next year.

Lunch & Learn (subcommittee)

• Voting for the Lunch & Learn topics took place. The group decided that the first Lunch & Learn topic would be the Chancellor’s Commission for Latin X. The group decided that following that Lunch & Learn, the next topic will be Student and Financial hardship/food instability. Judy would be able to find a professor from the Haslam Business School to be a panelist.
• The group discussed in-person, hybrid, or virtual events. The group decided to continue working on the logistics for better hybrid options to provide equity, choices, and access.
  • Kate spoke about her work gather information to create a task-force for hybrid events. She is still investigating solutions and will pursue creating a task-force.
  • The model for the Queer Conversations event would be a nice event to build off of.
• Communication methods for the Lunch & Learns were discussed.
  • Once topics are decided, the group will send out save the dates.
  • Efforts can be made to build our networks and send information to potential Listservs.
  • Suggestions were made to assign job duties to sub-committee members for planning, marketing, and communication so the duties don’t fall on one person.
• ACTION ITEMS
  • Schedule a sub-committee meeting to discuss panelists for the two topics – Chancellor’s Commission for Latin X and Student and Financial hardship/food instability.
  • Improve communication efforts once the panelists and dates are decided by distributing job duties to sub-committee members
  • Continue to work on the logistics of hybrid events through a task-force (Kate)

International Coffeehouse (Kate)

• The International Coffeehouses are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 1-3 PM in the Mary Greer room.
  • Email Kate, kshepas@utk.edu, if you are interested in helping staff the event. It is always nice to have representation from the whole Libraries.
  • Additionally, we are always open to suggestions for how we can help raise awareness for what the diversity committee is doing and displaying it at the Coffeehouse events. Please email Kate any suggestions.

September 15, 2022

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Alex Boris, Judy Li, Alison Meadows, Christy Urquieta Cortes, Elizabeth Greene, Kelly Gray, Louis Becker, Michelle Brannen, Megan Venable, Kate Shepas, Kim Blaylock, Tyler Schlandt, Trey Hobson and Sarah Funk

Michelle announced that head shots will be take via HR monthly mingle. Signups can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BA9AF22A7F9C25-library

International Festival updates & call for volunteers – sign up to volunteer here: tiny.utk.edu/2022IEvent

The theme this year will focus on food (30 Sep 2022, 10am – 2pm). Our table will have cookbooks, recipe cards and other information.

Guest speaker, Louis Becker, who will discuss MISO survey results – https://liveutk.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/sites/UTLibraryAssessmentProgramsCollectionStrategy/Shared%20Documents/Assessment%20Programs%20Documents/MISO%202022/MISO%202022%20-%20Diversity%20Focus.pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=hRendo

Direct questions about the survey results to Louis.

Project priority volunteers (strategically scheduling meetings to begin this work) – the Culture Corner/VCC and the Lunch and Learn subcommittees will be meeting later in the month so there will be an update from each subcommittee at our next meeting.

Diversity Committee meeting minutes

UT Libraries Diversity Committee

August 18, 2022

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Elizabeth Green, Lorna Hollowell, Tyler Schlandt, Megan Venable, Alex Boris, Christy Cortes, Melanie Dixson, Judy Li, Kim Blaylock, Katherine Shepas

Agenda:

Announcements- Date for 2022 Day of the Dead is October 28^th in the Galleria in Hodges.

The Book Read was offered to the current class of SIS students and many have signed up. There are 51 people signed up for the initiative.

Project priorities volunteer opportunities:

• Culture Corner/VCC – Megan, Thura, Alison, Tyler, Kate, Elizabeth, Alex, Kim and Christy
• Diversity Committee website – Judy and Megan
• Collaboration and Support of DEI and International Partners and Programs – Judy and Kate
• Resources for DEI Topics (i.e. LibGuides) – Melanie, Alex, Christy and Kate
• Book Read – Megan, Thura, Kim, Michelle, Peter, Lorna, Tyler and Joy Marie Doan from SIS
• Lunch and Learn – Megan, Thura, Elizabeth, Lorna, Tyler, Christy and Kate
• StreamYard – Alex and Elizabeth

Fall Lunch and Learn – We are having a Lunch and Learn on disabled women who are being erased during the pandemic, and what we as members of the UT/Knoxville community can do to prevent this from happening. The initial discussion stemmed from this article: https://www.thelily.com/as-disabled-women-our-lives-have-always-been-erased-but-in-a-pandemic-theyre-urgently-at-stake/.

It will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, September 28th from noon – 1:30 PM at tiny.utk.edu/erased
Meeting ID: 742 5371 2642
Passcode: 4QMc0K

Suggestions for agenda items for September meeting please notify Thura or Megan

» September 15 https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/93172834006

» October 20 https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/98457901582

» November 17 https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/92514738622

» December 15 https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/94355372577

June 16, 2022

Via Zoom

Attendees: Thura Mack, Lorna Hollowell, Kim Blaylock, Elizabeth Greene, Michelle Brannen, Kelly Gray, Megan Venable, Melanie Dixon, Trey Hobson

Thura shared an orientation guideline to present to new members at an upcoming session later in June. We have seven new members and they have all agreed to be part of the diversity committee going forward. Kelly made edits to the orientation guidelines as new members indicated changes.

Megan will arrange for there to be a zoom link for the orientation and get a screen in the room so we can visit the diversity committee website. It will be held in the Mary Greer Room on Thursday, June 23 at 2 PM.

UT Libraries Diversity Committee Meeting

May 19, 2022

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Sara Green, Kim Blaylock, Shaina Destine, Kelly Gray, Michelle Brannen, Lorna Hollowell

Thura requested a moment of silence in recognition of the victims of the Buffalo shootings.

Thura thanked Sara Green and Michelle Brannen for their work to capture our survey data.

Megan announced that the book read is in progress; copies will be distributed to participants over the summer.

The virtual culture corner is updated with the AAPI content; please take a look at it and provide feedback. https://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/virtual-culturecorner/

A discussion of the seven applicants to be members on the Diversity Committee was held. The new members will be invited to an orientation in June and to the DC meeting in July.

All seven applicants will be invited to be members. Megan and Thura will run the list by Dean Smith and invite them to be part of the committee.

Next meeting will be June 16 via Zoom. We will have an orientation framework established to present at that time.

We will also set some goals/theme for the year.

Need to find out who is in charge of the international festival and see the feasibility of continuing our work with it.

UT Libraries Belonging and Engagement Committee

April 21, 2022

Via Zoom

Attendees: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Peter Fernandez, Sara Green, Elizabeth Greene, Kim Blaylock, Lorna Hollowell, Melanie Dixon, Ernest Brothers

There is a Lunch and Learn on Neurodiversity on May 5 on zoom at noon. Please submit questions to our panelists via Megan within the next week for the session.

Suggested questions in the session were:

• What does neurodiversity mean to you?
• How does it impact DEI work? How does it enhance DEI work?
• What are some of the barriers that our students face?
• Are there suggestions on how the campus may become more neurodiverse-friendly?

New membership was discussed. The solicitation form was revised and will be put on our website and invitations would be sent out to the Libraries and the campus community. Peter suggested the following language to go in the solicitation email: UT Libraries Diversity Committee actively seeks new members. We are always looking for new ideas to impact our mission on campus.

Members are asked to think of community members to invite to apply for membership for the committee. Peter asked that we bring names of people who we want to ask for their specific skill to be used on the committee.

Dr. Brothers suggested inviting Tammy White from Leadership Knoxville.

Other names can be added here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yLznZQFYCjY3MMWLdNr52bHIco2ylp0M2VY3kjeWKio/edit?usp=sharing

Belonging and Engagement Committee Meeting

March 17, 2022

Via Zoom

Attending: Megan Venable, Thura Mack, Kim Blaylock, Nathalie Hristrov, Kelly Gray

– Special Guest: Nathalie Hristov – an extensive discussion about the logistics for the upcoming Lunch and Learn was held. Thura and Megan will meet Nathalie Tuesday at 10 am on the 22^nd to help set up the display and coordinate the zoom/technology for the session. Discussion about the questions were had.

Molly Royse, Associate Professor and Humanities Librarian completed the display for the physical Culture Corner on AAPI yesterday and it looks wonderful.

Megan gave an update on the lunch and learns:

Mattering and belonging: Multirace identities did not run due to a lack of panelists

Neurodiversity has a couple of panelists, but we have had a lack of response from the FUTURE office

Several panelists have been secured for a Fall 2022 L&L on women with disabilities being erased in the pandemic

On April 27^th, from 11:30 – 3:30 we will be hosting a ACE Event – Marketing & Communication & Community Learning Services & Diversity Programs Open House. There will be a need to create a flyer featuring the book read, culture corner, and lunch and learn programs. Kelly offered to work on a flyer. Feature the Marva Rudolph award as well. Other ideas are welcomed.

We need to begin working on our annual membership drive.

Next meeting is April 21^st at 1 PM here: https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/96544290809

Diversity Committee meeting minutes

February 17, 2022

Via Zoom

Attending: Megan Venable, Kim Blaylock, Peter Fernandez, Sara Green, Trey Hobson and Thura Mack

Invitation to collaborate with Music Library / Harlem String Quartet – Thura

Harlem String Quartet will be on a panel discussion March 22^nd at 11am-12:15pm in the Great Room of the International House on the UTK campus. The quartet won a US Grammy in 2013 and were first-place laureates of the National Sphinx Competition in 2006. Earlier this year, the quartet was featured in a performance by the New York Philharmonic. One of their violinists has also been engaged around the country to perform the Florence Price Violin Concerto, a monumental work written by a Black, female composer of the early twentieth century that has belatedly gained recognition for her exceptional contributions to musical literature.

Book Read update – Megan

Copies of the book Algorithms of Oppression have been ordered for the subcommittee and are being distributed. Anyone who wants a copy of the book, ask Megan for one.

VCC update – Megan, Michelle, Cathy

The libguide of the VCC has been updated with all the books and ebooks. At this time, there is a need for additional content for the page to include music, artwork, blogs, etc. Megan will create a document in the Teams folder and solicit contributions from the diversity committee.

Thura asked about the status of the physical culture corner and will follow up with Molly about that status.

Sara shared information about an upcoming conference hosted by CRL that themed “Diversity as Knowledge.” More information can be found here: https://www.crl.edu/events/2022-crl-annual-meeting-virtual-event  

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday Jan. 20, 2022

Via Zoom

Attending: Sara Green, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Cathy Jenkins, Elizabeth Green, Sarah Funk, Kim Blaylock, Kelly Gray

Announcements – we will discuss new membership at the February meeting

Spring Lunch and Learn Programs

**Lunch & Learn Neurodiversity (in the works; we have two panelists and a moderator established, we are asking a FUTURE student to participate as a third panelist.

**Spring interest in programs re: BMA (Megan will contact Nathalie in the music library) and multi-race identities (Megan will schedule a meeting with Jeffrey, Lorna, Kim and Thura to discuss and will report back out to the committee)

Sara Green suggested diverse medical care in the era of Covid

Cathy suggested disabled women being “erased” during the pandemic.

https://www.thelily.com/as-disabled-women-our-lives-have-always-been-erased-but-in-a-pandemic-theyre-urgently-at-stake/

Sara Green, Sarah Funk and Cathy agreed to work together to perhaps identify contacts for a lunch and learn on this subject. Megan will coordinate a meeting to discuss.

Book Read Updates

Suggestions For Diversity Committee Projects; Training or Projects:

Cathy recently took an implicit bias training online via K@TE and suggested we examine that diversity aspect (L&OD for campus, EOD for system). She also suggested inviting someone from the DAP committee and having them present or inviting someone from Tyvi’s office to come in as well.

Kim suggested inviting someone Social Work program who specializes in whatever issues we’re trying to program for would always be great additions to pull in, for their expertise. Elizabeth suggested someone from the Department of Public Health.

Sara Green suggested including someone from the Nursing School.

Thura suggested Dr. Keith Gray of the UT Med Center.

Cathy suggested Jose Lee-Perez (865-974-3523 or JPEREZ10@TENNESSEE.EDU)

Sarah Funk suggested Fobazi Ettarh who is a radical librarian. She also suggested DEI work often to the shoulders of people of color; perhaps some training would be beneficial. Could pair with the training on implicit bias.

Next meeting is February 17^th at 1 PM.

https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/91627537548

Diversity Committee meeting

November 11, 2021

Via Zoom

Attendees: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Jeffrey Hines, William DeLeonardis, Kelly Gray, Emma Burgin, Elizabeth Greene, Kim Blaylock, Sarah Funk, Lorna Hollowell

Reminder to please fill out the Gratitude Month monthly mingle information. Thura will send an all lib announcement out to remind the library to fill it out.

“In collaboration with the Libraries’ Diversity Committee, we would like to show our gratitude for our library colleagues and celebrate our uniqueness during the month of November.  From November 1st – 19th, we invite you to complete one (or more!) PowerPoint slides to share something about your identity.  Feel free to be creative and edit the slides to reflect your race, ethnicity, culture and personality!  After completing your slide(s) e-mail them to Olivia and she will post them to SharePoint for our colleagues to view.  We hope everyone will take the time to discover new things about who we work with!  

We would also like to extend an invitation for you to join us on Monday, November 29th from 2:00pm – 3:00pm in Hodges Staff Lounge to explore more about your colleagues’ cultures.  If you have a traditional cultural dress you would like to wear or dish that you would like to share, please do so!  We will also have light refreshments to enjoy as we celebrate and thank all our colleagues.”  

Bill DeLeonardis introduced Emma Burgin as the director of UT’s FUTURE program. Emma gave a presentation on the program and its services to serve students with intellectual and physical disabilities function at their highest levels. Thanks to Bill and the Collection Logistics Department for inviting Emma to talk with us about the FUTURE program.

Future Lunch and Learn Programs Discussion

AAPI Perspective Lunch and Learn went well, we had 43 attendees.

Spring interest in programs re: BMA (Megan will contact Nathalie in the music library) and multi-race identities (Megan will schedule a meeting with Jeffrey, Lorna, Kim and Thura to discuss)

There was discussion about L&L regarding neurodiversity. It will be further discussed when Megan gets the smaller group together.

Book Read updates – meetings are ongoing but a title hasn’t yet been selected. Megan will send the selections back out to the subcommittee for their consideration.

Diversity Committee Minutes

October 14, 2021

Via Zoom

Attendees: Thura Mack, Kim Blaylock, Teresa Walker, Jeffrey Hines, Megan Venable, Peter Fernandez, Vandana Singh, Elizabeth Greene, Sara Green, Shaina Destine, Susan Pritchard, Trey Hobson

Day of the Dead will be Friday, October 29^th from 10 – 3 PM on the first floor of Hodges Library. Thura will be soliciting volunteers for the day.

Book Read discussion: 1-1:30 pm

1. Dr. Vandana Singh from SIS and Teresa Walker from UTK Libraries will be joining us.
2. There was favorable feedback to continue the book read initiative between our two entities. Dean Smith has given his support and would like to be a participant in this next effort. This also gives staff and faculty opportunity to participate in DEI initiatives which is now part of their evaluations.
   1. Prior goals were:
   1. Utilize the book topic to enhance work relationships within and between SIS and UT Libraries.
3. Apply gained knowledge toward strengthening work performance in teaching, service and scholarship.
4. Solicit subcommittee members to work on this initiative. Megan will tap the prior subcommittee to see if they are willing to continue to serve, but please let her know if you would like to join this effort.

Discussion about the partnership with the library HR to celebrate diversity in the month of November: 1:30-2pm

1. Susan Pritchard will be joining and facilitating this discussion. November Monthly Mingles have in the past been on what we are thankful for. This year they would like to emphasize our gratitude for the diversity we have within the library. Recipes could be shared, or cultural attire, poster session, etc. Susan and Elizabeth will get the email invitation to the diversity committee for review before sending to all library.

Diversity Committee meeting minutes

September 16, 2021

Via Zoom

Attending: Kelly Gray, Cathy Jenkins, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Michelle Brannen, Shaina Destine, Kelly Blaylock, Trey Hobson

Agenda:

• Announcements

• Issues/problems our handicapped students face
• Response to local/state/world topics as they happen
• Ok to invite SIS Director Abebe Rorissa and Steve Smith to October meeting to discuss another Book Read between our organization

• Announcements – Megan announced the September Lunch and Learn re: MBA is cancelled, and we will focus on the November L&L on AAPI. Shaina announced that in coordination with the Pride Center we will work on a collaboration to honor Octavia Butler and her work. Megan and Shaina will meet with the Pride Center to make this happen.
• A google doc will be started to create a budget for the Diversity Committee to include budget items for Lunch and Learns, International Festival and Black History Month.
• Response to local/state/world topics as they happen – Cathy asked if there was a way the DC could be more responsive to issues in the news, perhaps identifying authorities on campus to make videos on certain subjects. Michelle suggested using lib guides identify topics and then assign small teams to develop a guide with resources on the topics to share out to campus. Kelly suggested a blog format. Trey suggested utilizing social media/news feeds on the website that are already in existence. Cathy suggested we talk to Christine in marketing and Sarah Funk about getting a news feed on the site. Shaina pointed out that themes are often recurring. Michelle mentioned the glass board for a DC feature at some point in the future. Kelly suggested we start making a note of resources as we go to collect historical context on hot button issues in One Drive. The team agreed to share the budget above and ideas for timely subjects/resources on Google.
• Ok to invite SIS Director Abebe Rorissa and Steve Smith to October meeting to discuss another Book Read between our organizations – OK to invite.

August 19, 2021

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Kim Blaylock, Megan Venable, Ethan Graham Roeder, Cathy Jenkins, Shaina Destine, Charissa Powell, Sarah Funk, Kelly Gray, Sara Green, Trey Hobson, Melanie Dixon, Elizabeth Greene

Ethan Graham announced that his last day at UT will be August 29^th. He shared that he was excited about the Group Read with the campus community and the opportunity to participate in the website update almost immediately upon joining the committee.

Website updates – website should be updated; if there are questions or problems or updates, please let Megan know.

Virtual Cultural Corner Updates – will be AAPI focused; meeting scheduled next week to plan. A discussion was held about where/when the decision was made to have the virtual culture corner and the Culture Corner be the same topic – it was in the June meeting. Trey and Kelly offered to join the subcommittee; Megan invited them to the meeting next week.

Reminder: we have a website subcommittee and a virtual culture corner subcommittee. While these two groups have different goals, the work does overlap.

Lunch & Learn Progress – Black Musicians Alliance is scheduled for September 16^th, working on an AAPI L&L for November. We are still waiting to hear from the music library to establish the BMA lunch and learn.

Book Read Wrap-Up – attendees have been invited to next week’s session. Charissa, Michelle and Megan are working with the subcommittee to put together slides for the session.

Slides are here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qyQvw9xmmWqj11BZjHXM8CVXET2Q2tN8/edit#slide=id.p1

UT Libraries Diversity Committee

Meeting Minutes June 17, 2021

Via Zoom

Attendees: Thura Mack, Cathy Jenkins, Megan Venable, Ethan Graham Roeder, Jeffrey Hines, Ernest Brothers, Sarah Funk, Charissa Powell, Sara Green, Anne Hulse

Lunch and Learn for the Fall – AAPI

Thura and Megan are working with multicultural student life to find some resources – a meeting is scheduled for July 2021

Another topic of interest for a lunch and learn may be on the Black Musicians Alliance and diversity in music.

Cathy suggested adding the element of CRT to the BMA presentation.

Jeffrey suggested a topic as multi-race identities

Perhaps pursue a fall lunch and learn on BMA, and look toward a mixed race identity in the spring 2022 semester.

Website update – Ethan Graham has separated the web pages into different folders. The information needs to be collated.  Megan will share the google folder with the committee.

Cathy will work on miscellaneous and diversity residents

Ethan Graham and Sarah will work on the meeting minutes

Megan will work on events, lunch and learns and culture corners

VCC update

Culture Corner update

• The VCC will mirror the topic of the physical Culture Corner. Whereas the CC will contain book resources, the VCC will feature additionally music, art, resources and conversations.

• The VCC content will be archived on the culture corner libguide, and the VCC template will used for the next topic in the CC.

• Megan will work with Molly to get the book resources added to the VCC site.

Next meeting: July 15 via zoom

Diversity Committee meeting

May 20, 2021

Via Zoom

Attendees: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Lorna Hollowell, Jeffrey Hines, Kim Blaylock, Cathy Jenkins, Ethan Graham Roeder, Anne Hulse, Peter Fernandez, Ernest Brothers, Kelly Gray, Sarah Funk, Melanie Dixson, Charissa Powell

Meet and greet with our new members icebreaker activity: What is your favorite food and where would you like to travel if money wasn’t a barrier.

Welcome to Kelly Gray and Ethan Graham Roeder!

Thura asked for volunteers to work on the website. Interest in switching the resources to libguides. Team will include Sarah Funk, Ethan Graham Roeder, Kelly Gray, Megan Venable and Michelle Brannen, Cathy Jenkins and Jeffrey Hines.

There was a brief discussion on the Virtual Culture Corner vs. a physical Culture Corner – both will continue.

Ethan Graham will join the subcommittee for the VCC for the next meeting. Megan will schedule the next meeting.

Megan and Lorna gave the committee an update on NCBI. NCBI is a testament to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s commitment to educating our campus community on diversity, equity, inclusion, and identities while highlighting these conversations. Our team’s aim is to take action during a time that silence about these topics is no longer acceptable. Our goal is to bring educational opportunities to our campus community through workshops tailored specifically for our students, staff, and faculty that are led by our own students, staff, and faculty.

NCBI at UTK provides the space for our community to engage in critical and sometimes difficult dialogue that is crucial for our campus to grow, and growth starts with each of us. NCBI is here to help you water the seeds for growth. As Vols, we should all be committed to consistently improving, sprouting new thoughts & ideas, and growing, especially in our relationships with our campus and community. Part of growth is challenging yourself to explore both who you are and who others around you are at a deeper level. While may seem difficult, the UTK NCBI team is ready and excited to help equip you with the tools you need to tend to your growth and delve deep into what it truly means for all Vols to matter and belong.

Our next diversity committee date is June 17, 2021 at 1 PM

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes

April 15, 2021

Via Zoom

Attending: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Jeffrey Hines, Elizabeth Greene, Anne Hulse, Sara Green, Lorna Hollowell, Michelle Brannen, Peter Fernandez, Cathy Jenkins, Kim Blaylock

Onboarding process for new members – Thura

• Lorna suggested sharing mission and vision, and recapping the history of the diversity committee. Share also some ongoing projects that they can assist with.
• Michelle suggested walking them through the website, or perhaps assigning a current committee member to be buddy’ed up with them.
• Lorna suggested sending a photo with everyone’s names so they can assign names with faces.
• Lorna suggested making a meeting that is purely social.
• Anne suggested ice breakers.
• Consider asking some of the applicants who were not selected to serve on some subcommittees.
• The two new members will be invited to attend regular meetings starting on May 20^th.

Michelle Brannen Wikipedia project

• Michelle suggested we partner with Meredith Hale, and work on Wikipedia pages for women and people of color in Tennessee history with little or no web presence. Megan will invite Meredith to the July diversity committee meeting to provide the training to edit the wiki pages.

Virtual Culture Corner

• Thura wanted to make sure we were supporting our Asian American students, faculty and staff; perhaps a lunch and learn in the fall
• Perhaps create a physical Culture Corner on Asian American resources
• Michelle suggested contacting their student organization before starting a Culture Corner or Lunch & Learn – https://utk.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/asianamericanassociation
• Lorna suggested contacting the panelists she participated in to see if they would collaborate.
• Megan will contact the panelists and the student organization and see what interest there is in collaboration in either culture corner or lunch and learn or both.

Reflections on Lunch and Learn – fall ideas?

Next meeting will be Thursday, May 20 at 1 PM via Zoom.

Diversity Committee Minutes

March 18, 2021

Via Zoom

Attending, Thura Mack, Peter Fernandez, Sarah Funk, Elizabeth Green, Kim Blaylock, Melanie Dixson, Anne Hulse, Charissa Powell

• Lunch and Learn updates – Megan to ask Cathy, Elizabeth and Kim to assist with technology during the L&L to proactively remove any potential zoom bombs during the session.

• Performance Key Elements – Elizabeth needs assistance in crafting criteria on the change in performance reviews. See the section below; the yellow section is being removed and replaced with the section in blue. A subcommittee of Thura Mack, Megan Venable and Sarah Funk volunteered to meeting with Elizabeth to draft performance review criteria to reflect inclusion, diversity and equity.

Adaptability & Flexibility – the extent to which the employee exhibits openness to new ideas, programs, systems, and/or structures.

Rarely Achieves Expectations

• Resistant to change whether in normal duties, schedule or environment to meet the needs of the team. Shows little or no flexibility in determining how tasks are accomplished. 
• Does not work well in group situations where blending of ideas is required.
• Performance may be counterproductive to the team goals.
• Rarely seeks assistance, leading to repeated mistakes.
• Complains without offering advice or solutions; does not contribute to team in a professional and productive manner.
• Conflict resolution is personal not professional.

Sometimes Achieves Expectations

• Shows minimal resistance to change in duties, schedule or environment to meet the needs of the team. 
• Sometimes works well in group situations where blending of ideas is required.
• Sometimes requests help from others when appropriate to learn how tasks should be accomplished.
• Sometimes responds to change without being incessantly negative or unnecessarily critical.

Fully Achieves Expectations

• Does not resist change in duties, schedule or environment to meet the needs of the team. 
• Works in group situations where blending of ideas is required. 
• Adapts to new situations. 
• Responds constructively to change. 

Fully Achieves and Occasionally Exceeds Expectations

• Willing to modify work procedures, duties, schedule or environment to accommodate the changing needs of the team. 
• Willingly works in group situations where blending of ideas is required and occasionally serves as a leader.
• Adapts and responds constructively change, occasionally assisting others in adapting to change. 

Consistently Exceeds Expectations

• Actively recommends modifications in work procedures, duties, schedule or environment to improve or accommodate the changing needs of the team. 
• Serves as a leader in group situations where blending of ideas is required. 
• Is open to new ideas and helps others in adapting to change. 
• Keeps conflict resolution professional and not personal.
• Offers open exploration of differing ideas and solutions within the team.

Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity – the extent to which the employee treats others with fairness, dignity and respect, fosters inclusion, values individual and group differences, makes efforts to enhance inclusion, diversity, and equity, and contributes to departmental and organizational unit diversity strategic goals. 

Diversity Committee Meeting

February 18, 2021

Via Zoom

Attendees: Elizabeth Greene, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Sarah Funk, Melanie Dixon, Kim Blaylock, Peter Fernandez, Trey Hobson, Shaina Destine, Anne Hulse, Sarah Green, Cathy Jenkins

• ; this work is ongoing. We will revisit this topic at a later date.
• Book Read w/SIS -Megan; 88 people have been issued books. A meeting of the subcommittee is scheduled for next week, and a script for Carol and Steve for the kickoff session will be devised.  A meeting to walk Carol and Steve through the kickoff session has been scheduled.
• Open call for new members-Thura
• Add “about us” section to include bios for each member

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes

January 21, 2021

Via Zoom

Attending: Cathy Jenkins, Sarah Funk, Thura Mack, Megan Venable Kim Blaylock, Mat Jordan, Melanie Dixon, Peter Fernandez, Michelle Brannen

Announcements-

• Welcome Sarah Funk

Lunch and Learn topic suggestions

• L&L on mental wellbeing – Thura and Melanie will work offline with Preston Med Library to firm up a topic/date

Update on Black Issues Conference — Michelle

• Megan, Michelle and Thura working on a presentation for the conference on health misinformation.
• Melanie will provide support if the proposal is accepted.

Update on Book Read with SIS – Megan

• 88 people have signed up, and March 8 is likely the kickoff meeting via Zoom.
• Steve Smith and Carol Tenopir have agreed to lead the kickoff session.

How can the Diversity Committee support ACE? – Elizabeth

• https://www.racialequityinstitute.com/groundwaterapproach – the committee will support participation in this groundwater session with a three-hour introduction to Racial Equity in March.
• Participate in the Book Read w/SIS
• Perhaps another “Let’s Talk About It” in Fall 2021
• Cathy and Mat discussed exploring inequity in information access/vaccinations for Covid-19. Melanie brought up the rapidly-changing information being produced and hesitated to create something at this time.
• Peter suggested a lit review/programming/something about what the effects are of various diversity programming

Change Diversity Committee to “Diversity and Inclusion Committee” — (group discussion)

The Diversity Committee website will be changed to Diversity and Inclusion at UT Libraries, and the Diversity Committee will be a link on that site as an effort by UT Libraries. Cathy, Mat, Elizabeth and Sarah will work offline to discuss this possibility and change to the site.

