PCSM irons out study proposal plan

By Stephanie Sonnenfeld ssonnen@emory.edu

Members of the President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities (PCSM) met on Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the Woodruff Room in WHSCAB.

A large part of the meeting focused on discussing topics to address in PCSM’s strategic plan for diversity at Emory. Chair Brenda Seiton said she would like to submit a final proposal to President Bill Chace in January, so work on the plan can begin.

The study will address minority faculty, staff and students. Issues of professional development and advancement for staff were targeted, as was increasing unity among minority faculty on all Emory campuses. Student issues centered around financial aid for minorities and mentoring programs. Also mentioned was recruiting more minorities as both students and faculty.

Seiton said the report should highlight Emory’s strides in the minority community. Once the proposal is submitted, members suggested focus groups, surveys and working with other campus groups as viable ways of gathering data.

In other business, Seiton said nominations for a PCSM chair-elect are being accepted, and the election will be in November. She also said she will take votes via e-mail for a new amendment to increase the group’s membership.

Liaisons are still needed for the President’s Commission on the Status of Women and LGBT Commission, and volunteers are needed for the PCSM student scholarship committee. PCSM will meet again on Monday, Nov. 26, at 3 p.m., in 400 Administration.

If you have a question or concern for PCSM, e-mail Brenda Seiton at bseiton@medadm.emory.edu.