HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-03-2012 Ad Hoc Diversity Committeer
I�'p°;L CITY OF IOWA CITY
M E M RA N D U M
Date: November 30, 2012
To: Ad Hoc Diversity Committee Members
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Committee Packet for meeting on December 3, 2012
The following documents are for your review and comment at the next Committee meeting:
Agenda for 12/03/12 (page 1)
Minutes of November 13, 15, 19 (pages 2 - 19)
Transcription of Information Gathering Session of November 15 (pages 20 — 39)
Information from Committee Member Vanden Berg re small groups in high schools (page 40)
Materials from City Clerk:
• Survey /Input draft form (pages 41 — 42)
• Proposed list of recommendations (page 43)
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND ALL MEETINGS
AD HOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
Monday, December 3, 2012
Harvat Hall in City Hall
410 East Washington Street
4:00 PM
1. Approve November 13, 15, 19 minutes
2. Information Gathering Session discussion
3. General Board discussion
Information Gathering Sessions using subcommittee
Survey /Input draft
4. Tentative Meeting Schedule
• December 10
• December 17
• January 7
5. Public Input
6. Adjournment
I/✓
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 13, 2012
MINUTES DRAFT
CITY COUNCIL AD HOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 13, 2012
HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM IN CITY HALL, 4:00 P.M.
Members Present: Kingsley Botchway II, Joan Vanden Berg, Bakhit Bakhit, Cindy
Roberts, Joe Dan Coulter, Orville Townsend, Sr.
Members Absent: LaTasha Massey
Staff Present: Dilkes, Karr, Markus
Others Present: Charlie Eastham, Jerry Partridge
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None
CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chair Botchway at 4:05 P.M
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
Coulter moved to approve the minutes of the October 29, 2012, Ad Hoc Diversity
Committee, as presented.
Townsend seconded the motion.
The motion carried 6 -0; Massey absent.
INFORMATION GATHERING SESSION DISCUSSION:
Botchway noted that Members should have a copy of his email which showed what he
plans to say at the upcoming public input session. He asked if anyone had anything to
add to his remarks. Coulter spoke first, noting that he believes they need to make it
clear to the audience what the Committee's charge is. Botchway noted that he will
stipulate in the introduction that if those speaking start to go off topic, he will stop them
and ask that they remain on the topic at hand. Townsend suggested that they should let
people know that their concerns will be listened to, even if off topic. Roberts stated that
she believes they need to say something to let the public know that they view the
openness of this information gathering session as being very important, that it's not an
open forum for any topic, but that the Committee will make note of all concerns
expressed. It was suggested that language be included that all information is important
to the Committee; and because of time constraints the remarks may be considered at
the Committee's next meeting.
Botchway then spoke about how they will handle public input, asking if they will be giving
their name and address. Karr noted that having the address is a necessity if the
Committee would like to get in touch with anyone or follow up with them for additional
information. Charlie Eastham clarified his suggestion at a previous meeting that they
should let those in attendance Thursday night know that by giving their name and
address is not related to a person's citizenship status. Townsend asked if they truly
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 13, 2012
need to get this information or if giving one's name would be enough. Karr noted that
the fliers and the news release both gave the message of speakers' needing to give their
name and address. Dilkes added that they can tell participants that they are asking for
this information in order to follow up for further information, but that they should not push
the issue if someone is reluctant to give their address. Karr noted that there will be a
sign -in sheet for participants, and suggested that they add Bothchway's remarks to the
bottom of the agenda for Thursday evening distribution so that people would have all of
it together on one sheet of paper. Botchway then spoke to whether or not they should
stop someone who starts to speak about something they've already heard. Dilkes
responded that she believes they should not do this, that they need to let people speak.
Roberts asked what the timeframe is for people to speak and how they will keep track of
this. Coulter stated that he doesn't believe they need an actual timer. Karr suggested
that she keep track of the time and can let the Committee know when the person is at
the 2 1/2- minute mark. Botchway shared his concerns on time, noting that he believes it
needs to be fair for all. He likes the use of a 3- minute timeframe. Karr spoke briefly to
Members, noting that the information gathering will be live on the Library Channel. She
asked Members how they would like to handle any lapses between speakers, such as
shutting off the sound until the next speaker steps up. Coulter stated that during periods
of inactivity they need to remember that the sound will be on at all times. Karr stated
that this is why they ask if they should shut off the sound, that staff will be present at all
times and just need direction from the Committee on how to handle this session.
Townsend spoke to the statement distributed " ...provide recommendations regarding
minority issues regarding transportation and police "; and suggested they eliminate one
of the `regardings' and make the second one 'related to,' and then replace police with
law enforcement. Botchway agreed with this statement, noting that he will have that on
his final outline. Roberts noted that even though this session will not be an interaction
with the speakers, would the Members be able to ask questions to help clarify
someone's concerns. Botchway noted that if they are not clear on something they
should definitely ask for clarification so they can take the issue up for discussion. Dilkes
suggested that Botchway remove the second to last sentence relating to minutes of the
meeting. Karr suggested the wording clarify each presenter will have three minutes, and
remove "and goes into our minutes for the meeting ". Karr then asked the Members if
they would like a complete transcription of the session, to which they all agreed.
Karr then noted that she had received an inquiry from the Immigrant Voices Project,
asking if translators would be available. She stated that she responded back that they
would not have a translator available, and that the group did offer translation services for
the information gathering and future events, as well. Karr added that she has not yet
had, to date, any requests for translation services.
GENERAL BOARD DISCUSSION:
None
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE:
Karr then reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule, noting that this Thursday the 15th is
the public information gathering session. This will be followed up with a Monday the 19th
meeting. Karr continued, noting that the 26th presents a conflict for staff as there is a
Council meeting that day. She also shared that with the meetings so close together, not
-3-
Ad Hoe Diversity Committee, November 13, 2012
all of the transcripts will be available right away. Karr reminded Members that they
tentatively have PCRB coming to speak to them at the meeting on the 191,. Coulter
stated that with the limited life of this Committee, he believes they should take
advantage of every meeting they have planned. Botchway stated that with PCRB
coming the 19th it won't give the Members much time to share their thoughts of the
information gathering session. Members then looked at the meeting for the 26th and
agreed to cancel this meeting, and to have PCRB in for the meeting of the 19th.
Botchway suggested they talk at the next meeting about having sub - groups and perhaps
meeting less often as a whole group. Karr reiterated to Members that they will have
copies of the meeting transcript before their December 3`tl meeting. Karr then noted the
correspondence received from Karen Kubby and how it will be added to the agenda for
the meeting on the 15th
Vanden Berg asked if they needed to do anything more to get the word out about the
upcoming information gathering. Karr reiterated all that they have done so far with fliers
in public buildings, on buses, press releases, the City web site, the neighborhood
associations. Members spoke briefly about who they have talked with about the
upcoming meeting at the Library and that they hope they have a good turnout. Karr
asked Botchway if he could complete his remarks yet today so she can add it to
tomorrow's packet. He stated that he would do so.
( Botchway left meeting at 4:30 P.M.)
Coulter thanked Karr and staff for their help in setting up the information gathering
session. He noted that it helps to have their experience in such an event. Co -Chair
Roberts asked if there were any comments to Kubby's correspondence.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Jerry Partridge spoke briefly, asking how late they plan to told Thursday's session. He
was told that it is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., but that if people want to speak they
will continue the meeting. Partridge asked whom he would address a letter to, if he were
unable to make the Thursday meeting. He was told that he can send a letter directly to
the City Clerk. If he gets this to her by tomorrow, she can then distribute with the
Committee's next packet. Otherwise she will make sure the Committee has his
correspondence on Thursday evening. Members invited Partridge to speak now if he
would like to. He stated that he is an attorney and the director of a company that does
the racial profiling and biased -based police training for the ICPD. He shared that he
knew the current Chief, Sam Hargadine, from Missouri where law enforcement are
required to have this training, and that when Hargadine came to Iowa City, he asked
Partridge's company to bring the training to the ICPD. Partridge stated that he is here to
listen and hopefully learn what his company might be able to do in their training for
police concerning racial profiling and bias -based training. He continued to give the
Members a brief history of the training and what it is meant to accomplish. Roberts
invited Partridge to come back to any of their meetings, as well, as they are all open to
the public. The topic of having an identification card system was briefly discussed, with
Partridge stating that he would be glad to speak further with Members about this.