Questions?

Next meeting– February 18

Diversity Committee Meeting:

November 19, 2020 @ 1pm

Via Zoom: https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/9482011320

Attendees: Thura Mack, Ernest Brothers, Anne Hulse, Peter Fernandez, Cathy Jenkins, Mat Jordan, Charissa Powell, Sarah Green, Melanie Dixon, Megan Venable, Kim Blaylock, Trey Hobson

Thura announced that she will be sharing the Beck Cultural Center events via email.

Cathy announced In conversation: with Bettye Kearse & Robert Blande author of The Other Madisons: The Lost History of a President’s Black Family (https://www.bettyekearse.com/)

Event date is 12/8

@7pm

Agenda:

Spring 2021 Lunch and Learn topics – Danielle Bohn has been invited to attend our Diversity Committee meeting to discuss mental well being. Perhaps invite her to participate in a Lunch and Learn in the Spring 2021.

Book read updates – meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss a title and timeline. Current front runners are “Algorithms of Oppression” and “So you want to talk about race”

Poll is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZu-Wk8bXW68fh9PmtooCi345JzrtHI_pfB9kzf4JztVGjRQ/viewform

Virtual Culture Corner update – need to keep content updated and fresh

Mat gave an update on how the Let’s Talk About It conversations wrapped up.

Everyone shared what they were working on to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic.

Cathy announced Artist in the Archives being presented tonight. https://volumes.lib.utk.edu/news/boundless-announcement/

Upcoming meeting dates (via Zoom at 1 – 2 PM)

December 17, 2020

January 21

February 18

March 18

April 15

May 20

June 17

July 15

August 19

September 16

Diversity Committee meeting minutes

October 15, 2020

Via Zoom

Present: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Michelle Brannen, Peter Fernandez, Lorna Hollowell, Charissa Powell, Trey Hobson

Special guests: Carol Tenopir and Casey Fox

Michelle outlined her notes on a plan for a collaboration between SIS and the UT Libraries for a group book read: (https://liveutk.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/UT_DiversityCommittee529/_layouts/15/guestaccess.aspx?e=gsu2Z1&share=EdN091imvSpKoDvaQp_E8oQBjt4sV-SODgGElTG9aF1yzQ)

A subcommittee will be formed consisting of Peter, Michelle, Megan, Thura, Casey, Kim Blaylock and an SIS designee. Once the designee is identified, a draft email to the past Org Read participants soliciting book titles will be crafted by Megan and sent to the sub committee for approval.. The subcommittee will vet the list and meet to discuss the feasibility of access to titles.

Once a title is identified, an offer will be sent to all lib and SIS faculty inviting them to participate in a 2^nd Org Read with the intent to have participants selected by late November, books distributed electronically in December and discussions to begin in late January/February 2021.

Diversity Committee meeting 8.20.20

Via Zoom

Attendees: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Ernest Brothers, Sara Green, Mat Jordan, Elizabeth Green, Peter Fernandez, Michelle Brannen, Shaina Destine, Charissa Powell, Anne Hulse, Lorna Hollowell

• Let’s Talk About It – Conversations about racism and growth about how we talk about racism and how that reflects on our organization
  • Internal conversations between staff and faculty – not open to the public.
  • Elizabeth Greene and Susan Pritchard are working to see how this can incorporate with ACE and their work throughout this year.
  • Mat proposed a program to the Counseling Program (get name from Mat) and how we might work with doc students for this program.
  • 3 zoom sessions
    • 1.5 hours long
    • Biweekly starting 9/21 – final conversation on 10/19
    • Each with individual frame:
      • Session 1: Individual self-reflection
      • Questions about society
      • Questions about how this relates to our organization – both the Libraries and UT
    • 4 themes
      • Diversity inclusion and bias
      • How to be an ally
      • Cultural competence
      • How to be an inclusive service
    • To-Do still
      • Determine what ideal size for these sessions will be
        • They might need to be small to be very effective
        • Ideally they want participants to participate in all sessions
  • Communication coming soon – target early Sep
  • Shaina is in Faculty Fellow program at campus level and they have some resources for speakers. There might be a way to support this program and collaborate.
    • Shaina also did speaker facilitation training.
• Virtual Culture Corner –
  • In a good place and waiting for some tech help
  • Met with Native American student advisor for NASA (Lisa)
  • Please rename culture corner: Round Dance: Learning from Native Stories and Voices”
  • They would like to be a sponsor for the lunch and learn about indigenous people
  • Communications / Partnerships with this group are growing
• Lunch and Learn
  • Multicultural student life and Pride Center for programs on “How to be an Antiracist”
  • They may want to collaborate with Shaina for help with facilitation of those lunch and learns.
  • Another lunch and learn about indigenous people – planned for October 8
    • Met with marketing to get support there.
    • Panel organized – Student from LMU, Professor from LMU, UT student, 2 native American community members
    • Sample questions
    • We’ll have this at 12-1:30
• Approached by SIS – want to partner for a group read
  • Casey Fox, in Libraries Development and on SIS board, gave them info about our Organizational Read
  • They want to include SIS alumni
  • They want to include library society board
  • SIS and Libraries staff and faculty
  • Want to do in spring
• Shaina and Trey – LibGuide update
  • https://libguides.utk.edu/antiracism
  • Send content to Shaina to add

• Peter suggested: given all the interest in this, maybe a project for us to take on this semester is to brainstorm how to make tools/train the trainers/something else to help other departments do similar activities

• Mat offered that his daughter’s school is being renamed from the war general from the civil war, and Lorna said that UT is putting together a team to identify and examine the names of buildings on campus.

June 18, 2020

UT Libraries Diversity Committee meeting minutes

June 18, 2020  Via Zoom

Attendees: Sara Green, Megan Venable, Jeffrey Hines, Kim Blaylock, Trey Hobson, Thura Mack, Mat Jordan, Shaina Destine, Anne Hulse, Charissa Powell, Cathy Jenkins, Lorna Hollowell and Michelle Brannen

Guest Attendee: Molly Royse

Virtual Culture Corner Updates – it has been named Circle of Life: Learning from Native Stories and Voices. The intention is for the site to be dynamic and fluid with perhaps a spotlight each week on a different feature. Mat will attend the next subcommittee meeting to help create the website.

Molly’s virtual corner notes show that “we were thinking about these 5 components for the virtual culture corner webpage, which would basically serve as a portal to:

1. Music – This could include music databases, point to the CDs/audio resources on the Libguide, etc.
2. Art – This would include the McClung images. It could also include art databases. Art databases could be part of the Libguide, but this particular area would point to that section.
3. Community – Perhaps this could point to both UT and Knoxville/TN sites (e.g. https://multicultural.utk.edu/resources/student-organizations/nasa/).
4. Resources (maybe call this one Library Resources?) – This would point to the Libguide (https://libguides.utk.edu/culture-corner), which currently includes sections for print books, e-books, streaming media & DVD, Native American Authors, and UT organizations & Resources. I suggest we not call this component “Libguide” for that doesn’t mean anything to the non-librarian, but clicking on it will get one to our Libguide which then lists various library resource categories.
5. Conversations – Perhaps here we include some ways for the user to interact, links to podcasts, blogs, etc.?”

No final decisions were made, but these were being discussed as possibilities.  One could “mouse over” a circle of one of the above and see what is included in that area OR there could be one big circle for an area such as Library Resources and then smaller circles surrounding it could be for books, Native American Authors, Media, Databases, Journals, etc.

Virtual Lunch and Learn Discussion – Thura has been in contact with the student who initiated the topic and asked her to participate in a panel discussion. Thura was hoping we could set a date in October for a Lunch and Learn. She also floated the idea of having a lunch and learn on anti-racism.

Molly mentioned there were several compiled lists of resources based on anti-racism that might be a good starting place for a list of our own resources. Cathy mentioned compiling a list of minority-owned businesses to support. Shaina mentioned compiling both sets of information, and Michelle suggested we allow patrons to suggest adding titles/businesses. Information will be shared on the Diversity Committee Google drive.

Cathy asked if there were any planned events for a Juneteenth celebration. Thura promised to share information that she had about the Juneteenth celebration.

Because of so many unknowns with the pandemic, we discussed and agreed that any programming we plan for the fall will be done electronically.

In an effort not to overwhelm the committee work, we should consider partnering with similar programs. Regarding our discussion about working efficiently, Cathy mentioned we support other offices programming instead of creating everything ourselves.

Mat mentioned that we support or assist or provide space for helping those struggling with racism in our current climate within the library. Shaina mentioned having a virtual open forum on the subject. Thura suggested calling them Healing Conversations. Cathy suggested creating a space for black students, faculty and staff. There was a lot of conversation about whether or not to have a structured program with a therapist or counselor leading the session vs. an open forum for discussion informally.

Our acting dean Holly is compiling a list of Diversity & Inclusion Programming for Fall 2020. Michelle mentioned that we could send our ideas to the dean’s office by tomorrow even if we do not have a date for the initiative.

Shaina and Trey are working on a libguide on anti racism.

Lorna mentioned meeting with someone from the English department. They would like to collaborate with UT Diversity (education and training) on a common/organizational read. All collaborators would have a chance to lead a discussion/program.

Tyvi Small asked Lorna to reach out to Teresa Walker about a resource she is working on.

It was asked if there is a shared digital space that reading guides and tools used for organizational readings live and can be shared with other entities on campus that would like to host one of their own. Will the library compile this information?

Shaina suggested that some of our anti-racism work can be shared with the liaison groups for their newsletters to their departments.

DeEtta Jones was mentioned by Shaina and Charissa as a facilitator for the open group.

Charissa is starting a google doc and will send out a link.

May 14, 2020

Diversity Committee Meeting 5.14.20

Via Zoom

Attendees: Kim Blaylock, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Anne Hulse, Peter Fernandez, Jeffrey Hines, Cathy Jenkins, Mat Jordan, Charissa Powell, Trey Hobson, Lorna Hollowell, Michelle Brannen,

Thura announced she attended the Chancellor’s Awards ceremony virtually along with Anne last week, that we might be able to do something similar in the future.

Megan updated the group on the Virtual Culture Corner with the new Microsoft Teams site. Megan will add Mat Jordan to the MS Teams site. Perhaps this topic (indigenous peoples) will lead to a fall lunch and learn and/or an organizational read. Anton’s Treuer’s works along with other works suggested by the committee will be considered for a future org read.

https://antontreuer.com/

The diversity committee will consider keeping the topic of indigenous people for a year, indicating the fall lunch and learn would be on that topic. Fall will be a virtual lunch and learn. There was discussion about how to advertise a zoom lunch and learn as well as how people would RSVP for the discussion to keep general public from attending virtually. Mat would be able to help set up registration and Michelle offered to set up the Zoom restrictions for the session.

Peter suggested finding a single person as opposed to a panel to speak on the topic as logistically it would be easier to coordinate virtually. Michelle suggested a static video of a presentation on the lunch and learn topic that would create a continuous dialog that would speak to the spring 2021 speaker Anton Treuer as opposed to having a set date/time for a presentation. Lorna recently moderated a panel via zoom that contained 150 people that went well to use as a model for potential lunch and learn. Mat mentioned that we should reach out to organizations on campus to identify a topic specifically. Jeffrey suggested focusing on the support the federal government is giving indigenous peoples during this pandemic. Cathy suggested we reach out to the advisor of the student organization to identify a topic.

Peter and Thura will work together to identify the advisor and reach out to him/her to identify a topic.

The format we will use for the lunch and learn will lean toward Lorna’s suggestion. Lorna gave a demonstration on how it worked.Program requests (End-Hunger-FEED, https://endhunger.utk.edu/) was not discussed, and will be moved to the June meeting.

April 16, 2020

Zoom Meeting

Attendees: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Lorna Hollowell, Michelle Brannen, Ernest Brothers, Sara Green, Kim Blaylock, Charissa Powell, Javiette Samuel, Shaina Destine, Trey Hobson, Cathy Jenkins, Anne Hulse, Jeffrey Hines and Melanie Dixon.

Diversity Committee meeting, Thursday 4/16 starting @ 1pm.

The agenda included:

• Announcements

Charissa reported that Safe Zone is doing training later this month – sign up here: https://safezone.utk.edu

Michelle reported and update of Covid-19 – found here: https://www.lib.utk.edu/special/chronicling-covid-19/

Cathy reported that National Library Week is next week and advised that marketing is providing some resources for it.

Cathy provided via chat: Center for Student Engagement to discuss April’s book Dare to Lead by Brene Brown! Visit tiny.utk.edu/VirtualBookClub to check out the first discussion post.

Anna Sandelli and Thura are participating on Teaching and Learning Innovation’s (TLI) Inclusive Teaching Task Force. The TLI department is moving forward with implementing a campus wide inclusive teaching certificate program. They hope to begin the program in September 2020.

• Guest–Javiette Samuel, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Division of Diversity and Engagement
  • As a new division, they have been working to define their mission and vision
  • All units will need to create a diversity plan, including the Office of Diversity and Engagement
  • They are working on an anti-bullying plan
  • Many people in her department are participating in the International Women of Color Conference; a fully virtual experience
  • The different commissions are working on a way to electronically celebrate the Chancellor’s Awards recipients
  • Still engaged in what other institutions have been providing online in terms of diversity activities.
  • Javiette is a member of the emergency response team who are meeting regularly to identify what the fall semester will look like.
  • They have translated the university’s Covid-19 information into Spanish and Mandarin.
  • Their office has been tracking what goods and services the university is acquiring during this time from minority-owned resources/business owners.
  • Her office is in the process of planning their summer retreat virtually.

Question: Anne asked the best place to go to find information; Javiette responded that the website is being re-tooled, because communication efforts are focused on Covid-19. Javiette will look for system-wide resources and get it to Thura.

Question: Cathy asked about the existing suppliers will be vetted to identify minority suppliers; Javiette responded they cannot promote individual businesses at this time, but they are looking to identify those resources.

• Creating a Virtual Culture Corner for Indigenous Peoples – Molly working to create a list of resources that should be available next week.

There was a lot of conversation about land acknowledgement

We currently have an expired land acknowledgement with UT and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation; Lorna mentioned that another entity on campus is working on this initiative and we should combine efforts with them. The committee we should meet with the key stakeholders and work with them moving forward. Cathy, Lorna, and Michelle agreed to work together as a subcommittee to work on this initiative. Jeffrey offered his support as well.

Kim suggested: There are many things in S.C.O.U.T. re: original letters from tribe leaders to the gov’t during that time period.  Pretty cool stuff.

• Lunch & Learn – Schedule an October zoom session re: American Indian/Native American Heritage Month in November (Discuss ways to keep this conversation ongoing)
  • Sara suggested: Marie Junalasky would be an interesting person to interview for this.

Minutes submitted by Megan Venable

February 20, 2020

Present: Charissa Powell, Kim Blaylock, Melanie Dixon, Lorna Hollowell, Jeffrey Hines, Elizabeth Greene, Anne Hulse, Trey Hobson, Megan Venable, Thura Mack, Aisha Johnson-Jones, Shaina Destine, Peter Fernandez

Thura congratulated Shaina for her new tenure track position.

Megan and Lorna attended the NCBI train the trainer session; more information to come once designation is established on campus.

Thura introduced Aisha to our program highlights: Lunch and Learns, Culture Corner, International Festival, Black Issues Conference, Diversity Publications/Marketing, Cultural Competency Learning certificate program, creation of the organizational diversity statement, winner of the Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity award, ALA Llama award, Diversity Residency program and Spirit Award.

A conversation with Dr. Johnson-Jones ensued regarding libraries, language, respect in titles and honorifics, etc.

Thura asked for new ideas/initiatives the committee may consider going forward –

• Lorna suggested addressing retention of students and faculty of color.
• Maybe self care information/programs for students and staff after racial encounters on campus

Shaina discussed a presentation she made about creating a safe space for students on campus here in the library.

January 16, 2020

Attending: Trey Hobson, Jeffrey Hines, Michelle Brannen, Mat Jordan, Elizabeth Greene, Anne Hulse, Charissa Powell, Melanie Dixon, Sara Green, Megan Venable

Minutes:

• Announcements – An evening with culinary historian Michael Twitty Tuesday, February 11, 7 PM in the Press Room.
• Organizational Read updates 
  • Subcommittee meeting scheduled for January 22 at 1 PM.
  • Charissa shared her post event survey with the group: https://utk.questionpro.com/t/AOutKZe867
  • A possible additional small group discussion may be added as there is still interest in attendance.
• Need Culture Corner topics
  • In light of the 225^th birthday of the university, perhaps work with Alesha Shumar in creating a “racism at UTK” theme?
  • For fall 2020: Food Insecurity
• Our guest for March 19 will be Lorna Hollowell 

Schedule for Dr. Aisha Johnson-Jones for

Wednesday, February 19

Arrival 4:40 PM (Pickup will be Shaina Destine)

6:30 – Dinner with Multicultural Student Life designees in FBCC Room 216

Attendees: Aisha Johnson-Jones, Shaina Destine, Thura Mack, Tanisha Jenkins (incomplete list)

Thursday, February 20

9:00 AM – Breakfast with School of Information Sciences in the Mary Greer Room

Attendees: Aisha Johnson-Jones, Shaina Destine, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Rachel Fleming-May (incomplete list)

10:00 – Campus/downtown tour with Shaina and Megan (library car reserved for this)

10:30 – Library tour with Shaina

11:30 – Lunch with Shaina and Steve (Sunspot; Megan will drop off and pick up attendees in library car)

1:00 PM – Meet with UT Libraries Diversity Committee

3:00 – Lecture in auditorium

7:00 – Return flight (Drop off will be Megan Venable)

October 17, 2019

Present: Cathy Jenkins, Melanie Allen, Kim Blaylock, Shaina Destine, Peter Fernandez, Elizabeth Greene, Jeffrey Hines, Anne Hulse, Charissa Powell, Megan Venable

• International Festival – Megan will contact Allison Sharp and ask if she will compile a list of international resources for students for the festival for next year
• Survey results from 2019 International Festival – Charissa reviewed the survey results.
• Lunch and Learn for spring 2020 ideas?
  • Cathy suggested housing insecurity for students
  • Perhaps contemplate a collaboration with the WCC to invite the new (yet elected) mayor to campus in the spring
  • Sara will compile a list of suggestions from survey results to get ideas on future Lunch and Learns
• Mat and Shaina update re: web messaging for incivility events on campus.
  • Shaina reported that language for the messages is being crafted, and she will bring suggested text to the committee for review as needed.
• Please sign the card congratulating Tyvi Small on his full time status as Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion – done
• Volunteers for Day of the Dead held in Hodges 1^st floor on 11/1, 9 AM – 4 PM
  • Interested committee members should get in touch with Thura for shifts.
• Ideas on who to invite to speak at upcoming Diversity Committee meetings? Will be inviting the new inclusive teaching staff person from TLI.
  • From CHEW – Michele Dorsainvil or Rebecca Juarez
  • From Fraternity and Sorority Life – Tenea Lowery

September 19, 2019

Present: Charissa Powell, Michelle Brannen, Melanie Dixon, Peter Fernandez, Elizabeth Greene, Sara Green, Cathy Jenkins, Mat Jordan, Kim Blaylock, Thura Mack, Megan Venable

Announcements

• Thura thanked Cathy for providing information about
  • CCI Diversity & Inclusion Week: Film Screening of “Change the Subject” and
  • CSW SJII Heather McGhee which Thura distributed via email to the committee.
• The OUTstanding conference is September 28 for those interested in attending. Discussion was held about considering submitting a proposal and maybe volunteering during the conference for presentation next year.
• Thura thanked the committee for its work and recommended that we pause and do reflections to put in place a more effective and strategic working method for our projects.

Updates for the International Festival

• It was noted in the Council for Diversity and Inclusion noted and appreciated our participation in the International Festival.
• The Committee agreed to continue participating in the International Festival; however we should work on a plan earlier in the year for programming for the day. It was suggested we next year arrange a table of library resources specific to international students.
• Megan will contact Allison Sharp to request resources about Mango or handouts featuring the International Coffeehouses.
• This year’s table will feature an app where students can pose with a green screen and have their image superimposed in international locations. The schedule thus far is:
  • 10-11- Thura & Megan
  • 11-12- Kim Blaylock & Shaina Destine
  • 12-1- Anne Hulse & Trey Hobson
  • 1-2-  Christy Thomas & Tonya Brewer
  • Breakdown- Thura & Megan
• Charissa will create a feedback form for the International Festival.

Organizational Read updates

• Time change for opening session is October 8, 10 AM – 12 PM
• Carolyn Hodges is a co-facilitator with Steve Smith
• The Chancellor will participate from 10 – 11
• Setup for the kickoff meeting was discussed; subcommittee will consider
• Subcommittee will also consider the email needed to send to all lib
• See pdf for another library’s book read experience with White Fragility…

Upcoming October Lunch and Learn, October 23, in Hodges 605.

Mat suggested having the website contain a reactive message crafted which outlines our diversity statement, values and mission in response to acts of incivility on our campus. He is working with Shaina to create the wording.

August 15, 2019

Announcements & Welcome

Jeffery Hines was welcomed as a new member. Anne shared that her department has been renamed the Center for Global Engagement, and the date of the International Festival September 27

Louis Becker: Culture Corner ideas included linking cultural corner displays to Shea Kidd Houze the Dean of Students new conversation series, creating a libguide much like the ones in place that Allie Roberts and Allison Sharp have created to support the international café and the leisure reading display, creating QR codes for e-books featured in the cultural corner and  little handout of library materials related to the topics of their talks. It would be a great way to promote library collections and further education on these topics. Volunteers will help get some of these ideals in place for the upcoming organizational read display.

Charissa Powell: Organizational Read facilitator training

Charissa will be scheduling training sessions the week after the kickoff meeting, led by her and Amber Sewell. The training is set for Tuesday, October 15 from 10:30-11:30 in Hodges 150.

Update on Lunch and Learns:

Monday, September 16^th from noon – 1:30 for the Lunch and Learn on Financial Literacy

Bilqis Amatus-Salaam is the Wellness Coordinator for General Wellness Promotion at the Center for Health Education and Wellness. She completed her Master in Public Health in 2015 with a focus on sexual health and college student health. In her role at UT she focuses on cold and flu prevention, stress reduction, sleep promotion, nutrition, and sexual health. 

John Nolan has represented SunTrust Bank in Knoxville since April 2014. Being named a SunTrust Purpose Ambassador in both 2018 and 2019, he delivers financial confidence through various non-profit organizations including the Knoxville Area Urban League and Junior Achievement throughout East Tennessee using Financial Literacy Education. When he is not teaching budgeting, saving and credit-building skills, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 15 years, Rebecca, their 11-year-old son, Alex, and their three year-old Golden Doodle, Penny.

Moderator: Philippa Satterwhite

Thura update on First Gen College Students

Wednesday, October 23rd from noon – 2 in Hodges 605Supporting First-Generation Students (Diversi-Tea in collaboration with the UT Libraries)

In this session, participants will hear from a panel of first-generation students at varying levels of their academic experience to foster better understanding of the strengths and academic needs of this population. Additionally, faculty, staff and students are invited to discuss with the panel ideas for supporting first-generation students both in and outside the classroom to foster their success. Light refreshments will be served.

Megan and Thura will meet with Janelle and Ferlin, coordinators of the Diversi-Tea, to make arrangements.

September agenda items

Culture Corner updates

Survey updates

100th year commemoration of race riots updates

International Festival

Organizational Read updates

Upcoming meetings: September 19 – meeting in 605

October 17 – meeting in 605

November 21 – meeting in 605

December 19 – meeting in 605

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2018-2019

June 20, 2019

1:00-2:00pm

Minutes Submitted by Kim Blaylock

Present:

Thura Mack, Charissa Powell, Shaina Destine, Elizabeth Greene, Anne Hulse, Kim Blaylock

New Membership (Thura Mack)

• All members present agreed to accept Mat Jordan and Jeffrey Hines as new members
• Applications will be sent to Dean Smith for his approval
• Thura will email the new members and invite them to August meeting

Culture Corner Updates (Thura Mack)

• The group approved changing the topic to support the Organizational Read instead of Climate Change
• The current Culture Corner display will stay up until mid-September

Organizational Read  (Charissa Powell / Thura Mack)

• Books are on order and will be distributed to the 42 people who have signed up to participate by July 31
• A few extra copies were ordered to accommodate any extra members
• All staff registered for the Organizational Read will receive books
• We have the E-book, but it’s limited to only 1 user at a time
• The Org. Read Subcommittee will seek assistance from Marketing to help spread the word
• The Org. Read Subcommittee will rethink the schedule times for the small discussion group meetings

Lunch & Learn Updates (Thura Mack)

• Janelle Coleman, Coordinator for the Diversi-Tea Program invited the Diversity Committee to collaborate on a fall Lunch & Learn topic session
  • The topic will be First Generation Students

March 16, 2019

John C. Hodges Library conference room 605

Present: Kim Blaylock, Sara Green, Michelle Brannen, Melanie Allen, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Elizabeth Greene, Liz Zepeda, Anne Hulse and Trey Hobson

• The Diversity Committee received the Paul E. Trentham Sr. Teamwork Award at the recent Spirit Awards. As part of the prize, we will have lunch with Dean Steve Smith on June 6^th at 11:15 in room 605. We are grateful for this distinction!
• Liz has accumulated everyone’s comments and has compiled all the changes into a Diversity Statement. It is ready to be distributed via all lib email, which Liz will do on Monday, May 20 in an email drafted by Megan which will also include:
  • A thank you to all lib for the recent Spirit Award
  • A call for new members
  • The announcement about the upcoming Organizational Read
• The call for new members request was updated and will be shared as indicated above.
• Topics for Lunch and Learns were discussed. Two were identified as potential topics.
  • Financial literacy – Megan will contact John Nolan at Suntrust Bank, Philippa Satterwhite of One Stop and Judy Li to participate in a panel discussion in the fall.
  • First generation college students – Thura will find contacts in the TRIO Student Support Services to collaborate on a fall program.
• Thura asked the committee for permission to solicit funds from the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion for the purchase of books for the Organizational Read. An announcement about the upcoming program will be sent to all lib as indicated above.

June 20 – meeting in 605

July 18 – meeting in 605

August 15 – meeting in 605

September 19 – meeting in 605

October 17 – meeting in 605

November 21 – meeting in 605

December 19 – meeting in 605

February 21, 2019

Present: Kim Blaylock, Sara Green, Peter Fernandez, Michelle Brannen, Shaina Destine, Melanie Allen, Ronni Williams (guest), Tanisha Jenkins (guest), Thura Mack, Megan Venable

Tanisha Jenkins and Ronni Williams were invited as guests from the office of Multicultural Student Life (MSL) to present on opportunities for potential collaborations between the two groups. Ideas raised were:

• Sign up for the MSL weekly newsletter.
• Attend “Social Justice 101: Knowing What You Don’t Know” March 6 at 6 PM in the Student Union Ballroom.
• Encourage student leaders to attend “Intent vs. Impact” March 7 at 11:30 in the Student Union Ballroom.
• Have the Diversity Committee host a table at the MSL’s welcome back celebration in the fall.
• Share our resource guides with each other.
• Find an opportunity to invite the Multicultural Student Group to present to our Student Library Associates.

After Tanisha and Ronni left, a discussion was held about the recent altercation at the midwinter ALA meeting as documented here: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/02/01/american-library-association-criticized-response-racism-complaint

The committee determined that further steps needed to be taken on how to prevent future incidents such as this.

UT Libraries Diversity Committee Meeting

January 17, 2019

Present: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Kim Blaylock, Elizabeth Greene, Charissa Powell, Melanie Allen, Peter Fernandez, Trey Hobson, Anne Hulse, Shania Destine, Liz Zepeda, Sarah Gonzalez

At the informal potluck lunch meeting the following was discussed:

The Diversity Committee will be presenting at the February 13th Library Council meeting.

