Minutes
Maximizing government-wide collaborative efforts directed towards
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Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Community of Partners Council (MSI-COPC) Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2008 Chairperson Senora Coggs called the meeting to order at 1015.
Chairperson Coggs requested a round robin of introductions of all personnel in attendance. The following Federal departments/agencies and organizations were represented: Camos Guzman, MBDA; Dominique Smith, DOL; Antionette St. Clair, BBG; Tracey Scrivner, USAID; Clarissa Lara, Treasury ;; Senora Coggs, DOC; Brenda Berry, DOL. Chairperson Coggs called upon the Council to share highlights from the WHI-TCU Annual Cluster Meeting, held March 27, 2008, at the Department of Education, in Washington, DC. Sylvia Jones, DOI, stated some of the topics discussed are as follows: Ø Taking the WHI-TCU Program Seriously Ø Sub-contracting Opportunities for MSIs on Prime Contracts Ø Remediation/Retention Initiatives for STEM Students Jonathan Newton, EPA, briefed Council members, program managers, and guest on the upcoming 4th Annual Minority Serving Research Institutions’ Partnership (MSRIP) Conference, hosted by Dillard University, May 12-15, 2008, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Conference highlights/tracks follow: Ø NASA Research & Development Presentation Ø Campus Based Initiatives o STEM Research o Research & Entrepreneurship Ø Capacity Building o Federal Contracting Opportunities o Effective Grants Management Systems Ø Cross-Cutting Initiatives o Advocacy for MSIs o Multi-Institution Collaborations NOTE: Access MSRIP Conference details at: http://www.msirp2008.com/ Chairperson Coggs reminded Council members, program managers, and guest, the WHI on HBCUs will host a Federal Agency wide Technical Assistance (TA) Conference at Norfolk State University on April 29-30, 2008. Federal agencies are being asked to participate and share information on current and projected HBCU opportunities. The conference will utilize concurrent workshops and speakers to share important information. It is anticipated that sponsored program officials, contracting and grants officers, EEO personnel, small business representatives, and prime contractors will attend the conference. Gwendolyn White, USCG, ask the question, “How are TA Conferences marketed to MSIs” or How do MSIs determine whether or not they will participate in TA Conferences? Jonathan Newton replied, generally MSIs will perform a cost benefit analysis, to determine the level of participation, if any. Cynthia Brice suggested for the upcoming Norfolk State TA Conference and future conferences, that MSIs be contacted personally, to encourage maximum participation in the conference. Jonathan Newton proposed the WHI on HBCUs consider adding an IPA Roundtable to the Annual HBCU Conference Week Agenda. The MSI-COPC will serve as panelist. Sylvia Jones stated DOI has a Federal Employee onsite in Florida via IPA. Mr. Newton, added quantitative measures have dictated EPA not placing a Fed onsite at MSIs. Calvina Dupre, USAID, stated USDA has placed HBCU Liaison Officers onsite at Land Grant Institutions for recruitment/retention purposes. Cynthia Brice stated strategic partnerships between Federal agencies and MSIs must produce tangible products, e.g., internships (linking student educational backgrounds to agency business requirements for purposes of developing and retaining the future work force, post graduation), grants, contracts, etc. Simply stated, MSIs must see the benefits derived from the strategic partnership with Federal agencies, and the government must realize the return on