Members asked Partridge if he would share the advantages of such an ID system, as
well as other communities that have implemented such a system. Partridge shared that
the Chief of Staff for the Mayor at New Haven has offered to speak via speakerphone to
11
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 13, 2012
the Committee about the pros and cons of their system. Charlie Eastham weighed in
briefly on his agreement with such a system.
ADJOURNMENT:
Vanden Berg moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:45 P.M.
Coulter seconded the motion.
The motion carried 5 -0; Botchway and Massey absent.
-5-
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 13, 2012
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2012
Kev:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member
i C 11
TERM
0
0
0
0
—
—
—
—•
—•
NAME
EXP.
N
(0
3
C)
�1
N
IN
CO
3
C"
N
N
N
(O
3
W
(n
Donna
03/10/13
O/
X
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Henry
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
Cindy
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Roberts
Joan
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O
X
Vanden
/E
Berg
Bakhit
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bakhit
Kingsley
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/
O
X
Botchway
E
/E
Orville
03/10113
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Townsend
Joe Dan
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Coulter
LaTasha
N
N
N
X
X
X
X
X
O
Massey
M
M
M
/E
Kev:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member
i C 11
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 15, 2012
MINUTES DRAFT
AD HOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 15, 2012
IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ROOM A, 6:00 P.M.
Members Present: Kingsley Botchway II, Joan Vanden Berg, Bakhit Bakhit, Cindy
Roberts, Joe Dan Coulter, Orville Townsend, Sr.
Members Absent: LaTasha Massey
Staff Present: Dilkes, Karr, Markus
Others Present: Fruin, Bowers, Bentley
(recording starts at this point)
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Page 1
Public discussion began with community member Fanai Cruz addressing the Committee. She
noted that she is a member of the Immigrant Voices Project (IVP) and gave Members some
background on the IVP. Cruz noted that the IVP launched a survey in March of 2012 aimed at
the immigrant communities in Iowa City. She then shared some of the comments received from
the survey: I don't feel safe. I feel discriminated against. There is not equality between white
people and others. When you speak English well they treat you better.
Marcela Marquez spoke next via a translator. She noted that she too is a member of the
Immigrant Voices Project. Marquez noted that the police seem to target the residents of Forest
View, where she lives in Iowa City. She shared several stories of being stopped for no apparent
reason. Marquez noted that she would like to know why this keeps happening and how she is to
explain it to her children, as they don't understand what is going on with the police stopping
them and their neighbors.
An Iowa City cab driver, Mukhtar, spoke next. He too stated that he is a member of the IVP. He
shared his own experiences, as a cab driver, with the ICPD. Muklrtar also stated that with all of
the students needing transportation to Kirkwood Community College, there should be more
direct bus routes to get them there.
Next up was Amal Abubaket, a student at Kirkwood Community College. She noted that in
order for her to make it to school for classes she spends around four hours a day waiting for and
riding a bus. She explained that the bus leaves the Westwind area and goes downtown, where
she must transfer to a second bus. There is often a long wait for this.
Committee Members asked for clarification of specific incidents and also let the public know
that if they are not comfortable speaking here tonight that they can submit their concerns in
writing.
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 15, 2012 Page 2
The next member of the public to speak was Elizabeth Bernal, via a translator. She shared her
experiences with the ICPD, noting that one time she was stopped for no apparent reason and her
children were with her as she had just picked them up from the babysitter after getting off work.
She noted that she was ticketed for supposedly not stopping at a stop sign. Bernal suggested the
immigrant communities receive education on what is expected of them and what rules they need
to be aware of.
Hassan Abdaltine of Iowa City spoke next, stating that he can remember the first time lie took an
Iowa City bus. It was from Lakeside to downtown to Mormon Trek. He added that all of the
drivers he encountered were very nice and helpful. He did add, however, that he sees a need for
more bus routes, especially direct routes to places like Kirkwood and Procter and Gamble.
Another issue for Abdaltine is affordable housing. He believes the Iowa City area is lacking in
affordable housing for the immigrant population.
Norma Ortiz addressed the Committee via translator. She spoke about the seemingly constant
police presence in Forest View where she lives. She shared the story of a neighbor who was
stopped by the ICPD and stated that she believes there is some racism at play here. Ortiz also
spoke about the Iowa City transit system and her experiences with buses not running on time.
Hanadi E1Shazuri spoke next, stating that she works for the Neighborhood Center of Jolmson
County. ElShazm•i stated that she personally has no problem with the ICPD or transit. She
believes that there needs to be a clear orientation for the immigration community so that they
understand what their rights and responsibilities are in the community.
Bob Elliott spoke next. He stated that he believes that many of the incidents being talked about
this evening are due to misunderstandings. Elliott added that he believes that those speaking this
evening should get a direct response from the City regarding their concerns. He then thanked the
Committee for their work, noting that he hopes good things come from it.
Susan Murty of Iowa City followed Elliott with her comments. She spoke about community
policing and how such a program might work well in Iowa City.
She was followed up by Siham Elneil who suggested that the City have some type of orientation
information, via either pamphlet or flier, for newcomers, and that they offer these in several
different languages. Member Orville Townsend spoke next, stating that he believes Iowa City is
a community in transition. He shared his experience recently with an ICPD officer who was at
the Spot as part of a community event. Member Coulter then asked if anyone had any stories or
experiences they could share that could serve as models for the Committee to consider.
Siham Elneil spoke about her sociology class and how she has applied some of what she has
learned to the Iowa City community. She stated that she is part of the Sudanese community in
Iowa City and she shared her experiences with the ICPD. She shared how immigrants such as
herself view the world, and how law enforcement needs to understand the diverse beliefs that the
immigrant community brings to this city. Elneil added that there does need to be more education
for the immigrants who come to Iowa City, that each city is different and by providing a more
S.1
Ad Hoc Diversity Conunittee, November 15, 2012 Page 3
thorough orientation, the immigrant population can know and understand what is expected of
them.
Hospital employee Mohamed Hassail spoke briefly about his experiences in Iowa City. He
noted that when the City ran out of salt and sand during a winter storm, his boss had to come and
get him and take him to work. He also shared an experience with the ICPD when he was a
taxicab driver and received a ticket for what he believes to be an unfair situation. Member
Coulter asked him to elaborate on his story. Hassail further explained the situation.
Rod Sullivan of Iowa City spoke to the Committee about the need for good data. He stated that
without good data collection you get into he -said, she -said situations that are hard to prove. With
the collection of good data, these types of situations would be easier to track.
Amy Weismamr addressed the Committee next. She stated that she believes there is a lack of
transparency on the part of the ICPD with regard to their immigration and customs enforcement
policies. She spoke about how some municipalities have made the decision to not honor detainer
requests that ICE issues.
Community member Abubaker spoke to the Committee again, noting problems with health
insurance and the Iowa Care program. Member Roberts asked for clarification of these issues,
and Abubaker responded.
Dorothy Whiston with the Consultation of Religious Communities addressed the Committee
next. She stated that the most noticeable thing about this evening's meeting is the lack of
African Americans. She stated that the Consultation has made a commitment to be a part of such
issues, having undertaken the task of fielding complaints from members of the community over
such issues. She shared that the Consultation has committed resources for a program that can
help families get established and successful in their community. Whiston finished up her
comments by suggesting the City Council take a comprehensive look at all of its policies and
practices for racial inequalities.
Royceann Porter of Iowa City spoke about her recent experience with the ICPD and how well the
officers handled the situation. She stated that she would like to know more about what things are
under an officer's discretion. Porter stated that in September the neighborhood held a program
about `knowing your rights and responsibilities,' and that it helped people to understand what is
expected of them and how the ICPD will respond to things. Member Roberts then spoke to what
Whiston had said about the lack of youth present at this evening's information gathering. She
added that the age group they are talking about would most likely not be comfortable sharing
their experiences in this type of setting. Member Coulter then reiterated to those present that the
Committee is there to listen to their concerns and that no one should feel uncomfortable.
