February 13, 2009
President Wilson convened the ninth SPBC meeting of 2008-2009 at 12:08 p.m.
I. 2008-2009 Diversity Report
President Wilson asked Michael Thompson to present the 2008-2009 Diversity Report. The report had been prepared and presented to the Board of Trustees at their meeting this past Monday. The report presented information for the past five years (2003 to 2007) comparing IWU to our peer benchmark institutions. Page one revealed diversity tables and charts on three performance indicators: (1) First-Time, First-Year ALANA students, (2) Total Alana Students, and (3) Total International Students. In the first-time, first-year ALANA and total ALANA enrollment tables and charts, IWU ranked sixth and fifth, respectively, among our benchmark peer group. Our entering ALANA enrollment increased 50% over the past five years, while our total ALANA student percentage increased over 65%. These percentage growths over time were much stronger than the peer median growths of 30 and 35%, respectively. IWU's ranking was tenth for total international students.
Page two of the report depicted the (1) Six-year ALANA Graduation Rates, (2) Full-time Female Faculty and (3) Full-time ALANA Faculty performance indicators. Our six-year ALANA graduation rates have fluctuated from a low of 63% to a high of 82%, which illustrates the volatility of these rates at times when based on smaller figures overall. We ranked seventh among our peer benchmark group for the 2001 cohort. Our percentage of full-time female faculty has been consistently in the low 40s over the past five years, while our percentage of fulltime ALANA faculty experienced significant growth with an increase of over 100% over the past ten years.
Page three of the report dealt with full-time international faculty and full-time ALANA staff. IWU increased its full-time international faculty from one to six percent over the past ten years, while the full-time ALANA staff remained relatively consistent at seven percent over the same period.
Page four reviewed IWU ALANA and international fall student enrollments from 1999 through 2008. Other than a slight drop in international students (mainly due to the Patriot Act), IWU has shown consistent growth in ALANA and international student enrollments over this period.
The next report presented by Michael summarized staff ethnicity and race by Cabinet Member divisions. The numbers were classified by gender and race/ethnicity. Comments included:
-- The Admissions staff has become more diverse because of two hires made in recent years.
-- IWU has very little turnover, limiting possibilities for diverse hires. Consequently, there have been few staff additions at IWU this year.
-- The multi-racial population in Bloomington/Normal is approximately 13%.
-- It is important for the University's faculty and staff to reflect the diversity of the student body.
-- Personnel ads for IWU are always placed in The Pantagraph and The Voice to get maximum exposure in attracting minority candidates.
II. Council for Inclusive Excellence Draft
President Wilson opened the discussion concerning the draft of the Council for Inclusive Excellence. In 2003 the Multicultural Study Group issued a report that was a springboard to establish diversity initiatives in all areas of the University, but there has been no vehicle for these campus initiatives to come together. There are ongoing inquiries regarding the various diversity initiatives, and the President would welcome a council to aid in establishing interaction and engagement in a unified manner. President Wilson noted that the draft is still in need of refinement.
Beth Cunningham attended the fall conference of the American Association of Colleges and Universities which has guided numerous institutions in similar processes. Some key definitions from the AAC&U initiative that will be used in integrating diversity and inclusion into IWU are: Diversity, Inclusion, and Inclusive Excellence. These definitions are found in the draft document.
The charge of this document is based on the five strategies outlined in the IWU Strategic Plan. The council's responsibilities would be to evaluate and track the status of diversity (in all areas), identify best practices elsewhere, and to put together a plan of action to regularly assess and report progress.
The potential membership of the council and its title were discussed by the SPBC. Comments included:
-- This council would be a conscience for the President concerning the development and progress of diversity initiatives.
-- We must clarify the importance of what IWU must be doing and who we are with respect to diversity.
-- The Chaplain of the University should be included on the council, as well as a representative from the International Office.
-- This council should be included in the faculty constitution.
-- Some members expressed concern about the name of the council, suggesting that a better name might be the Council on Diversity or the Council on Inclusiveness. The President welcomed these suggestions.
-- We should have programs and services in place to facilitate the success of ALANA and international students.
President Wilson asked that members of the SPBC send further suggestions and comments on this draft to him or to Beth Cunningham.
III. Board of Trustees Report
President Wilson reported that the budget SPBC had discussed earlier had been presented to the Board of Trustees at their meeting earlier this week. There may be more adjustments to the budget as more information is received. The University endowment has declined by 23%. The increase in the value of our farmland and the relatively low decline in the value of our hedge funds have moderated further declines in the endowment. The Board of Trustees also discussed Retiree Health Care at their recent meeting, as well as the status of architect selection for the new classroom building.
President Wilson stated that the next two strategic planning meetings would be devoted to retiree health care.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.