The following projects will be initiated:

An organizational read – a bookclub-style lunch for faculty and staff involving a discussion of articles/essays everyone would read on diversity

A video will be produced about the diversity committee – who we are and what we do for marketing purposes

A survey will be conducted

Important spring dates:

February 21 – meeting in 605 and we will host Tanisha Jenkins, Director of Multicultural Student Life

March 7 – Lunch and Learn in Mary Greer co-hosted with the Women’s Coordinating Council

March 21 – meeting in 605 and we will host Tyvi Small, Vice Chancellor for Diversity 

March 25 – Lunch and Learn in Mary Greer panel discussion on immigration

April 18 – meeting in 605 and we will host Shandra Forrest-Bank, Director of the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service

May 16 – meeting in 605

June 20 – meeting in 605

July 18 – meeting in 605

August 15 – meeting in 605

September 19 – meeting in 605

November 15, 2018

Present: Sara Green, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Kim Blaylock, Elizabeth Greene, Charissa Powell, Melanie Allen, Peter Fernandez, Trey Hobson

Culture Corner update – the next topic will be on First Generation College Students. 

 “‘Transgender’ Could Be Defined Out of Existence Under Trump Administration” article in The New York Times. How the library can better support trans students, faculty, and staff? Discussion included the suggestions:

• Lunch and Learn topic
• Invite the director of the Pride Center to a meeting to talk about possibilities
• Attend the Friendsgiving hosted at the International House that evening
• Attend the Transgender Day of Remembrance
• Subscribe to the Pride Center newsletter (sign up here: https://utk.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c04d4d2dcf45b3ded2bff18ca&id=4ed0fa457e)

Lunch and Learn

• Thura to meet with the Amanda Bryant of the Women’s Coordinating Council to discuss a collaboration for Women’s History Month

Diversity Definition/Statement updates from the Subcommittee (attached documents included)

Diversity Timeline example from Cornell http://diversity.cornell.edu/about-us/our-historic-commitment

Article about Libraries as a safe Space: https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/S0732-067120160000036002

• Diversity statement subcommittee includes: Peter Fernandez, Thura Mack, Liz Zepeda, Cathy Jenkins and Michelle Brannen
• Instead of a definition, it was determined to use the words “Diversity Statement” 
• Version 2 of the statement crafted by the subcommittee was recommended by the whole committee
• A timeline of the Diversity Committee’s activities and accomplishments will be considered by the subcommittee 

Consider a revision/update of the website

December meeting is cancelled; January meeting will be a working potluck meeting.

October 11, 2018

PRESENT:

Sarah Green, Liz Zepeda, Thura Mack, Kim Blaylock, Elizabeth Greene, Shaina Destine, Trey Hobson, Charissa Powell, Anne Hulse

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Day of the Dead will take place November 2^ndfrom 9am-5pm. Everyone is welcome to come by and judge the alters.
• Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) certificate check-in meeting was held on Wednesday, Oct. 17^thand it had a good turn-out. There were approximately nine participants that attended. All CRT participants are asked to have their assignments completed by November 29^th.
• Safe Zone training schedule is available and the framework for participating is that individuals will need to sign up based on their schedule. At this time, it does not seem that they do group training. https://safezone.utk.edu
• We have received $600 of CDI funding for spring Lunch and Learn programs, but it cannot be used on food. Suggestions were solicited for ways to use the funding i.e. Daily Beacon for advertising.
• The Diversity Committee finally received the physical Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity and Interculturalism Unit Excellence Award. It is currently on display in the 6^thfloor admin office.
• Culture Corner—Molly is working on the next Culture Corner topic. She has conveyed that she has found that we have some really good holdings for our next Culture Corner topic, which is first generation populations in education, and this also spills over into the topic of educational challenges that immigrant populations face, so these two will be combined.  We are not sure if it will be in place by November 8^thin time for the campus celebration of first generation students, faculty, and staff.

AGENDA:

• Most recent Lunch & Learn discussion:
  • The Coming Out Lunch & Learn earlier this month had 27 attendees, not including the panel.
    • There was an expectation for a higher number of attendees
    • One reflection was that having fewer people enhanced the conversation and the level of sharing
    • It was mentioned that holding these events in the Mary Greer Room as often as possible may help to increase attendance because of its visibility and ease for people that may not have otherwise known about the event to be able to just drop in when walking by
    • Many were surprised that there were not a lot of students in attendance
    • It was asked if this event got advertised in the Beacon
    • The answer was no, that The Beacon charges to advertise anything, and that we hadn’t received any funding at that time to be able to do that
    • Another suggestion was to improve future attendance to make the flyers more eye catching
    • Maybe offer some type of credit to students to attending
• Survey Feedback: The Coming Out Lunch & Learn survey was passed around and discussed.
  • It revealed that there were 27 attendees, with 22 of those turning in their completed survey questionnair.
  • Of note, 12 attendees were staff members (with most of those being Diversity Committee members), 2 undergrads, & no graduate students
  • Among the results, it was noted that most attendees found out about the event by email or through a friend; most felt that it was relevant to our community, but it was about evenly split between people who felt that it was relevant to them, personally, and those who didn’t
  • Hardly any feedback regarding suggestions for future topics was listed; most of the feedback centered on how attendees appreciated the speakers’ openness, honesty, & vulnerability
  • Some shared that they felt that more time for audience questions & interaction is needed
  • Thura noted that she saw quite a few attendees approach panelists after the event was over to continue the discussion
  • A suggestion for future events regarding this issue was to maybe hand out slips of paper beforethe discussion starts for attendees to write down questions they would like to be addressed during or at the end of the talk
  • Maybe that would help the moderator to better gauge the time needed at the end of the discussion to devote to certain questions that didn’t get answered during the discussion
  • OR that these slips of paper could be pulled randomly at the end of the panel discussion to further address, instead of having attendees stand up and pose the questions themselves
• Brainstorming for Spring Lunch & Learn(s)(can do either one or two)
  • Possibly another workshop format, since a past one went over really well?
  • Topics that are trending: Politics, school shootings/violence, gender issues (“#metoo”), immigration, methods being used within our society of socializing people to plant the seed of hate/intolerance toward anyone different from them, first generation students, freedom of speech (taking a knee).
  • Future topics suggested on Coming Out L&L surveys:Socioeconomic disparities, stereotyping
  • See what’s going on with the Women’s Coordinating Council.
  • ***Try to decide on a topic and find a speaker for next Lunch & Learn beforethe holiday break***
  • To keep in mind:
    • Februaryis Black History Month
    • March is Women’s History Month
    • (Other groups have scheduled campus events for these.)

NEXT MEETING:  Thursday, November 15 at 1:00pm in room 127

Meeting adjourned at 1:40pm.

September 20, 20018

Present: Sara Green, Liz Zepeda, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Kim Blaylock, Elizabeth Greene, Michelle Brannen, Shania Destine, Charissa Powell, Sarah Gonzalez, Melanie Allen, Molly Royse, Peter Fernandez

Minutes:

• Announcements – Molly Royse was introduced and welcomed as a visiting guest and will help the committee with future Culture Corner displays.
• Lunch and Learn reflections
• Updates on the Coming Out Lunch and Learn – October 11 at the International House great room.
• A subcommittee will be devised to update the definition of diversity:
  • Our definition of Diversity is the commitment to recognize and appreciate the variety of characteristics that make people and communities unique. We put this concept into action by creating and sustaining an environment that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement.
  • We embrace a broad definition of Diversity, some examples of these characteristics include: age; cognitive style; culture; ability; economic background; education; ethnicity; gender identity; geographic background; marital status; physical appearance; political affiliation; race; religious beliefs; sexual orientation.
• Culture Corner suggestions: migration/immigration, first generation college students, native American populations on campus, librarians as advocates.

Fall Diversity Committee Meeting Dates:

• October 18 – Hodges 605
• November 15 – Hodges 605, 1:30 – 2:30 PM

April 16, 2018

Present: Sarah Greene, Liz Zepeda, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Kim Blaylock, Elizabeth Greene, Michelle Brannen, Shania Destine.

Minutes:

• Lunch and Learn sessions will be considered for HR credit.
• Coming Out Lunch and Learn (Liz and Charissa in coordination with the Pride Center) will be held 10/11/18 (National Coming Out Day) in the auditorium. It will be a panel-style presentation. Let Liz and Charissa know if you have ideas for speakers.
• First L&L will be 9/19 in room 213 on student athletes.
• Fall 2018 International Festival – will be held Friday, September 21, 10 AM – 2 PM. The theme is “Taste of the World” that we’ve used in the past.
• TLA Conference April 24^th-26^th
  • We need to keep a look out for conference proposals
• The Diversity Committee will sponsor a Safe Zone training session as soon as they are available again.
• Be thinking of future Culture Corner topics.
• A discussion was held, and the definition of diversity has been revised to:
  • Our definition of Diversity is the commitment to recognize and appreciate the variety of characteristics that make people and communities unique. We put this concept into action by creating and sustaining an environment that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement.
  • We embrace a broad definition of Diversity, some examples of these characteristics include: age; cognitive style; culture; ability; economic background; education; ethnicity; gender identity; geographic background; marital status; physical appearance; political affiliation; race; religious beliefs; sexual orientation.
• Fall Diversity Committee Meeting Dates:
  • September 20 – Hodges 127
  • October 18 – Hodges 605
  • November 15 – Hodges 605, 1:30 – 2:30 PM

July 19, 2018

Present: Melanie Allen, Sarah Greene, Anne Hulse, Liz Zepeda, Charissa Powell, Trey Hobbs, Elizabeth Greene, Thura Mack, Megan Venable and Peter Fernandez

Announcements:

• Shaina Destine! has been invited to join the Diversity Committee, and if she says yes, her first meeting with us will be in August.
• Save the date for a workshop on applying Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) to the Libraries on Tuesday, July 31st from 2-4 p.m. in Hodges Library, Room 605. Janelle Coleman, Faculty Consultant for Assessment with UT Teaching & Learning Innovation, will co-facilitate. Light refreshments will be served.
  • Who is this session for? 
    • Everyone across the libraries who works with students or is interested in learning more; no prior experience with the topic is necessary. To help with planning and refreshments, please indicate your interest by RSVPing by July 20.
  • What is CRT? 
    • Largely studied in the 1990s due to the achievement gap between white and minority students, Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) was developed as a means to mitigate the long-term effects of segregation and discrimination in the U.S. South. According to researcher and educator Gloria Ladson-Billings, this approach to pedagogy is unique in that it “recognizes the importance of including students’ cultural references in all aspects of learning” (1994). It involves checking for mastery of student learning outcomes in a way that takes into consideration learners’ cognitive, cultural, and interdisciplinary diversity…
  • (adapted from the communication from Anna Sandelli July 17, 2018)

Minutes:

• Coming Out Lunch and Learn (Liz and Charissa in coordination with the Pride Center) will be held 10/11/18 (National Coming Out Day) in the auditorium. It will be a panel-style presentation. Let Liz and Charissa know if you have ideas for speakers
• First L&L will be 9/19 in room 213 on student athletes
• Fall 2018 International Festival – Anne will find out date and we will participate using the “Tastes From Around The World: The Flavors of UT” theme we’ve used in the past
• TLA Conference April 24^th-26^th
  • We need to keep a look out for conference proposals
• The Diversity Committee requests updates for when the Safe Zone training session are up and running again so we prepare to host an event at the library
• Future Culture Corner topics needed!

Fall Diversity Committee Meeting Dates:

August 16 – Hodges 605

September 20 – Hodges 605

October 18 – Hodges 605

November 15 – Hodges 605, 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Back to top

2017-2018

May 17, 2018

Hodges Conference Room 605

Present: Anne Hulse, Trey Hobson, Elizabeth Greene, Sarah Green, Sarah Mallory, Lizeth Zepeda, Kim Blalock, Charissa Powell, Melanie Allen, Thura Mack and Megan Venable

Thura called the meeting to order and everyone introduced themselves to new members Charissa and Kim.

Culture Corner – everyone agreed to use Molly Royse’s proposed suggestion on the Culture Corner on Safe/Brave Spaces.

Lunch and Learn – Sarah Green and Sarah Mallory will get a comprehensive list together of all the suggested topics for Lunch and Learn.

• Three proposals were identified:
  • Life of a Student Athlete: Perception vs. Reality
  • National Coming Out Week (October 11^th)
  • Bias in the Classroom (panel discussion)
• Possible facilitators:
  • Thura is to check and see if her contact in athletics would be willing to facilitate on the student athlete proposal.
  • Charissa and Liz are to see if someone in the Safe Zone training program would be willing to facilitate on coming out.
  • Thura will contact Dr. Brothers and Shandra, Elizabeth to check with the STRIDE staff.
  • Anne will contact Jioni Lewis to identify panel discussion leaders on bias in the classroom.

There was discussion regarding where to display the Chancellor’s award. Alesha Shumar has been contacted and suggested a UT Libraries achievement space. Discussions will continue once the award is in hand.

Be thinking about proposals for a session at TLA in Chattanooga in April 2019. Proposals are due around October. Maybe consider something at the Collective (in Knoxville). Usually at the end of February/beginning of March.

April 19, 2018

Present: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Sarah Green, Sarah Gonzales, Sarah Mallory, Liz Zepeda, Cathy Jenkins, Peter Fernandez, Anne Hulse.

• Sarah Green and Sarah Mallory presented the results of the April 5 L&L to the group. Committee members received a copy electronically as well.
• It was decided to add a note to the survey indicating that if responders’ wished to have a question answered, they could either leave contact information, or questions would be answered on the committee’s website.
• Thura will check with Michelle to update the website with current information, and to add that the committee is the recipient of the Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity and Interculturalism Unit Excellence Award.
• Cathy suggested piggybacking our communication in others’ listservs and newsletters. Future communications from the committee that require campus attention will go through marketing to get into Tennessee Today and on Angie Beaty and the SIS listserv.
• Sarah Gonzales suggested a L&L on safe zones. Liz is attending a meeting regarding safe zone training, and will report back to the committee after that about the length of time required for training.
• Anne suggested using the new Student Union when it is built for hosting L&Ls.
• Kim Blalock and Charissa Powell were voted in as new members to the committee. They will be invited to attend the May meeting.
• Thura congratulated the committee for their work in receiving the Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity and Interculturalism Unit Excellence Award.
• Suggestions for the culture corner were discussed: political civility, social media liability and responsibility, and taking a stand: know your rights.

Upcoming meeting dates:

• May 17 – Hodges 605
• June 21 – Hodges 605
• July 19 – Hodges 605
• August 16 – Hodges 605
• September 20 – Hodges 605

March 15, 2018

Present: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Sarah Green, Sarah Gonzales, Liz Zepeda, Cathy Jenkins.

There was a brief discussion of the application of a potential new member to the committee. Applications are due Wednesday, April 11.

The March 8 Lunch and Learn was very well attended with 51 guests.

Contact the WCC in the fall to discuss/consider a future partnership.

Committee members attending L&Ls please remember to bring an actual lunch or at least a snack to encourage others to do the same.

Have the introductions at L&Ls include the information that the program is scheduled for 1.5 hours, but attendees are welcome to leave as needed.

Meet with the CHEW after the next L&L to discuss continuing partnership and suggested topics provided in the feedback.

Meet with TLC to discuss a possible L&L re DACA.

Upcoming meeting dates:

• April 19 – Hodges 605
• May 17 – Hodges 605
• June 21 – Hodges 605
• July 19 – Hodges 605
• August 16 – Hodges 605
• September 20 – Hodges 605

February 15, 2018

Present: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Elizabeth Greene, Peter Fernandez, Anne Hulse, Sarah Green, Sarah Mallory, Sarah Gonzales, Liz Zepeda, Michelle Brannen.

Liz, Thura and Kristina Clement put together a presentation on gentrification and gave a talk at the Black Issues Conference. The session was very well attended, and the feedback on their program was positive.

The next Lunch and Learn will be held on Thursday, March 8th in the Mary Greer Room in coordination with the Women’s Coordinating Council. They are responsible for the programming details, and we will provide marketing support for the event. The subject will be on women activists in politics, and it will be a panel discussion.

Peter reported on a library liaison meeting where the discussion was regarding library resources to inform/combat hate speech on campus. This topic was a result of a white supremacist group being allowed audience on campus.

There will be a call for new members in March 2018.

Agenda item for next meeting: update the resources on the UT Libraries Diversity Committee webpage.

Thura submitted the application for the Chancellor’s Excellence Award on behalf of the UT Libraries Diversity Committee.

Upcoming meeting dates:

• March 15 – Hodges 605
• April 19 – Hodges 605
• May 17 – Hodges 605
• June 21 – Hodges 605
• July 19 – Hodges 605
• August 16 – Hodges 605
• September 20 – Hodges 605

January 18, 2018

Announcements/Welcome:

• Liz Zepeda was welcomed to the committee
• Committee said Bon Voyage to Annazette Houston
• Diversity Committee will be presenting at the Black Issues Conference on Saturday, Feb 3, 2018
  • The title is: “Gentrification: Big Changes, Bigger Consequences”
  • Thura, Liz, and Kristina Clement will be presenting

Chancellor’s Honor Awards

• Marva Rudolph Diversity and Interculturalism Unit Excellence Award – Feb 15 deadline
• Outcome: the committee voted and agreed to submit a nomination. Thura was charged with checking with the dean to see if he had plans to nominate the diversity committee and to look up the old nomination, as well as locate the most recent Library Diversity Plan.

Lunch and Learn

• The next Lunch and Learn program will be April 5 in the Mary E. Greer room.
• From 12 pm – 1:30 pm featuring the Center for Health Education and Wellness
• They will discuss consent.
• Thura is communicating with a contact from Athletics to organize a second lunch and learn (at this time, we do not know if they will be able to do spring or next fall).

Immigration Event

• Peter and Thura shared an invitation from UTK Spanish Club and the Latin American Student Organization for us to help with an upcoming forum on immigration.
• Event is scheduled for March 27.
• Thura will work with the student representative to see specifically how they would like for us to support the forum.

Volunteers:

• Need volunteers to get the Libraries Diversity Committee website updated.

Our next meeting will be Thursday, February 15 in Hodges 605 from 1-2 pm.

November 16, 2017

Present: Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Elizabeth Greene, Peter Fernandez, Anne Hulse, Sarah Green, Sarah Mallory, Melanie Allen, Cathy Jenkins, Trey Hobson.

Elizabeth and Thura to meet with the CHEW to discuss the spring Lunch and Learn on consent, likely to be held during Sex Week.

New Diversity Resident Liz Zepeda will start on November 27, and her office will be on the 5th floor.

There will be no meeting in December, but we will hold a potluck lunch on January 18th. A form will be circulated for people to sign up to bring food.

Megan to reserve space for 2018 meetings:

January 18 – Hodges 605

February 15 – Hodges 605

March 15 – Hodges 605

April 19 – Hodges 605

May 17 – Hodges 605

June 21 – Hodges 605

July 19 – Hodges 605

August 16 – Hodges 605

September 20 – Hodges 605

Feedback coming soon on the latest Lunch and Learn.

Trey suggested a Lunch and Learn on sports. Thura will reach out to her contact in athletics and get suggestions on a potential discussion leader.

Black Issues conference has called for papers. The event will be held February 3 in AMB 10 – 4 PM. Let Thura know by 12/18 if you would like to participate. Some potential topics discussed were: national anthem/kneeling, fatigue in continuing to battle racism, and gentrification.

August 18, 2017

Present: Thura Mack, Melanie Allen, Megan Venable, Elizabeth Greene, Peter Fernandez, Anne Hulse, Sara Green, Sarah Holt, Sarah Mallory, Keila Zayas-Ruiz, Michelle Brannen

Reflections from recent conference – Elizabeth, Melonie and Thura recently presented at a conference on diversity, the National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL) in Atlanta, which was attended by about 30 individuals. All three shared their thoughts on their successful performance. A similar conference will be in Albuquerque in 2018 http://www.jclcinc.org/jclc-2018/

Updates on Lunch and Learn – Tuesday, September 26 Michelle and Jioni will present at noon in Mary Greer on Oppression vs. Privilege. Thursday, October 26 at noon in Mary Greer Billie and Clay will present on Stress Management.

Dr. Michelle Christian is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Tennessee. She has been at the University of Tennessee since fall 2013. She teaches and conducts research on race, racism and global inequalities. Most recently, she co-created the curriculum for the Department of Sociology’s new concentration are in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies.

Dr. Jioni A. Lewis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research is focused on the influence of subtle forms of racism and sexism on the mental and physical health of women of color. Dr. Lewis teaches courses on topics including: African American psychology, multicultural psychology, and social justice theory and practice. Dr. Lewis’s university service includes serving on the Chancellor’s Council on Diversity and Interculturalism and the Commission for Blacks. Dr. Lewis and Dr. Christian co-founded the Critical Race Collective in Fall 2013, which is an interdisciplinary research group focused on critical race studies in research, teaching, and service to the university.

Billie Amatus-Salaam is the Wellness Coordinator for General Wellness Promotion at the Center for Health Education and Wellness. She completed her Master in Public Health in 2015 with a focus on sexual health and college student health. In her role at UT she focuses on cold and flu prevention, stress reduction, sleep promotion, nutrition, and sexual health.

Clay Culp is a clinical social worker and therapist at the Student Counseling Center. He earned his master’s in social work at UT and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Social Work degree at UT. His doctoral research is about suicide prevention.

Updates for International Festival (volunteer sign up at September meeting. The Festival will be held Friday, September 29 from 10 AM – 2 PM.

Bon Voyage to Keila – best wishes in Florida

Committee assignments – volunteers for vacant assignments: Michelle agreed to take over website updates, and Sarah Mallory and Sara Green will take over survey duties at the conclusion of each Lunch and Learn.

Announcements – November 1 is Day of the Dead in the Library. Be looking for volunteer sign-ups for it.

In our October meeting, we plan to ask a faculty senator to come to our meeting to discuss free speech on campus.

Please mark your calendars for the remaining 2017 meetings:

September 21 – 605 conference room

October 19 – 605 conference room

November 16 – 605 conference room

December 14 – 650 conference room

July 20, 2017

Present: Thura Mack, Melanie Allen, Cathy Jenkins, Megan Venable, Kenya Flash, Sarah Mallory, Michelle Brannen, Keila Zayas-Ruiz, Trey Hobson, Anne Hulse, Peter Fernandez and Sarah Green.

• Announcements – Michelle, Melanie, Elizabeth and Thura — “Here & There: Diversity Initiatives In and Out of the Library” for the 10th National Conference of African American Librarians, presentation is August 12 in Atlanta.
• The International Festival will be held September 29 from 10 AM – 2 PM. The committee will participate again this year, and will repeat last year’s successful presentation of international snacks.
• Welcome new members & introductions – introductions were made, and we welcome, Sarah Green, Peter Fernandez and Sarah Mallory to the committee.
• Website updates – Keila showed the committee what updates she had made to the website. (https://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/)
• Lunch and Learn updates and next steps – Thura and Elizabeth meeting with members of the Center for Health Education and Wellness (CHEW) to discuss a possible collaboration. Suggestion to make the sessions 1.5 hours to include more discussion on Privilege vs. Oppression.
• Ask the CHEW and Multicultural Student Life if any of their staff members would like to join the Libraries’ Diversity Committee.
• Megan to investigate the viability of Safe Zone training on campus.

Based on our Diversity Committee Strategic Planning in December, 3 possible goals were identified for us to address:

• Identify broader diversity, social justice, and cultural topics that would be of interest to the entire organization
• Explore hosting safe zone training for the library organization
• Create a packet that describes the work and value of the diversity committee

Please mark your calendars for the remaining 2017 meetings:

August 17 – 605 conference room

September 21 – 605 conference room

October 19 – 605 conference room

November 16 – 605 conference room

December 14 – 650 conference room

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2016-2017

May 18, 2017

Present: Thura Mack, Melonie Allen, Cathy Jenkins, Regina Mays, Megan Venable, Kenya Flash, Sarah Gonzoles, Michelle Brannen, Elizabeth Greene.

New membership response: Sara Green, Sarah Mallory and Peter Fernandez have expressed interest in joining the committee, and all three will be invited by chair Thura Mack to officially join the group.

Lunch and Learn de-stress poll results (Megan or Thura)

An analysis of the open poll was conducted. In response to the question “What do you find difficult to talk about, but needs to be discussed” we found:

4 Locos – alcohol food policy

Rape culture as fueled by porn – 4

American foreign policy/hegemony

Mental illness – breakdowns, how to help people

Imposter syndrome

Campus rape

Crappy professors – 2

Sexual assault – 2

Separation of races on campus

After life

White cultural center/white privilege – 2

Charisma vs. status

Human trafficking

Kanye West

Integrity – 2

Coping

UT lukwarmness to diversity – 2

Christ/faith – 4

Poverty – international toilets

Food security – Knoxville and the world

US college bad

Love

Welcome Muslim students

Body image issues

Abusive relationships and verbal abuse

Overpriced tuition

Academic elitist

Mental illness  4

Depression – 2

Stress and anxiety – 2

Domestic violence

Consent

Privilege vs oppression

Interracial relationships

Racism

Self care

Active bystander

Police brutality

Politics

Guns on campus

Lunch and Learn – next steps

Based on these topics, Regina has agreed to reach out to Teresa to check on the possibility of narrowing these topics by way of a focus group, and Elizabeth is going to check with her contacts at the Health Center to see about the possibility of a partnership. Megan will contact Cynthia Pope Johnson to see if she is willing to partner as well.

New meeting locations – we will be meeting in the Library’s 6th floor conference room 605 June – November.

April 20, 2017

Present: Michelle Brannen, Keila Zayas-Ruiz, Melonie Allen, Megan Venable, Thura Mack, Regina Mays, Anne Hulse, Kenya Flash, Elizabeth Greene

Thura opened the meeting and introduced Caroline Zeglen from Pendergrass Library. Caroline posts on social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to the UT Libraries pages. If there are Diversity Committee events you want promoted, Caroline asked you give her two weeks’ notice for her to put the item in rotation. She can help you find images if needed, or you can prepare the item for her to post as is.

Fall Lunch and Learn needs to be considered and scheduled. There is a need to re-poll students to identify what topics may be of interest to them. After discussion on the best way to poll students, it was decided to set up a table during DeStress on a Tuesday and Wednesday for four hours each day and give away squeezie cows and pens and ask the students directly “What things are hard for you to talk about, but need to be discussed?” and take notes on their answers. Megan will email Ingrid to get permission to do this during DeStress.

Michelle, Melanie, Elizabeth and Thura are presenting at ALA in August about Lunch and Learns. All members are asked to participate in a video diary and answer the following questions:

What did you enjoy most about the Lunch and Learn Program?

• In what ways do you think the Lunch and Learn program contributed to diversity conversations and activity on campus?
• Although small, feedback from participants indicated that the Lunch and Learn program was successful and meaningful. Do you agree and has it been worth the effort to organize?
• How important is it for the Diversity Committee to develop programming such as Lunch and Learn and how do these efforts contribute to the overall mission of the library?

Did you enjoy presenting at the Black Issues Conference?

• Do you think participating in the Black Issues Conference is important for the diversity committee? Why or why not?
• What do you feel is the role of the diversity committee in terms of supporting and participating in campus and community diversity events?

March, 2017

Present: Thura Mack, Melony Allen, Cathy Jenkins, Regina Mays, Megan Venable

Announcements:

• The workshop on intersectionality will be April 24, 1 – 3 PM in Hodges 605.
• A call for new members will go out soon.

Regina Mays gave a summary of her and Thura’s meeting with the Dean’s Student Advisory Council on our Lunch and Learn series. A copy of her presentation is attached.

Suggestions for engagement for Lunch and Learns included communication with departmental list servs. Megan will compile a list of all campus diversity groups, and they will also get invitations to Lunch and Learns. Nora and Patrick will be contacted and ask what 2 – 3 things attendees will take away from the intersectionality workshop, and that information will be used in promotional materials.

A STEAM Lunch and Learn is being conceived in the fall.

Invite Caroline to an upcoming Diversity Committee meeting to have her discuss her use of UTK Libraries social media outlets, and how we may contribute to it efficiently.

January 19, 2017

Present: Anne Hulse, Thura Mack, Elizabeth Greene, Ernest Brothers, Trey Hobson, Melony Allen, Cathy Jenkins, Kenya Flash, Regina Mays, Megan Venable

Announcements:

• There will be a march on campus tomorrow at 12:30 starting in the Humanities Amphitheater.
• A library-wide meeting on bias protocol will be held February 16, 2017 at 1:00pm in the auditorium.