Bob Elliott returned to the microphone, stating that he does believe the community has a
responsibility to provide an orientation for those coming to town, but that it is a two -way street.
Elliott explained that those who come here need to seek out this information in order to become
familiar with the customs, etc., of Iowa City.
�� v
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 15, 2012 Page 4
Abubaker spoke again, asking if the Spanish community could have a translator when dealing
with the ICPD as this would help them to understand what is being said. Roberts followed up
with the comment that communication, whether a language barrier or something else, certainly
appears to be a problem. Townsend added that another area of concern is consistency and how
the law is applied.
Roberts stated that the Ad Hoc Diversity Committee is considering having more than one public
forum, such as this one, in order to get all populations involved and to make sure that all voices
are heard. The Committee wants to have a clear picture of where the problems and concerns are.
Other Members spoke briefly, with Botchway inviting anyone wishing to speak to do so, and
stating Committee Members will be available no matter what time it gets to be. Botchway noted
the meeting was posted until 8:00 p.m. He asked for the community's thoughts on how these
issues could be addressed.
Community member Sherry Christoffer asked if the issues tonight go beyond the immigrant
community and into the disabled community as well. Botchway assured her that they do.
Coulter reiterated that all issues are of concern and that the Committee will be happy to listen to
whatever she may have to say.
Porter spoke again briefly about the Spot, a place where those in her community gather, as being
a good place to hold a forum such as tonight's. She noted that many in her community don't
have transportation and would need childcare, both of which would not be issues if a forum were
held there. Townsend and Coulter spoke to this idea briefly, noting how intimidating it can be
for some people to get up in front of others and speak at a microphone. Roberts then asked
Porter how the bus route changes have been for her neighborhood. Porter stated that things were
working out well.
Iowa City Public Library teen librarian Jason Paulios spoke about how well the bus route
changes must be going. He stated that he used to have a computer lab full of kids who were
downtown waiting for the bus. Now with the changes he has seen a huge drop in attendance.
Sullivan spoke again to the committee, suggesting they consider holding a public forum at one of
the high schools, for example.
Christoffer also addressed the Committee again, asking if they would have listening post times,
similar to what City Councilors do, where the public can meet with them and share concerns.
CONSIDER MOTION TO ACCEPT CORRESPONDENCE AND /OR DOCUMENTS:
Botchway asked for a motion to accept correspondence received at the forum.
Vanden Berg made the motion to accept correspondence frown Karen Kubby, Renee Speh,
and Gerald Partridge.
Roberts seconded the motion.
The motion carried 6 -0; Massey absent.
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 15, 2012 Page 5
ADJOURNMENT:
Botchway asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Coulter made the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Balchit seconded the motion.
The motion carried 6 -0; Massey absent.
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 15, 2012 Page 6
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2012
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member
-1a
TERM
o
Q
CD
NAME
EXP.
m
C
N
c
Donna
03/10/13
O/
X
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Henry
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
Cindy
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Roberts
Joan
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/
X
X
Vanden
E
Berg
Bakhit
03110/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bakhit
Kingsley
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/
O/
X
X
Botchway
E
E
Orville
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Townsend
Joe Dan
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Coulter
LaTasha
N
N
N
X
X
X
X
X
O/
O/
Massey
M
M
M
E
E
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member
-1a
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 19, 2012
MINUTES DRAFT
AD HOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 19, 2012
HARVAT HALL IN CITY HALL, 4:10 P.M.
Page I
Members Present: Joan Vanden Berg, Cindy Roberts, Joe Dan Coulter, Orville Townsend,
Sr., LaTasha Massey
Members Absent: Kingsley Botchway II, Bakhit Bakhit
Staff Present: Dilkes, Karr, Markus
Others Present: Charlie Eastham, Catherine Pugh, Joe Treloar
Co -Chair Roberts began the meeting at 4:10 P.M. by asking those present to introduce
themselves.
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD (PCRB) DISCUSSION:
Roberts briefly explained to tonight's guests what the Committee's charge is and that they hope
to gather information about the PCRB as they work on their recommendations for Council. She
noted that some of them are familiar with the PCRB, but that they all would like to have some
more background on the PCRB. Catherine Pugh, PCRB Legal Counsel, began with a brief
overview of her time with the PCRB, which began in 1996. She explained her position as
counsel to the PCRB and how she is there to answer any legal questions for the Board. Pugh
noted that since its inception the Board really has changed quite a bit, as have the complaints. In
the early years there were more complaints, according to Pugh.
Pugh noted that everyone should have a copy of her memo from the PCRB's community forum
back in May. She stated that she would be happy to answer any questions regarding this. Board
Chair Joe Treloar spoke next, stating that he started in law enforcement back in 1975. He stated
that he has felt it to be an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board. Coulter asked for
clarification from Pugh on the change in complaints — the content, the substance, or even the
types of complaints. Pugh stated that one of the things she has noticed lately is what the public
understands is an officer's role. The Board has discussed this recently and has seen a need for
people to know what their rights are if approached by a police officer and how they should
respond appropriately. Roberts stated that one issue heard about several times at the Ad Hoc's
recent public information gathering session had to do with communication. She asked if the
PCRB's complaints tend to be from new citizens to the community or from long -time residents
who have perhaps never had previous dealings with the police. Pugh stated that they typically
don't have that information, but she agreed that in many instances it comes down to a lack of
understanding. She added that respect on both sides is important as well during these situations.
l-3
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 19, 2012 Page 2
Treloar shared that he was fortunate enough to attend the Citizen's Police Academy
approximately two years ago. He explained that annually the four local law enforcement
agencies in the area combine efforts for the police academy. At the academy the police explain
exactly what it is they do and why they do it the way they do, helping to shed some light on the
policies and practices of law enforcement. Members spoke to the communication issue between
police and the citizens of the community. Coulter noted how cultural sensitivity may be helpful
in these dealings. Treloar briefly explained the procedure for complaints, how the Board turns
the complaints over to the Police Chief for investigation and review. Townsend asked if there
has ever been any discussion by the Board about taking the Chief out of the process, to not have
the police `policing' themselves. Pugh explained why the process is set up the way it is when
investigating police misconduct. The Chief has the ability to compel his officers to take part in
an investigation, whereas an outside investigator could not. The officer could use his Fifth
Amendment right against self - incrimination and the Board would have no way to compel his
testimony. The Board also does not have the right to recommend any discipline on an officer
accused of misconduct. Pugh noted that according to Iowa State laws, this was the best way to
form this Board and to allow for thorough investigations by the Police Chief.
Roberts asked Pugh for some clarification on what she meant by "that's how the ordinance was
written." Pugh explained that back in 1997 when the PCRB was enacted they had to create the
whole thing from scratch — how to fit everything in according to federal and state laws. What
they came up with is the current PCRB's makeup. Pugh then responded to Members' questions,
further explaining how an outside (investigative) party would have less rights in acquiring
information from an officer than the Chief of Police would. By setting up the Board as they
have, this allows the Police Chief to give the Board a better understanding of the situation at
hand. Treloar noted that he keeps hearing that the police are policing themselves, and that he
does not believe this to be true. He explained that there is a State's Ombudsman's office that
investigates complaints against public employees, and also the Department of Criminal
Investigation that investigates corruption complaints against police departments. Townsend
attempted to further clarify his position, that there needs to be a revamping of the PCRB so that
the police department is not a part of the complaint process. He believes they need to do a better
job in educating the community so that they can understand why things are the way they are,
show the public the advantages of this arrangement.
Massey asked how much training the Police Chief receives in regards to the PCRB and the
complaints they process. Pugh stated that they look at the accreditation policies of the ICPD and
she has seen a section about cultural sensitivity in there. She added that this would be a good
question to ask the Police Chief in regards to officer training. As for the PCRB, she noted that
there is no special training for members, just a basic orientation of what the PCRB does. Coulter
then brought up a hypothetical situation, asking where the line is as far as what is investigated
internally and what is investigated externally. Pugh responded that any allegation of criminal
conduct on the behalf of a police officer would warrant such an investigation. He continued to
ask Pugh what situations are considered criminal.
