The first half of the President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities (PCSM) Jan. 27 meeting focused on the group’s upcoming “Diversity as Value Added” symposium, scheduled for Tuesday, March 4.

The symposium planning committee now consists of members from the president’s commissions on the Status of Women (PCSW) and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) Concerns. Cosponsors are asked to donate between $50 and $500 to help offset program costs and allow symposium events to be free to the Emory community.

Spelman College President Beverly Daniel Tatum will deliver the keynote address, “How is Diversity Lived on College Campuses and Why Diversity Matters.” Following the address, attendees will attend topic discussions and reassemble during the final part of the day’s events. Findings from the discussions will be presented in a report to President Bill Chace.

While a majority of the symposium will take place on Tuesday, March 4, there are related events on March 3 and tentatively on March 5. A panel discussion featuring Emory students, faculty, staff and administrators and their thoughts on campus diversity will be held March 3 at 6 p.m. Planned for March 5 is a showing of The Two Towns of Jasper, a documentary by Whitney Dow and Marco Williams exploring the 1998 death of James Byrd, an African American who was chained to a pick-up truck and dragged to death by three white supremacists in Jasper, Texas. PCSM also discussed the possibility of inviting the filmmakers to the showing.

Members suggested that the commission purchase copies of Tatum’s book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, to read prior to the keynote address so members could be informed on her work. Jody Usher, symposium committee planning chair, said she would look into ordering copies through Druid Hills Bookstore.

In other business, Brenda Nix presented a proposed survey from the staff concerns committee that would measure the campus diversity climate from a staff perspective. John Hammond of Goizueta Business School led the development of the survey. It was determined the group should meet with Human Resources representatives next step to explore the options of administering the survey, possibly in March.

PCSM will meet again on Feb. 25 in 400 Administration at 3 p.m.

If you have a question or concern for PCSM, e-mail Nagueyalti Warren at nwarren@emory.edu.