Regina Mays gave an update on the strategic planning session held in December. Below are the notes she provided from the session:

Diversity Committee Planning Brainstorm Notes – 12/15/16

Challenges

Local/national/political environment

Getting the word out/getting people interested

Participation (internal & external)

Male participation (non-marginalized groups)

Not knowing why people don’t participate

Getting students involved (undergrads & grads)

Narrow views of diversity

Perception that people who advocate for diversity are whiny, aggressive

Group segregation – people only support their narrow interests/concerns

Opportunities

Leadership – people are already talking about diversity

Being a campus center (geographically & virtually/academically)

Diverse group on this committee

People still trust librarians

Professionally trained to provide resources/info

When funding ban ends – opportunity to help shape new efforts

Ample opportunities for campus partnerships

Chance to prep library admin – help prepare them to advocate for diversity

New university leadership – we can build new relationships

Possible Goals – Areas of Focus

Create a packet on library diversity for university and library admin

Create a brochure

Support safe zone training – set target for participation

Coordinate with each department in library to arrange training/professional development tailored to their needs (HR credit/customize/menu of options)

Continue Lunch N Learn series – (increase participation – ideas – experiment with holding it at different times- offer innovative programs – set up screen outside – diversity dinner instead of lunch n learn – set up booth/table to talk to students about it – welcome week – grad student open house, etc.)

Human Library (at International fair?)

Target sororities/frats/RA’s/other student groups – take Lunch N Learn to them

• There was much discussion on which of the goals to focus on, and it was determined that the group should continue the Lunch and Learn series, create informative materials for distribution, as well as conduct safe zone training.
• Regina and another delegate from the Diversity Committee will meet with the Dean’s Student Advisory Council to conduct a survey to determine which topics would be of most interest to students.
• Megan and Trey will work on creating a brochure for the Diversity Committee, and Regina will edit it.

Culture Corner topics:

• Kenya suggested social movements
• Cathy suggested how international influences in the US effect our current food culture
• Anne suggested the inauguration
• Megan suggested bullying in America
• Ernest suggested how the influence of information (false or otherwise) effect one’s viewpoint

Thura will present these topics to Molly Royse for implementation.

September 15, 2016

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: September 15, 2016 at 1:00 in Room 150

Present: Michelle Brannen, Keila Zayas-Ruiz, Cathy Jenkins, Melanie Allen, Kenya Flash, Megan Venable, Regina Mays, Thura Mack

Thura opened the meeting with announcements and thanked Keila for emailing the article about endangered safe spaces to the group. https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160825/hyde-park/freshmen-warned-no-trigger-warnings-or-safe-spaces-at-u-of-c

Thura announced that Chancellor Cheek had initiated a task force on campus to examine our local safe spaces.

Please put the Lunch and Learns on your calendar:

October 19, 2016 – Intersectionality: From Scholarship to Action

Patrick Grzanka, Assistant Professor of Psychology

Nora Berenstain, Assistant Professor of Philosophy

The directors of the Intersectionality Community of Scholars at UT will facilitate a conversation about the origins of intersectionality theory in U.S. Black feminism, current directions in the field, and the relationship between interdisciplinary scholarship, activism, and social justice.

November 9, 2016 – Practical Tips for “Keeping Calm and Carrying On” Difficult Conversations

Becky Jacobs, Waller Lansden Distinguished Professor of Law, UT College of Law

Most of us probably have struggled at one time or another with sensitive or difficult conversations, i.e., raising workplace concerns; confronting an unreliable partner or co-worker; or apologizing, or seeking an apology for, inappropriate behavior. This session will focus on practical tips for preparing for, initiating, and handling potentially unpleasant exchanges in a way that hopefully will minimize negative consequences, improve understanding, and strengthen relationships.

The spring topics and facilitators are yet to be determined but will align with the Lunch and Learn’s theme of encouraging inclusivity and respect during difficult conversations. Because of the thematic focus of the “Lunch and Learn” series, the Libraries Diversity Committee will address inclusivity, diversity, dialogue, collegiality, respect, knowledge, learning, awareness, and response—nine of the university’s ten principles for civility and community. To make these conversations more inclusive we will identify campus faculty members with the specific expertise and interest in our topical areas to facilitate the discussion. Should the success of the Lunch and Learn program series continue, we would consider expanding our program to include community leaders to facilitate future discussions.

Cathy will finalize the handbills for distribution to the group. The group will distribute as follows:

• Megan to put on Sharepoint and UTK calendars, send to the chairs of the CDI and Commission for LGBT
• Thura to send to Commissions for Blacks and Women and TRECS
• Cathy to the library branches, to Martha for a digital sign and perhaps to utk.collegiate.net
• Caroline to promote on social media
• Michelle to the Student Union, HSS and Presidential Courtyard
• Kenya to the Intersectionality group
• Melony to Alice Wirth

Cathy announced that staff members were eligible for Stride training, a program that features bias awareness in hiring practices.

Thura announced that there is currently no Safe Zone Training being offered. Megan will draft a request for it to be reinstated to the chancellor on Thura’s behalf, and it will be posted as an open request on our website.

The International Festival is 9/30. Please sign up for a volunteer shift at our booth.

• Michelle will make a sign for our booth
• An all lib notice will go out soliciting volunteers and offering to host flyers from departments on our table
• Megan will request mini cupcake liners to distribute the food in from the business office

Molly is working on getting the Culture Corner prepared as per our request from the August meeting. The Career Center is OK with us advertising the availability of their personality test at our Culture Corner, and Michelle will make a sign highlighting it.

The committee indicated their willingness to participate in the Day of the Dead activities on 11/2.

The Resources sub-committee reported that there are nine RSS sources that are feeding into the site. Keila is working on a glossary and definitions. A list of community resources and a list of campus resources has been identified. Melanie will provide her lib guide on cultural competence in healthcare as a resource as well.

The next meeting will be October 20th at 1 PM in room 150. Agenda items will include:

• Lunch and Learn debrief from 10/19
• International fair debrief
• Day of the dead confirmation details
• Ohio conference debrief

August 18, 2016

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: August 18, 2016 at 1:00 in Room 150

Present: Kenya Flash, Elizabeth Greene, Michelle Brannen, Thura Mack, Megan Venable, Keila Zayas-Ruiz, Melanie Allen, Cathy Jenkins, Seth Jordan, Trey Hobson

National Diversity in Libraries Conference where Thura and Kenya presented

Thura notes:

• We should discuss the possibility of developing our own brochure like the one from the Henry Madden Library which is front and back in the attachment
• To discuss the ACRL Diversity Standards in one of our future meetings and decide which ones we would like to focus on and develop (also included in the attachment)
• The buzzwords from the conference were social justice (in lieu of diversity), white fragility, privileges (of all spectrums), and equity and inclusion
• While this was a remarkable conference, the lack of library administrator was felt

Kenya notes:

• It’s ok to be discomforted and uncomfortable with discussing race
• Don’t argue with someone sharing their own experiences
• Several institutions had diversity committees both external to the library or internal, and a few had both

International Festival – September 30th

• Waiting for the call for participants to submit the registration form
• The booth will feature a spinning wheel representing the most popular countries our study abroad students prefer and home countries of our international students. Guests to the booth will spin the wheel and taste a treat from the country selected. Books and other materials from these counties will also be displayed.
• Thura requested $200 for snacks from administration
• Consult Allison Sharp for information regarding snacks from international locations

Resources Subcommittee – Cathy

• Presented list of resources gathered so far (attached)
• Include suggested articles on diversity and its importance
• Include a code of conduct in it and for our Lunch and Learns

Thura welcomed new member Elizabeth Greene

Themes for the Culture Corner:

• Selected “Exploring Your Personality” with an overall goal of learning your personal traits in order to hone your leadership skills
• Michelle will make a sign for the Culture Corner that lists the personality assessments offered through Career Services and TEL

Fall Lunch and Learn – November 9th at noon in 605 with Becky Jacobs on “how to have difficult conversations”

• Kenya will contact the ICOS to see about an October/spring L&L on intersectionality and its impact on academia and faculty members to check on an October/spring L&L on “the other F word: feminism.”

We have until the end of August to determine the L&L schedule in order to request funding from CDI.

There was no one able to attend the Conference on Inclusion at the University of Maryland in October.

Web update:

• Although a moving target, it is “done” except for a new logo and an updated resources page
• Put the updated website notice in the next dean’s newsletter

How should we communicate the Diversity Committees’ activities to our colleagues in the library?

• Kenya – internal marketing campaign
• Thura – brochure that includes information about our resources, mission statement, poster presented at UT diversity summit on campus resources and the website.
• Kenya – sign language day
• Cathy – intersectionality discussion with all lib. Kenya to ask faculty members when she contacts them about L&L

Megan to send Elizabeth information on the upcoming International Festival for the dean’s newsletter.

Next meeting agenda: International Festival

July 21, 2016

Announcements:

• Becky Jacobs committed to second Lunch & Learn
• Second Lunch & Learn looking for presenters from the Psychology Department

Discussion to change first Lunch and Learn topic to Police:

• Through a discussion it was decided not to pursue this topic because it is too risky
• Possibly do it as a separate event
• If we do will reach out to the organizations that hosted past events

First Lunch and Learn of Fall 2016:

• Held on a Tuesday or Wednesday in early September
• Topic: difficult conversations and healing
• Possible speakers
  • Ashley Blamely from the Center for Health and Wellness
  • Gina Owens from Counseling Psychology focuses on stress and coping
  • Gina Austin from the Counseling Center
• Members volunteered to contact these people directly and will have responses by August 1

Website Updates:

• Update and able to maintain would like to expand
• The email was not being checked- switched to Thura
• Took down the resources page because it was not being monitored and they could be libguides
  • Subcommittee formed to create these guides
  • Creator: Kathy
  • Other volunteers: Megan, Kelia, and Kenya for consulting
  • Megan will create a meeting
  • Guides will be emailed to group as a whole and the group as a whole will monitor

International Festival:

• Friday, September 30, 10am-2pm on Pedestrian Walkway
• Through brainstorming descried we would have a spinning wheel with different countries listed, have snacks from those countries to try.
• Anne will look for the top three countries students study abroad to and from
• Title: Tastes From Around the World: The Flavors of UT

Next Meeting: Thursday August 18, 2016 1:00pm in room 150

New Secretary: Megan Venable

In Attendance:

Anne Hulse

Cathy Jenkins

Keila Zayas-Ruiz

Kenya Flash

Megan Venable

Michelle Brannen

Regina Mays

Sarah Holt

Seth Jordan

Thura Mack

Trey Hobson

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2015-2016

April 21, 2016

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: April 21, 2016 at 1:00 in Room 150

Announcements:

• May 27 is the Lavender Graduation you can RSVP at the Pride Center website.
• The Multicultural graduation is the same date. No RSVP needed.
• Hodges is sponsoring the Children’s Festival of Reading Saturday May 21 from 10-4. Volunteers are needed.
• Kenya joined the Intersectionality Community of Scholars (ICOS) and has invited the group to attend meetings. They do research and write grants and will be doing programming in the Spring. Last year they hosted a symposium.
• May is usually when we put out the call for new members, but that will not happen this year.

Legislation Update:

• Thank you Lili’a for all the information
• The two bills
  • Ag Extension: dead
  • Bumper stickers: revived
• Overall budget is $436,000. Bill proposes to spend $300,000 on minority scholarships and the rest on “In God We Trust” bumper stickers for UTPD vehicles.
• Governor has power to veto the bill
• Unclear what will happen next for people in department
  • Could lose job
  • Possibly absorbed into other departments at UT
  • Next steps for Ricky Hall: being heavily recruited and looking for the right fit
• What we cannot do
  • Promote or demote any holidays
  • Mention gender neutral pronouns
• What we can do
  • Keep moving forward (Lili’a is working within fiscal year)
  • Contact the Governor on a personal level
  • The Committee will put together communication in support of Ricky Hall and focus on the need for central leadership as part of a Volvision and strategic plan to send to Chancellor and President

Future Lunch and Learns:

• Possible sources of funding
  • Hodges
  • Ready for the World
• At last session piloted possible topics for the series (13 responses)
  • Most popular: having difficult conversation
  • Three way ties between: national political issues, women in the world, and consent
• Possible new topics to add
  • Guns on campus
  • The grieving process
• Brainstormed possible titles
  • We Shall Overcome: finding the light in dark/ difficult moments
  • Grieve: moving beyond anger, sadness, and defeat
  • Being productive and Civil in Times of Turmoil
  • Difficult Conversations: tools and mechanics
  • National Politics 24/7 coverage, but no content/ substance
  • Health and Wellness a Priority in the Age of Stress
  • The Other F Word: feminism around the World
• Regina will make changes and send them out to the group for approval

Next Meeting:

• May 19 at 1:00pm – potluck style
• A goodbye for Elizabeth who has retired

In Attendance:

Anne Hulse

Cathy Jenkins

Kenya Flash

Lili’a Neville

Megan Venable

Michelle Brannen

Regina Mays

Sarah Holt

Seth Jordan

Thura Mack

Trey Hobson

March 17, 2016

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: March 17, 2016 at 1:00 in Room 150

Announcements:

• Thank you to Anne – the next International Festival is Friday September 30
• Thank you to Seth for updating the website
  • All members please take a look at our diversity webpage and provide feedback for improvement
    • Ex: add achievements from past presentations
• Michelle, Keila and Lili’a’s proposal about Lunch and Learn was accepted for the Ohio University Libraries spring diversity workshops conference
• Next Lunch and Learn is 03/24 at noon in room

Continue Lunch and Learn?

• Through a vote decided we will continue the series in the Fall because they have been successful
• Will conduct a survey for possible topics
  • Will add the topics to survey at upcoming Lunch and Learn
  • Put physical survey at Destress events in Hodges
  • Try new marketing at Graduate Student appreciation week
  • Electronic survey available April 1 and leave open
• Possible topics
  • A practical program for how to have difficult conversations (possibly first one)
  • Rape culture in athletics and legal battles
  • Political atmosphere
  • Women’s issues
  • Wellness and health
  • Speakologist training
• Will seek funding and possibly bring in outside speaker

Next Meeting: April 21 at 1:00pm in room 150

In Attendance:

Anne Hulse

Cathy Jenkins

Elissa Edwards

Elizabeth Young

Kenya Flash

Lili’a Neville

Megan Venable

Melanie Allen

Regina Mays

Sarah Holt

Seth Jordan

Thura Mack

Trey Hobson

February 18, 2016

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: February 18, 2016 at 1:00 PM, Room 150

Announcements:

• Feedback on Lunch and Learn on March 24:
  • Need better communication about the role of the facilitator
  • How can we get the message out to Undergrads?
    • Thura will ask Ingrid to post flyers in dorms
    • Michelle will make the physical flyers and put at all service points in Hodges
    • An electronic copy will be sent to be distributed to other organizations
    • Allstaff Listserv
    • Supervisors- tell your SLAs
• Feedback on Black Issues Conference:
  • Standing room only- 35 attendees
  • Vice Chancellor Hall attended and will continue to be involved
• Project Implicit
  • The library employees approximately 150 library employees who will be the population for the project implicit training
  • It is important because we are not always aware of our implicit bias
  • The project implicit library working group will develop goals and objectives for the project

Projects for the Future:

• Civility Speaks
• International Festival
• Start thinking about next big project

Next Meeting: March 17, 2016 at 1:00pm in room 150

In Attendance:

Anne Hulse

Cathy Jenkins

Keila Zayas-Ruiz

Kenya Flash

Lili’a Neville

Megan Venable

Michelle Brannen

Sarah Holt

Thura Mack

February 2, 2016

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: February 2, 2016 (rescheduled from January 21, 2016) at 1:00 PM, Room 150

Announcements:

• Members were invited to the Black Issues Conference
  • Scheduled for Saturday February 6th, 2016
• Members were invited to the Libraries’ research poster forum where the Diversity Committee will be showcasing the updated Lunch and Learn Poster

Lunch and Learn:

• ​Next program will be on Wednesday February 17th, 2016
• Lili’a agreed to introduce the program and speaker
• Megan agreed to take pictures for the event
• The committee discussed various marketing and PR activities for promoting the program
• Keila and Regina are working on the new survey forms
• The committee agreed to advertise with the Daily Beacon for the remaining two sessions

Library Project Implicit Group Update:

• The group will be reading Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People Mahzarin R. Banaji
  • Scheduled to meet with Dr. Ron Tredway from Campus Human Resources
• Goal: create a certification program for in-house training to prevent implicit bias
  • ​STRIDE was mentioned as a reference resource, but STRIDE is only focused on bias in the hiring process
• Goal: identify and invite a national speaker to speak to the Libraries
• The committee tasked Thura with talking to administration about making an announcement that this group is in place and to list all of the members
  • Thura will also inquire if this group could be expanded to include more diversity in membership

Next Meeting: February 17th, 2016 at 1:00pm in room 150

In Attendance:

Ann Hulse

Cathy Jenkins

Lili’a Neville

Megan Venable

Thura Mack

Keila Zayas Ruiz

Kenya Flash

Seth Jordan

November 19, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: November 19, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Room 150

Announcements:

• The 2016 meeting dates were sent in an email
• There is a subcommittee for the upcoming Black Issues Conference, they will communicate via email

Lunch and Learn Series:

• In good communication with speakers for Spring
• Possibly join with student organizations such as:
  • Multicultural Grad Student
  • Communication and Information
  • Vol Update
  • Student faith based groups- Megan will send out a list to the group so we can add to it
• Money left in the budget for advertising
  • Look into radio spot on The Rock, in the past a $50 donation
  • Megan will ask for click statistics from past online Beacon ad
  • Lil’a will reach out to the Beacon to ask a student to cover the event for an article

Presentation on the Diversity& Inclusion in LIS conference:

• Keila recently attended the conference and came back with a very insightful presentation including these takeaways:
  • The keynote speaker focused on micro aggressions
  • Diversity in ILS is low compared to the US average with only 11% up only 1% in the past ten years
  • Increased inclusion does not always equal social acceptance based on interviews with members of minorities
  • Analyzing one’s own privilege helps to create a culturally competent professional
  • Cataloging needs to expand subject headings to accommodate intersectionality
  • Always start with questions, not assumptions

How to bring these themes to UTK:

• Strategic Planning and Steering committee is already focused on civility, diversity, and inclusion and is talking to leaders around campus
• A staff/ faculty training session
  • Members of the Administration support this
  • Possible topics:
    • Accessing your privilege
    • Implicit bias
  • Need to make this different than typical HR training
• Target departments individually
• More than one session
• Address rank (faculty vs staff; tenure track vs not; etc)
• Understand these are sensitive subjects
• Make it mainstream
• Outside facilitator

Next meeting: No meeting in December. Next meeting is Thursday January 21 at 1:00pm in room 150

In Attendance:

Anne Hulse

Cathy Jenkins

Keila Zayas-Ruiz

Lili’a Neville

Megan Veneable

Melaine Allen

Michelle Brannen

Regina Mays

Sarah Holt

Seth Jordan

Thura Mack

October 15, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: October 15, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Room 150

Announcements:

• We will need to correct the dates on the Save the Dates for upcoming lunch and learn series, but the correct date is listed on TN today
• Regina, Kayla, and Michelle are working on a survey for the upcoming lunch and learn series
• The Diversity Residents attended the Diversity & Inclusion LIS Conference (they will report at the next meeting)
• The 23^rd of October is a Day of Dialogue through the Multicultural Student Life

Lunch and Learn – Fall 2015:

• October 21 noon- 1:00 room 605
• Assignments were given for putting up signage, meeting Dr. Ferlin McGaskey, pictures, requesting HR 128 credit, introduction and thank you.
• Will need volunteers for set up and break down

Lunch and Learn – Spring 2016:

• “An Open Conversation about Religious Tolerance: What do you think?” by Dr. Hackett on Wednesday February 17 in the Mary Greer Room
• “An Open Conversation… Gender Pronouns: Concepts to Update your Conversation Toolbox” by Donna Braquet on Thursday March 24 in the Mary Greer Room

Black Issues Conference:

• Held February 6 (registration opens November 11, 2015)
• Theme: Reclaiming our past, embracing our future
• Ideas for our presentation:
  • Definition of diversity and how the administration struggles with it, how to make it a priority
  • The black student union reopening (it closed in the 1980s)
  • How the definition of diversity has changed
• Brain storming activity gave us our final presentation idea
  • The way college brochures and ads look and who is on them
  • The role of marketing and tokenism
  • Possible title: Is What You See What You Get? Truth, Lies, Marketing, and Diversity
  • Possible visual: brochure from 1950s and one from today with the racial statistics next to each one.

Next meeting:  Thursday November 19, 2015 at 1:00pm in room 150

In Attendance:

Ann Hulse

Cathy Jenkins

Lili’a Neville

Megan Venable

Melanie Allen

Sarah Holt

Thura Mack

Trey Hobson

August 20, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: August 20, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Room 150

Announcements:

• Changes to the web page; listing by year was lost due to a crash
• Separate Lunch and Learn page added; approved logo
• Postcards available for distribution at Grad School Open House
• Lili’a posted the event on the homepage for diversity diversity.utk.edu
• It is also listed in the Chancellor’s newsletter
• There is a presence on Facebook and Twitter (kept it small because it is Welcome Week Blitzweek after this Welcome Week)
• Lili’s submitted for funding – there is a subcommittee for any questions. Look for an agenda of the first meeting on the 26^th.
• Megan, Cathy, Michelle, Thura, Melanie, Keila and Kenya are working on the posters for the Diversity Summit. One in the AM and one in PM. All encouraged to register.

Introduction of the new Diversity Librarians: Kenya Flash and Keila Zayas-Ruiz

Lunch and Learn Updates:

• It is on the digital signs
• If anyone would like to be on future posters contact Cathy – there will be a release form
• EVENT: Tuesday September 15 noon-one in Mary Greer Room. BE THERE!

Topics for Spring:

• The survey was set up at the Grad School Open House by Regina and Michelle
• A link to the survey at the bottom of the article about the Committee in the Chancellor’s newsletter
• Once the results are in we can decide on topics and needed resources
• Next topic on age discrimination possible title: Mind the Gap: Ageism and Generational Differences

In Attendance:

Cathy Jenkins

Elizabeth Young

Keila Zayas-Ruiz

Kenya Flash

Lili’a Neville

Megan Venable

Regina Mays

Sarah Holt

Seth Jordan

Melanie Allen

Thura Mack

July 16, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: July 16, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Room 150

We held a moment of silence for Steve Thomas and signed a card for his family.

Announcements:

• The Clarence Brown Theater is performing “A Lesson Before Dying”
• Call for new members resulted in approving Melanie Allen and Trey Hobson
• We have also invited the new Diversity Residents to join the committee
• Two posters were accepted for the Diversity Summit to be held on Friday September 25
  • The brand will be generic so that it can be used for multiple purposes
  • If you would like to contribute, please contact Thura Mack

Progress on the Lunch and Learn series:

• The Council for Diversity has funding available. The committee will request $500 for the series for food and to raise awareness
• The email with the edits has gone out for feedback
• Where will it be used?
  • Website
  • Press release
  • Digital signage
  • Poster for the Diversity Summit

Suggestions for Website:

• Newest activities to be listed at top of page
• Past activities broken down by year
• Put dates to link programs
• Hide the call for new members

The next meeting will be Thursday August 20, 2015 at 1:00pm in Room 150.

In Attendance:

Melanie Allen

Michelle Brannen

Sarah Holt

Seth Jordan

Thura Mack

Lili’a Neville

Elizabeth Young

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2014-2015

June 18, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: June 18, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Room 150

Announcements:

• There has been a department name change as of July 1, 2015. The office known as the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion is now known as The Office for Diversity and Inclusion.
• The recent proposal will be a twofold session one on planning programs on diversity and another on how to partner with the library.
• The person who was going to demo the fishbowl approach could not make it to the meeting.

Progress on the Lunch and Learn series:

• Thank you to everyone for following up on the assignments from the last meeting.
• The series will be highlighted in the August newsletter for diversity that will focus on the Committee at the Library.
• Tuesday September 16 noon meeting to be in Mary Greer Room
  • Dr. Strand could not commit, but did give contact information
  • Michelle contacted; received the names of the panelists on Social Media and Bullying
  • Megan will contact Jennifer Beals for a possibility to host
  • If there are no responses then the Committee could host something more casual (since we are not experts)

• Wednesday October 21 noon meeting to be in Room 605
  • The Tennessee Teaching and Learning Center’s Dr. Ferlin McGaskey, will host
• Tagline for the series (what we have been calling lunch and learn)
  • An open conversation about___________
  • The blank is filled in with the topic
  • Examples: An open conversation about bullying or an open conversation about race

To do and assignments moving forward:

• Need a guiding vision document
  • Michelle and Megan will work on a draft
  • It will be sent to Committee
  • It will also be sent to Lili’a so that it can link to the Chancellor’s page
• Branding Cathy and Ingrid will work on that
• Publicity
• Secure a speaker for September 16 or alternatively create program
• Work on Spring commitments (we need two)
• Michelle and Regina will work on a draft survey to create a wishlist this will be distributed in the Fall for the Spring sessions and may also be in person at the events

The next meeting will be Thursday July 16, 2015 1:00pm in Room 150.

In Attendance:

Melanie Allen

Michelle Brannen

Sarah Holt

Cathy Jenkins

Seth Jordan

Thura Mack

Lili’a Neville

Regina Mays

Ingrid Ruffin

Megan Venable

May 21, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: May 21, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Room 150

Announcements:

Megan, Thura, and Michelle will be writing a proposal for the Diversity Summit. It will include a poster and a session.

Lunch and Learn series:

Regina shared the poll results:

• 119 respondents
• 27% undergraduate students
• 19% graduate students
• 15% faculty
• 39% staff

When combining “somewhat likely” and “very likely” to attend, the top results were:

• 81% How free is your speech? Racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, and social media.
• 68% What do you believe? Religious tolerance and understanding.
• 68% He/She/Him/Her? Gender identity and expression in the classroom and on campus.

Spontaneous comments:

• Ageism
• Civility and first encounters
• Including conservative viewpoints

Discussion of material:

The Diversity Committee will have a training session in June on civil conversations/ nonviolent communication.

Possible hosts:

TNTLC, Black Cultural Center, someone from the psychology department, or Professor Strand. Individual members will do research and contact Thura with information.

The hope is that the host for our session can also host the first Lunch and Learn.

Based on the poll results, the second lunch and learn will be on free speech.

A possible host can be someone from the College of Communications- Michelle will research that.

Further discussion of the setup of the Lunch and Learn series:

Panel discussion

Fish bowl – more research to be done on how to achieve that goal

Ingird and Thura will be contacting First Year Studies to get it added to their series.

In attendance:

Cathy Jenkins

Ingrid Ruffin

Lili’a Neville

Megan Venable

Melaine Allen

Regina Mays

Sarah Holt

Seth Jordan

Thura Mack

April 16, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: April 16, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Room 150

Announcements

• Ingrid distributed invitations to the upcoming UT SALUTE Veteran Recognition Ceremony to be held on Monday, April 27 at 4 PM in the Hodges auditorium.
• Thura asked that all members consider ideas to submit a proposal for the upcoming UT system-wide diversity summit to be held in the fall.
• There may not be a May meeting – members are advised to keep an eye out for an email confirming this.

Lunch and Learn series

• Interest poll is ready for distribution. Thank you to all who submitted feedback! It will be announced next week (week of April 20) and be up for one week. It will be announced in the Vol Update.
• Mary Greer room will be used for the series held once a month; three sessions will be run in fall 2015 and four in spring 2016 (a check of the calendar just now shows it currently available for reservation).
• Discussion included:

o   Cross-campus opportunity, but who would our audience be?

o   What measures would take place to determine outcomes?

o   Use clickers to count pre and post session questions?

o   Short sign in to determine student, faculty, staff status?

o   Market the series to the Council of Deans, 1^st year studies, RAs, graduate student orientation, and multi-cultural student organizations

o   The Black Faculty and Staff Association recently identified similar measures for their power hour series that include:

§  Feel more comfortable discussing issues of diversity and inclusion

§  Increased competency how to approach situations

§  Identify one way you would do this if the situation arrived

§  Do you feel you have increased your awareness around diversity and inclusion?