Dilkes interjected at this point, commenting on some of what she has heard this evening. She
spoke to continents regarding the use of an outside agency to perform an investigation, but noted
that until a criminal act is uncovered this is not going to happen. She then spoke about those
_/�Z
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 19, 2012 Page 3
things that would be a violation of one's Constitutional Rights, but not necessarily criminal in
nature. Massey then stated that she wanted to clarify the comment made earlier where it was
said that the PCRB is representative of the demographics in Iowa City. She stated that she wants
to be clear that just because someone is African American does not mean that they are going to
understand specifically all of the historical aspects as everyone has had different experiences.
Townsend added that he believes one area they should address is training. He gave the example
of the recent story in the Press - Citizen concerning a legal situation between the Police Chief and
a member of the PCRB. He noted that the Police Chief made the statement that the member
should resign from the Board. He stated that he believes there needs to be training in terms of
protocol in order to avoid situations such as this. Pugh agreed, stating that this was indeed a
situation of poor judgment by the Chief, but that the member is still active with the PCRB.
Townsend responded that this situation sent a message to the black community of intimidation —
if you go against the police, they're going to get you! He added that perhaps the Chief did not
mean for this comment to be taken this way, but that once it's out there — it's out there — and the
public believes that's what it was.
Markus added that he remembers this situation clearly, and that the Chief has no part in choosing
members for the PCRB or recommending replacements. This is the City Council's decision.
Townsend continued, stating that he is glad they have the PCRB, especially during times of
crisis. However, if the community does not trust the Board to begin with, it will never work
well. He believes they need to be proactive in dealing with these issues. Pugh stated that the
Board wants to do a good job, and they do that by following the rules set forth by the laws that
govern such a body.
Markus then spoke briefly to the reason for the PCRB's inception to begin with. It began with a
community crisis, and much of the success or failure of the PCRB is based on trust with the
community. He questioned how they would run the PCRB without being able to have the Chief
compel his officers to give testimony. He stated that what they need is a better way to handle the
whole situation, but that it has to fit the laws and rules in place, that this is where their hands are
tied. Treloar stated that he sees the PCRB as being a very proactive board. They are involved in
the complaint process and take the concerns of the community to the police department. I-Ie
added that the ICPD is accredited, which is no small feat, and that going before the National
Accreditation Board takes a lot of work. Things like cameras and microphones in the police cars
shows the transparency and accountability that the ICPD takes seriously. According to Treloar,
officers do go through culture competency training, and having the PCRB sends the message to
the ICPD that if they are not acting appropriately in their job, there will be questions. Treloar
stated that Iowa City is one of very few cities with an accredited police department. He also
stated that having the public forum is a way for the public to voice their opinions and concerns
about the ICPD, and that the ICPD listens to those concerns.
Townsend responded to Treloar, stating that education is not only needed for the officers, but for
the public as well. I-Ie shared a conversation lie had recently with a young man and stated that it
was fairly obvious in the first five minutes that the young man needed to be reminded of
respecting authority. Townsend noted that he told the young man that he should respect
authority — that he does not have to like the police officer but he needs to respect the badge.
��s
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 19, 2012 Page 4
Treloar stated that many times he sees a situation where the police causing problems with the
public are also the ones the other officers are having problems with. The good officers don't
want to have to deal with the problem ones — they just want to do their job and go home at night.
The conversation turned to training and what type of training is needed. Townsend stated that
the first step, he believes, in training is to remind the officers of the `to serve' aspect of their job.
He then shared information about a program recently at the Spot in Iowa City. There were two
officers present — one that is assigned to the area normally and the other was part of the program
that evening. Townsend stated that he watched how the officer interacted with the youth who
were present and it was obvious that there was mutual respect going on.
Roberts then turned the conversation to the charges before the Diversity Committee, one being to
look closely at the PCRB and how it functions, and to ultimately make a recommendation to the
City Council on whether or not change is needed. She asked Pugh and Treloar if they have seen
problems with how the PCRB functions and if they have suggestions for changes. Pugh
responded that the PCRB had discussed having a member present at the complainant interview
with the Police Department. She explained how once a complaint is received and given to the
Chief, the PCRB does not see it again until the investigation has been completed and the final
report compiled. She further explained how the complainant talks only with the police and not
with anyone connected to the PCRB prior to the Chief s report being submitted to the Board.
Roberts stated that she could understand this, that if the complainant was able to speak to
someone other than the police they would feel they have been listened to.
Roberts asked why this aspect of the complaint process has not been used. Dilkes responded that
it has never been contemplated before, but that she agrees with Pugh in having more PCRB
involvement in the initial investigative stage. Roberts stated that the perception really is that the
police are investigating themselves, and that this has been a recurring theme heard from people.
Dilkes noted that the complainant can bring someone with them when they speak with the
investigating officer. Markus added that a complainant can also decide not to be interviewed and
that they often do. Dilkes further clarified how the interview and investigative processes unfold.
Townsend asked how many complaints are received each year. Pugh stated that it varies, but
approximately five per year. Townsend asked if the City Manager shouldn't be part of this
process, as well, and Pugh responded that the City Manager is part of the investigation only if the
complain is against the Chief. Townsend stated that what lie is trying to figure out is a way to
have someone other than the police involved in this complaint process. The conversation
centered on having the City Manager becoming more involved in this process.
Coulter stated that what lie is hearing is that the credibility and legitimacy of the PCRB could be
improved by having someone such as the City Manager, or a Member of the PCRB, or someone
in a similar role, become a regular part of the investigatory process. Vanden Berg correlated
how the School District handles similar situations, and that having another party involved can
help to keep the right perspective. Markus and Massey spoke to the disproportionality issue on
arrest data in the Iowa City area. Markus stated that he believes the PCRB should be at the
County Level, and that all of the law enforcement departments in Johnson County should then be
subject to it. He briefly explained how this might work. Markus stated that he believes by doing
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 19, 2012 Page 5
this it would relieve some of the pressure off the ICPD officers, as they are the only ones in the
area that go through such scrutiny due to having a PCRB.
Treloar and Markus spoke to how having the cameras and microphones in police cars can help to
solve many of these problems, and the PCRB has asked to listen to audio or to view video
footage when they have felt the need to see things for themselves. Having these tools goes a
long way toward the transparency the department is trying to achieve. Townsend spoke to the
importance of public perception, and how this needs to be seriously looked at. Having the City
Manager involved in the complaint process, in his opinion, will add balance to the mix. Treloar
noted how important community involvement is for law enforcement, that the one -on -one goes a
long way. He then shared a story about his first experience as a law enforcement officer; and
spoke about the trust that this small department had with the connaunity, and how now it is
referred to as `community policing.' Having outreach centers within the community is important
as well, as it allows a closer relationship between the community and the police.
Roberts asked if anyone had any more information to share or any more questions for the PCRB
members. Coulter thanked them for their input, stating that it has been very informative in his
opinion. He believes they have a better understanding now of the PCRB. Dilkes quickly ran
down the list of possible recommendations that have come from this conversation: changing the
ordinance to have a PCRB member participate in the non - officer (complainant) interviews; and
to have the City Manager participate in the officer interview. Dilkes also raised a possible
concern if the PCRB member participate in the interview would be conflicted in further PCRB
deliberations. Roberts then asked Pugh if there is someone who gives some guidance to a
complainant about what they need to do in this process. Pugh stated that the complainant does
receive a pamphlet with much of the information of what to expect, length of time, etc. Karr
added that many times a complainant will either stop by or call her office several times, to get
information, before they actually follow through with the process. Karr explained how her office
deals with these issues, most of which are phone calls. People are told where they can pick up a
complaint form if they do not wish to come to City Hall.
Dilkes reminded everyone that the PCRB does have the discretion of doing a frill -blown
investigation of their own, should they chose to. Karr noted that once the report is received from
the Chief, the PCRB decides the next level that they wish to take the complaint to. This may
involve asking for more information from the Chief, such as the video and audio files, or it may
involve asking the complainant to come in and meet with them. The one thing an outside
investigation could not do is speak with the officer named in the complaint. Roberts asked Pugh
if she had any other ideas for change within the PCRB and the complaint process. The
discussion then centered on the need for the PCRB to have more direct interaction with a
complainant, especially in those initial contacts.
