Council on Equal Opportunity and Diversity (CEOD)

End of Year ReportAcademic Year 2007-2008

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee provides oversight, direction, and coordination of activities of its sub-committees

Chairs: Susan Levine and Pranoti Mandrekar

Members: Andrea Badrigian, Warren Ferguson, Emily Ferrara, Paulette Goeden, Robert Layne, Abraham Ndiwane, Lori Pbert, Danna Peterson, Josh Singer, David Slaga, Valerie Wedge

DEOO Support: Marlene Tucker and Marian Wilson

Executive Committee Accomplishments

Received support from the new Medical School Dean for the adoption of best practice guidelines for the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty

Established a nominating committee to ensure representation of staff in Full and Executive Committee membership and leadership

Formalized process for coordinating initiatives with the Women’s Faculty Committee

Established Professional Women’s Committee

Executive Committee Accomplishments

Supported establishment of post-doctoral office

Developed liaison between the clinical system Diversity Advisory Board and CEOD

Organized formal presentations and conducted discussions at the CEOD full and executive committee level to understand demographic/diversity data of the Medical School

Supported activities of the CEOD committees

Executive Committee Goals

Ensure visibility of the CEOD work through annual presentations to department heads, faculty and staff

meetings Explore initiatives to support UMMS Outreach and

Volunteer programs and community involvement Develop training program/diversity champions for

recruitment and retention of diverse employees Review and incorporate AAMC guidelines into

CEOD initiatives Establish a follow-up process related to CEOD

recommendations to the Chancellor

ADA Subcommittee

The ADA Subcommittee works to ensure that UMMS is an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities

Chairs: Angela DiTerlizzi and Shelly Yarnie

Members: Mark Armington, John Congdon, Deborah Harmon Hines, Jodie Nosiglia, Lori Pbert, Robin Pollier, Ann Ruder, Chelsea Wogsland

DEOO Support: Nellie Toney and Marlene Tucker

ADA Subcommittee Accomplishments

An architectural firm was hired to conduct a survey of the University campus to ensure that the campus is accessible to individuals with disabilities

ADA Subcommittee Goals

Continue to offer ADA and accommodations awareness trainings

Provide education to the UMMS community through programs and external resources

Continue working relationship with Facilities to improve access and remove barriers at all University locations

Work with the committee to bring the Baystate Wheelers to the UMMS campus in September for Disability Awareness Month

Civility SubcommitteeThe Civility Subcommittee promotes a civil and respectful organizational culture

Chairs: Eydie Cullen, Ellen Jane Foley, Tom Hopkins

Members: Karen Bixby, Susan Fischer, Sharon Grundel, Bernice Hairston, Elana Hastings, Parto Khorshidi, Rebecca Lich, Lisa Morris, Kathleen Nichols, Michelle Nowers, Anne Pratt, Cherie Ronayne, Ann Ruder, Ronit Velde, Ranjana Verma, Catherine Warren, Jeffrey Way, Mary Zanetti

DEOO Support: Nellie Toney

Civility Subcommittee Accomplishments

Sponsored Civility Day on September 18th: Keynote Dr. Daniel Goleman

Participated in UMMS International Day

Recruited new members to the committee

Civility Subcommittee Goals

To propose a program in which 40 UMMS representatives are trained to become Civility Ambassadors; ambassadors will support staff and departments with issues of incivility

To recognize employees in the organization who exemplify outstanding acts of civility in their workplace

To develop a civility brochure to be distributed at new employee orientation and to assure visibility of the University’s commitment for a civil and respectful organization

Civility Subcommittee Goals

To coordinate a full-day retreat/training by a distinguished trainer for members of the CEOD, Civility committee and other UMMS civility champions

To provide training regarding civility to senior leadership

To create a “Civie” award to recognize employees who exemplify civility

GLBTA Subcommittee

The GLBTA Subcommittee supports the University in its commitment to an environment that is respectful, fair and affirming to all who work and study here, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity

Chair: David Slaga

Members: Caitlin Connolly, Joanne Derr, Emily Ferrara, Charles Labonte, Robert Layne, Chuck Lidz, Jodie Nosiglia, Danna Peterson, Valerie Wedge

DEOO Support: Nellie Toney

GLBTA Subcommittee Accomplishments

Presented a three-part series: Travelin’ Thru – concerning transgender health and life issues

Participated in Worcester PRIDE activities Identified GLBT books to be added to the Lamar

Soutter Library Liaison to the UMass Memorial Clinical System’s

GLBT Health Disparities Initiative through representation at initiative planning meetings

Partnered with QMass to support their activities – Transgender Health luncheon

Supported DEOO in its implementation of GLBTA related trainings (e.g., Safe Space and Allies Trainings)

GLBTA Subcommittee Goals

To sponsor an educational forum/presentation on “Understanding Bisexuality”

To continue with the activities accomplished throughout this year

Support for development of a “QMass Faculty Advisory Group” to expand opportunities for student-faculty exchange and mentorship (possibly through hosting a dinner for interested faculty and students)

International Subcommittee

The International Subcommittee provides welcome and support to UMMS international employees and their families