investment of Federal resources. Chairperson Coggs petitioned the Council to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2008 and March 11, 2008 meetings, subject to any changes. The Council agreed to forward changes to the minutes via e-mail to the Council Secretary. Chairperson Coggs presented the Council with a proposal to establish a website for the MSI-COPC at the March meeting. The cost to maintain the website is approximately $9 annually as opposed to $10 per month as previously reported. Chairperson Coggs will develop the MSI-COPC webpage. Sylvia Jones suggested a link on the MSI-COPC website to departmental/agency websites highlighting MSI Program accomplishments. Chairperson Coggs petitioned the Council to nominate candidates for the offices of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary. Additionally, Chairperson Coggs called for volunteers to serve on the Council’s Standing Committees. Standing Committee Members are posted on the attached document. Clarissa Lara, Treasury, requested Council Members share copies of MOUs. Council Members agreed to e-mail examples of MOUs. Steven Shafran suggested she google MOAs/MOUs to attain some additional examples of MOUs. Cynthia Brice mentioned utilizing MSIs as a direct resource for acquiring copies of MOUs. Steven Shafran suggested a link on the MSI-COPC webpage to Department/agency Top 5 MOUs. Chairperson Coggs called for volunteers to host MSI-COPC monthly meetings beginning with the month of June. Ron Blakely, WHI-HBCU, will host the May 20, 2008, meeting. NOTE: MSI-COPC Professional Development Seminars are suspended for the Summer months and will resume in the Fall. Chairperson Coggs stated the MSI-COPC plans to begin spotlighting the host department/agency at the monthly meetings. The spotlight consists of a departmental/agency overview and MSI program highlights/accomplishments (approximately 10-15 minutes in length). Sylvia Jones. During the March Executive Board Meeting, it was suggested the MSI-COPC consider hosting a TA Workshop in the Spring of 2009. It is anticipated the workshop will be approximately 1.5 days in length, and the target audience is Federal departments/agencies (MSI Program Managers/Coordinators/Contracting Officers), and MSIs (Faculty/Administrators/Students). Suggested Workshop Tracks include Capacity Building, Federal Contracting Opportunities, and Professional Development. Council Members were tasked to provide a list of suggested topics for the workshop by/at the May Council meeting. In-turn, the Council will vote to determine the workshop tracks and subsequent structure. Chairperson Coggs stated INEAP is interested in meeting with the MSI-COPC to discuss alternative sources of Federal funding, potentially beneficial to MSIs. Administrative Announcements are as follows: Ø HACU’s 13th Annual National Capitol Forum, April 13-15, 2008, Washington, DC Ø WHI-TCU Annual Report is due April 25, 2008 Ø WHI on HBCUs will host a Federal Agency wide Technical Assistance (TA) Conference at Norfolk State University on April 29-30, 2008 Ø 4th National Minority Serving Research Institutions’ Partnership Conference, hosted by Dillard University in New Orleans, LA, May 12-15, 2008 o EPA to provide after action report Ø BBG 7th Annual Diversity Day Celebration, May 7, 2008, Wilbur J. Cohen Building, Washington, DC Ø DOI 4th Annual Diversity Day Celebration, June 9-12, 2008, Washington, DC Ø DOC/NRC TA Conference, September 2008, Dallas, TX Chairperson Coggs provided Council Members, Program Managers, and guest in attendance with handouts as follows: Ø MSI-COPC March Minutes Ø MSI-COPC List of Standing Committees/Working Groups/Membership The MSI-COPC Meeting adjourned at 1140.
Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Community of Partners Council (MSI-COPC) Meeting Minutes March 11, 2008
Chairperson Senora Coggs called the meeting to order at 1015. Chairperson Coggs thanked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for hosting the March Meeting/Professional Development Seminar. Specifically, Chairperson Coggs thanked EPA Council Member Jonathan Newton, Cassandra Freeman, Deputy Director, EPA, Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), and the keynote speaker Carrie L. Billy, Deputy Director, American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) for taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with the Council, MSI Program Managers, and guest. Mr. Newton (EPA) provided a Minority Academics Institution Program (MAI) overview. The primary focus of the MAI is to increase their capacity to compete for and participate in Federal programs. In January 2007, the MAI Program was transferred to the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, renamed OSBP. The transfer of program responsibility allows the MAIs to benefit from OSBP outreach resources. Under the leadership of OSBP, the agency held a “HBCU Meet and Greet” during National HBCU Week, developed implementation strategies for existing MOUs, assumed leadership roles on interagency groups established to increase support to HBCUs, and formed a steering committee comprised of Senior Executives across the agency to institute internal policy guidance for MAIs and increase program visibility. Mr. Newton stated the OSBP is on a mission to do M.O.R.E. with the MAIs. Further, he stated he hopes all Federal agencies will join EPA in providing MAI program support. Jonathan Newton formally introduced the Deputy Director, OSBP, EPA, Cassandra Freeman. Ms. Freeman is a veteran in the acquisitions arena, joining EPA from DOD with more than 19-years of experience in the field. She is also an active Professor at Howard University. On behalf of the Director, OSBP, at EPA, Ms. Jeanette Brown, Ms. Freeman welcomed MSI-COPC Members, Departmental/Agency Program Managers, guest, and the keynote speaker Carrie Billy, Deputy Director, AIHEC. Ms. Freeman commended the Council for its staunch commitment to strengthen MSIs/MAIs through Federal program support. Chairperson Coggs requested a round robin of introductions of all personnel in attendance. The following Federal departments/agencies and organizations were represented: Carrie Billie, AIHEC Jonathan Newton, EPA Robert Dingle, DHS Teree Henderson, EPA Ron Blakely, WHI-HBCU Brenda Martin, VA Debbie Cavett, WHI-TCU JoAnn Brant, EPA Nicole Mason, DOC Carol Walls, NRC Christopher Smoot, DHS Antionette St. Clair, BBG Brenda Berry, DOL
Ø Carrie Billie thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak on behalf of AIHEC and the Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU). She stated, “AIHEC is the collective spirit and unifying voice of our nation’s TCUs. AIHEC provides leadership and influences public policy on American Indian higher education issues through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promotes and strengthens Native American languages, cultures, communities and tribal nations; and through its unique position, serves member institutions and emerging TCUs.” Ø Ms. Billie indicated the first TCU was established in 1968 by/for the American Indians. Currently, there are 37 TCUs located in 14 states and one in Canada, serving a population of approximately 27,000, and 100,000 more through community outreach in Indian Country. All TCUs offer Associate Degree Programs, eight offer Baccalaureate Programs, and two offer Master’s Degree Programs. The student population at TCUs is predominantly women, approximately 66 percent. The average age of students attending TCUs ranges from 16-24 years young; one third of the student population is over the age of 30. Approximately 90 percent of students enrolled in TCUs are receiving financial aid. The graduation rate is 55 percent. Ø AIHEC- The Collective Voice and Spirit of TCUs was established in the mid-1970’s, as the advocate for Federal TCU Legislation and Funding. TCUs are the most poorly funded institutions of higher education in the country. Currently, under the TCU Assistance Act, the authorized Federal appropriation for a full-time Indian Student is currently $5,300; legislation is pending to increase the appropriation to $6,000 (FY09). Key Federal appropriations for TCU programs include: v Interior – Twenty-five TCUs depend on funds authorized under the Tribal College Act of 1978. In FY 2007, over 26 years after the Tribal College Act was first funded, the institutional operating grants reached 80 percent of the authorized level. v Agriculture – AIHEC member institutions achieved Federal land grant status through the passage of the “Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994,” which provides approximately $107,000 per institution, to assist in establishing agriculturally focused academic programs. NOTE: Thirty-one of the 37 TCUs are classified as Land Grant Institutions. v Education – Title III-A, Section 316, of the Higher Education Act (HEA) provides two grant programs for TCUs: A 5-years basic development grant to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of TCUs as well as the infrastructure. Secondly, a 1-year construction grant to address critical needs for new construction, renovations, and maintenance of facilities. The College Cost Reduction Act, signed into law in September 2007, includes a one