Members spoke to the pros and cons of making such changes and how perceptions can be greatly
changed with some minor changes. Karr and Markus responded to Members' questions and
concerns. It was noted that the name of the committee — Police Citizens Review Board — has
been the topic of several discussions. There have been discussions about changing the name to
show more of a `citizens police review board' presence.
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 19, 2012 Page 6
INFORMATION GATHERING SESSION DISCUSSION:
Roberts asked if anyone had any general comments to make about the recent public information
gathering session. Vanden Berg stated that she believes this forma was a good start but that they
need to get more `grass roots.' Townsend stated that he was a bit concerned with the African
American turnout being so low. He believes they may want to consider having a forum at the
Spot. Vanden Berg stated that she will look into this and see what type of parental consent
would be needed in order to hold these forums at the high school level, for example. Karr spoke
about how they might want to approach forums at the school level and ways to perhaps use
smaller groups. Vanden Berg stated that she would check with the School District on this to see
what they would need to do to hold a forum and will get it to everyone by the next meeting.
Members then spoke about various places in the community that they should consider as places
to host more forums. Family nights at various places in town was one suggestion for more input.
Massey asked if when they are out in the community at events if they can talk to people about
this and bring back information to the Committee when they hear something from the
community. Massey made some suggestions for the next flyer, stating that they should be asking
the public to `share their concerns' with them. Some location ideas that were shared include
Mercer Park, the Hy -Vee meeting room, the trailer park community room, Shelter House, and
the Spot, and high schools. Karr asked Members to take a look at their schedules prior to the
next meeting so that perhaps they could come up with several days and times for additional input
sessions.
Vanden Berg reiterated what she will be looking into with the School District, and she and Karr
will come up with some type of draft questions for the next forums. Everyone agreed to look at
their calendars and to be prepared to give some dates and times for this.
Roberts asked if Members would perhaps make note as they review the forum transcript of any
issues that might become part of their recommendations to Council. She noted that she was
making some notes during the forum. Townsend then spoke about the forum and what he took
away from it. Issues such as transportation and adding routes, tearing down silos, looking for
grant money to help expand transportation. Markus added that he believes some of the larger
employers may help with transportation issues as well.
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE:
December 3, 2012, is the next meeting date.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Charlie Eastham spoke about the PCRB process and gave his thoughts to what the Committee
heard this evening.
Roberts moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 P.M.
Townsend seconded the motion.
The motion carried 5 -0.
/f-
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, November 19, 2012 Page 7
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2012
Kev:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member
—11/ '
TERM
O
00
0
N
NAME
EXP.
m
N
Donna
03110/13
O/
X
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Henry
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
Cindy
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Roberts
Joan
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/
X
X
X
Vanden
E
Berg
Bakhit
03/10113
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O
Bakhit
/E
Kingsley
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/
O/
X
X
O
Botchway
E
E
/E
Orville
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Townsend
Joe Dan
03/10/13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Coulter
LaTasha
N
N
N
X
X
X
X
X
O/
O/
X
Massey
M
M
M
E
E
Kev:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member
—11/ '
Page 1
TRANSCRIPT DRAFT
AD HOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 15, 2012
IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ROOM A, 6:00 P.M.
Members Present: Kingsley Botchway II, Joan Vanden Berg, Bakhit Bakhit, Cindy
Roberts, Joe Dan Coulter, Orville Townsend, Sr.
Members Absent: LaTasha Massey
Staff Present: Dilkes, Karr, Markus
Others Present: Fruin, Bentley, Bowers
(recording starts at this point)
Cruz: Hi, my name is Fanai Cruz and I can be contacted at 625 S. Governor Street, Iowa City,
and I am a mother of two and I work at restaurant and I am an Immigrant Voices Project
member. I will share with you who we are, some things we've done, and some concerns
we have with Iowa City's transportation and law enforcement. Immigrant Voice Project,
or IVP, is a community coalition of people from local (mumbled) groups, organiza...
organized labor, and community groups. We are from 18 countries, and speak seven
different languages, and all live in Iowa City area. Our group stalled in January of 2012
in response to a desire for change in our community, that reflect fair police policies and
equal treatment of all people in our community. Together we created a survey that asked
people to rate their overall experiences with City services. In March of 2012, we
launched the survey and trained over 40 local immigrants to give the survey to their
friends, families, and co- workers. By the end of May, we had over 450 responses. Many
people expressed their happiness here. They are proud of this community and want to
raise their children here. The response show us that Iowa City is a great place to live;
however, they also identified many injustices occurring in our community. Because this
meeting is focused in law enforcement and transportation issues, I will talk about these in
relation to the response collected in our survey. (mumbled) response on the survey, we
received the most negative comments about interactions with law enforcement. Here are
some of the concerns from survey about law enforcement. When I work as a taxi driver,
I felt police were targeting taxi drivers. I think they are becoming racist. They will stop
... stop you for nothing if they see you are Hispanic. When you speak English well, they
treat you better. I don't feel safe. I'm afraid. I feel harassed. The worst part about Iowa
City Police is handling of immigrants. I feel discrimination. There is not equality
between white people and others.
This is only a handful of several comments we ... we've received regarding
discrimination. Targeting of immigrant communities, and feeling unsafe in this
community... because of unfair law enforcement tactics. Here are some of the concerns
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoe Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
Page 2
about public transportation. We need more seated buses with better scheduling system.
Need Sunday services. Not enough public transportation and the schedule is not good.
Some places the buses do not go there. To summarize IVP, it's energized and ready to
make progress on these issues. To make Iowa City more fair and just for all of our
community members. We look forward to continue this conversations with Johnson
County Sheriff on November 20°i and the Iowa City Police Chief on November 30 °' to
continue to build a stronger relationships between the police and immigrant community.
Thank you.
Marquez: (translated into English via a translator) My name is Marcela Marquez and I live in
Forest View. You can contact me at 625 S. Governor, and I'm a member of Immigrant
Voices Project. Like any mother that works hard, I am the heart of my family, and I'm in
charge of taking my children to school and through their daily activities. I do this
because I want my children to be good citizens in the future. I'm going to talk about my
community at Forest View and how we feel that we are being harassed by the police in
Iowa City. I have noticed that there's always at least one, if not four, um, police cars
parked outside of the entrance of Forest View Park, waiting as people come and go. The
police are stopping our people for ... for small traffic violations or without any just reason.
As a community we want to believe that our police are here to protect and to sev ... serve
our community here in Iowa City. However, it doesn't seem to be that way, according to
the experiences from my friends and my families, which have been unfair and have made
us feel intimidated. I'm going to tell a short story of...that will give you an example of
how police look for any small reason to pull people over. One day from picking up my
children, um, I was entering the trailer park and a police officer stopped me. Um, and my
children who were inside the car, as soon as they saw the police were very scared, and
my son asked, `Why are they stopping you, momT I didn't know what to respond to him
because I hadn't violated any traffic law. When the officer came to me, he began to
speak in English and I didn't understand. I told him that I didn't speak English. So he
had to call an interpreter and we had to wait 20 minutes when we were just a few feet
from my own home. When the interpreter arrived so did other police cars, um, which
scared my children even more, especially my smallest child, who is the youngest, and she
didn't understand anything that was going on. And they both began to cry really ... a lot.
When the interpreter asked me if I knew why I had been stopped I said no. He told me
that my plague on my car had two registration tickets, one ... or stickers — two registration
tickets. One from last year and one from this year. In this moment I felt like a criminal,
surrounded by police cars only because I had a re ... registration stickers on my plates, um,
which I ... which were required for me to be able to drive. We are hard- working people,
we are here to give our families a better future, we are not criminals and the police
shouldn't treat us like we are. I asked myself why is my city spending their resources and
our tax dollars and stopping people like me when they could be spending their resources
in other areas that would benefit everybody in our community. I have friends who live in
other places where there's more diversity in the people that live there. I've asked them if
they have, um, if... if there are police cars that are parked in front of their mobile home
park. They have told me that there're not. I don't want to think that this is racial
profiling, but I would like to know why this situation is happening. So that I have
something to say to my children when they're always asking me why ... why the cops are
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoe Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
0,9/ —
Page 3
always stopped outside of our home. Thank you, uh, my fellow member Mukhtar will
talk about some suggestions we have for these problems.
