Charter for Diversity Commission of
Des Moines Area Community College
Creation Date: February 6, 2007
Past Revision Date: March 27, 2012
Revision Date: May 4, 2021
Revision Date: July 19, 2022
Revision Date: November 7, 2022
I. Mission/Vision/Goals
Mission: Diversity awareness is the full recognition and appreciation of human value. Des Moines Area Community College will actively advocate for diversity awareness and ensure the integration of diversity into all aspects of institutional life.
Vision: To create a culture in which all people are valued and supported, and to celebrate the similarities and differences among us. In doing so, we will prepare the DMACC community to live, to learn, and to work together in a global society.
Goals:
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Engage students, staff, faculty, and administration in an open, supportive, and responsive environment.
- Provide resources for faculty to use to create curriculum that reflects a multicultural approach in the classroom.
- Offer diversity education and development opportunities for the DMACC community.
- Plan activities and special events on our campuses that promote diversity.
- Actively assist students who represent a diverse world through the Diversity Commission Student Scholarship Program.
- Partner with Human Resources and administration to actively recruit and hire people with diverse backgrounds
- Market and communicate the function, goals, and activities of the Diversity Commission district wide.
- Seek community partners to advocate diversity.
- Provide opportunities for historically minoritized students to successfully complete their education goals.
II. Structure
Chair or Co-Chairs
Selection - Elected by Commission
Term - One year with the possibility of one additional year. Chair(s) will serve from June 1 – May 31.
Succession -
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Vice-chair(s) will be appointed or elected by the April Meeting and will serve as chair the following year; they will complete term if a Chair(s) is unable to act.
- The retiring chair(s) will serve as past-chair(s) either as a voting member of the Commission if their Commission term has not expired, or as a non-voting advisor if their Commission term has expired.
- If the vice chair(s) assumes the chair position, a new vice-chair(s) will be elected by the Commission.
Commission Members
Selection:
- At the beginning of each academic year the Diversity Commission will review members status and send out a call to fill vacant positions.
- Campus positions-one from each campus and at least one center; recommended by a co-worker, approved by a supervisor, and approved by the commission. (minimum of 6 positions)
- District at-large positions- recommended by a co-worker, approved by a supervisor from any campus or offices that serve the entire college; approved by the commission. (minimum 9 positions, three of which could be students)
- Non-voting, ex-officio, positions - non-voting positions appointed by department supervisors in the following areas: Student Activities Council, Marketing, and Library. The Director and Assistant Director from the DEI office and our Diversity Commission Administrative assistant will also serve as a non-voting, Ex-Officio members.
Terms: (Campus, District at-large positions)
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New
members will be on a 3-month probationary period prior to being approved by the commission. Newly elected members’ terms will be retroactive based on their probationary start date.
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Commissioners will serve three-year terms. Terms run from June 1st through May 31st.
- An additional year may be added for Chair(s)/Vice-Chair(s) if necessary, to complete term of the position.
- Previous Chair(s) will remain on the Commission one year after their term ends as Chair. This will be a non-voting position unless this year completed their 3rd year of a 3-year term. Retiring members will remain off the Commission for one year before being able to join again.
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When members are due to retire, a call for new members will be sent to the campus, center, or department. If no one responds to that call, the original member may serve two consecutive terms before retiring if approved by the majority of the Commission.
Replacement of Members/Completion of Commission
If members do not complete their terms, or if campuses do not designate members, those positions will be filled as at-large positions appointed of the Commission.
Criteria for Removal from Commission
Committee members need to maintain 75 percent attendance and active engagement during their term of employment. Members will be notified by Commission Chair(s) if the threshold is not met, which may result in removal from the commission.
III. Leadership
Committee Designation
Committees will be created and maintained at the discretion of the Commission. A member of the Commission will serve as the committee chair for each of the areas of emphasis. At the end of the semester, each area of emphasis will submit a short report about the goals they set for the semester and what was accomplished.
Areas of Emphasis
Curriculum - The purpose of the Curriculum committee is to develop and maintain a working model for a diversity requirement for AA graduates, to encourage the inclusion of diversity competencies and activities in all DMACC programs, and to promote an academic culture of "diversity across the curriculum." Members of this area of emphasis will also serve as readers for the Student Awards.
Human Resources - The purpose of the Human Resources Diversity Committee is to work with the Affirmative Action Committee to ensure DMACC's policies and procedures do not present any barriers to the fair and equitable treatment of our employees and job applicants. The committee also provides input for the faculty and staff development diversity awareness training activities including the annual in-service.
Student Services - (Academic Support/Student Life) - The purpose of the Student Concerns standing committee is to address all student initiatives and concerns relating to the mission of the Diversity Commission.
Events/Marketing - The purpose of the Events/Marketing standing committee is to identify and organize events that would help to create an atmosphere of diversity at DMACC and to encourage participation of college and surrounding community members through appropriate means of promotion. At least 1/3 of the commission must serve on this area of emphasis due to the nature of the work.
Community Relations/Partnerships - The purpose of the Community Relations/Partnerships standing committee is to increase and improve DMACC's connections to the greater community by developing partnerships with other area businesses to promote an atmosphere of valuing diversity.
Ad Hoc Committees
Ad hoc committees will be created and maintained as deemed necessary by the commission.
Ad Hoc Tapestry Award Committee
The Commission will send out a district-wide call for nominations for the Tapestry Award each year. The Commission will have the option to nominate one person for the award each year. The Awards will be presented at DMACC’sspring In-Service day.
Ad Hoc Teacher Toolkit Committee
The Commission will provide DEI resources, suggestions and opportunities for faculty and staff members to assist them in integrating these topics into their curriculum and/or committees.
IV. Meetings
Frequency
The Commission will have at least two regular meetings each semester; fall, spring, and summer terms.
Emergency sessions may be called by the chair(s) as deemed necessary.
Rules of Order
Meetings will be conducted using a limited version Robert's Rules.
Agenda
A published agenda will be distributed to Commission members prior to a regular meeting by the Chair(s).
Voting
The Commission may act if there is agreement of a majority of those members present, but there must be a minimum of seven voting members.
Minutes
Each meeting will be recorded and archived via business communication software.
Minutes of the previous meeting will be presented for approval by the Commission members.
V. Authority
The Diversity Commission will recommend DMACC policies and procedures as they relate to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Office of DEI), who will then take the recommendation to the President's Cabinet. If the recommendation is approved by the Cabinet, the Cabinet will direct appropriate individuals, offices, or departments to carry out the decisions.
VI. Accountability
The Diversity Commission will keep a record of activities, trainings and other events which can be made available to the President of DMACC upon request.
VII. Budget
The Commission will use funds designated to them by the Board as discretionary funds to be used for speakers, scholarships, training, marketing materials, conferences, institution building, and other expenses deemed necessary by the Commission which contribute to the achievement of the goals and mission.
VIII. Changes to Charter
Changes to the charter of the Diversity Commission must be done by two consecutive votes in which 2/3 of the sitting Commission approve the changes. The first vote must occur at a commission meeting with the second approval occurring either electronically or at the following meeting.