Diversity (DIVR) Subcommittee Meeting Friday March 3, 2006

Notes on this meeting are under construction & will be posted after Tuesday, March 7

Committee Chair: Eda Davis-Butts.

Next Meeting: Friday, March 3, 2006 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Agenda and Location: The SMILE (Science & Math Investigative Learning Experiences) Conference Rm,

Gladys Valley Gymnastics Center. Link to Map:    http://oregonstate.edu/cw_tools/campusmap/?BN=Gladys+Valley+Gymnastics+Center&Z=4&width=612&height=462&myName=OPASDiversity
DIVR Mission: Increasing the ethnic and gender diversity in technical fields. Developing new strategies to attract diverse students. Enhancing and growing existing programs and methods to increase the diversity of students preparing for and succeeding in applied science and engineering education.


Recommendations:  In order to raise the participation and performance of under-represented groups at all levels, this group’s priority strategy was work through parents, providing them the information and insights required to overcome cultural barriers to engineering and related careers.

Agenda for the first meeting

3:00 - 3:05

Introductions

3:05 - 3:30

Review of purpose and results of OPAS Summit
3:30 - 3:45

Relation of this committee to the Steering Committee

  • Administrative details - expenses
  • Timeframe for work 2-5 years
  • Timeframe for implementation 3-9 months
  • Reports to the Steering Committee
3:45 - 4:50

Overview of next steps

  • Model of possible uses of strategy and plans
  • Establishment of subcommittees
  • Development of strategy summary
  • Communication of strategy and recommendations
  • Development of detailed plans in focus areas
  • Implementation of plans
4:50 - 5:00

Scheduling of next meeting and adjournment -

Friday March 24 3:00 - 4:30 pm in Corvallis & by phone

 

Notes:

Diversity Subcommittee Meeting
March 3, 2005

Attendees: David Coronado, Eda Davis-Butts, Ginnie Lo, Jo Oshiro, Wendy Powless, Bruce Schafer

Review of Purpose and the results of OPAS Summit. Bruce provided a review of the Summit and the context for the work of the Diversity Subcommittee, Ginnie expressed the need for the Diversity Subcommittee to be connected to other committees and their projects. To be fully realized, diversity must be incorporated into the discussions of all subcommittees. Jo shared that the reporting structure will allow connections among the various subcommittees. Current connections exist to the:

  • Steering Committee through Don Kirkwood and Jo Oshiro; and
  • Student Success: Access, Motivation, and Retention through Eda Davis-Butts and Carla Faini

Recommendations. Those present modified the mission of the subcommittee to the following:
Increasing the ethnic and gender diversity in technical fields. Articulating best practices, communicating them, and making them available as resources. Developing new strategies to attract diverse students. Enhancing and growing existing programs and methods to increase the diversity of students preparing for and succeeding in applied science and engineering education.

In addition, the group decided that the target audiences of its work should be broadened and prioritized. Attendees agreed to focus its work to the following audiences, listed in order of priority: students, parents, teachers & administrators, and community & business leaders.

Relation of the Diversity Subcommittee to the Steering Committee. OUS Industry Affairs has some funds to support bridges for teleconferences and meeting materials. Subcommittee members should check the availability of funds before incurring other expenses around OPAS committee participation.

Bruce clarified the timeframe for the beginning of implementation (3-9 months) and ongoing work of the OPAS committees to achieve measurable outcomes (2-5 years).

As with the other subcommittees Diversity will provide the Steering Committee with a monthly email summary of subcommittee activity and progress and will make an in-person appearance before the Steering Committee every other month or so.

Next Steps. The group decided to focus it first project on identifying diversity resources (funding sources, speakers, and literature) and beginning to articulate best practices in promoting diversity in technical fields.

  • Jo will put on the subcommittee’s web page resources she found.
  • Ginnie will contact Jan Cuny at NSF about existing clearinghouse(s) for diversity resources.
  • Jo will work with OUS technical staff to try to put in place the wiki tool for subcommittee communication and comments about reviewed resources.
  • Eda will check with Di Saunders about recruiting a member of the Marketing Subcommittee to serve on the Diversity Subcommittee.
  • Next meeting will happen on March 24 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM in the SMILE Office and via telephone.

 

DIVR Subcommittee Members:   email to entire subcommittee

Chair Eda Davis-Butts Oregon SMILE, OSU
Carla Faini Oregon MESA, PSU
Ginnie Lo Professor, UO Computer Science Department
Gayle Yamasaki Pre-College Programs, OIT
Shawna Blanchette Teacher, Phoenix-Talent High School
Jo Oshiro OUS Staff Support
 

For questions or information regarding this webpage, please email Jo Oshiro or call (503) 725.2910.