Townsend: You indicated that you had several stickers on your license plate. Did you have a
current sticker?
Marquez: (via translator) Yes. (lot of noise on mic)
Botchway: Want to make one quick comment. Um, obviously this is a public forum. If you
don't feel comfortable coming up to the podium, just realize that you can submit your
written comments to the City Clerk and um, we can discuss `em at our next meeting.
(noise starting to fade)
Mukhtar: My name is Mukhtar. I'm a cab driver in Iowa City, and I'm a member of Immigrant
Voice Project. I would like to share with you, uh, bad experience that happened to me
with a police officer. That was last April. There was a (unable to understand) in my car.
I was taking him home, and that guy he was drunk. Uh, then he starts vomiting on the
car; he was sitting in the front seat. He vomit all over the car and from inside and
outside. I took (mumbled) has to pay $100 (unable to understand) fare because he mess
up my car and this is a company rule of my ... for cleaning the car up. They guy he
(mumbled) fare or the fine. While I was talking to him I saw a police car which is ...it
was backing on the Kum n' Go on Gilbert Street. (unable to understand) was there and
uh, in the Kum n' Go. (unable to understand) police officer that he (mumbled) a fine and
there's a fare he has to pay. When the police officer noticed that I'm not talking good
English, he did not show any interest of listening to me or talking to the guy even, and
instead he (mumbled) arrest me. So that was (unable to understand) instead of being
helped by a police officer, I was arrested as a criminal. So I ... I have some suggestions to
(unable to understand) Iowa City. (unable to understand) because of their language or
their (unable to understand) country of origin, and second, if necessity, there should be
(unable to understand) for those who does not speak good English, and third, (unable to
understand) a complaint if I have been (unable to understand) or discriminated by a
police officer. There should be like a (unable to understand) protect my identity. So I
don't have to show my identity or I feel free to (unable to understand) Second, I would
like to address the City's transportation for one issue. Uh, we have ... like in the (unable
to understand) community, there's more than 150 students who are, uh (unable to
understand) community college in, uh, Kirkwood and there's a need of direct bus from
Kirkwood, from uh ... (unable to understand) to Kirkwood Community College. Because
of us (unable to understand). It goes through downtown and which is like (unable to
understand) one way going to Kirkwood. So there's a (unable to understand) community
college, uh, Kirkwood Community College. Thank you.
Roberts: Can I ask you a question?
Mukhtar: Yeah, sure.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoc Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
Page 4
Roberts: The, uh, the direct bus from (feedback on mic) from Pheasant Ridge to Kirkwood, do
you happen to know approximately if there was that route, uh, approximately the number
of individuals that might be using that on a regular basis, that you would be aware of?
Mukhtar: More than 150 students.
Roberts: Okay. Thank you.
Mukhtar: Okay.
Botchway: Don't be shy. Feel free to speak (unable to hear; feedback on mic)
Abubaket: My name is Amal Abubaket. I'm student at Kirkwood Community College and uh, I
tried to take a bus every day, twice, and (mumbled) 8:00 and now we have the class 6:00
to 9:00 P.M. It take for me two hour to go and come back and I go twice a week ... uh,
twice a day. It take for me more than four hour per day. (unable to understand) I prefer
if they (unable to understand) bus it will (unable to understand) instead of waste four
hours per day. Yes?
Coulter: (unable to hear)
Abubaket: I take Westwind... Westwind to come to the downtown and the second one I'm going
to take Broadway or the Mall. (unable to understand) the... Capitol Mall like 20 minute
until the second one come.
(female Committee Member): (unable to hear)
Abubaket: Yes.
(female Committee Member): (unable to hear)
Abubaket: Yea, it take for me hour until I go (unable to understand)
Coulter: Thank you.
Abubaket: Thank you.
Roberts: (unable to hear, feedback and low volume) The address is optional.
Abubaket: Yea, I can do.
Coulter: (unable to hear)
Roberts: ... and the main reason that we're taping this is primarily for our use as a committee.
We will ... we continue to meet, um, through most of the spring, and we want to have a
...a mechanism of clearly having a reference of the things that were shared because this
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoc Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
Page 5
is what's going to help us form recommendations that we need to come up with to the
City Council, and so that's... the... the taping is primarily for that purpose, because we're
obviously not going to remember everything that's spoken here (mumbled)
Bilal: (recording starts mid- sentence) ...I take a bus every day for the college and it take like
two hours to arrive (unable to understand) Kirkwood. And this is very hard to me.
Thank you.
(male Committee Member): (unable to hear)
Bilal: (unable to understand) (feedback and noises on mic)
(male audience member): (unable to hear)
Townsend: It's not necessarily have to be about negatives. We can also talk about things that are
working that we can make better so, you know, any level. If you have a negative concern
it's welcome, but also if you just feel that we're doing something that's okay that can be
improved, we'd appreciate that input also.
Bernal (via translator): Good evening, my name is Elizabeth... Bernal. I've had some confusion
about what police, um, what is the role of police. If it's been to, um, help us and to
protect us or if it's been to accuse us or, um ... um, judge us. They, um, I've had a lot of
experiences with the police. They've stopped me several times, um, sometimes they stop
me and they don't really have a reason. Sometimes they just ask me where are you
going. Onetime I was leaving my work at 5:00 in the morning. I had to go pickup my
children from the babysitter ... and so police officer followed me and he stopped me, and I
was coining from Riverside and they stopped (speaking to Bernal) and Hills Bank. And
he asked me what are you doing with five children. And I said they're my children, and
he said where are you going so early with all of them. I said, well, I'm going home. I
just came ... I just got off of work. And so lie started to ask me, you know, why so early,
why, you know, why so early. So then after that he decided to give me a ticket for not
making a stop. And so I asked which stop...which stop sign, and he said the stop on
Riverside. And this ... this was two years ago. And he gave me a ticket of $150. And
recently I had a car accident, um, I ... went through the red light ... I know that I ... that it
was my fault. But the ticket that they gave me was $150 again. This confused me a bit
because when I didn't do anything, they gave me a ticket for $150 and then when I do
...did do something and I was at fault, they gave me a ticket for $150. (laughing) My
question would be do they have like a price list or ... for ... for each of the infractions that
people, um ... or is it themselves who decide how much they're going to write the ticket
for. (noises on mic continue off and on) I have a lot of friends who live in Forest View.
Is it normal for police to follow us from outside of Forest View into Forest View, right in
front of our house and stop us right when we're at our house and give us a ticket (noises
on mic increasing) I don't know what to respond to them and sometimes we are looking
for answers about these things, um, and we can't really find them. I would like for
someone to help us, urn, find somebody who can help educate us about this and find a
solution to this problem. And so people like us, like citizens, residents of this city so that
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoc Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
1624V_
Page 6
we can follow the rules, um ... unr, and be good residents here. Without being afraid of
the police. Thank you.
Roberts: (mumbled) a question?
Bernal: Yes.
Roberts: ... assuming this but I wanted to ask you to make sure that ... that I was understanding
this. Am I correct, there hasn't been any sort of community service officer that has
visited your ... with your neighborhood to help answer some of those very general
questions.
Bernal (via translator): It would be like an official, right? Like an actual police officer who
would be a community service officer? Like would they be in a uniform or...
Roberts: (noise on mic, unable to hear) ...but it could be, yes.
Bernal (via translator): So they haven't visited, but she said that would ... that would maybe help.
Roberts: Thank you.
Bernal (via translator): Thank you.