§  Did this increase your sense of community and belonging?

The 25^th anniversary of the ADA includes a partnership with the City of Knoxville to participate in the Legacy Tour. It will be on May 14 on Market Square from 10 – 5 PM. Volunteers will be needed to staff the booth and help with set up and break down.

In attendance:

Shelly Barr

Ingrid Ruffin

Michelle Brannen

Seth Jordan

Elizabeth Young

Anne Hulse

Lilia Neville

Melanie Allen

Sarah Holt

Regina Mays

Trey  Hobson

Ernest Brothers

Thura Mack

Megan Venable

March 19, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: March 19, 2015 at 1:00pm, Room 150

Announcements

• Next Thursday (March 26) the African American Trailblazer series will host Valisia LeKae, who recently starred as Diana Ross in the film Motown the Musical at 12:30pm in Hodges auditorium.
• April 8 at 6pm the Office of Disability Services will host an induction ceremony for new Honor Society members.
• April 27 4pm SALUTE (an honor society for student veterans) will host an event for new members and will also highlight the WWII project and the exceptional service honorees. An official invite will be coming soon.
• Search committee for the two (2) new diversity residents will be conducting phone interviews next week and plans on inviting five (5) candidates to campus. The diversity committee will have a place on the agenda during the campus visit. Thura will update the committee with the meeting times with the candidate.

Lunch and Learn series

• Possible groups on campus to connect with:
  • Both the Honors college and Greek life participants need service hours
  • The Teaching and Learning Center has agreed to help
  • The Vice Chancellor’s office will also help
• Style of presentations
  • Fish bowl
  • A variety of different approaches the style may need to change with the subject
  • Please reiterate to facilitators that they are not lecturing. Want to create conversations.
• Schedule
  • We will create the schedule on a rotating basis, for example:
    • September: Wednesday
    • November: Wednesday
    • December: Tuesday
    • October: Tuesday
    • August: Tuesday

Interest poll

• Will be developed by Regina
• When to distribute
  • One time very soon to gage interest for the first meetings
  • Again at the beginning of Fall semester to plan for Spring

• How to distribute
  • Cannot distribute to entire student population because it would need to be approved and that does not work in our time frame
  • TN Today
  • Any listerserve we have access to such as honors college
• Questions
  • A list of topics and participants put on a sliding scale of interest
  • Changing locations
  • Optional open ended question with what they would like to see
  • Will ask if faculty, staff, or student and if student what year
• Brainstorm
  • Ideas for topics
  • What we actually want to discuss, but with a catchy name
• Possible incentives for participation: Regina will look into that

Final thoughts

• Look out for an email with information from the questions in attendance
• Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2015, at 1:00pm in room 150

In Attendance

Thura Mack

Cathy Jenkins

Sarah Holt

Steve Thomas

Regina Mays

Melanie Allen

Tamara Griffin

Lili’a Neville

Shelly O’Barr

Seth Jordan

Megan Venable

Ingrid Ruffin

February 19, 2015

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: February 19, 2015 at 1:00pm, Room 150

• As a group, the committee reviewed the proposed submission for the Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity Award and submitted changes. The proposal is due February 20^th; members are asked to submit further edits until noon on that day and Megan will submit the final proposal.
• Annazette discussed a collaboration between the city of Knoxville and the Disability Resource Center for an ADA tour. Their needs are not clear at this time, but the committee is on standby to offer assistance.
• The possibility of making permanent name tags for members was discussed. Megan is to research name tag options.
• Annazette introduced Richard Johnson, the Disability Resource Center’s new intern.

Lunch and Learn session in Fall 2015

• The committee will poll the campus community to determine interest in upcoming lunch and learn session topics. Regina to explore the best format to solicit information.
• Richard discussed the possibility of a “fish bowl” scenario he participated in led by facilitators Father Reagan Schriver and Dr. Mary Rogey. Participants would self-select when topics were introduced and had the ability to remove others from conversations and taking their place in discussions such as religion or social work.
• Steps to planning were identified: polling to reach a pool of participants, establishment of ground rules, and approaches to facilitation of lunch and learn sessions.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 19^th at 1 PM in Room 150

In Attendance

Anne Hulse

Richard Johnson

Annazette Houston

Seth Jordan

Megan Venable

Ingrid Ruffin

Elizabeth Young

Cathy Jenkins

Regina Mays

Thura Mack

January 15, 2021

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: January 15, 2015 at 1:00pm Room 150

Announcements

• Search Committee for the Diversity Librarian Residency Program
  • The search committee information will use the Diversity Committee’s website as its main webpage
  • Thura will work with Seth to make sure the page gets updated as needed –feedback welcome
• Disability Services has invited the Diversity Committee to participate in the Traveling Disability Bus Tour –more specific details in the near future
• Members of the Diversity Committee will be presenting at the 2015 Tennessee Libraries annual conference

Black Issues Conference Proposal Submission

• The sub-group for the conference did submit a proposal but have yet to hear back from the conference programming
• Anne Holst will contact the Black Issues Conference administrators to find out the status of our proposal

Status/Discussion of Lunch and Learn Series

• VC Hall is thrilled with the Lunch and Learn topic: How to Have Difficult Conversations About …
• He proposed that we kick off the series in Fall of 2015
  • The committee agreed to work on the programming concept starting February until program implementation
  • The committee will request that he appoints a contact person representing his office to work with our committee as we develop this program

Upcoming Meeting Dates

March 19

April 16

May 21

June 18

In Attendance

Thura Mack

Anne Hulse

Ingrid Ruffin

Steve Thomas

Cathy Jenkins

Elizabeth Young

Sara Bourque (ODS Proxy)

Seth Jordan

November 20, 2014

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: November 20, 2014 at 1:00pm, Room 150

Announcements

• No announcements

Ideas for Diversity Project/Activities 2015

• Vice Chancelor Hall invited the committee to help with a lunch and learn series

• The series will take place in the library at our regular meeting time
• Thura and Megan will be working on a more detailed schedule
• A possible theme: how to create dialogue on difficult topics we can then have each lunch and learn focus on a different specific topic and invite other groups to join us for example if we have a dialogue focused on LGBTQ issues we would invite OUTspoken to that lunch and learn
• Difficult conversations committee so far volunteers at this time are: Thura, Elizabeth, Ingrid, Regina, and Sarah

Topics Discussion for Black Issues Conference Proposal

• Proposals for the 10^th annual Black Issues Conference, (Stand Your Ground: the State of Black America Today on Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 10am until 4pm) are due soon

• We can tie in the theme of our lunch and learns and start this conference off with a discussion about conversations in general
• Focus on the online presence such as Yik Yak and Black Twitter
• A subcommittee of volunteers to plan the conference topics further includes: Anne Holst, Megan, Ingrid?, Jesse (program content creation), and Thura.

• Using Social Media as a safe space racially
  • Pick Tweets from “safe space” sites to start discussion
  • Defining your own culture
• Racially motivated crimes in a social media era
  • Response to racially motivated crimes in a pre- and post-internet era
• Creating your own space online
  • Ways to broaden your horizons in a like-minded space

Best Wishes and Farewell

Sojourna and Vicki will be leaving the Library Diversity Committee to begin new jobs as new librarians

Final Thoughts

• If anyone wants to join the two work groups, please email tmack@utk.edu by Wednesday, December 3^rd.
• The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday January 15, 2015 at 1:00pm

In Attendance

• Thura Mack
• Anne Hulse
• Vickie Palmer
• Ingrid Ruffin
• Regina Mays
• Steve Thomas
• Cathy Jenkins
• Megan Venable
• Elizabeth Young
• Tamara Griffin (ODS Proxy)
• Sara Holt
• Seth Jordan

August 21, 2014

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: August 21, 2014 at 1:00pm, Room 150

1. Introductions and welcome to new members

2. Announcements

• New club secretary: Sarah Holt

• Spotlight on website task force

3. A campus wide committee Courage to Climb identifies students that are going above and beyond, but that may not always get the attention they deserve. The Office of Disability Services suggested a collaboration and Michelle Brannon will be the representative from the Diversity committee.

4. Welcome Week Diversity table August 22, 2014

• Donations were made for prizes, thank you Meagan Venable

• The table will make stress balls and have a game (thank you Ingrid Ruffin)

• The event lasts till 11:00 pm

• Thank you to the volunteers: Cathy Jenkins, Thura, Vikki, and Ingrid

5. Visiting librarian

• Strategy for questions: the committee reaches inward and outward

• See what similar committees have done elsewhere

• Those in attendance will bring questions

6. Life of the Mind

• Currently in Culture Corner display has been updated to include response projects from students

• Discussed possible location for larger display such as classroom row on the second floor or the display case outside the auditorium on the first floor.

7. University Center display case booked for September 29- October 6

• Look for an email asking for input on what to highlight

• So far thoughts have been to use the graphic currently in the auditorium display case and update it to include upcoming events and services offered

8. Upcoming events

• October 18 is Race for the Cure look for an email to register as part of our team

• October is Disabilities History month and as part of our yearlong focus on disabilities to honor the 25th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act

-Meeting titled Disabilities 101 will be held September 18, 2014 at 1:00 pm in room 150

-Sometime in November/ December we will host a panel discussion with student organizations that also focus on disabilities

Back to top

2013-2014

February 20, 2014

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: February 20, 2014 at 1:00pm , Room 150

1. Quiet reflection in memory of Marva Rudolph

2. Announcements

• Safe Zone Training Completed (Sojourna Cunningham)
  • Attendees will receive engraved stickers
  • Approximately 9 attendees; attendee names will be submitted to Dean’s Newsletter
  • Next up – hidden disability and suicide prevention training
• Academic Program Review meeting for Library Diversity Committee Members  Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 3:15pm – 4pm in Room 605
  • Committee members must be prepared to ask and answer questions
• 2013-2014 Library Diversity committee membership page begin updated by Seth Jordan.

3. Diversity Highlights

• The Dean is nominating the library for a CCI Diversity award
  • We are requested to provide a narrative of our programming:
    • The Human Library Project
    • Veterans
    • SafeZone Training
    • Culture Corner
    • Black Issues Conference
    • The International Festival
    • VolAware Street Fair
    • Diversity Residents
    • Supporting Collegiality in the library
      • Cookie Contest
    • Supporting Community Causes
      • Race for the Cure
      • Race Against Racism
    • Upcoming
      • Year-long Disability Awareness Projects

4. Steve Milewski (Liaison for Disability Services)

• Attended the February meeting and will also attend the March meeting
• He confirmed that he is available to provide a tour of assistive services and technology in the library

5. Disability Project

•  The International Festival Table April 11 from 10-3
  • Theme: Disability resources in the Libraries
    • A tour of ADA Compliant technologies (Steve Milewski) ; Invite people to browse and use what we have available

6. ADA Audit (Regina & Sojourna)

• Capitalizing on the anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act in 2015
• Provided updates on assessment activities that support the Disability Project

7. Disability Calendar

• Official anniversary on July 26, 2015; kick-off year activities in July 2014
• Regina and Sojourna provided a calendar of disability past and upcoming events
• Brainstorm and will identify approximately 6-7 disability themed movies for October 2014
• Disability Week in October campus connect with Disability Advocates
• Disability Conference   4/4/14- 4/5/14

 In Attendance

Elizabeth Young

Vicki Palmer

Anne Hulse

Cathy Jenkins

Megan Venable

Sojourna Cunningham

Thura Mack

Regina mays

Seth Jordan

Steve Thomas

Next Meeting: March 20, 2014 Room 150 at 1pm

Tentative Topics for Discussion at next committee meeting

• Recognizing student workers discussion
• Discussion of display table set-up for the International Fair

Spring 2014 Meeting Dates

March 20^th      April 17th

May 15^th              June 19^th

July 17th

January 2016, 2014

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: January 16, 2014 at 1:00pm, Room 150

1. Announcements

• Council for Diversity and Intercluturalism (CDI) Thura attended and reported on:

• Vice Chancellor Hall has a Disability Task Force in place to look at all of the buildings and services around campus to come up with improvements.  This task force has until May 5^th to come up with recommendations.
• CDI is discussing a Diversity Award for the Chancellor’s Award Banquet event

• Thura attended a Meeting of Chairs of Diversity Committees and Councils facilitated by Vice Chancellor Hall.  Topics from the meeting included:
  • How to make campus diversity committees higher functioning committees
  • One of the outcomes of the Diversity LEADS group would be to host a Diversity Summit in the Fall 2014 semester
• Status of the Black Issues Conference:
  • The Diversity Committee program proposal for the conference was accepted, “I Hate it when, I Would Like If…”
  • Presenters are Michelle, Seth, Vicki, Anne, and Thura
  • All Committee members were encouraged to register and attend the Black Issues Conference on February 1, 2014
• The new Culture Corner has been completed and the topic is Medicine, Healing, etc.

2. Webpage Update

• The Web Subcommittee were asked to update the activities page with recent Committee activities and functions
• The Committee was reminded to add more pictures to the page from various activities, such as:
  • Race for the Cure
  • Bake sale

3. Safe Zone Training Feb. 11 at  2-5pm

• We had a successful response to the Safe Zone Training call for registration
  • Attendees will receive 3 HR 128 credits
• Email Sojourna Cunningham to sign up for class
• It was agreed that we should open the registration to the university community and Sojourna will work with HR to open advertising around campus
• Library participant names will be featured in the Dean’s newsletter

4. Disability Project

• The Committee will continue planning programs for the Disability Project – activities will run from 2014-2015
• A strategy will be to post on Facebook about disability services available in Library
• We need to create a blurb to brand our Disability Project and activities 2014-2015
• Potential activities:
  • Disability awareness training
  • The Committee will work with Steve M. (Library’s Disability contact Librarian) for April and May 2014 to highlight available services
• For our programs, we will look into obtaining HR 128 credit
• Two items for our calendar:
  • International Festival Table— Friday, April 11^th from 10am-3pm
    • Table will highlight assistive learning equipment and services available in the library
  • We will partner with campus HR to offer a session on disability services
• Next steps and more potential programming
  • Contact other campus disability advocates
  • ADA audit of Hodges Library, renew contact
    • Focus groups for disability services  in the library in the works (Sojourna and Regina) Update in February
  • We will continue to create our calendar of events and everyone is tasked with bringing ideas to the next meeting, February 20th, 2014, 1pm
  • Thura will ask the Director of the Disability Services Office to provide our committee with a liaison for this year-long program

5.  Miscellaneous

• Residence Life Cinema: suggestions from Black Cultural Center for February
  • Perhaps we can collaborate with Residence Cinema Life to have movies with the theme of overcoming disabilities or physical challenges – September or October
    • October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

In Attendance

Thura Mack                Steve Thomas

Anne Hulse                  Ingrid Ruffin

Vicki Palmer           Sojourna Cunningham

Regina Mays           Seth Jordan

Spring 2014 Meeting Dates

February 20th           March 20th

April 17th                May 15th

June 19th             July 17th

November 21, 2013

Committee Meeting Minutes: November 21, 2013 at 1:00pm, Room 150

1.  Announcements

• None

2.  Black Issues Conference Committee (Seth, Vicki, Michelle, Anne, & Thura)

• Proposed presentation idea:
  •  “I hate it when…I would like it if…” Scandalous College Stereotypes to include activities with discussions
• Proposal due December 20
• Possibly present this topic here in the library for faculty and staff if it is received well at the conference

3.  The Web Committee (Michelle, Seth, Rabia, & Judy)

• The website needs more pictures
• The Committee has contacted Dan Greene to help activate rolling pictures for the site
• Need to add picture of the Veteran’s Day display

4.  HR Training Classes (Sojourna)

• Participants will receive Safe Zone Training HR128 credit
• Possible dates: Feb 4 or 5, 11 or 12 at 1pm
• Individuals must sign up ahead to receive 3 hour credit training
• Announce in Dean’s newsletter
• Reserve Mary E. Greer room –Megan

5.  Race for the Cure Final Results

• Raised $2532.00 through donations and salad bar fundraiser and matching funds

6.  Culture Corner

• Medicine and Healing topic suggested at last meeting
• Currently International Education Week in the corner
• The upcoming theme for the 2014 freshman book will be “creativity”
  • Once the book has been selected, a Culture Corner will be created to support the book
  • The Committee is tasked with thinking of programs and partnerships to support the topic

7.  New Item – Disability Project (Sarah Bourque – Proxy for Annazette)

• Menendez and McCain: Ratify disabilities treaty (2015 would be a significant anniversary/milestone of the Americans with Disabilities Act) (Anne)
• Possible Activities Discussed:
  • Spotlight of library activities
  • ADA Compliance audit of Hodges Library building
  • In progress updating of website and marketing materials
  • Programming opportunity to highlight what we are doing to support community members with disabilities
  • Possible programming opportunity for Annual training of the public services staff and others to  including software and hardware available for patrons with follow-up open to UT community start planning
  • The Diversity Committee will contact Campus Disability Advocates group for support with this initiative
  • As part of this programming effort, we will consider doing exercises and activities to improve library services (Speak with Annazette Huston for activity ideas)
  • The Committee discussed willingness to participate in Disability Week
  • A couple Library Disability Focus Groups were identified – more follow-up will be reported on at a later date

8.  Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda

• Continue planning programs for the Disability project
• Plot out a calendar of events for the 2014-2015 Disability project
• Include opportunities for staff training as part of Disability program
• Schedule the Mary Greer room for the HR Training

Spring 2014 Meeting Dates

January 16^th     February 20th

March 20^th      April 17th

May 15^th              June 19^th

July 17th

In Attendance

Sojourna Cunningham                  Thura Mack

Ingrid Ruffin                                    Seth Jordan

Sarah Bourque                       Anne Hulse

Regina Mays                                    Cathy Jenkins

Elizabeth Young                             Judy Li

Vicki Palmer

October 24, 2013

 Committee Meeting Minutes: October 24, 2013 at 1:00pm Room 150 

1.  Announcements

• Race for the Cure Salad Bar Fundraiser total $985. Final team total $2700.
• The next Diversity Committee Meeting will be November 21st at 1:00pm in room 150, Hodges Library

2.  VolAware Street Fair

• Street Fair feedback indicated that our Committee had one of the top favorite things at the fair (stress balls)
• Made stress balls and students listed what they do to de-stress as well as suggestions for what the library can add to the De-Stress program

3. Web Task Force Group

• Michelle Brannen, Seth Jordan, Judy Li, Rabia Gibbs
• Changes to the webpage
  • Definition in place
  • Reduced navigation menu
  • Need to add more pictures from recent and past activities

4.  Veterans Day Activities (Ingrid)

• Will check with Taskforce in Support of Student Veterans
• Possible Library display and activities

5.  Black Issues Conference Call for papers

• Due December 20, 2013
• Brainstormed possible presentation
  • “I hate it when, I would like it if” lingering stereotypes
  • STEM and Diversity
  • Date of event February 1st, 2014
  • Sub-committee

Sojourna Cunningham              Anne Hulse

Seth Jordan                               Thura Mack

Michelle Brannen                     Vicki Palmer

6.   New: TRACE (Seth)

• Seth demoed TRACE and the Committee’s presence in the collection
• Committee will think of other ways to populate our presence in the TRACE collection

7.   HR Diversity Training for all UT Libraries Faculty and Staff (Sojourna)

• Understanding some of the most common “hidden” disabilities
• Safe Zone Training: Empowering LGBT ALLIES

8.  Programming Assessment (Thura)

• Thura reported on a template for reporting the Diversity Committee activities, i.e. Learning Objective, Attendance, and Evaluation Type

9.  New Culture Corner

• Culture Corner ideas are welcome
• Email your ideas to Thura
• Suggested: Health care and medicinal practices around the world (Anne)

Proposed November Agenda

—-Black Issues Conference Committee

—-Web committee reporting

—-HR Training

—-Race for the Cure final results

—-Culture Corner

In Attendance

Megan Venable              Vicki Palmer

Ann Hulse                       Michelle Brannen

Seth Jordan                     Steve Thomas

Rabia Gibbs                    Sojourna Cunningham

Judy Li                            Elizabeth Young

Ingrid Ruffin                   Thura Mack

September 19, 2013

UT Libraries Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes: Thursday, September 19th 2013, 1:00pm, Room 150

1.   Announcements

Diversity Dialogues: Human Libraries, Nov 5, 2013 at 7pm Multicultural Student Center

2.  Upcoming programs

VolAware Street Fair: Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 10:00-4:30pm

9:30 Set up – Tentative Theme: De-Stress Program

POCs: Michelle and Thura

Race for the Cure Salad Bar/ Raffle Fundraiser Thursday,

October 3, 2013 11:30-1:30pm, 6th Floor Staff Room

Committee Setup at 10:45 and Breakdown 1:30pm

POCs: Sojourna, Megan, and Thura

Social Justice Common Ground Read for Spring 2014

Thura and Allison recently met with new Vice Chancellor of Diversity

Half the Sky, by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, was suggested

– other suggestions are welcome

Black Issues Conference Proposal upcoming for Spring

The Committee will continue to check for a call for proposals

Possible proposal: “I hate it when, I would like it if…”

Possible program for Spring collaboration with Employee and Organizational

Development (HR)

POC Sojourna Cunningham

International Festival in April

We are seeking a request for theme suggestion

3. Diversity Committee webpage

Pictures are needed for the page

Cookie Bake off and International Fair pictures (Sojourna)

Web team:

Judy Li

Rabia Gibbs

Seth Jordan (New)

Michelle Brannen (New)

Suggestions for content and linked information are needed

4.  Diversity Committee Annual Report

Thura is currently working on the annual report. Once it is

approved by library administration, it will be shared with the

Diversity Committee and posted on the website.

5.  Diversity Program Evaluation

Explore options for program attendees feedback for the Diversity programs

POCs: Regina and Thura

Look at ways to increase program attendance and improve program marketing

POCs: All Committee members

6. Upcoming meeting dates

October 24, 2013, 1-2pm Room 150

November 21, 2013, 1-2pm Room 150

7. Suggested Agenda Items

Debrief on the Race for the Cure and the VolAware Street Fair outcomes

Discuss progress for upcoming programs

September 19th Attendees:

Megan Venable

Vicki Palmer

Elizabeth Young

Seth Jordan

Sojourna Cunningham

Steve Thomas

Michelle Brannen

Ingrid Ruffin

Thura Mack

Regina Mays

Back to top

2012-2013

April 18, 2013

Library Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes, April 18, 2013, 1:00pm

Announcements

· Meeting with the new Vice Chancellor of Diversity, Dr. Ricky Hall, scheduled for July 18, 2013 at 1pm in Room 605

Upcoming Events

· Diversity Committee Cookie Contest Meet and Greet, scheduled for May 23, 2013 at 2- 3:30pm Library Staff Room on the 6th Floor

During the program, we will highlight our Library Diversity Committee programs with signs for each of the following:

Common Ground Book Club

Human Library

National Library Week

Featuring our first University Center Display on the topic of Global Citizenship

A Cookie Baking contest – winners of the Cookie Baking contest will receive a certificate. Megan will send out an email announcing the event to the entire library.

Unveil the Library Diversity Committee New Webpage on flat screen televisions

· International Festival discussion included finalizing the plans for our participation in the festival by highlighting regional cookbooks and recipes and giving out free cheese sticks

· Membership Drive – We will review and update the call for the new membership form, and will distribute the call in early May

February 28, 2013

Diversity Minutes February 28, 2013, 1:00pm, Room 150

• Next Diversity Committee meeting
  • Will be held March 21 1-2 p.m., Hodges Library Room 150
• Dr. Brothers
  • April 18 Dr. Laura Lundsford, University of Arizona
  • Workshop for faculty morning and students afternoon more information to come
• International Festival April 19 10-2 p.m.
  • Discuss possible themes via email
• Thura Mack’s new title, Coordinator for Community Services and Diversity Programs
• Confucius Institute (Ann Hulse)
  • Book donation ceremony April 12
  • Speaker series and movie series in the Fall Anne Hulse will provide more information
• April 1st -8th graduate education week
  • Digital signage, organizational support of week; display
• Thura volunteered to email Dr. Ricky Hall, Vice Chancellor of Diversity

• Diversity Committee Tool Box (Sojourna Cunningham scunni16@utk.edu)
  • Creating a survey instrument for the Southeastern region to create best practices as well as dialogue
• Assessment focus group in the Fall (Sojourna Cunningham scunni16@utk.edu)
  • Library partnering with Disability Services
• LibQual lite assessment of library services, this year Summer/Fall
  • Climate Qual Survey internal survey in the Spring of next year
  • 3 weeks faculty/staff 15 questions
  • IRB next Spring
• Common Ground Book Club Update (Ingrid Ruffin)
  • Discussion led by Dean of the University Libraries Steve Smith, with 20 attendees
• Webpage Update for https://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/ (Judy Li and Rabia Gibbs)
  • Judy and Rabia highlighted new changes i.e. Word cloud, Culture Corner, Library residency program
  • New Deadline for the webpage: April during National Library Week April 14-20
  • Email Judy and Rabia with suggested changes
• Alliance of Women Philanthropists 2012 Giving Circle Grant Update (Sojourna)
  • Grant to bring Half the Sky book and film to campus along with a scholarship is submitted
  • The Grant was not approved. The committee will continue to look for other funding opportunities.

January 17, 2013

Diversity Committee Meeting Notes: January 17, 2013 1:00pm, Room 150

1.  Announcements

• The next Diversity Committee meeting will be held February 21, 1-2:00pm, Hodges Library Room 150.
• The Diversity Committee will be meeting with Mark Puentes on February 5th, 11:00am-12:00pm, Hodges Library Room 605
• Possible question for Mark: “How we can prepare ourselves and engage with the new Vice Chancellor of Diversity?”
• All committee members are invited to this session!
• Citizenship display in the University Center organized by Sojourna and Anne
• March 20, 21, and 22 – RAD Class
• Megan Smith is organizing another library event open and available for all UT women. The class is 12 hours total and culminates with a training exercise in self-defense. Register online here. For more questions, contact Megan (msmith93@utk.edu or 865-974-6903) or UTPD (974-3114).

2.  Webpage Update (Judy and Rabia) (https://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/)

• Judy and Rabia showed changes made so far
• What do we want on the home page?
• o Contact us
• o Highlight/inform about cultural issues/news
• o Recommended Culture Corner: Focus on Women’s issues i.e. Sex, gender, power
• o Pictures from previous activities? Picture collage for home page
• o Organize information by years
• Deadline for the webpage: end of February and beginning of March
• Email Judy and Rabia with suggested changes

3. Human Libraries Update (Ingrid)

• Presenting at Black Issues Conference, “UTK Human Library Experience: Reading into Black Culture” February 2, 2:15-3:00pm UTK University Center Rm 225
• Please come support us!

4. Alliance of Women Philanthropists 2012 Giving Circle Grant Update (Sojourna)

• Grant to bring Half the Sky the Book and film to campus along with a scholarship is submitted
• Friends of the Libraries will provide matching funds
• The announcement will be made Feb 22, 2013
• Possible Life of the Mind partnership

5. Diversity Committee Social Networking Media Update  (Ingrid)

• Ingrid is working to integrate the diversity committee’s efforts into the libraries’ social networking media

6. Common Ground Book Club Update  (Ingrid)

• A writer’s transsexual journey will be the topic of the next Common Ground Book Club discussion led by Dean of the university Libraries Steve Smith.
  • T Cooper’s Real Man Adventures will be the subject of discussion on Tuesday, February 19, at 4:30 p.m. in the Culture Corner, first floor of Hodges Library. Real Man Adventures is a collage of letters, essays, interviews, artwork, and conversations exploring what it means to be a man. T Cooper maintains a sense of humor as he takes us through his transition into identifying as male — even publishing the letter he wrote to his parents to inform them that he “wasn’t their daughter anymore.” It’s a brash, wildly inventive, and comic exploration of the paradoxes and pleasures of masculinity.

7. New items

• Elizabeth Young of the University Libraries graciously donated a basket of preserves for the Race Against Racism on behalf of the Diversity Committee. (Thank You)
• The Confucius Institute is coming to campus April 11-12. See Anne Hulse ahulse1@utk.edu for more information.
• Robin Bedenbaugh requests our support to bring Dr. Srivi Ramasubramanian from Texas A&M to speak at the libraries about the impact of media in fostering a diverse community of respect.
  • The committee agreed to work with Robin in bringing in the speaker.