time appropriation of $60M for TCUs under the HEA Title III-A program. v Farm Bill Reauthorization (FBR) – Reauthorization of the Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994, as well as TCU Rural Development Essential Community Facilities Program (RDECFP), is included in the House version of the FBR. The TCU RDECFP will allow more TCUs to participate in this vital construction program. v TCU-HHS Initiative – Introduced in July 2007, by Senator’s Jon Tester (MT) and Byron Dorgan (ND) –Through Higher Education – Promoting the Advancement of the Tribal Health Act, “The PATH.” v The Alliance for Equity in Higher Education (AFEHE) - The AFEHE was established in 1999 by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), and AIHEC, representing the interest of TCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities respectively. Legislation collaborated on during the first session of the 110th Congress includes: § HEA Reauthorization § 2008 Budget Reconciliation Act § Minority Serving Institutions Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act § Minority Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pilot Program Bill Ø The AIHEC Strategic Plan for TCUs consist of four key elements: v Sustainability = Operational Funding for all TCUs. v Performance Accountability = Federal and private sector support to sustain AIHEC AIMS (data collection system), and a TCU led capacity building program designed to ensure success and accountability to students, communities, and funding sources. v Strengthening Communities = Support for “The PATH”: Through Higher Education – Promoting the Advancement of the Tribal Health Act,” a bill to develop a comprehensive program within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for greater TCU involvement in critically needed health and socio-economic development programs. v Student Engagement = Establish a TCU - Specific Student Support Services program within the U.S. Department of Education to strengthen the capacity of TCUs to provide high quality, culturally integrated programs, address changing student demographics, and ensure the on-going engagement of students. Ø Technology STEM: v TCUs have developed and fielded state-of-the-art IT capabilities to include: § Broadband Connectivity § Smart Classrooms and Distance Education § Wireless Backbone Connectivity § Research P-Ships § AIHEC’s Virtual Library Ø International Projects - World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC): Through a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, the first steps have been taken to implement a WINHEC Pilot Accreditation Project for TCUs and Native American Studies Departments, at institutions of higher education in the United States. Three tribal colleges and one post secondary education institution with an American Studies program have begun the WINHEC accreditation process and anticipate completing the requirements in 2008. Ø AIHEC AIMS Vision: Foundation for systemic reform that accurately measures American Indian successes in higher education. Ø AIHEC Indigenous Evaluation Framework Initiative: Synthesizes indigenous ways of knowing and western robust evaluation processes that effectively build on indigenous values, ways of knowing and protocols; ownership and community; establishes training institutes for educators; and introduces new evaluation theory. Ø Return on Investment: United Tribes Technical College, North Dakota, $46.7M in direct/secondary benefits to states economy; Sitting Bull College, South Dakota, service delivery and economic driver on reservation (80 percent of nursing force); Dine College, Tsaile, AZ, K-12 Teacher Preparation. Ø AIHEC Vision: Sovereign Nations through Excellence in Tribal Higher Education Antionette St. Clair, BBG, inquired as to whether TCUs offer a 4-year degree program in Broadcasting? Carrie Billie responded Fort Belmont College in Montana has a Broadcasting Program and Salish Kootenai College in Pablo Montana has a television station. Cassandra Freeman, EPA, reference the retention problem at TCUs, what initiatives are in place to address deficiencies in Science and Math in rural areas? Ms. Billie responded, while there is no finite answer to this question, the K-12 program targets students beginning in 5th grade to strengthen math and science skill sets. Chairperson Coggs petitioned the Council to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2008, meeting, subject to any changes. The Council agreed to e-mail changes to the minutes to the Council Secretary. Chairperson Coggs presented the Council with a hard copy template of the MSI Directory for review/comments. It is anticipated the MSI Directory available on CD at the April Meeting Chairperson Coggs presented the Council with a proposal to establish a website for the MSI-COPC. The cost to maintain the website is approximately $10 per month. This item was tabled for discussion/vote at the April meeting. Chairperson Coggs petitioned Council Members to nominate candidates for the Office of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary of the MSI-COPC. Chairperson Coggs called upon Council Members, Federal Departments/Agency Representatives to affirm their commitment to serve as active members of the MSI-COPC and Standing Committees. Administrative Announcements are as follows: Ø TCU Annual Report is due April 25, 2008 Ø WHI on HBCUs will host a Federal Agency wide Technical Assistance (TA) Conference at Norfolk State University on April 28-29, 2008 The MSI-COPC Meeting adjourned at 1145. |