Abdaltine: (noise on mic) Thank you for the (unable to understand) Members, thanks for, uh,
attendees, and our corporation will, uh, improve our life in this city. Uh, thank you for
Orville, because Ire (unable to understand) talk about the things which are going well, but
we can improve it. I am one of the citizens who are very proud about the Iowa City
Transit bus ... the busing of the Iowa, and I do remember the first time, the first moment,
the first morning I took a Iowa City, uh, bus from Lakeside to downtown to Mormon
Trek, and the ... the driver, and all of them, are very, very nice people, and I think this
transportation is ... is doing well, but could be better if some routes are added. So they
...(unable to understand) colleagues are talking about from Mormon Trek to Kirkwood,
uh, College or even for Proctor and Gamble, or for those who are working nowadays in,
uh ... uh, Liberty Road, which is (unable to understand) they have so many difficulties to
reach to ... to their works or leave in the late nights. So I think it would be improved and
become very better as Orville said, if we add some more routes. It is not... it may be not
an issue now, but I think if the bus ... if another route is ... is made from Iowa City to, uh,
Kirkwood Community college in Cedar Rapids. I talked about that with some ... members
before, but (unable to understand) and we talked about adding buses or ... or extending the
bus running buses, so uh, Saturdays instead of, uh ... uh, starting 6:00 Saturday and no
buses on Sunday. So I think this times could be covered so we can ... the City Transit
could be more valuable to us. They are valuable now„ but they could be far better. Uh,
I'm sorry (unable to understand) you said we are confined to talk about two issues, but
there are so many issues we should talk about it and I will delay until we come another
meeting so we can talk about it. One of them is, one of the crucial things for the
immigrants is housing. Housing, affordable housing. Thank you very much.
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Botchway: (unable to hear) (mic cuts out, feedback on mic) ...certain things they want to talk
about (unable to hear)
(unable to hear people responding)
Abdaltine: Thank you very much. I ... I don't like to take the time of others. Maybe they're
going to talk on (unable to understand) but because this is (unable to understand) should,
uh, are in need of home (unable to understand) prepare so many things, informations and
data, and something like that and come on, meet with you so we can discuss it. There are
so many issues, but so let us be confined though with this two issues, and we can talk
about it any time we are available. Thank you very much. I do appreciate it.
Ortiz (via translator): Hi, my name is Norma. I would like to make three comments to about the
police or law enforcement and one about transportation. I've had a lot of years living in
the conununity that I live in now, which is Forest View. It seems a bit unfair to me that
I've had a neighbor that I've known for over 10 years, um, and (translator speaking to
Ortiz) and he's had a lot of problems with the police. Okay, um, he's just working hard
here and um, he has a problem that when he goes to the, um, when he goes to work or he
comes back, the police follow him to work, they follow him back, and they're always
stopping him and sometimes they take his car. So it seems a bit unfair that now he can't
even move his own car because they've identified his car and whenever they see his car,
they're stopping him. And so he has to pay all of the tickets obviously that come with
that, and it's a lot of money. I have another friend who his car wouldn't start and he had
to go to work ... and so he went to his neighbor and asked, um, could you give me a ride
to work, and the neighbor said, no, go ahead and take my car. And so when he went, um,
leaving out of Forest View, that strip that comes out of Forest View, a police stopped
him, a police car stopped him. Oh, okay ... (translator speaking to Ortiz) So ... so when he
stopped, um ... (Ortiz speaking) ... okay. Okay. So, um, when the police officer came to
his window he obviously asked for all the documents and he gave him all the documents,
and the officer asked why this isn't your car, why are you driving it? So, and
he ... unfortunately he didn't have his license with him at the time, and so the police
officer gave him a ticket and ... and my friend said I'm not going to sign for that ticket,
and the officer said if you don't sign for the ticket, I'm taking you to jail. Uh -huh. Um,
and my friend asked why are you giving me this ticket, and the officer said, well, you're
not the owner of the car and my friend thought that was pretty unfair cause he hadn't
passed, uh, hadn't gone through a stoplight, he hadn't gone through ... lie hadn't done any
traffic violation but yet the officer ... the officer claimed that he stopped him because he
was driving somebody else's car. And how he has the profile of looking like lie's
Hispanic... this is why I feel like it's, um, could be racism. My other ... my other, uh,
comment about transportation is that the buses sometimes don't run on time, and so what
they will do if they, for instance, if the bus is supposed to be at Forest View at 8:05 and
they get there at 8:01, they leave right away, and we only get a bus once an hour, so then
I have to wait another hour to take a bus, instead of waiting until that time... instead of
waiting until the actual time. Yeah. (Ortiz speaking) So she's saying, um, that they need
to wait until at least, until the time that they're supposed to be there for people, because if
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you miss the bus, you're, you know, you don't have any other options for another hour
and if you have an appointment or something, you end up missing it.
Roberts: (unable to hear) ... the bus not waiting for the specific time before they (both talking)
Ortiz: Well, um, yes, because I have a lot of friends and they have this same problem. And...
Roberts: Because they are supposed to do that.
Ortiz: Yeah (both talking)
Roberts: Yeah, because some... sometimes it is like below zero and we (unable to understand)
waiting because sometimes it comes late and go. They ... they (unable to understand) and
leave, don't wait. (translator speaking) They leave people. (Ortiz speaking) They leave
people. (Ortiz speaking) (unable to understand) ...any minute or nothing, and it's an
hour. Thank you.
ElShazuri: My name is Hanadi, uh, I work for the Neighborhood Center of Johnson County. I
have, uh, been in Iowa like for I 1 years and I went through many stops with the police.
To be honest I have no problem. I didn't go through any problem with the police, al...
although I was wrong at some point, and there was like always a reason to stop me, uh,
on the street, but because of what I have heard from my community, uh, members and
other, uh, people, we would like to have like clear orientation about our responsibilities
and uh, rights, uh .... and we can just distribute that through like church or mosque or any
community center to be aware of what we have to do or not we ... we shouldn't do. Thank
you.
Botchway: (unable to hear) ... along those same lines are much appreciated (unable to hear;
feedback on mic) ...seen work in other cities where you've lived (unable to hear)
Elliott: I wish I could speak and write at the same time but I have trouble doing either one
separately so ... I had to take that time. I ... I'm an outsider sitting here, and I just hope
that somehow the people who came to this microphone with concerns and problems and
misunderstandings will get a direct response from someone. Some of the problems that
were expressed I could see ... I could see probably what has happened, and it was a mis-
understanding. Others I think is deeper and more extensive, but as a child I was born and
raised on the southside of Chicago and when I was 10, my brother and sister were in high
school. My father had been born and raised, lived his first 40 years in the tough area of
Chicago, and moving to a town of 500 people, we had a great deal of learning to take
place. For instance, my father did not understand that in Ainsworth, when you walk
down the sidewalk you make eye contact with people and you talk to them. Where he
grew up, that was not done. So one of the things that I would suggest is the statistics I
had this afternoon, based on that, I think in the past 10 years there has been something
like a 67% increase in the African- American population, and a 97% increase in the
Latino or Hispanic population in this area. And I think it's a disservice to people to allow
them to, and as a matter of fact encourage and do ... trying to do the right thing but not
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providing the necessary orientation because from what I heard tonight, a lot of this is a
misunderstanding of people with language problems and unfamiliar with the type of
expectations that are prevalent in the Iowa City area. So I hope the people who expressed
concerns and problems tonight get a direct response, because if that isn't the case, then
what happened tonight just perpetuates the concern and the problem with that. I really
thank you very much of all of you up there. Orville's about the only one I've ever ... have
ever known, interacted with, but I really, uh, thank you and commend you for holding
this meeting... and I hope good things emerge from it.
Murty: Hello, I'm Susan Murty and uh, I think it is wonderful that you're having this meeting,
and I also think that Iowa City has many wonderful things that it's offering to the various
people that live here. Um, just listening to some of the comments, I was thinking that it
would be wonderful for the police department to have some kind of a community -based
program. I know in some cities it's community policing. There's probably different
versions of it that involve different things, but what it involves is particular policemen
getting to know particular regions of the city, spending time there, getting to know the
community leaders, and really, um, building rapport with the people that live in that area,
and I think it sounds like that kind of a pro ... program would be very helpful for these
problems.
Elneil: (recording starts mid - sentence) ... orientation or pamphlet or fliers, yes we need that to be
in like different language and not all in English like Latinos or Arabic and in other
language.
Townsend: (unable to hear and then recording cuts out) I look around me today and it's very
obvious that we are a community that's in transition. Transition in a way that it's not
necessarily that we don't want it to happen, but things happen and we have to adjust to it.