November 15, 2012

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

Back to top

2011-2012

May 29, 2012

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

March 15, 2012

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

January 19, 2012

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

December 15, 2011

Diversity Committee Meeting December 15, 2011

Present:

Thura Mack, Trish Brady, Allison (Bolorizadeh) Sharp, Laurie Robertson, Matt Jordan, Rabia Gibbs, Anne Hulsey, Marva Collins

Announcements:

Trish’s last day will be January 30th. She is becoming a full time musician.

January 5 Diversity Roundtable

RSVPs (so far):

Ernest Brothers, Asst. Dean, The Graduate School;

Vern Granger, Enrollment Services;

Katrice Morgan, Asst Dean for Student Affairs, UT School of Law;

Travis Griffin, Director, Ofc of Diversity Programs, College of

Engineering

Location: Hodges Library rm. 605

Time: 1:00-3:00 PM

Details:

Have the webpage on the large screen showing the charge of the

Committee

Have a contact sheet

Have a form that will allow people to post anonymous diversity

topics that they would like to see discussed (Allison w/ Trish

will have ready by next week for Rabia’s invitation email)

Resend invitation emails next week- Rabia

We want to make sure to respond to comments in a current

and timely manner.

Agenda:

Welcome from Thura

Introductions from everyone

Discussion Topics

1. The types of diversity issues they address within their respective units

2. The resources that they use for programming and outreach

3. Ideas for partnership and collaboration

a. Have a post it note activity to encourage discussion and collaboration (Anne)

4. End with our action points.

Other Issues:

Rabia asked, “Will the Discussion Forum be a regular event?”

Others thought maybe 2 times per year, or every couple of months would be a good way to repeat the roundtable discussions.

Thura suggested that we put the big ideas that come from the

discussion on our website so people can come back to the page to see progress or revisit the ideas.

BCC (Black Culture Conference 2012)

If you are interested in participating then email Thura

Culture Corner Ideas

Veterans:

Protests/ Protestors: Occupy, Arab Spring, etc…

Beauty Ideals Worldwide and Historically

November 17, 2011

Diversity Committee November 17, 2011

Attendance – Michelle Brannen, Rabia Gibbs, Annazette Houston, Matt Jordan, Thura Mack, Marva Rudolph, Kynita Stringer-Stanback

Announcements

• Veterans Day program went well.  Michelle and Marva participated. Marva was there before the mid-day program and that it had a small gathering.  We want to send feedback as a committee to thank them and to suggest that they consider how they might share to a larger audience by streaming the name reading.  Michelle will draft a feedback letter for them with our thanks and suggestions.
• Matt announced that his sister has a developmental disability and he recently took her to the Special Olympics.

Budget

• Thura does not know if there is a budget for the diversity committee.  She met with Steve to ask if we do have a budget and, if so, how much.  She is waiting to hear back with information.  Traditionally we have not had a committee budget – we just ask for funding as needed for programs.  Do we know how much we’ve spent annually?  Thura gave an example that they asked for $500 for Steve’s reception.  There are several programs such as cultural enrichment or international festival where no funding has been asked for previously.  The question will be how much to ask for in a budget – so we would need to explore what programs we are interested to know what to ask for.

Diversity Training suggestion

• Marva’s office used to do diversity training and had a diversity trainer but they do not do as much now.  There is a faculty member in sociology department that does some.  It depends on the type of diversity training you are interested in.  There may be some people on campus who can but it might cost more to bring in someone nationally known.
• Kynita was thinking about an outside organization coming in to do training.  She wasn’t sure if we wanted leadership training for the members of the diversity committee.  She wasn’t sure if we are interested in being diversity leaders on campus or just facilitators for diversity.  If we do want this to be a leadership group, then we could provide them opportunities to take on that leadership role.
• Kynita suggested that something we could do really easily might be safe zone training.  There might be other training opportunities on campus.  If we are going to facilitate this talk of diversity then we need some training and have a good, strong message and all be well versed and grounded in diversity issues, not only from our personal experience.
• Do we want these programs open to just the committee, library staff, or even open to the campus?  It depends on the type of program we’re looking for.
• Marva explained that we have some diversity coordinators in various colleges on campus.  Maybe it would be good for the diversity committee to call a meeting with those folks so we can all share information about what we’re doing and to find out about opportunities for training they may know about and also to see if we can coordinate efforts for some events.
• Kynita suggested that if they are working out there in isolation then working with them we could help make the library a central hub and a good place to focus diversity efforts on campus.  Can we bring more of these people into the committee.
• Thura shared that when the committee was first formed, we did have some training but it has been quite some time for training.  She does think that we need to update ourselves as a group and get on the same page.
• Matt suggested that some of these diversity coordinators on campus might want to work together on our topic.
• Kynita reminded us that it’s important for us to have a unified message about diversity.  Our individual experiences are great but we also need to have this baseline group understanding.
• Matt asked if we would you see this group needing some training before meeting with other diversity people on campus.  I think we all agreed that we could meet with them and do training in either order – but that we might ask them about their training.
• Rabia will compile a list of all the diversity representatives on campus for us.  Marva will send her information.
• Thura asked when are we thinking we would want to meet with them?  Are we thinking Dec or Jan?
• Annazette said if we did it in January, we could do it early in January before classes start.
• Maybe Thurs, Jan 5.  We need to put together what we want from this, give them questions before hand, and come together and talk.  One thing we can ask is what are the issues they see their populations facing.  We can also ask about what training they have done or that they might give.  We can also ask what their role is and if they are interested in collaborating with us for events and programs.  Matt suggested that we could also share with them the topic we’re thinking of for the fall and get their opinions on it.
• Thura said we have never done this.  She has met with some of them one-on-one but not in this capacity.
• Kynita suggested for training that we could ask the dean if he would be willing to send members from the diversity committee to diversity conferences
• Thura mentioned that we need to put this training into a framework – outline the steps we want to take for this training and some outcomes we want from the training.  Once we do that, what are the next steps.
• Where do we want to be in December for our meeting? – Annazette suggested we invite them now to set up the meeting and when we meet in December, we can plan what the agenda will be for that meeting.

Topic for programming – Culture and Ethnicity: the social construction of race

• Do we want this for spring 2012 or wait until fall 2012?
• We talked about waiting for the fall so we can have time to plan events, to work with other diversity groups on campus, and have time to plan.
• Documentaries in the Library has already set the series for the spring so if we wait for the fall, we could get this and other groups to potentially be on board with our topic.
• Thura asked how are we going to begin developing this concept.
• Thura also reminded us we do need to have some events and such planned for the spring, even while working on this larger series in the fall.  There is a Black Issues conference coming up – Feb 5 – but they need an abstract in December.
• Black Issues Conference – what do we want to propose?  Kynita suggested changing the name to “culture and ethnicity: the social construction of identity.”  We were talking about putting a panel together for the presentation – the panel would bring different people together to talk about their experiences with perception on campus.

Suggestion from Martha Rudolph – about Immigration as a topic

• January 23 – Immigration – for the library, baker center, etc. – is a topic coming in the spring with various programs for the spring.
• 1^st Writers in the Program is Jan 23 – the series is going to be focused on immigration in the spring

Next Meeting December 15^th.  Please send agenda items.

We will bounce the idea of the Black Issues Conference via email since the abstract is due before our next meeting.

July 28, 2011

Thanks to all for a productive Diversity Meeting On Thursday July 28

The meeting took place in the location Hodges Library 2nd floor Mary E. Greer room

Announcements were as following:

News of the Dean of Libraries Steve Smith inviting the committee to be guests on September 23 for a gala dinner and evening at the Knoxville Convention Center

The committee is charged with inviting 6 additional guests

Members who would like to attend please notify Patty @ boling00@utk.edu asap the deadline is August 12 but the sooner the better!

The event is September 23 with reception starting@ 5:30 and dinner at 6:30 the event will be held at the Convention Center

September 8 Showcase program discussion:

Budget request;

Radio Station $200-$300

Cookies/punch/water $150

Door Prizes $120

Balloons$

Buttons$$

Potential participates are;

WUTK Radio Station (there is a $200-$300 cost)

Black Cultural Center

African –American 50th Achievement

Chris Durman representing the Music Library

Native American Student Association (NASA)

Spoken Word participants

Library Common Ground Book club

Connie Steigenga ( make balloon animals)

Michelle Brannen ( civility videos contest entries)

Student Health Center (providing HPV awareness education)

Martha Rudolph is creating digital signs to announce the September 8 program & she is putting together a hall of fame slide show with photos from the Black Cultural Center

Much more…..

New membership:

Allison B. and Thura will work on getting the announcement out for a call for new members on Monday August 1

The fall Culture Corner:

Allie R. is creating posters for the LOTM displays & Cultural Corner

Thura is working on updating the Cultural Corner (volunteers are welcome)

50th Celebration:

Annazette met with me after the meeting and the 50th committee has offered to provide 50th buttons for the September 8 program (email me and let me know if this will take of our button needs)

Thura Mack

Professor

Coordinator, Community Learning Services

tmack@utk.edu

865-974-6381

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2010-2011

March 17, 2011

Diversity 3/17

Pow wow fill in

April 8th and 9th Fire dance set for Friday evening. Once in a lifetime opportunity to see an Aztec Fire dance. Big event for the Cherokee – first gathering on this land in over 100 years.

International festival

Table with Common Ground Book Club April 12th support the Henrietta Lacks Life of the Mind book. (table volunteers needed)

UT Libraries celebration of 50 years of African American achievement.

Date scheduled for Sep 8. start time TBA. Programming ideas:

Reception Mary Greer room light snacks (cookies)…

Joseph Delaney African American residence welcome week date.

Lacks is coming for welcome week. Libguide for african american email to committee

Slam poetry session venue TBA

(Annazette will explore student readers.)

Canvas for diversity (paper on the floor student participants to write about diversity )

WE need:

Timetable for events

Slide show and film

Canvas for diversity

Rothrock Lecture UC dining room April 28th eve

Welcome the new Dean Smith Reception

planning for July (he’s coming July 1st)

Books to explore:

Civil Words and Phrases http://www.amazon.com/Civil-Words-Phrases-Still-ebook/dp/B004LGS7KY

Choosing Civility

The 25 rules of considerate conduct P.M. Forni

http://www.brianrwright.com/Coffee_Coaster/03_Book_Reviews/2009/090427_Choosing_Civility.htm

1. Pay attention

2. Acknowledge others

3. Think the best

4. Listen

5. Be inclusive

6. Speak kindly

7. Don’t speak ill

8. Accept and give praise

9. Respect even a subtle “no”

10. Respect others’ opinions

11. Mind your body

12. Be agreeable

13. Keep it down (and rediscover silence)

14. Respect other people’s time

15. Respect other people’s space

16. Apologize earnestly

17. Assert yourself

18. Avoid personal questions

19. Care for your guests

20. Be a considerate guest

21. Think twice before asking for favors

22. Refrain from idle complaints

23. Accept and give constructive criticism

24. Respect the environment and be gentle

25. Don’t shift responsibility and blame

February 24, 2011

Updates and News

Trisha Brady is working with the Green Committee for the next Culture Corner Display “It’s not Easy Being Green”. The plan is to coordinate with Gordie Bennett and the Make Orange Green campaign. Trisha plans to include activities with the display such as “How green are you?” worksheets. The committee agreed to carry this theme over to the International Festival on April 15th.

Celebrating 50 years of African American Achievement

Annazette Houston joined us for an update on the proceedings and plans for Celebrating 50 years of African American Achievement events.

The MLK Parade was a success and the Kick off celebration can be viewed by web cast https://mediasite.utk.edu/UTK/Play/b8a2813d14e543a0a534abf66aae74961d. Each academic department is having a correlating event.

Follow all the events here:http://achieve.utk.edu/events.shtml

The committee discussed the Libraries roll- Most of the historical records used are housed at UT Libraries. Ribbia Gibbs did most of the information retrieval.

The upcoming Life of the Mind program centered around the book The Immortal Life of Hennrietta Lacks is scheduled for Feature in a Culture Corner this Fall.

Annazette wondered if we could feature scanned copies of documents and letters used in preparation for the 50y events. The Committee is interested in offering programing during Welcome Week (Aug 18th) with slam poets, local film makers and artists.

Kynita Stringer-Stanback suggested in the instillation of a Civility Award in honor of Felicia Felder-Hoehne the first African American Librarian at UT. She will work on a proposal for the Spirit Awards Committee.

The Studio’s Free Range Contest this year features “My Everyday Civility” in correlation with Chancellor Cheek’s call for campus civility.

The committee planned to greet the new dean and discussed taking the new dean to lunch and preparing a welcome gift that includes a report of the history of the Diversity Committee.

In conclusion the committee made plans to campaign for new members

January 27, 2011

Diversity committee

Lib diversity plan

1. To engage dept heads in exploring ways to create a culture of respect and promoting a culture of respect.

2. Offer diversity awareness opportunities foe all employees

3. Survey to identify where we are as an organization in terms of assessment.

how to offer training for department leaders? A discussion starting with Lukal- care program. Then follow up with a panel of OED and other campus leaders.

Ask people to think about what it means to walk into a room and be different. Focus on the self and roots.

racist America book by Texas professor.

Intellectual aspect.

HR 128. Ageism

Panel discussion.

Zero tolerance. Know the rules.

Connect to annual reviews. Performance review.

Civility. Digital signs. Respectfulness. have Cathy make a sign to show linda.

What is civility to you? (can we sponsor a commons activity?).

April 15 international festival

50th anniversary celebration

March on Feb 1 st. Tuesday? time?

Lori and Thura doing a poster on learning beyond the classroom.

October 12, 2010

The committee met to discuss the arrangements for Missy Jenkins visit and the Jordan Documentary presentation. Cookies and tea are arranged for the Jenkins event. We will check with Seth and Matt to see if Nov. 11th is a good date. Thura will confirm that the attendants to Cultural Enrichment Series events will receive HR 128 credit for the time spent.

The Diversity Committee has collaborated with Safe Haven and allotted shelf space for selections from the collection on immigration.

Planning for the 50th anniversary continued. The committee will help construct a traveling exhibit time line to commemorate important dates desegregation of UT. “Foot prints through history” The committee discussed how to intergrate technology into the display. Perhaps produce cell phone accessible sound files by number code and create an online version for the library to keep up.

The committee discussed having a visual/hearing impaired workshop in January.

October 7, 2010

The Diversity Committee convened for a short meeting to discuss upcoming events, the 50th anniversary of the first black students admitted to the University of Tennessee.

Ideas:

Documentaries

pull yearbooks

paraphernalia and display in the display case

speakers in the library

Cultural enrichment series

preparations for Missy Jenkins – visit tea and cookies

Upcoming events Jordan family history (how to make a documentary)

September 9, 2010

Joanne Deeken visited again to update the Committee on the results of the faculty council meeting. She stressed the Council was not satisfied with the current plan stating that they wished to cite civility and education as the overall theme for the plan.

The committee wishes to point out that the Libraries Diversity Plan is designed to make people aware of the issues and it is not a laundry list of to do items. The Libraries Diversity committee creates separate goals, and continues to work towards to Libraries Diversity goals. The current committee is based on partnerships and collaboration on educational and community outreach efforts with many other UT departments and organizations.

The committee continued to discuss the Libraries Diversity plan, making edits to reflect the current work of the committee. These changes were recorded and sent to Joanne Deeken.

Changes made are:

1. Change “Let’s Talk About it” to Cultural Enrichment Series that involves the whole campus.

The committee does not welcome new library employees

2. The committee does not provide support for search committees

3. The committee does not participate in recruitment of new students to UT.

5. The committee is not responsible for the development and maintenance of UT Libraries Subject guides.

Current Work

Common Ground Book Club

October 11th Brown Bag Discussion: time is to be set (before 5:00pm)

Cultural Enrichment in October.

Immigration Culture Corner collaboration with Safe Haven.

Speakers

Films?

The committee will review the current Diversity Committee Plan and suggesting new goals for the next meeting.

Allison Roberts 9/14/2010

August 26, 2010

Diversity Committee Meeting Notes August 26 2010

The Diversity committee welcomed Joanne Deeken for a discussion on the UT Libraries Diversity Plan. The University is to rewrite departmental diversity plans to reflect changes and innovations in the current practices for SACS accreditation Review.

Deeken stressed that the meeting discussion is forward thinking and we should plan for what we want to do with our future endeavors and integrate current practices into a new plan.

Proposed Actions:

Redo Diversity Assessment

An updated diversity assessment is needed. The last assessment was completed ten years ago. The committee cited Charting a Course for Diversity: An Experience in Climate Assessment M Royse, T Conner, T Miller – Portal-Libraries and the Academy, 2006 – muse.jhu.edu for review and methods of completing a new assessment.

Collaboration and Interactivity

Add a interactive component Learning Commons Digital Presence that ties all diversity efforts together and offers a anonymous platform for expression. “Campus Voices”

Participation in Diversity Events:

The discussion stressed that the Libraries staff and faculty members are stretched in too many directions, making it difficult for everyone to participate or help with events. Committee members want to incorporate the idea that diversity is not just about color, or ethnicity it’s about culture and individually ie: “Diversity Means You”.

Ideas on how to increase participation

Monthly programs for different areas in the library that address specific needs.

Rework “Let’s Talk About It” into a “Cultural Enhancement Series” with programs that offer training credit. (HR128)

Diversity Awards for staff and faculty (cooperate with send roses)

Current Practices to Continue:

Culture Corner

Cosponsor opportunities are being sought; including the International House, and partnerships

with other Library Committees like the Common Ground Book Club.

The committee will continue to post accomplishments and collaboration efforts on the Libraries Diversity Committee site and news feed.

Advertising and Promotion

Future advertising and public relations will incorporate the new plasma displays located throughout the Hodges Library and we will continue to contact the Daily Beacon, WUOT, WUTK and Metropulse with our event information.

July 30, 2010

Welcome back from a summer hiatus.

Present: Mack, Roberts, Bolorizadeh, Houston, L Roberson, Gibbs, Stringer-Stanback

The Committee considered upcoming programming and outreach opportunities

1. Tahirah is working on a correlation program with the 2010 Life of the Mind reading selection Mountains Beyond Mountains described as “Expressions”.

2. Dr. Sall presented on his continuing journal to Ghana with senior students for educational enrichment and community service that began in 2005. The students learn to relate to life in Ghana and provide school supplies to the children. The outreach program began building a school/public library in 2007. http://web.utk.edu/~africana/ghana.htm

3. Annazette Houston presented the 50 year UT Desegregation Celebration. This is a year long commemoration including dinners, speeches, and walks. The year will be finalized with a glossy book in 2011.

4. Houston also provided information on a speaker, Missy Jenkins, who will be on campus to discuss her book I Choose to Be Happy: A School Shooting Survivor’s Triumph Over Tragedy in October. http://www.missyjenkins.com/

Thura will draft an retention memo for members to see whom wishes to stay on the committee and report to Dean Phillips who is staying on next year.

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2009-2010

April 22, 2010

Planning for the Life of the Mind Mountain Beyond Mountains collaboration with Tahirah. Molly ordered copies. Tahirah is making a Ning site for the Libraries Life of the Mind.

Other ideas

Art Contest based on the subject of the book (TB and TM)

International Festival Table

Schedule sent out on email

Butcher Paper to write about the Library in your language.

World Poster

Swag for visitors

Taking a short brake after the Festival

February 5, 2010

Welcome Diversity Residents Rabia Gibbs and Kynita Stringer-Stanback to the Diversity Committee

Committee discussed options for a sister library connection in Haiti. The resource Allie was given was not clear and seemed targeted for individual professionals.

Haïti 2010:

http://haiti2010.blueshield-international.org/node/3

All members will help in finding resources.

Diversity Opportunities

Rabia Gibbs and Kynita Stringer-Stanback are exploring options with the ALA diversity grant and the Diversity Fair.

Upcoming Let’s Talk About It Options

Feminine Self Esteem

Food

Freedom of Speech: speaking out in other counties

Meeting adjourned to Erin’s going away party

January 21, 2010

Meetings:

The committee resolved to meet every four weeks on Thursday at 1 pm unless notified otherwise.

February 2nd All Staff:

The plan is to notify the attendees of upcoming events and programs, ideas for enriching the Library,  and ask for staff to send information about their needs from the Diversity Committee.

Black Issues Conference:

The committee discussed program layout who would open,  present and close.

Facets of presenting the information were discussed. Calling on Carreer services for support of the the various diciplines requirements for resume/vita layout and content.  Advertising avenues were highlighted (Deans newsletter, Student Success Center ) and plans to post the finished presentation were hatched.

Culture Corner/ Common Ground Collaboration Opening:

A tea and cookie event is in planning. The committee is waiting on setting a date.

Residents Reception:

Feb 16th @ 3:00.  Welcome gift basket was discussed each member is bringing items to include.  The committee will solicit non members for help with the reception.

Let’s Talk About It Ideas:

Iran in the 21 century:

Correlate with the Persian New Year in March

Highlight the election and the use of social media and the news.

News wars:

Show Wag the Dog and have a panel of journalism and communication professors and grad students offer insight, comments and take questions.

Haiti:

Committee discussed launching an effort with a sister library in Haiti and respond to their needs.

December 3, 2009

The Diversity Committee welcomed Dean Dewey to our meeting and made introductions.

Dean Dewey lead the discussion on raising visibility of the Committee’s programming to the Library and the University Community.

The Dean remarked on our achievements last year and noted that she shared committee’s annual report with others.  She is proud of the committee.

The Dean discussed how the addition of the diversity residents coming to us this year would enrich the committee with their new ideas and perspective.

Ideas for expanding awareness of the Committee’s Programming

1. Web 2.0 presence for the Diversity Committee

Facebook page

YouTube channel

Twitter

2. Video tape programming

3. Open meeting presentations

4. Departmental diversity awareness discussions (issues relevant to the department)

5. Deans Newsletter

6. Trace: diversity research

7. SIS topics in Diversity

8. WRAPS Forum

9. Library Council Presentations

9. Incoming faculty and staff cultural presentations

10 Story telling (video/audio archive of student faculty and staff stories)

11. SACS

The committee is approaching it’s 10 year anniversary:

Where have we come and were do we want to go?

The lack of Library staff attendance may be influenced by environmental factors. We are understaffed and people have a hard time getting away.

With the ideas derived from our discussion with the Dean, the Committee will go forward with creating our goals for 2010-2011.

November 12, 2009

Spring 2010 Culture Corner

The new Culture Corner Display is set for December 14^th.  We will present a poster in the big cabinet on the first floor and books by or about the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. Book wrangling is still in the planning stage.

We plan to have a ceremony to celebrate the collaboration of the Common Ground Book Club and the Culture Corner Jan 11^th.

Diversifi-  Planning

Hodges Auditorium is booked after 6 pm every Thursday for Spring Semester.  I there are sporadic Tuesday’s available. Feb 2 nd 4-6,  Feb 16^th 4-6, Feb 23^rd from 6-8.

We discussed finding an out of the library location.  The Music Auditorium may be a good choice.  I will check with the Music department and see what we have.  After we have a location and date we can recruit sponsors and start publicity.

Native American Student Association

Disscussion about having a NASA panel speak to student services about issues Native students have on campus.

Laurie mentioned events planned for next semester

WWII Code Talker, Keith Little?, is coming in January

April is Native American Heritage month

Discussion  about having another NASA panel in the spring maybe March.

Meeting with Dean Dewey

December 3^rd we are meeting with the Dean. Thura asks that we bring questions. The Dean has received our Annual Report.

Questions for the Dean

Shout out for the diversity committee at All Staff

Pertinent

Restructure

Library Staff Participation

The committee discussed options for more inclusion of the Library staff in the events produced by the committee.  The committee considered employing instruction components in the Library All staff meetings to broaden the awareness of diversity issues to the Library staff.

Ideas Shared

Take 20 style diversity talks

Ambassadors for diversity issues

5 to 10 min hot points at all staff

Video programming and post on the Diversity site

Committee Professional Opportunities

Send any conference information that is pertinent to the Diversity Committee.

BIC 2010- “Black in America: How Far We Have Come…Yet, So Far to Go”.

See Attached Information: http://omsa.utk.edu/files/Black%20Issues%20Call%20for%20Programs%202009%20Interactive.docx

We can brainstorm by email on the issues

October 15, 2009

Present: Thura Mack, Allison Roberts, Jerry Roberson, Laurie Roberson, Trisha Brady, Allison Sharp Bolorizadeh

1.  Announcements

Powwow at Crutch Park October 17, 2009

2.  Reflection on Let’s Talk About It programs

Hensley talk Oct. 13- Laurie and Jerry attended: it was a good group, but small.  The presentation went well. It was very interesting.

What’s Offensive panel Oct 1^st: also a small crowd, but extremely intriguing.  We want to do this again.

AR: what can we do to increase attendance to our events.  We currently post at Tennessee Today, @Tennessee, Beacon, Metro Pulse, WUTK, Knoxville News.  – Maybe more lead time to events. – More posters – White board directing to event

3.  Upcoming Culture Corner  (ideas, suggestions, etc.)

Highlight Nobel Piece Prize winners

Ideas for speakers? http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/index.html

4.  Brainstorm on Spring Let’s Talk About It programs

• Appalshop speaker: highlight services they perform and opportunities they provide http://appalshop.org/
• Homeless Organizations Panel: discussion about the homeless, issues they face, how to relate, help, support.  http://sites.google.com/site/kkchcoalition/
• Food and Culture: involve the new Culinary School, Ready for the World. Link with speakers focus on the culture of food.
• Diversifī: student  talent competition – contact student groups for support – cool prizes – sponsor ideas – Fresh Market, UT Bookstore, Square Room, Catalist, Glowing Body, Knoxville Visitor’s Center, Black Culture Center.

1. Plan for FEB – check calendars
2. round up sponsors
3. publicize
4. round up food
5. t shirts (need money?, make our own, donated)

5.  Other

• Welcome new member Allison Bolorizadeh
• Schedule Meeting with Dean Dewey

Concluded

August 6, 2009

Diversity Committee

I.Membership

List of ppl applying for our committee – we accept all of the applicants.Barbara will be informed.

Allison Sharp Bolorizadeh

Erin Moore

Dan Green

Ppl returning

Thura

Allison Roberts

Annazette McCane Houston

Laurie & Jerry Roberson

Rotating off

Jeanine Williamson

Marielle Veve

Sandy Allen

II.Volaware updates

a.JW has contact Connie Briscoe – director of Volaware – mental health awareness group.Distressed/distressing student helpline.Will come talk to us about Volaware in September…this will be a “Let’s Talk About It”

b.Future volaware events

1.Volaware street fare 11/7

2.Concert – 10/6

a.JW will probably attend the above functions.The theme is Poverty.

b.She can have posters rdy for the event.

ii.The library usually has presence at these functions.

III.We’ll host a welcome back thing in August

a.We usually pass out ice water and literature – last time we usedcases of water.

1.We can pass out water during lunch….Tuesday the 25^th of August and the August 27^th

2.Allison will bring a banner we already have prepared.

3.Thura and Trisha will each bring two cases of water.Allison will supply an ice chest.Jeanine will make a financial contribution.Thura will accept it.Jerry will bring water (and has volunteered Laurie)

4.We’ll set up right on Melrose

5.If we can set a date on the volaware “Let’s Talk About It”, we can have promotional materials for that at our table at the welcome back.

IV.Let’s Talk About It – feat. Beverly Watts

V.Conflict – the timing of this allows us an hour…but there’s a retirement function at around the same time as the let’s talk about it.

a.Allison will get the let’s talk about it in the beacon, metropulse, and sentinel.

i.Trisha has created flyers, and some of them will go to the display that Shantrie is creating on the1st floor

ii.Allison will bring in some old child’s shoes…these can be part of the display (tossed over a phone line).

iii.Trisha has some other images of poverty Shantrie might use form when she was working on the posters.

1.We’ll eschew movies in favour of the welcome back activity – the movies will be depressing.

2.Advertising – hang flyers in Sociology, Poli Sci, the Golden Roast?TM and JW will help with hanging flyers.

VI.Reception for residents program completion

a.8/24/09 – 10:30am in 605

b.There’s a committee planning the party

i.Gail Watson

ii.Sharon Boring

iii.Wanda Rosinski

iv.Melanie Feltner-Reichert

v.Sara Foster

vi.JoAnne Deeken

vii.Thura Mack

c.The theme is – “Sail away…but welcome to sail back!”

d.Trisha may be photographing the festivities

e.It’ll be a brunch – we can bring food.

