UCOD Meeting Notes (September 10, 2024)
UCOD Meeting
September 10, 2024 / 2PM / Zoom
Attendees
Voting Members:
Fang-I Chu, Michael Garafola, Adam Kipust, Christine Kling, Travis Lee, Carolanne Link, Sanaz Nabati, Quinn O’Connor, Sylvia Page, Harold Pimental, Emilia Podesta, Sal Santa Ana, Nicholas Shinghal, Caitlin Solone, Alexa Vaughn
Absent:
Yasamin Boulourian, Kayla Kirsten Regalado
Guests:
Aryan Pandey, Yonit Kovnator, Letty Trevino, Natalie Landau Gibson, Brandie Kirkpatrick, Suzanne Seplow, Veronica Martinez-Lopez, Rob Diaz, Omar Newland
Agenda
1. Intros (TL, 10 mins)
2. Newsletter updates (TL, 15 mins)
a. Issue theme is focused on back to school for undergrads
b. Lead article is on how to be an ally at UCLA
c. If you have a program or position within your department that focuses on supporting disabled students, let the committee know to be included in this issue.
d. Updates on CAE Connect are forthcoming.
3. Disability Pride Week List of Events and Launch Party (QO and TL)
a. Bruin Plaza event will be Tuesday, October 8th from 10am-2pm (not including setup and takedown).
b. Ask for funding
i. Funding will go towards food, swag, and possibly room rental.
ii. Ask respective departments for funding and Travis will provide account info
c. Marketing and getting the word out.
d. Discussion about contacting a possible virtual speaker. Concerns around capacity raised.
4. Subcommittee Updates and Goals for 24-25
a. Website (FC)
i. Considering leaving the EDI main site and develop a brand new UCOD site
1. Possible portal for all disability services
2. Which CMS to use? Who will host? Who will pay for hosting?
3. Possibility of funded graduate student research position and/or volunteers
4. What is the timeline?
5. Who will develop and design it?
6. Can we merge with Be Well Bruin disability resource hub?
7. Would this website also host the MetaMap website merge?
8. Discussion about the need for dedicated website vs. social media
ii. Subcommittee will meet with leadership to continue to discuss cost and logistics of a new website.
b. Newsletter (TL)
i. Goal is to continue for at least 6 more months into June 2025. Strategic Communications is committed through December 2024.
c. Physical Spaces: Status of MetaMap (CL)
i. Fieldwork in spring was unable to be finished due to campus climate.
ii. If anyone is interested in volunteering to do fieldwork or data analysis, please contact Carolanne.
iii. Suggestion to set up as SRP-99, would need a faculty member
d. Research (CK)
i. Goal of this committee is to compile procedures on getting accommodations for research and non-course requirements (e.g. comprehensive exams), summarize departments’ roles and create a flowchart to navigate the processes.
ii. If anyone is interested in contributing, especially from related departments, please contact Christine.
5. Campus Safety and Masking Discussion
a. Please read President Michael Drake’s statement: Updates on UC Campus Climate Efforts.
b. Please read Darnell Hunt’s Four-Point Plan on UCLA Safety.
c. Please read UCLA’s Time, Place, and Manner Policies.
d. Concern expressed that this guidance will disproportionately affect disabled community.
e. Concern expressed over the lack of specific guidance on masking.
f. Proposal to submit comment to administration asking for clarity on the guidance and specifically addressing health and safety concerns.
6. Closed Door Session for Voting Members
a. Committee votes to request from UCOD to ask Interim Vice Provost for EDI Mitchell Chang to express concern, ask for clarification on the policy, and affirm community members’ right to mask.
b. Committee votes to approve guidelines for public speaking.
Action Items
- Quinn will follow up with everyone who signed up for tabling at DPW.
- Fang will meet with leadership about the new website proposal.
- Christine will draft an email to Mitchell Chang to share with voting members by end of the week.
- Sylvia will send guidelines for public speaking to EDI to be posted on the website.
