Minutes of the IFO Feminist Issues Committee

January 26, 2001

IFO Offices, St. Paul, MN

Meeting called to order at approximately 4:50 p.m.

Present: Tracey Scholl (Moorhead), Tamara Berg (Winona), Mary Jo Hrenchir (Bemidji), Shannon Skarphol Kaml (Metropolitan) and Pat Arseneault (IFO Equity Advocate)

Shannon Skarphol Kaml volunteered to stand in for Carla Johnson as secretary.

I.                    Minutes of the October 13, 2000 meeting were read and Tamara moved they be accepted.  Tracey seconded.  Motion carried.

II.                 Campus Reports:

A.                Winona:

1.      A letter regarding gender bias in rank and salary was written to the administration.  They have received a response reassuring commitment to fairness in hiring.  Possible follow-up as administration’s letter was non-responsive to the issue presented.

2.      Two women filed a harassment complaint against a professor displaying anti-gay posters.  Formal compliant was removed and referred to Human Resources.  Pat requested copies of letters.

3.      Dean search in CLA has two promising female candidates.

B.                 Bemidji:

1.      Search on going for Dean of Arts and Letters.  There are fears that the search does not look equitable to women candidates.

2.      Women’s History month events planned.

C.                 St. Cloud: Pat reported on settlement of salary equity suit.

III.               Other reports:

A.                IFO Salary Equity Study – Pat reported that MNSCU has still not hired the consultant recommended to complete the study, but data has been collected and the appeals process initiated in Mankato and Winona.  St. Cloud appeals will begin in March.

B.                 Domestic Partners – Pat reported that the Task Force report is now accessible through the IFO webpage She discussed the definitions and possible criteria for demonstrating domestic partnership and the need for further support at the MNSCU and Legislative levels.

IV.              New Business:

A.                MNSCU IB.1.1. policy and procedure:

1.      Pat announced that a new policy has been approved but feels that it still contains some inadequacies.  It does not address the chain of command within Affirmative Action and administration-maintained appeals processes.  It omits the AA officers’ responsibility to inform employees of AA rights.  Witnesses are no longer entitled to automatic union representation.

2.      Tracey moved and Tamara seconded that the IFO board put the I.B.1.1 policy on the statewide meet and confer agenda and ask that MNSCU establish a joint labor/management Affirmative Action task force charged to conduct EEOC compliance review and to determine how effective I.B.1. and I. B. 1.1. is in enforcing MNSCU policy.  Motion carried.

B.                 Release time reports

1.                  Pat reported that the IFO does receive the data the committee would like to collect, but that it is difficult to analyze.  Other available report data was offered and alternative methods for obtaining the information necessary discussed.

2.                  It was informally proposed that we use email to begin to develop a survey.

3.                  Tracey suggested that she would check with campus colleagues concerning an appropriate method.

C.                 Pat brought a Family Leave grievance at St. Cloud to the committee’s attention.  She will update us on its progress.

D.                Our next meeting was set for April 20, 2001. 

1.      Old Business:  Release time survey

2.      New Business to include the Board Report, Scholarship reports.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Shannon Skarphol Kaml