VII.Allison Roberts will be the new co-chair of the committee – hopefully.TM will ask Barbara if it’s okay.

VIII.Volunteering Rocks – see the AgVet facebook and youtube..see Allison Roberts for details.

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2008-2009

April 30, 2009

Diversity Committee Meeting4-30-09

1. Thanks for helping with International Fest
2. Beverly Watts is available in August 6, 13, and 20 to talk about Poverty
3. Margaret Casado is here to tell us about her poverty project and how we can support her
   1. She’s on the task force for the campus, and the theme is poverty.
   2. Tahirah wanted to participate with our discussion today
   3. Poverty/economic disparity is a facet of diversity

i.Margaret brought handouts pertaining to collaboration between the task force and the diversity committee

ii.They’re working poverty into the curriculum and trying to get students to consider how poverty can play into their work and their lives.

1.There are some classes on social justice and the environment that poverty may fit into

2.We have the LOGS? program, but it’s not a library program, it’s just something that individuals have gotten involved in.

3.The members of the task force have been asked to talk to ppl in their units about their involvement

iii.“The Glass Castle” – book on poverty in Virginia, suggested reading

iv.There are things that the committee can/will do

1.Culture corner

2.1^st floor display

3.Let’s talk about it

a.Beverly Watts from the human rights commission

b.Bharat Mehra from SIS has written on technology and poverty, so he might be a good speaker as well

i.Bring him in Spring 2010 – Margaret will get with him.

4.Film Series – Pursuit of Happyness, Slumdog Millionaire, a documentary out of Appleshop dealing with poverty in the mountains.Trisha will ask Greg Womac if we have Appleshop films

a.Will there be discussion before and after the films?

i.Unless we have a speaker after or a literary involvement, usually not

ii.We COULD have a set of questions for ppl to consider and have a discussion leader for the films

iii.Partner with ppl from soup kitchens and have them come by and tell us about hunger

1.Canned food drive – this could work at every even we do

2.We could get the Greek organizations to get in on canned food drives

3.Solicit leftovers from Panera, Einstein’s Bagels, etc.

5.Website for the life of the mind by Tahirah and Thura

6.Volunteer project?

a.Something dealing with literacy, reading, etc.

i.People will probably need to be screened before being permitted into school

b.Tahirah did outreach via Theory and Practice in Teaching Education (TPTE) in the form of a read-in

v.This is a yearlong endeavor, so we don’t need to do it all in one month.September = Volaware, October = Native American student activities.

vi.There needs to be a clear understanding of what the Diversity Committee is responsible for here

1.Let’s Talk About it – usually with light refreshments

2.Films – though getting discussion leaders might be tricky

3.Culture Corner

a.The next one is on this topic and we need to get started by the first week of June

b.Margaret Casado – the culture corner should be set up in time for incoming orientation groups

c.We need 100-150 books

i.Thura, Jeanine, Allison, and Damon will work on this

4.Display case

a.Shantrie, Tahirah, Jeanine, Thura, and probably Martha will help.

vii.Laurie is busy in June with Orientations, free in May.Jerry will probably be busy after July

viii.Is there a way to get students thinking creatively about how to address this problem?Build student engagement

1.JW – The NING site might be helpful in this

2.TM – The Life of the Mind does a lot of this

3.AR – Diversity Committee or Culture Corner might need a facebook page

4.See what other avenues to help with poverty are being explored on campus

a.Read up on “technology mitigates poverty”

i.Damon will ask Velynda about the cellphone she got – recycled bottle phone

April 16, 2009

Announcements

Laurie – Native American Heritage Night. 2nd annual on 4/20/09 @ McClung Museum @ 7:30.We will publicize this.Post Bills about the library and put it on our website.

i.Publicity materials will be sent to Allison Roberts (Jerry will send them to Allison)

International Festival next Friday.Schedule is as follows:

8:00-9:30      Damon Campbell, Thura Mack

9:30-11:00    Jeanine Williamson, Thura Mack

11:00-12:30  Trisha Brady, Joanne Deeken

12:30-2:00    Laurie Roberson, Jerry Roberson

2:00-4:00     Shantrie Collins, Allison Roberts, Marielle Veve

a. Thura will fill in as needed

Support for Possum Queen (Trisha Brady vs Michelle Brannen) – to support staff activities within the library

How can we support this?

i.Trisha will have a friend with a pet possum in

ii.Trisha will solicit funds from others within the library

iii.Possible bake sale

iv.This goes on til May 12th, at which point the winner is crowned.This will happen during the Spirit Awards in the Hermitage room at the UC.

1.Marielle will email Laurie information RE the spirit awards and such.

2.Trisha will send updates to the committee as well.

Let’s Talk About it with Native American Students

We’ll hold off on this til fall – during Native American month

Jerry says that we should pick a day in October and he’ll take it back to the Native American Students – this way, the group will be aware.

i.10/01 is the pow-wow

ii.10/16 – McClung Cherokee days

iii.The 15th would be good, but it’s during fall break..

iv.We could do ours on the 8th.

1.This is now our tentative date.Midterms jump around depending on the teacher, so some students will be busy, others will not (so says Trisha).

Invite VolAware ppl to have a Let’s Talk About It

VolAware helps students in crisis

As suggested by Dean Maxine

We could do this Summer of fall.

i.AR says it might be lost in the summer

ii.Jerry suggests doing this after the first test

1.Are we focusing this on staff or students?Staff.

a.Trisha suggests training for high stress situations when we’re not high stressed.

iii.Ppl from other branches and portions of campus would have a better chance of attending if it falls in the summer.

1.We also need to be aware of summer vacations and ALA

iv.Late August/Early September, when we’re gearing up but before things are in full swing

1.JW will check with VolAware for times in Early September and see what they have.

2.We could put this in the Beacon to publicize, but students mainly came for LGBT session and Beverly Watts.

3.JW wants this to be focused on staff – helping us help students.

4.We should also encourage our student workers to attend, as per JR

Collaborating with Margaret Casado on poverty issues

Culture corner?

Some other way of showing our support, as this is a diversity issue

i.How can we go beyond the culture corner?JR suggests:

1.there will probably be campus-wide activities related to this

2.There are schools in the immediate area with high rates of child poverty – maybe there’s something we can do RE a visit to the school (work with Tahira A Williams on outreach) possibly host a read in at the school.

3.Program to get books to the kids or do a fundraiser?

a.AR – will this be ongoing?It’s a large undertaking.

b.We can adopt a school or a class – do it on a small scale as per JR

c.We’d need a lot of approval to actually give books to kids, but it would be effective publicity for UT and for higher education in general

d.Encourage volunteerism of some sort.

ii.Margaret has not talked with TM or JW about this yet

iii.We’ll want to do something that’s not only meaningful, but that supports Margaret

iv.This could be a service learning opportunity (like the Baker Center does).Bob Kronick from College of Education sometimes brings in younger students and exposes them to UT.They’d be in the library for 45 minutes or so.Allison Roberts and Chris Durman have participated in this.

This issue is already part of Ready For The World (The Glass Castle is the book that they’ll be reading)

AR might develop a webpage resource for dealing with this

We can also scour the web for outreach models and bring them back to the group

February 19, 2009

Diversity Committee Meeting Notes 2/19/2009

Announcements:

1. Debrief for the Black Issues Conference

2. Culture Corner (Completed)

3. Let’s Talk About It

4. Updates (Jerry Roberson)

5. International Festival

Announcements

I.Debrief for the black issues conference

a.TM: It was what I had hoped for, in that it created some unity and a different level of us getting to know one another on the diversity committee

i.Teresa Walker came and supported and brought drinks

ii.Shantrie and Damon attended

iii.Audience was small, but they asked a lot of questions

iv.Good experience overall

b.Jeanine feels the audience was receptive and asked a lot of questions

c.A lot of the questions were about ebooks and kindle (ebook reader) units

d.Quite a few people attended the conference overall

i.Diversity committee members that participated and/or attended and people from the library have been presented with plaques by Thura

e.We got invited to present at a conference on the 28^th (I-LEAD conference)

i.This has hopefully lead to another partnership

II.Student Recognition, Wed, 3/25/09 @ 2pm, probably in the staff room

a.Students that have worked here for two years or more.

i.They get to pick a book to be plated in their honor

ii.We try to get pictures of the students so that people will know who they are

1.This has sometimes been displayed @ the Melrose entrance

b.Diversity committee will help decorate

i.We’ll raid the closet and see if we’ve decorations from past occasions

ii.Trisha will see what kind of decorations they have in the Studio

c.We got $ for cake and punch from Barbara

III.Culture Corner is done and in alphabetical order

a.Usually in order by subject, but done in alpha due to time constraints

IV.Let’s Talk About it program ideas (Jerry isn’t here to do updates)

a.He talked to the Native American Students about a panel discussion, and they were receptive

b.We might be involved with a Ready for the World initiative in Albuquerque, as Trisha will be helping to teach people how to make a documentary

c.Anazette ideas for let’s talk about it

i.No burning issues

ii.There’s a dialog on campus about dealing with bias:

1.Gender

2.Sexual Orientation

3.Hate Speech

a.Do we have someone come in and talk about bias protocols?

iii.We are moving into Women’s (issues?History? Rights?) month, so this may be a pertinent topic

1.We’ll need to find a resource/person to come in and educate us on the topic

2.We will keep this in our thoughts and get in touch will Jerry and see what he can do

a.What kind of support will we need to pull this off?

i.PR

ii.Location

b.Bob Eldridge should be accessible to us

iv.Our Let’s Talk About It RE Melungeons (Wayne Winkle) was relatively easy to pull together

1.He was approachable, local, and did not charge

v.Appalachian film screening at the Tomato Head (Trisha Brady knows about this) – Appalachian Film Series Monday, March 2nd 7pm @ The Tomato Head Market Square,

1.Rural Appalachian poverty might be a good topic

vi.Campus Diversity and Intercultural meeting yesterday 2-18-09 touched on this as an issue

vii.The Heartland Series is in danger of being cancelled – there is a group forming to keep it going – Trisha Brady

1.Bill Landry could come.We have the entire series, and he would probably come in and speak.

2.There’s a Facebook group created for this, so we’d probably have an instant audience

3.Publicity would probably be easy

a.If we’re raising awareness, he’d probably come

4.We won’t necessarily take a stand, but we can provide a platform for Bill to educate people on the series

viii.We could use the Heartland Series as a let’s talk about it and use Jerry’s as the “other” LTAI

V.International Fair – Friday, 4/24/09

a.The Diversity Committee traditionally participates in this

i.We get a table and take turns staffing the table

ii.Took turns staffing, usually in pairs

iii.Only people on the committee can staff the table

1.Would we be willing to have the committee have a table for this year?

2.We can talk about this later, but it seems like most of us are interested in staffing the table.

a.Annazette can bring literature from disability services

b.Laurie can bring literature from her interests

c.We had a board and pins so people could come by and place a pin in their geographic region of origin

i.We should repeat this

3.The way Let’s Talk About It is going now, we’ve not gotten a flurry of people offering topics

iv.Annazette suggests letting people know that we exist as a committee

1.Are we on anyone’s radar?

a.Yes – a lot of the colleges use us as a model

2.How do regular people find out about us?

a.We’re a library committee – We’re linked under the UT page under diversity.

3.When we first made ourselves known 5 years ago, people helped us define diversity thru input.We get questions nationally even now.

a.We could probably shoot our upcoming events to interested parties if we email people that are affiliated with other diversity efforts (use the contacts from the people sharing the diversity page with us – we can use their contacts as our own).

b.Allison could search for contacts

c.This could be shown as outreach on our annual report

v.How aware are we of incidents of hate speech/graffiti?

1.Here, we take pictures of things prior to erasures, repaints

2.Some places record this data and make sure that the incident is public

3.The dean might come and speak to us about protocol for this kind of thing

vi.Protocol for stressed students?

1.How to deal with students dealing with distress/stress

a.Things should be reported, not simply observed

2.We might be able to make this a LTAI or a staff-only talk (as per JW).Others might want to attend and offer input, however (as per TB).

vii.How do we initiate this?

1.Contact Dean Thompson-Davis, have her explain it to us

2.We should be aware of these things, as people might look to us for information about these things

a.PR-wise, the university does not want to sweep things under the rug. From a diversity and equal-opportunity standpoint, we should be aware and make others aware.

3.As a committee, should we have Dean Davis talk to us?Do we have a role here?Can we be part of a solution?

a.Annazette feels like this could be a good first step.

i.Using our position to inform others and raise awareness of issues and the protocol is a good decision.

4.We could have an open meeting, Annazette’s staff could attend

a.Could tell us how to be a responsible citizen in these situations

i.Annazette feels that we should start within our group, then we could discuss it in a LTAI.The dean of student affairs could talk at the LTAI

b.Who will contact the dean of student affairs?

i.We’ve got nothing for March

ii.JW will contact her and see if she can talk to our committee at the next meeting.

viii.A LTAI featuring people that attended the inauguration and played a role could be viable as well.

November 13, 2008

I.Announcements & Updates.

a)Trunk or Treat – JW and TM gave out candy, fruit roll ups and granola courtesy of Lorie.

II.2009 Culture Corner

a)Considering putting out a library wide call for ideas

b)Collect ideas during this meeting

c)JR idea – biographies of people that have made a political impact from underrepresented groups

§No rush on book selection as per TM.

§We need to develop the theme with JR, then sound out a call for participation

§Efforts should start right before Christmas

·The members of the Div Com agree that this is a good idea

·JW will speak with JR

III.December 4^th Let’s Talk About It – Beverly Watts

a)2pm meeting is pretty much set as per TM.

b)Groups on campus have been notified

c)AR is our publicist/PR person

§TM will send a call thru the campus diversity and intercultural initiative

§Any of us with connections should send out a call as well

d)Is there any planning that needs to be done for the event?

§No, as per TM – Trisha will see if if there’s leftovers from ASB book club (hot water and tea)

§Damon will do cookies or some sort of dessert

§TM will bring plates and cups

§We need to contact Beverly and lay out the timetable

§AR will try to get info onto the Casner network about this – we have word out by AgVet

§AR can place this on the Metropulse calendar

§TB can create a flyer

·It might be prudent to post up our events in as many places as possible

IV.Campus Conference – Call for Participation (scroll to the bottom of email for more info)

a)Should deal with Black issues

b)Tie in libraries and/or diversity

c)Lorie volunteered to be part of the panel

§We should contact her and s she’d like to fit in or if she has any ideas

§Black issues conference proposal due Friday, December 12th

§Conference is February 7^th at the UC

·This will be a student conference and a good opportunity for the library to get out there an have a voice/presence

oBarack’s use of Web 2.0?

§Tie in the library (as a place where we could develop/use some of the same 2.0 stuff as Obama did)

oThe Library as pop culture – somehow tie this into diversity

oThe future of information as a cultural bridge as per AR

§Barack Obama was reaching diverse constituents with his use of web 2.0 technology

§…As will the library

·This could overlap with the social networking idea below as per JW

oSocial networking bridging culture gaps

·Second Life Spanish classes

·JW suggests ASB as a member of the panel by virtue of the work she’s done with social networking and web 2.0

·We can start with the social networking and then end with a push for library resources

·TB and AR will start a blurb for the program, which TM and JW will finish.

·This should be completed by 12/4/08

V.Let’s Talk About It Proposal Form (Annazette)

a)Was thinking about a proposal form, but this will be tabled since Annazette is not here today.

VI.December Meeting?

a)We should at least have a brief meeting to prep for culture corner as per JW

§12/18/08, 1pm

VII.Other Topics

a)TM – since we cant move forward with the campus calendar, we have other ideas RE being visible.How do we advertise our calendar?

§Do we want to go global?Metropulse? TN today links to our calendar.

§Do we want to create a more tangible presence with our activities?

·AR it would be good to globally publish applicable programs

oWere we afraid too many people would show up?

§Not enough parking?

oDid we just never globally advertise?

§We were strictly library, then we expanded to campus-wide.Now we’ll be University wide

·Speaks to the development and of our committee and programs

·We’ve a presence on the University webpage calendar as a result of contacting Eric Bledsoe

·We’ve a presence thru CDI

·If the library has a newsletter, we could include a blurb

§Is our scheduling (lack of consistency) an issue?We meet our goals, but without regularly scheduled programs (only programming where appropriate) might make us somewhat inaccessible to the community at large.

b)Angel Tree

§Probably too late by this point to be involved

September 11, 2008

Announcements

JW culture corner is done — it’s small but it is complete

Updates to the Diversity calendar

AR has email Eric Bledsoe, but has not heard back.Will call him.

She uses veterans administration calendar, Kentucky University calendar, and a Pagan calendar from the UK for events and puts them on the calendar in order

It’s set up to show events for the current month – there’s also options to see other months/years

AR will figure out how to convert it into an RSS feed in order to have it feed into the UT calendar

October 16^th LGBT Program update

TM — Hodges, Mary E. Greer room at 1pm, we will host the LGBT speakers

The main program is in the evening so the earlier portion of the day will be filler

Let’s Talk about It program – will last no more than 1 hour including Q and A

Opportunity to work with the LGBT commission AND do a Let’s Talk about It program

Writer’s in the library will have a reception/book signing in the library right before 1pm

RW or someone from the LGBT committee will introduce the speakers And we only need to make sure things are running smoothly

Be sure the room is set up for a powerpoint

authors are involved in a digital initiative, so we’ll be looking at some of their work

Our in-house CMN department will provide publicity to the Beacon, New Sentinel, Radio Station, and around campus

We won’t have to worry about food – writers in the library people will do refreshments.They will provide it, though we may need to help them set up.

Films

Priscilla of the Desert

Brokeback mountain

If these walls could talk

Discussion for November and December projects, including ideas for the next culture corner

November Ideas

Last year native Americans month – co-sponsored with an up and coming group, put on a film series and did a poster campaign.

TB – we should do a poster campaign again

LR – (WHICH GROUP?)students had their first meeting recently and want to have another film series

Also planning Elder’s Day celebration in late October (pow wow drum, dancers, beadwork in the amphitheater – Joyce Dugan is invited to speak

AR could they have a demonstration in November?

If they do smudging?, it must be done outside of the library for fire safety reasons

JW – Consensus for films for native American month again?

TB – We can do something else for our culture corner and still help with the series

We will promote outside of the library – send publicity to departments and organizations that would be interested in such a program

The students in the group can select the films, and we will work with LR on publicity coordination advertised on the Diversity page.

AR – @ TN, Campus CMN, and TN will be notified. The series will be advertised on the Diversity webpage

December ideas

December is Universal Human Rights Month

JW – Disability as a matter of family

3 speakers from the college of Nursing

Talked about mental and/or physical disabilities that people often encounter

Watched a film RE these disabilities and had a discussion (some personal experience was discussed)

12/3 – international day of disabled persons

Disability month is October – do we want to do anything in November?

AM — We should focus on LGBT, save disability for another month or year

JW – JR suggested doing intercultural holidays.We did religions of the world over the summer, could do more.JR also suggested programming on people of Scots and Irish descent

TM – we could do more disability stuff

AM – we could do human rights and cover disabilities as a subset

If we had money, we could bring in leaders in the human rights field

If we don’t, we can bring in a local human rights person (Beverly Watts, TN Human Rights commission)

AM can have her staff attend the programming and is connected with Beverly Watts

Gender issues in the workplace (equal pay) could address this without being overtly political

LR – Offer employees credit for HR – 128 to bolster numbers and promote attendance?

TM – we can probably do this. TM will get forms and look into this possibility

The people that attend can fill out the forms and we can get the forms to the office

We can advertise that it’s for recognized credit (if we can prove that it’s a worthwhile lecture or interactive program)

Will immediate notice to Beverly be enough time for her to be able to do this?

JW – we can schedule her for a different month – we’re not bound by the calendar

AM – Beverly could tell us about some opportunities to talk about some issues we might have missed, punch through any “groupthink” that we might be experiencing

JW – will there be an honorarium (payment for travel, etc for her attendance)?

AM – as a state employee, she might not be able to accept it.

AM – she could be paid to conduct staff training

We will be flexible about dates – we’ll see when she’s available.AM will contact her

TM – We’ll see if it’d be possible for her to attend one of our meetings at 1pm on a Thursday

JW – If that doesn’t work, we can have her come by whenever she can and we will adjust

AM – we could also cover hidden disabilities (hard of hearing, mental, etc)

The disabled students are aware of the accommodations in place.This would be beneficial to librarians and those offering service.

AR – are there any courses that would benefit from attendance?

AM – deafness program, vocational rehab, etc – also someone in her office that teaches HR courses RE hidden disabilities.In house expertise!

JW – Human rights in December, Disabilities in the spring?

Group is in consensus here – focus!

TM – we could have AM’s colleague come in spring, then have a student panel in support of this (so students have a vested interest in attendance)

AM – Disability services, OID, audiology – we’ve got resources on campus, so we could set up a good panel.

AR – April for disabilities?January for the panel (weather notwithstanding)

JW – Kind of far away

TB – if we can’t get Beverly for December, we can do disabilities since we’ve an idea formed…

Culture Corner?

TM – This should reflect some of our programming

We should go by some of the ideas we’ve formed

Culture corners can last multiple months or even a semester

TB – rather than letting the current one stay up for a couple more months, we can change it for human rights and leave it up for a bit – LGBT can fit into this

Next culture corner planning in November, done in December

Other Topics

Jeff French will provide his truck and help with the Trunk or Treat and Angel Tree

Truck or Treat – for people with disabilities.Last year, fraternities handled this and we weren’t in the loop for it.

AM – giving kids with disabilities candy may not be a good idea.Maybe toys, but we need to make sure that these won’t break

AM – Jim Harris is over Greek system and could clue us in.JW will contact him.

We wouldn’t be in charge of this, just sponsoring treats/truck for the program.

AM – Circle park (where this is held) may not be a very accessible point for impaired children

Difficult to drop people off (curb cut is steep)

9/25/08 – next meeting is in 150

August 28, 2008

8-28-08 Diversity Committee

Inviting outsiders is an opportunity to look at how and why we do what we do

Censoring minutes? No – the released transcript of the meetings are more of a highlight than censorship.We will continue to release our notes as we have done.

Getting to know you exercises!

Just for fun, think about diversity among members

Common ground

Uncommon ground

Campus Diversity Calendar

We tried to contact Eric Bledsoe the day of our last meeting, to no avail

Trying to get our events out there to the campus at large

Possibly piggyback onto existing events

possibly get onto the International House calendar

Committee technology features

Email

Can be set up to share the calendar with all members

so we can share available meeting dates

libdiv emails can go here rather than thru Thura

Back up info source

calendar and mail folders can be shared among members, as per Roger Weaver

Shared calendar is AR’s main concern

Listserv

Workable idea, Allison can create this – will email the credentials to the group

JR and JW agree

One place for information, plus it has an archive

As per AR, listserv would be a good place for our conversation

Will we need both?

Yes – both have specific features that can help us, says AR

New meeting dates proposed

We’ll only have these meetings if we’re working on a project

Meetings will be cancelled if we’re not

CMN committee

1pm 10/16/08 Pat Gozemba and Karen Kahn authors of “Courting Equaility” at the UC

Documenting GLBT Boston

Commission for LGBT people will need no funding, but promo and breakfast for authors events need planning

Possibly have a forum for people to speak or a breakfast

We might be able to work on other projects with them as well

TM suggests turning this into a campus wide Let’s Talk About It” during one of our regular meeting times rather than a breakfast

Committee is game for a campus-wide program.

Mary Greer room or Auditorium

JR – auditorium would be stark without a large crowd.Greer room can be adjusted depending on crowd size

Group is for Greer room

We could provide snacks

Cookies!!!

This will involve some promo work as well

The commission is trying to fill the day, as the main program is at night.

JR: does the commission have a PR dept for this, or will the onus be on us?

TB – we’ll need to do poster work for the film series anyway – may as well include info for this program on those posters as well

Donna Braquet is on the GLBT advisory commission – she might have ideas RE promo, numbers, venues, etc.

Films?

September – patriots day, deaf awareness month

October – GLBT –

Brokeback Mountain,

If These Walls Could Talk

Priscilla of the Desert,

3 films will suffice

We can show a film a week, Oct 7^th ,14th, 21^st

Unfortunately, time is constrained, as movies cannot be piped thru the building anymore due to the media center

Trisha will look into room availability

At or around 1pm

Thura will talk to Roger about the GLBT program to get a clearer sense of what needs to be done

Publicity can be held til we’ve a better idea of what’s going on – 9/11/08, we will discuss publicity

AR – partner with faculty, as there are classes around GLBT filmmaking – this could be extra credit?

Christine Holmund – Trisha knows her/will contact

AR can contact some faculty as well Rosa Thomas – who is doing a human sexuality course

Mid September promotion, so people can plan in advance.

Once this is done, we can begin planning November

Diversity Definition

include Gender identity in our diversity definition?

Unanimously approved.

AR will change this on the web page

JW – next steps

decide what other projects we want to do this semester aside from Oct LGBT

All of us need to bring ideas for projects to the next meeting

TM – we’ve got the culture corner running, but we need to think about the next incarnation

TM – Native American month = November.We should start planning for this soon

JR – we’ve always looked at obvious diversity issues (ethnicity is big)

Mary Papke talked about us all being part of a culture

We should look for less obvious fare

Geographic regions and original settlers?

International awareness

AR – there might be an Irish Heritage month.We’ve done Appalachian culture…it was 2 – 3 years ago past.

TB – we could do that again

Irish Heritage month is in March…programming for this?

Sometimes people appreciate having their cultures talked about

LEA will be doing student association – we won’t need to do the bulk of it as a committee.We will have time in March to do Irish Heritage

December?– last year, we did disabilities

It’s near a major Christian holiday – should we look at other cultures during that time that people might miss?

December is Universal Human Rights Month

http://www.va.gov/dmeeo/calendar/december.htm

December planning will be on our next agenda

A culture corner could continue to speak to the issue even after the programming has ended.

TM – the more global our project are, the more people we can attract

JR – is there any way to identify how many African students are here?

Connect with International House

Bill Dewey is a professor of African art – we can get him to do a presentation

TM – we need a 9/11 meeting to discuss projects

TM — If we can line up projects til December, we’ll be in good shape

Trunk and Treat?Mainly done by sororities and fraternities

August 14, 2008

Diversity Committee meeting – August 14, 2008

Introductions/Committee Roster

Members Present:

Thura Mack – Diversity Co-chair and Training Coordinator for UT Libraries

Jeanine Williamson – Diversity Co-chair and Engineering and Art & Architecture Librarian in Research Services&Collections, UT Hodges Library

Trisha Brady – Supervisor for Media Center/Studio, at Hodges

Shantrie Collins – Diversity Resident, UT Libraries

Damon Campbell – Diversity Resident, UT Libraries

Laurie Roberson – Director of Student Services in the school of architecture and design.

Jerry Roberson – Professor at the Veterinary school and adviser to the Native American Student Organization.

George Hoemann – Chair of LGBT, Assistant Dean of Distance Education

Sandy Allen – Technical Services & Digital Access, at Hodges

Allison Roberts – Supervisor at Ag/Vet library, Diversity Committee web mistress

Members Absent:

Marielle Veve – Cataloging & Metadata Librarian, UT Libraries

Jane Row – Head, Research Services at UT Libraries and Ready for the World library point person

Jill Keally – Diversity ex-officio and Executive Associate Dean of UT Libraries

Donna Braquet – Diversity ex-officio and Librarian in Research Services & Collections

Annazette McCane – Director, UT Disability Services

Overview of the committee

Diversity definition and mission statement were included to provide in-depth background for new members (if you were not at the meeting, please attached Agenda document with these descriptions). We’ve been criticized about past programs’ validity. We are striving to be more accountable to the diversity definition. However, we do leave ourselves room to take risks.

Annual Report

Report was in draft form and shared to get feedback from members, and review types of programming that this committee is committed to.

Suggestion to add titles of the films and some specific hot topics that we feature for display. It was agreed that these changes will be incorporated.

Committee agreed to get card for Sarah Green, former co-chair of the Diversity Committee, for a job well done.

Calendars for best meeting dates

Members agreed that Thursdays at 1 p.m. is the best time for the committee to meet.

In the beginning of the Fall semester, we will meet twice a month. Once our projects are underway, we will meet once a month. Meetings are scheduled for an hour and a half.

