DRAFT

MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS

OCTOBER 29, 1996

12 NOON

PRESENT: Chair: Clinton I. Young, Jr. Members: Lois Bronz, Bob Darcy

Staff: Lynne Creighton, Daniel Rodriguez AAAB: Albert

Williams, Dr. Benjamin Dyett Dr. Maria Munoz-Kantha-Pres.,

S.A.L.A. (Society for the Advancement of the Latino Agenda, Inc.)

The meeting was called to order at 12Noon by Mr. Young.

The minutes of October 15, 1996 were approved on motion of Mrs. Bronz, seconded by Mr. Young, by a vote of 2-0 (Mr. Darcy was not present for the vote).

Mr. Young gave an update on the ongoing issue with the County Executive pertaining to the obtaining of information regarding Minority and women-owned business participation in contracts. Mr. Young said that nothing has transpired, and that he had not received any further information.

Mr. Young further stated that the issue is far from over and at the committee’s suggestion he has started preparing legislation and hopes to have a draft of the legislation for the committee’s review within the next few weeks.

Mr. Young welcomed Dr. Maria Munoz-Kantha, who is the founder of S.A.L.A.

(Society for the Advancement of the Latino Agenda, which is a consultation firm on education, research, community/economic development, policy and legislative movement. S.A.L.A. collaborates with the Federal, State and Local government on issues of affirmative action and immigration laws, and they participate in the planning of National Leadership conferences for Hispanics in America.

Dr. Munoz-Kantha also works closely with the County Executive, board of legislators, district leaders, community merchants and human service providers to determine the needs of the growing Hispanic community in Westchester from South America, Central America, Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Munoz-Kantha said her main concern is issues of higher education and the need for mentors, role models, deans, administrators, etc. She said that she and other qualified hispanics had actively pursued positions at Westchester Community College, Mercy College SUNY Purchase, etc. and found that there was minimal response in terms of recruiting minorities.

DRAFT

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COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFIARS

Dr. Munoz-Kantha said that these issues need to be addressed.

Dr. Munoz-Kantha made note of the fact that minorities account for 47% of enrollment at WCC and Latinos approximately 40%.

Dr. Munoz-Kantha said she had applied for a postion at WCC on the administrative level about two years ago and was told she was over-qualified. She asked Legislator Delfino to follow up on the situation and received a letter from Dr. Hankin, praising her credentials, but still stating that she was over-qualified. However, Dr. Hankin stated that he was willing to meet with her to discuss the situation and she called him several times to set up an appointment, but he never returned her calls.

Mrs. Bronz suggested meeting with the Board Chair of WCC.

Mr. Young said he would request information from Administration on Latino participation throughout the County and will keep Dr. Munoz-Kantha updated.

Mr. Young said he will also get an update on the staff at WCC.

After further discussion on this issue, Mr. Young thanked Dr. Munoz-Kantha for presenting her concerns to the committee.

Mrs. Bronz reported on a tribute to Paul Robeson being planned for next year

and that a meeting was to take place at the Ethical Society in White Plains at 7:30 tonight.

The next item for discussion was Agenda ITEM 1DD - Hon. Kay Carsky - Forwarding a request for a resolution of support for the proposal to build a memorial dedicated to all the women who served in the United States Armed Forces (10.7.96)

Mr. Darcy suggested sending it out of committee to get a vote on the floor and Mrs. Bronz suggested drafting a resolution .

Mrs. Bronz moved that Staff draft an appropriate resolution in support of the memorial to all the women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, to be presented to the Board from the Committee on Minority Affairs. Mr. Darcy seconded the motion, which was passed by a vote of 3-0.

Mr. Young entertained a motion to adjourn at 12:40pm, moved by Mr. Darcy, seconded by Mrs. Bronz, passed by a vote of 3-0.