Chair: Michelle Deignan

Members: Jenny Babon, Bob Grant, Jun Guo, Mary Handley, Janice Lagace, Robert Layne, Abraham Ndiwane, Linda Nelson, Naomi Northrop, Mary Ellen Nsiah, Mohan Pahari

DEOO Support: Nellie Toney

International Subcommittee Accomplishments

Sponsored the third annual International Festival of Cultures, May 9, 2008

Supported and coordinated English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for employees

International Subcommittee Goals

ISSO website is in process of being revised and will link incoming and current employees to UMMS and Worcester resources

Plan for 2009 Festival

Establish a volunteer mentoring program for incoming international employees

Mature Workforce Subcommittee

The Mature Workforce Subcommittee serves the needs of the mature worker

Chair: Michael Gregory

Members: Jennifer Carey, Karin Fitch, Janet Hirsch, Pat Keith, Phillip Merriam, Wendy Miller, Robert O’Connell, Robin Pollier, Josh Singer

DEOO Support: Nellie Toney and Marian Wilson

Mature Workforce Subcommittee Accomplishments

Submitted proposal to establish an office of retired UMMS employees to coordinate benefits and opportunities for retirees on campus

Co-sponsored two events with the Work Life Office: Redesigning Retirement Balancing your life – meeting the needs of older

relatives

During Older Americans Month, sponsored a presentation by Deborah Banda, State Director of AARP

Mature Workforce Subcommittee Goals

To co-sponsor, with the Work Life Office, a four-part series in October – “Issues in Caring for Elders”

To review and develop strategies for departmental succession planning for knowledge retention

Review concept of “phased retirement”

Minority Academic Achievement Committee (MAAC)

Committee Purpose: The Committee is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and residents at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. In particular we seek to recruit and retain faculty and residents from underrepresented minority groups.

MAAC

Chairs: Danna Peterson and Warren Ferguson

Members: Onesky Aupont, John Congdon, Linda Cragin, Anthony Davis, Sheilah Dorsey, Chyke Doubeni, Deborah Harmon Hines, Jose Lemos, Benjamin Nwosu, Robin Pollier, Yvonne Shelton, Bob Woodland

DEOO Support: Marian Wilson, ex officio member; Bonnie Bray, administrative support

MAAC Accomplishments: Institutional

Committee was renamed

Half time faculty diversity leader has been added to the administrative organization chart in Faculty Administration

Dean and hospital CEO have included a diversity objective to department chair’s annual goals

MAAC Accomplishments: Faculty

Two new faculty diversity scholars awarded: Drs. Ben Nwosu and Sonia Ortiz

Dr. Chyke Doubeni represented the Committee on the Working Group for Faculty and Leadership Development

MAAC Accomplishments:Residents and Fellows

Subcommittee formed to enhance diversity recruitment and retention among GSBS students and fellows

Ad hoc committee formed to improve resident recruitment and retention

Faculty development workshop being piloted on provision of feedback to residents of color and international graduates

MAAC Goals

To expand and enhance structure of Faculty Diversity Scholars Program committee

To contribute to searches for Vice Provost and Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

To focus on resident recruitment and retention

Professional Women’s Subcommittee

The mission of the Professional Women’s Subcommittee is to create a work environment that is inclusive and supportive of all professional women employees, enhances their professional and personal development, promotes salary equity at all professional levels, and enables UMMS to earn their individual and collective regard as an “employer of choice”

Chairs: Mary Handley and Audrey Smolkin

Members: Andrea Badrigian, Linda Benson, Jennifer Carey, Sheilah Dorsey, Kristin Mullins, Christine Pimentel, Kathleen Trumpaitis, Randi Wasik, Valerie Wedge, Sue Young

DEOO Support: Marlene Tucker

Professional Women’s Subcommittee Accomplishments

Recruited membership, formalized committee, and held monthly meetings

Established three work groups: Information Gathering, Focus Groups, Mission

Attended relevant conferences to obtain information that was shared with the committee

Discussed potential speakers and events Hosted two speakers: Joanne Derr who spoke about

career ladders; and Judy Ockene who spoke about mentoring

Presented draft mission statement to CEOD for review and approval

Compile a user-friendly demographic profile of professional women from data available in DEOO, HR and other related sources

Support the UMass Gender Equity Salary study Host a networking event, recruitment meeting, or

open house in fall 2008 Host one-two additional networking get-togethers Initiate a speakers program possibly in partnership

with the Women’s Faculty Committee Monitor programming recommendations and

implementation of work group findings to assure compliance

Re-evaluate mission on the basis of new information and set/revise priorities accordingly

Professional Women’s Subcommittee Goals

Recruitment and Representation Subcommittee

To review the current membership of the CEOD, determine “gaps” in representation, and develop a recruitment plan that ensures that there is inclusive representation on the council of the entire UMMS community

Chair: Andrea Badrigian

Members: Karin Fitch, Bob Grant, Josh Singer

DEOO Support: Bonnie Bray

R&R Subcommittee Accomplishments

Drafted a document called Proposed Recruitment

Committee Mission, Role and Responsibilities. This

document serves as a guide for the new standing

Recruitment Committee, which we propose should

commence in academic year 2008-2009.

R&R Subcommittee Goals

To cease as an ad hoc committee; the Recruitment

Committee will become a new standing committee

and will take on the role of ensuring successful

recruitment and representation efforts for the CEOD