The next meeting date is August 28 at 1 p.m. in Room 605.

Allison Roberts will get the committee an outlook account and set us up for shared calendars.

Announcements

There was an invitation from Roger Weaver to host LGBT program on October 16.

Evening presentation is about the book Courting Equality: Gay & Lesbian Marriage by Patricia A. Gozemba and Karen Kahn.

The committee’s role would be to create a day-time program about the digital history project these authors have launched and to help with advertising of the overall program.

Agenda Items for Next Meeting

Discuss significant diversity dates and create Diversity Committee calendar. Collaborate with Erik Bledsoe to submit calendar to UT’s Diversity and Intercultural page.

We will do one or two getting-to-know-you exercises.

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2007-2008

June 10, 2008

Minutes for June 10, 2008

Diversity Committee Meeting

Members present were: Thura Mack, Allison Roberts, Damon Campbell, Trisha Brady, Shantrie Collins, Sandy Allen, Marielle Veve, Jeanine Williamson, and Sara Green.

1. Announcements and Discussion:

· Sara Green opened the meeting with a reminder that we are

still looking for new members for the committee for the upcoming

year. New members will begin attending meetings the end of July or the

first of August. So far, the search for new members has not produced any applicants, so the search will continue. The deadline was to have been June 11, 2008, but due to there being no applicants, the deadline must be foregone. Peter Fernandez was mentioned as someone who might be interested, but might not be able to attend all of the meetings. Allison Roberts mentioned a potential scheduling conflict at AgVet in that there might not be enough people to cover necessary duties there if more than 1 or 2 people were members from that branch. Thura Mack suggested that we open our membership to individuals outside of the library. Mentioned were Shanner, and Crabtree from Disability Services as possibilities for new members. Jeanine Williamson will ask her. Thura Mack mentioned that Barbara Dewey could appoint someone if the committee cannot come up with new members on its own, and that the committee does not want that to happen- that it is better that we have volunteers. Allison proposed that someone from Ready For the World be asked, but Thura Mack offered that we already have a liaison with that group through Jane Row. Trisha Brady concurred that we should ask someone from the International House and the Native American Student Association whom she will ask; and Allison Roberts also proposed asking someone from the Black Culture Center as well. Thura Mack will create a draft form that can be individualized for committee members to look at for those individuals on the committee to use to contact entities from outside the library to garner interest for potential new members. Sandy Allen stated that she would stay on the committee rather than rotate off if we did not get enough new members to replace those rotating off.

·Sara Green brought up the subject of the Summer Culture Corner. All books for this project have been pulled and a poster created by Martha Rudolph has been put in place for it. We still need a poster for the Hot Topic for June/July to be created. Trisha Brady will create this. Becky Roller has the books for this and will be putting them out in call number order, as we did not create any subject divisions for this. The committee was O.K. with this. The Hot Topic books should be out by the end of the week.

· Martha Rudolph created a ‘blurb’ for the version of the “Passport” that will be given to new students in the fall concerning the Diversity Committee. She would have included a larger statement except many of the activities of the new committee have not been decided yet. Trisha Brady stated her pleasure with the ‘blurb’ through the idea that this might encourage people to attend some of the committee’s functions that would not have otherwise known about them. The committee agreed that free publicity was good, and all members present liked the ‘blurb’.

· Sara Green asked the committee if they still wanted to carry through with their previous idea of a Food Festival this summer. All members present agreed that they did, and mid-July was proposed as a good time to hold it. All agreed that Monday’s and Friday’s were unacceptable, as many people do not work on those days. Allison Roberts proposed July 17, 2008 from 12:00 until 2:00 or 2:30 for this event, and all members present agreed that this seemed to be a good day and time to hold it. It was agreed that volunteers would be needed for set up and clean up for this event. A need to put out a call for people to come and bring a culturally significant dish was agreed upon. Sara Green will ask the International House if they will host this event with us. They seem a good choice as they have a kitchen and have no rule against baking. All members present agreed that the theme was acceptable as long as it was inclusive of all culture. That would include historical family recipes as well.

· The matter of a speaker for the Summer Culture Corner was addressed. Allison Roberts agreed to contact people for this purpose. It may be a bit late to have a speaker agree to come in the near future for this project. The areas of interest that produce a speaker are Religious Studies, Art, or Medieval Studies. Allison Roberts will ‘poke around’ and see what she can find. This needs to be done as soon as possible, and Allison Roberts has agreed to address the matter tomorrow.

·The subject of a film, or films for the June/July Hot Topic was addressed. Members proposed films such as Water For Chocolate, Babette’s Feast, Soul Food, The Name of the Rose (featuring Sean Connary), Salome’s Last Dance, and Fried Green Tomatoes. All members present agreed to have an online vote to be able to include those members not present to select the movie or movies to be shown. The committee agreed that July 15, 2008 would be a good day for the film(s) to be shown, as many people will be leaving for ALA or vacation at the end of June or the beginning of July. Sandy Allen had suggested July 22, 2008, but Shantrie Collins and Damon Campbell will be gone to a conference on that date. July 16 had been suggested also, but this date would be unacceptable, as the film showing would conflict with the Web 2.0 training.

2.Conclusion:

· Members present were reminded to look for people who possibly would be interested in joining the new committee!

· It was agreed that further planning details for the last of the existing committee’s events could now be handled by email.

·There was no other business, so the meeting adjourned.

May 15, 2008

Minutes for May 15, 2008

Diversity Committee Meeting

Members present were: Thura Mack, Allison Roberts, Andy Madson, Damon Campbell, Trisha Brady, Shantrie Collins, Sandy Allen, Jeff French, Hannah Powell, and Sara Green.

1. Announcements and Discussion:

· Sara Green opened the meeting with a reminder that it is time to start

seriously looking for new members for the committee for the upcoming

year. New members will begin attending meetings the end of July or the

first of August. Thura Mack has completed a review of past procedures

for this process. Presently, information is needed concerning those

members who will be staying next year, and those who will be rotating

off. That will allow a proper search for the correct number of new

members necessary to complete the committee again. Thura Mack

presented a working draft of the announcement for new members for

the committee to review, and to give suggestions for improvement/

correction. Sara Green also asked if anyone was interested in being co-

chair for 2008-2009 to let her or Thura know as soon as possible. After

reviewing the new member announcement draft suggestions were made

for changes by members present and it was suggested by Jeff French that

some of the committee’s past activities be included in the Call for New

Members so that anyone interested would have an idea of what activities

the Committee is involved with. (The involvement, and improvements-

such as a sign up sheet- to our procedures for the Angel Tree project

were cited as one example).

·Sara Green brought up the subject of the Summer Culture Corner. The

Committee was asked for input on proposing a meeting for interested

parties to meet to get this project started as this needs to be completed

and on the shelves by the first of June. Since several committee members

are going on the staff trip Sara Green suggested the Culture Corner

meeting be held on Monday, May 19 at 2:00. Sub-topics would be

handed out at that time. That was agreed on by all.

· Trisha Brady was asked by Sara Green to present her findings to the

Committee on possible movies she found in the Media Center collection

For our May Hot Topic-Memorial Day. Suggestions from all members

Present included: Jarhead, Pearl Harbor, M.A.S.H., Black Hawk Down,

Shenandoah, Days of Darkness (Allison Roberts stated that this movie

would be good to play during the day), Born on the 4^th of July, United

93, Saving Private Ryan (Allison Roberts’s thought this movie would do

well played at night), Full Metal Jacket, Bridge Over the River Kwai, and

Glory. Sara Green suggested the movie(s) could be played on May 22,

and Jeff French suggested that 3:00 and 5:00 would be good viewing

times. Hannah Powell wanted to know what the purpose the Committee

wanted to accomplish with the films. Did we want to portray the horror

of war? Trisha Brady offered that we were commemorating the lives of

our soldiers, and Sara Green added that we were also trying to

incorporate the Committee’s goal for diversity into the choice as well.

Sara Green provided that the concept of Memorial Day, originally known

as Decoration Day, was started at the end of the American Civil War. All

members present agreed upon a screening of the film Days of Darkness

for suitability for our purpose. Hannah Powell wanted to know if these

movies were based on books, and if so that it might be a good idea for us

to purchase the books if they were not already in our collection. The film

screening was agreed upon to be held May 16 at 2:00. Trisha Brady

encouraged the Committee to scan the library catalog for more

selections. We will choose one contemporary film and one “classic” war

film. Sara Green stated that the Committee was on a time constraint and

needed a final decision about which films to show by Monday or

Tuesday.

· The matter of the June Hot Topic was broached by Sara Green. His topic will be Foods of the World. The Committee was asked by Sara Green if they only wanted one Hot Topic for Summer? It was agreed upon by all members present that one Hot Topic was enough for Summer. The Hot Topic would be kept up through the end of July. The Committee had agreed in an earlier meeting that they wanted to conduct a food festival for this Hot Topic, and it was agreed upon at this time by all members present that the food festival should go forth, but should be held in July. This event was seen as a good way to end the summer for this Committee. Members present agreed that a June meeting should be called to plan this event. After looking at the 605 scheduling book for possible dates and times it was decided that the called meeting would be held on Tuesday, June 10 at 1:00.

·Allison Roberts announced that no one attended the April Hot Topic film showings. In a discussion she had it was suggested that if, in the future, there would be other showings for this topic, or similar ones to inform certain professors, such as Joanne Logan, and they would require their students to attend.

1. Conclusion:

·There was no other business, so the meeting adjourned.

April 22, 2008

Minutes for April 22, 2008

Diversity Committee Meeting

Members present were: Thura Mack, Jeanine Williamson, Damon Campbell, Trisha Brady, Shantrie Collins, Sandy Allen, Jeff French, and Sara Green.

1. Announcements:

· Sara Green opened the meeting by announcing that the International

Festival everyone had worked so hard on had gone well. Participation

was high with there being a lot of children’s groups stopping by our

table. Everybody loved the map and being able to put pins in the area

that they call ‘home’. The one problem the committee encountered was

the disappointing raffle results. There would have been participation in

the event, but there was no good way to announce the winners, so those

members working at the table eventually just gave the Moon Pies to

anyone passing by who wanted one. Even though two tries were made to

announce winners over the loudspeaker system people still could not hear

their names being called. It is suggested that this trial not be repeated

next year. All members present agreed that this was a good idea, and Jeff

French and Thura Mack concurred on the difficulty in trying to make the

raffle a success. Trisha Brady provided committee support and sang

really well at the festival.

· Sara Green offered an update on the Poster Session presentation at TLA.

Thura Mack and Sara Green, in conjunction with Michelle Brannen,

presented a poster session at TLA dealing with the committee’s

participation in this year’s pilot program with Digital Scrap booking.

TLA participants showed a lot of interest in the project and several

questions were asked. Overall, the poster session was deemed a success.

· Jeff French announced that his other committee is gearing up for the

Spirit Awards and asks that the Diversity Committee members support

their efforts by putting the word out and attending this event.

· Jeanine Williamson announced that she has been asked to run for Possum

Queen and asks for our support.

2. Discussion:

· Sara Green presented a handout to the committee taken from Google

concerning events typically honored in May in preparation for the

discussion concerning which Hot Topic the committee wants to cover

for this month. After passing the list around members put forth

suggestions. Those ran from the unique- such as No Pants Day (put out

playfully by Jeff French) to serious contenders like Memorial Day

(several members), and Depression (Jeanine Williamson) . Members

agreed to participate in an online vote among the top four contenders:

Depression, Children’s Health Issues, Memorial Day, and World Day

for Cultural Diversity for Dialog and Development. The end result will

be announced Monday, April 28^th when a call for volunteers to put this

together will also occur.

· Sara Green mentioned that the committee would soon have to put out a

call for new members. She asked that the committee keep this in mind

over the next few weeks and put out the word to anyone they think might

be interested in joining. Thura Mack and Sara Green both asked that

existing members consider staying on the committee and not rotating off.

Thura Mack stated that submissions need to be confidential, and that all

applications will be forwarded to Barbara Dewey for approval, but that

Barbara almost never turns down anyone who wants to join. Sara Green

offered that last year the process took about 6 or 7 weeks. Thura Mack

and Sara Green will look at the exact process before the next meeting on

May 13 and let the committee know what needs to be done for this

process.

· Sara Green reminded the committee of the upcoming summer Culture Corner. The preparation for a new Culture Corner is an involved and lengthy process, so members should start thinking now how the committee wants to handle this last one for the year. With the summer being a shorter period to have a Culture Corner up, usually 8 to 10 weeks, the question arises on how large do we want to make this? Several committee members will be gone for short periods at the end of June, so will limit opportunities to participate in events scheduled in support of this Culture Corner unless timed right. Trisha Brady will talk to Jeffrey Davis from the Department of Theory and Practice to be our speaker for this summer in either June or July.

· As part of the June Hot Topic event “Foods and Culture” the committee had earlier agreed they wanted to host a Cultural/Regional Food Festival for library staff and faculty. The timing for such an event was brought up at this time and Thura Mack stated that, because of having two complicated and time consuming projects due in June (the summer Culture Corner and the June Hot Topic)- if the committee had to choose just one event she would vote for just having a speaker. Jeff French asked that schedules be checked before we cancel this event.

· The question of what to do with the map from the International Festival was raised by Sara Green and it was suggested that we might put it in Reference. Thura stated that we would have to get permission and it was decided that Jane would be the person to ask for that. But, it was also suggested that we might want to display it next to the committee’s Culture Corner space. All members present liked that idea, so it was decided that the map would be placed there. Trisha Brady agreed to make tags to tell what the map was and its purpose for people to understand why it is there. After Trisha makes the tags the map will go out.

1. Conclusion:
2. Sara Green provided that the next meeting will be May 13, and that members will be in email contact concerning matters on planned committee events around this meeting as it is the only meeting scheduled before the summer Culture Corner and June Hot Topic will have to be completed and out.

b. There was no other business, so the meeting adjourned.

March 25, 2008

Minutes for March 25, 2008

Diversity Committee Meeting

Members present were: Thura Mack, Jeanine Williamson, Damon Campbell, Trisha Brady, Marielle Veve, Shantrie Collins, Allison Roberts, Jane Row, Andy Madson, and Sara Green.

1. Announcements and Discussion:

· Thura Mack started the meeting by asking members present if they had

any good news to share while we waited for the last members to arrive.

Everyone was just glad to be able to attend the meeting.

· Preliminary discussion of announcements that members wanted to share

with the committee began with Trisha Brady mentioning an event

scheduled for April 4 at 11:00a.m. in the Lindsey Young Auditorium.

Melanie McKay-Cody, a Native American sign language specialist, will

speak. Ms. McKay-Cody is working locally with professor Jeffery Davis.

Mr. Davis is currently working on a project taking films, predominantly

from the 19^th century, and placing them onto current media forms with

captions for the Smithsonian Institute.

· Allison Roberts passed around the poster she created for the April topic

for our ‘Hot Topics’ shelf.

A. Allison volunteered to be in charge of the April topic- Water Rights

Around the World. This is in conjunction with Earth Day. She has created

a book list to be pulled for the shelf, and looked at available films for

showing.

B. Sara Green had sent information on a new PBS environmental series

‘Journey to Planet Earth’ for consideration. Jane Row told the committee

she would provide funds to purchase the series.

· Sara Green asked members if there were any other announcements before she started. She then asked if they were ready for the Student Appreciation event scheduled for the following Monday?The student award certificates have been completed and signed.

The food (Jeff French-nuts, Sara Green-mints, Damon Campbell-punch, and Shantrie Collins-cake) and utensils (Thura Mack and Marielle Veve), distribution was agreed upon with all members stating they knew what they were to bring, who was going to help with setting up the event (Jeanine Williamson, Marielle Veve, Sara Green and Allison Roberts), and who was to help clean up afterward (Trisha Brady, Sara Green, and Thura Mack).

L.E.A. will play a major role in this. They will complete the decorations with balloons. Sara Green or Thura Mack will bring flowers for decoration.

Eric Arnold from the Map Library will create the poster for this event.

The question of tablecloths was broached, and Jeanine Williamson and Marielle Veve offered to bring those.

Sara Green reported that Sandy Allen had sent word that all but 2 of the books the students had chose had been pulled and were ready for the presentation. The 2 remaining books that were needed were being looked into.

Trisha Brady is going to bring a camera and Allison Roberts will take the photographs.

· The International Festival will be held April 18 this year on the plaza next to the University Center. Sara Green has been in contact with the International House, who is handling the event, and received the initial information concerning how the Diversity Committee can be involved.

The table will cost $20.00, and Thura Mack offered to obtain the money for this.

Some committee members volunteered to bring hard candy for the table (Jeanine Williamson, Sara Green and Thura Mack). Jane Row volunteered to purchase Moon Pies for hourly drawings. Thura Mack got raffle tickets from Teresa Walker for this.

The committee discussed creating a map so people can put pins in the area where they are from.

Jeanine and Jane will work on International News handouts for our table. Martha Rudolph is busy, but may have templates the committee can use.

Trisha Brady will contact Greg March to see if he can print a huge map for the committee to use for this event. Becky Roller will send the committee pictures from last year’s event to allow the committee to view the map they used then.

Sara Green will send a reminder out after final confirmation comes from the International House and the table is reserved for volunteers to cover different time periods during the event.

Giveaways:

Reference may have ‘Ask Me Now’ bookmarks we can use.

Trisha Brady can get coasters and pads that advertise the Commons and Media Center.

There may be t-shirts we can get from the Commons.

The poster display will be mounted on a foam board and will advertise the

library Diversity Committee.

We will invite people outside the committee to volunteer to help with the committee’s International Festival table. There will be at least 2 people for each time period working at the table throughout the festival. We will devise the work schedule for the table based on the number of people who volunteer.

· The proposed calendar events were brought up by Sara Green. Events

scheduled in March have almost completely been accomplished, and

events in April have been confirmed.

Allison Roberts has created book and film lists in conjunction with Earth

Day, and will oversee the process of coordinating that Hot Topic.

We still need to pick a topic for May.

It was agreed upon by the committee to use the topic ‘Religions of the World’ for the summer Culture Corner. In conjunction with this topic Allison Roberts suggested asking Bill Dewey, an expert on Art History, to be our last ‘Let’s Talk About It’ speaker. The committee agreed to look into all possibilities before making a decision. A vote determining if we want a speaker for this topic will be held at our next meeting. This has been discussed in that, if the committee decides to hold its own Cultural Food Fest to highlight different areas of the country/world in combination with the religions of the country/world; that the committee would not have to feel obligated to host a speaker for the event.

It was agreed upon that, because of TLA, other conferences and the Staff Trip, that the committee agenda would be held to a minimum in April and May. Besides the Hot Topic for those months the committee will be involved only with the International Festival in April, and will only promote/co-host the Staff Development trip in May.

Our committee meeting in May will be an important one as it will be a call for new members. Also, Thura Mack and Sara Green (co-chairs) will be rotating off the committee this summer and it is hoped that a volunteer, or volunteers will come forward to fill the void they will leave.

The committee agreed to finalize all events they will host/produce in the waning days of this committee year at the next meeting.

1. Conclusion:
2. The Committee was asked to continue considering topics/events/films for the last few months of this committee’s fiscal year for our next meeting.

b. There was no other business, so the meeting adjourned.

March 4, 2008

Minutes for March 4, 2008

Diversity Committee Meeting

1. Announcements

· Sara reported that the Pearl Fryer program was a big success. It was estimated that 50 people attended. Kudos to Allison for getting our committee involved. Kudos to Sara, Shantrie, and Damon for attending and helping out. Allison mentioned that a video of the event may be available soon.

· Rita Geier’s “Let’s Talk About It” was an excellent presentation. There were approximately 15 people attended.

1. Student Appreciation event update- Thura reported that the invitations will go out today, the certificates will get completed and routed to Barbara and Sara for signatures ASAP. The date of the Student Appreciation program is March 31^st from 2-4. Barbara will present certificates at 2:30. It was confirmed that we will have cake, punch, and peanuts. Thura volunteered to get napkins, cups and forks.
2. Spring Culture Corner update- Sara reported that the Culture Corner is well on the way. Sandy is helping to order the books and make sure they get processed and sent to the Culture Corner as they arrive in the library. Martha Rudolph has been making signs for us, and Becky Roller has been checking out the books for the Culture Corner, and the Student Appreciation Event.

1. Discussion:
   1. Film for Women’s History Month- Sara facilitated the rankings of the films for Women’s History Month. The film Iron-jaw Angels is the first choice for the movie. It was decided by the committee March 27^th is the day we will show the films. The films will be shown all day. Someone from the committee will check periodically to make sure the film is showing without technical difficulty. It was suggested to try and schedule the film around the time students are getting out of class.
   2. Student Appreciation event- everything is on track to hold this event.
   3. Speaker from outside the library- Wayne Winkler’s presentation has been changed to the Mary E Greer Room. The administration needed to use room 605.
   4. Topics/events from the proposed calendar- Topics for the monthly Book Shelf were discussed here. These topics include Holocaust, The Lost Caravan, and Environmental Trends including water shortage. The committee was reminded to make sure our topics were Diversity related. Sara asked for volunteers to help with the monthly Book Shelf for Hot Topics. Allison agreed to do a Book Shelf topic for April.
   5. Begin discussion on our participation in the International Festival- This event is on April 18^th. Sara is working with the International House to receive details for the event. There may be a $20 charge for our table. The committee plans to ask Barbara for the money. Some committee members volunteered to bring hard candy for the table (Jeanine, Sara and Thura). Jayne Row volunteered to purchase Moon Pies for occasional drawings. The committee discussed creating a map so people can put pins in the area where they are from. Jeanine and Jayne will work on International News handouts for our table. More discussion on this at our next meeting.
   6. Suggestions for events for April and May were asked for, and Sara Green offered that the Committee had been approached in the past by Sarah Surak from the Facilities Services Department to include an environmental theme during Earth Month (April) that the committee is now considering.
2. Conclusion:
3. The Committee was asked to consider topics/events/films for the last few months of this committee’s fiscal year for our next meeting.

b. There was no other business, so the meeting adjourned.

February 18, 2008

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes

Room 605- 3:00 p.m.- February 19, 2008

1. Meeting convened by Sara Green.
2. All members attending:

Marielle Veve, Shantrie Collins, Damon Campbell, Jeanine Williamson, and

Sara Green

1. Announcements and Discussion:

Sara Green updated the committee on the Student Appreciation Event by passing around a copy of the revised certificate to be handed out to students. Thura Mack had completed the revision for approval at this meeting last Friday. Sara also informed the committee that only slightly over ½ of the students involved had responded with their book choices. Jeanine Williamson suggested that the committee pick a selection for those students and not try to force them to respond, and Damon Campbell asked if such selections could be based on a student’s major? Shantrie Collins offered to try to individually contact those students who do not respond by March 1 to get a book title preference to be honored with. Picking a book for students will be a last resort.

1. Sara Green updated the committee on the spring Culture Corner. Most of the books the library has on the subject have already been pulled, but a few books that were on other lists taken from other local libraries and Amazon that were not thought to be here were found to be in our catalog, so will be pulled and included. Also, books that we do not have are being rush ordered and will be included in the display as soon as they arrive and have been placed in the catalog. The Native American display has been taken down and the shelves are ready to have our African American monthly topic books put there. Marielle Veve mentioned that Martha Rudolph is not making posters for anyone other than the library for the time being because of being short staffed. Sara Green had received a draft of a poster that could be used for this Culture Corner with very little modification, so will make the small changes necessary and see about having this put in the display case. Trisha Brady has submitted rough drafts for 2 posters that could be used for the African American History Month section of the Culture Corner. Becky Roller had suggested that, because our Culture Corner selection was so limited, that we shelve them by call number only, and not try to incorporate categories. Those committee members present agreed that was a good idea.
2. The topics for the monthly topics bookshelves have been chosen for February (African American History Month), and March (Women’s History Month); but other topics need to be chosen for the completion of this semester. In an email from the public relations representative for the Facilities Services Department, Sarah Surak, forwarded an email exchange she had with Laura Purcell last year asking if the committee could have an environmental/earth theme for April, which is Earth Month. Also discussed was the possibility that this topic could lead into the proposed May topic of ‘Food Of The World’, which would lead into the summer Culture Corner topic, ‘Religions of the World’. Members present agreed to an online vote of issues concerning the Culture Corner and monthly topics.
3. A reminder of the Committee’s Let’s Talk About It speakers was given by Sara Green. Rita Geier will speak March 4 at 11:00 and Wayne Winkler will speak March 11 at 11:00. The committee discussed whether or not to promote these speakers outside of the library or only within. It was felt that there would be enough library support for Rita Geier that we wouldn’t need to look outside the library for attendees, but Wayne Winkler would be O.K. to advertise for.
4. African American Month events were discussed and it was agreed that Shantrie’s film idea, African American Lives was a good choice, even if long. Other events sponsored or co-sponsored by the Committee are the Pearl Fryer film viewing and lecture and our monthly topics shelf.
5. Sara Green has a list of films created last year for Women’s History month. It will be included with the newsletter to let the committee vote through email which film will be shown for this event.
6. Thura and Sara will be gone to TLA April 9-11.
7. There was discussion concerning placing all of the food related events into the month of May.
8. Discussion concerning the International Festival highlighted the need for volunteers to man our table. This event is on a Friday, so members may want to keep that in mind.
9. The staff trip was mentioned as major event for May. Will call for new members at this time also, but need to find out how many new members will be needed.
10. The possibility for a Summer Talk-About It was mentioned with thought that we would discuss this further as the time came closer.

4. The meeting adjourned.

February 5, 2008

Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes

Room 605- 3:00 p.m.- February 5, 2008

1. Meeting convened by Thura Mack.
2. All members attending:

Sandy Allen, Allison Roberts, Hannah Powell, Jeff French, Marielle Veve,

Trisha Brady, Shantrie Collins, Damon Campbell, Jeanine Williamson, Thura

Mack, and Sara Green

1. Announcements and Discussion:

1. Thura began by talking about the Student Appreciation event we have scheduled for Monday, March 31 between 2:00 and 4:00. We combined the announcement of the time for this being set with commentary from members. Hannah had asked in LEA members could attend, but no one from that committee came due to illness. Hannah asked lots of questions in able to take information back to Hannah Barker from LEA who is helping the Diversity Committee this year with this event. One major area in question dealed with bookplates and who was to handle them. Thura explaned that we had a folder with information on procedures we would share with all LEA members who were helping with this event, and would pass on to LEA when they took over the event next year. Sandy also spoke up and commented that she thought Tech Services conducted the electronic bookplating. Thura talked some of procedures and explained the process for selecting and contacting students who were to be honored, and passed around draft for invitations to staff and faculty as well as a draft for the certificate we will give to student honorees. Hannah asked if Barbara’s Student Advisory Committee wasn’t also honored during this ceremony and Thura agreed to look into that. Barbara has granted the Committee $100.00 to purchase the cake, punch and other food for the event.
2. Jeff French passed around a Thank You card hand written by a child recipient form the Angel Tree.
3. Sara Green congratulated Jeanine on her Talk About It held in January on disabilities.
4. Sara Green mentioned the Culture Corner. Out of all of the items mentioned in the catalog only 15 monographs were found, so it was decided to expand the theme of the new Culture Corner to include other tri-racial groups as well as the Melungeons. Sandy Allen is working on ordering more titles to be included as they arrive for this Culture Corner dealing with the Melungeon topic. Sara Green also stated that in conjunction with this Culture Corner the president of the Melungeon Association of America has graciously agreed to conduct a Talk About It on March 11 at 11:00 in room 605 at his own traveling expense.
5. Sara Green mentioned the coming event with Pearl Fryer at AgVet and asked Allison Roberts to expound upon the basic information put out by the email. Mr. Fryer has a biographical film that will be shown at 7:00 in the Cox Auditorium on February 27. The Committee agreed to support this event with promotion through email and flyers advertising it. Mr. Fryer will lecture in the alcove at AgVet on February 28.
6. Thura spoke about the coming Staff Development trip in May to Fayetteville Library. Because this is a historically Black college it was deemed necessary for there to be an effort made to create a collaborative project where the two institutions could mutually benefit from this trip. Hannah mentioned creating an online exhibit with unique materials from both libraries which was met with approval by the members present. This was considered to be the first step in creating a meaningful relationship between the two institutions.

4. The meeting adjourned.

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