Diversity Advisory Council — Fall 2007 Planning Retreat
On Friday September 14, 2007, thirty-four Maricopa employees convened at the annual planning retreat of the Diversity Advisory Council (DAC), led by Tri-chairs Linda Rosenthal, Governing Board President, Al Crusoe, Vice-Chancellor of Human Resources and Maria Hesse, President of Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Participants at the retreat represented all ten colleges, constituency groups, policy groups, academic affairs, student life and leadership, administration and employee functions closely related to diversity.
Linda Rosenthal welcomed the 2007 – 2008 membership of DAC and spoke briefly about the history of DAC and the intent to have a strategic diversity plan. Information about DAC’s achievements over the past thirteen years is available on the district’s diversity website. (See “DAC at a Glance.”)
Objectives and accomplishments from this past year were summarized in three general areas: training, accountability and communication.
Training: In 2006 – 2007, DAC discussed the importance of training to creating an inclusive and respectful culture at Maricopa. While diversity training was considered important, DAC recognized the importance of effective supervisors and promoted EOLT’s supervisory training. DAC members were also asked to “walk our talk” by attending at least one diversity or supervisory training from March through September. Sherrie Faulkner presented updated information about the DAC Training challenge. The 2007 – 2008 membership committed to continuing the challenge for the present year and improving on results.
Accountability was addressed in 2006 – 2007 through:
- The Diversity Monitoring Report
- Performance evaluations addressing diversity
- The DAC Recognition luncheon held May 3 to honor exemplary programs at all ten colleges, the Maricopa Skill Center and the District Office.
Communication efforts were reviewed including the revised website, Expressions newsletter, leadership letter and new shared definitions.
In preparation for planning for 2007 – 2008, participants reviewed:
- The concept of Inclusive Excellence as described by the Association of American Colleges and Universities
- Excerpts from California Newsreel’s video, “What’s Race Got to do with it? Social Disparities and Student Success.” Several participants requested the opportunity to use the video at their colleges.
- MCCCD’s Strategic Directions and how they are related to diversity and inclusiveness.
Participants then discussed how the work of DAC relates to student success and the strategic directions and brainstormed future directions for DAC. Recommendations continued to focus in the areas of accountability, training and communication.
For the complete minutes from the retreat click here.