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Diversity Committee

College Council Subcommittee
Revised Report and Proposal, 5/4/07

Discussion: At the suggestion of the President, the College Council assigned a temporary Diversity and Community Subcommittee to develop proposals for an ongoing subcommittee. Over the course of two meetings, the temporary subcommittee discussed the need for and the value of diversity work at Cañada College. Several key points were raised: creating a welcoming environment for all students, faculty and staff, and tying work of the Diversity and Community College Council Subcommittee to supporting a rich student life experience.

Research on diversity work performed by the subcommittee included reviewing the California Community College Chancellor’s website Strategic Plan, models from UC Riverside, CSU Northridge and Skyline College, and requesting information from the District concerning diversity resources. Based on the discussion and research, a suggested starting point for next year is performing a “Diversity Assessment.”

Background: California Community Colleges System Strategic Plan, Goal A5:

Support equity and diversity at the Community Colleges to build a strong society and enable a multicultural democracy.
The Community Colleges strive to provide equal opportunity to a diverse student population in order to build a stronger society and enable a multicultural democracy. The Colleges must also work to strengthen their employee's capacity to demonstrate sensitivity to all groups and provide equal opportunity in recruitment efforts.

California Community Colleges System Strategic Plan, Goal A5

Proposals:

Committee Membership: The membership of an ongoing committee should be constituted as follows:

The President, a College Council representative, a Student Activities representative, an Outreach representative, an EOPS/CARE representative, a DSPS representative, two faculty representatives, two classified representatives, a management representative, and a representative from each student club, if possible. (A “student heavy” committee would be a positive thing.)

Meetings: The committee should meet at least once a month.

Mission Statement: President Tom Mohr has drafted a Mission/Values Statement that the ongoing committee should review and revise as appropriate.

Purpose: Though the purpose hasn’t been finalized, elements include: meeting on a regular basis; setting topics for discourse; assisting with College forums and speakers; and providing leadership in the formation of a rich, welcoming, diverse, equitable College working and learning environment.

Miscellaneous Suggestions for the Ongoing Subcommittee:

• • Review and revise the Diversity Mission Statement drafted by President Tom Mohr
  • Perform a Diversity Assessment as a priority for the beginning of its new project, as well as a part of each year’s final activities. One suggested model: (http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/facultydiversity/self-assessment-tool.pdf)
  • Review the campus Student Equity Plan filed with the Chancellors Office
  • Review the whitepaper: Student Equity: Guidelines for Developing a Plan
  • Exercise creativity in developing forums, speakers, etc. that enhance the work of the subcommittee. (Examples: Invite student clubs to rotate exhibits in the cafeteria, review M.E.E.T. on Common Ground, available through the District.)
  • Identify a funding source to complement the development of events, etc.
  • Establish an annual Diversity Award to be given to a member of the campus community

Additionally, the College should recognize and integrate the work of the ongoing Diversity and Community College Council Subcommittee.

Temporary Diversity and Community College Council Subcommittee Members:

Chuck Carlson, Jeanne Gross, David Ibanez, Lesli Sachs and Mike Walsh.

As of October 07, members of the ongoing committee are still being determined.

The following documents are available in pdf format which requires that you have Adobe ™ Reader©, available free from Adobe, installed on your computer.