I listen to you tonight talking about some of the treatment you've received from some law
enforcement officers, and you know, that's appalling. That shouldn't happen, but I think
it's also very important that we remember those officers that are doing a good job. You
know, we've got a lot of good officers. I was at a program over at the, um... Spot, a
couple of months ago and there was a police officer there. He knew all the kids. He was
very friendly. He was very helpful. He was a very positive person. That is basically the
kind of person I would like to see all of our police officers be. We are a community in
transition. You know, if you look on some of the police cars, you know, my hope is that
we can live up to what we say that ... that slogan that says: To protect and serve. I think
we need to work a little bit on the serving, but we've already got a lot of good people
that's doing that, and I'm hoping that in the future we can make some changes that will
set a standard that will help or require all officers to do that. What we're about in this
transition is we want respect. We deserve respect, and we're gonna get it! So we need
your help, we need you to tell us what's going on. We need you to tell us how you feel
about it, what you think we need to do to make it better, but not just today or tonight. We
need ongoing communication with you, because this is your community too. This is our
community, and anything that's going to happen that's positive, we're gonna have to
make it happen together.
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Coulter: Do any of you have, uh, stories or experiences that are good ones that might serve as
models to address the kind of, uh, issues that have been raised here? Do you have stories
to tell or uh ... anything that ... that you could share that you think might be a good way or
a good pathway to, uh, improving your situation?
Elneil: Hello, my name is Silram Elneil. (unable to hear person speaking to Elneil away from
mic) Sure. Um ... it's right, um ... I look at my class on, uh, sociology and I apply some
aspects on our community. Uh, Iowa City is on transition — you are right. Um ... big
transition, and reformation, and we need, uh, to (mumbled) the, uh, individuals in a
community and the law enforcement especially, and uh ... uh, I believe, um ... the law
enforcement need to ... um ... understand and look at the, uh, community that they're
dealing with and see the transformation that's happening. Um, they, uh, may need to be
educated themselves, uh, about the community. Uh, I'm part of the Sudanese community
in Iowa City, and I know that the, uh, law enforcement cannot differentiate between an
African- American and a Sudanese, and they need to. They need to differentiate because,
uh, it's different, uh ... different, um, attitude, different, uh, need to be held towards a new
immigrant and a citizen. Um, especially in the language and the, uh ... urn, how they
carry themselves and how they handle things. Uh, if...if I'm a citizen, I would be blamed
for certain things, just like the (mumbled) on the road, on the driving. We come from a
very conservative communities to the open world, uh, everything is new to us. And uh,
we need, um ... to be ... uh, dealt with in a certain way. I think it will be nice if the law
enforcement been educated and enlightened about this difference, uh, things. Um, that
would help us to coop more and would help our community to grow in a better, in a
healthier way, um ... if Kirkwood Community College or any, uh, college that would, um,
provide such education. Uh, it won't ... it won't harm, um ... to do the effort because it's a
transition that is taking place. We need all of us to chip in. At the same time, the
individuals that comes to Iowa City need to be educated because Iowa City is a unique
city. It's not, uh, just like any city is different than where we came as transitional period,
uh, (mumbled) Chicago or ... it's ... it's going to be different in Iowa City. We need
education too. So a suggestion for pamphlets will help, but not all of us can read or
understand English. We need the, uh ... uh, organizations that's working to inform the
individuals and enlighten them about this specific situation or the specific, uh, handling
in Iowa City. It is not harmful to understand that this city is a little bit, uh, distinctive. At
the same time it's, uh, an open city. So it's ... it won't harm to educate people on that
side, and educate the police officers themselves. That's all that I have. Thank you.
Hassail: Hello, my name is Mohamed and I would like to thank you for what you are doing right
now and also the City do very well for that, the snow removal and the sand (mumbled)
but I remember 2008 we had very bad snow and the City was out of sand and salt, and I
work at the Hospital so I can't miss the work, so it was very hard to me, and supervisor
used to come to my house to pick me up. So I hope that's not going to happen again, like
the City be out of sand and salt if the snow come over. Also (mumbled) situation with a
police officer. I used to work with Red Line Taxicab. I got pulled over for yellow light
and I had drunk people. If I hit the brake, they will come through the windshield.
So ... if, when I go back home, I look (mumbled) that yellow light, so when I paid that
$195 ticket. That's what happened (mumbled) four months ago. Thank you.
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Coulter: Could ... could you elaborate... could you expand a little bit on this incident? I'm not
sure I understood. (unable to hear response away from mic) Yes.
Hassail: Yeah, I was ... I was taking a customer ... I was heading to Benton Drive. So ... I run over
the yellow light, Benton on Riverside, so I got pulled over. By (unable to understand)
Street so for yellow light ticket. So I explained to the officer why if I hit the brake, this
...because there is no seat belt on them, so if I hit the brake they will come over. So I
have to go through the yellow light, and I got yellow light tickets. And ... when I went to
the book ... you can go through the yellow light, and I had yellow light ticket. (unable to
hear person asking question away from mic) 195. (recording cutting out) Almost 200.
So ... for the sand and salt (mumbled) 2008 happen again. Thank you (laughs)
Coulter: Thank you. (recording cutting in and out)
Sullivan: Uh, hi folks. My name is Rod Sullivan. I live in Iowa City. Um, one of the things I'm
wondering if you folks could look into is it seems like, uh, a missing piece in a lot of
what happens is there's not good data. Um, I hear a lot of anecdotal stuff about who's
stopped and who's not stopped, but it doesn't seem like anybody actually keeps track of
that, or doesn't keep track of enough data. And so people get into these sort of he -said,
she -said arguments about what actually is happening and ... and nobody really has
anything, uh, to prove it with and so one of the things I would encourage you folks to do
is to try to, uh, encourage really good data collection wherever possible because I think
that will help you, uh, to know what's actually going on. Thanks.
Coulter: (unable to hear)...a concern of the Committee, uh, and I say that because it's been one
of my concerns, um ... (recording cutting in and out) We appreciate very much, uh, the
comments that each of you have ... have given us. Uh, I'm sure there's a few more of you
that, uh ... uh ... I think this is informal, be comfortable, uh, come forward and tell us
what's on your mind! It's ... it will help us. Thank you.
Weismann: My name is Amy Weismann. (feedback noise on recording) ...and this may be an
issue that's been addressed earlier, but I wanted to bring to your attention what I consider
a lack of transparency on the part of our police department, with regard to its, uh,
communications and policy, um ... with, uh, immigration and customs enforcement. In
particular I'm interested in a ... as a citizen in knowing what the police department's
policy is with regard to honoring detainers that are requested by immigration and customs
enforcement. I believe this has a direct impact on ... the ability of the police department to
undertake community policing in ... in Iowa City because it bears on, um ... the perception
on the part of the community, uh, as to the interests of the police department in serving
victims of crimes or federal law enforcement interests. So, uh, other communities have
made a decision as a matter of municipal policy not to honor detainer requests that ICE
issues, uh, when they are, um ... requiring the detention of people who are not considered
public safety concerns in the community. So for example, uh, local police departments
may decide to honor requests, uh, to detain people who are violent offenders, uh, but not
requests to detain people who are, uh, arrested for a traffic offense, for example, and do
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not have a history of violence and are not considered, um, a public safety concern ... in the
local community. Uh ... so L..I appreciate the Diversity Committee taking this on,
because I do believe it has a very important bearing on, uh, the communication concerns
that we've been discussing.
Abubaker: I had a comment about health insurance. I had Iowa Care and I had a problem with
my foot, like four months, and I keep go, come back, and they don't let me see a
consultant because I have Iowa Care, until I get approve. And (unable to understand)
four months I went today to ask when I'm going to get appointment for consultant and I
have a ... a cast. They say after five months and if you don't agree just go see someone
else, and I don't know who someone else. I'm going to (unable to understand) my cast
and (unable to understand) because Iowa Care you don't get consultant easy. (noises on
mic) Thank you.
Roberts: (unable to understand, feedback on recording)
Abubaker: Yes, uh, the Office of Orthopedic, they ... they don't like to talk. They say just take a
number and call (unable to understand) I ask them twice can I get office to go. They say
no, there is no office to go see, just you need to call. When I call I say five months is too
much. They say there is no wait. If you don't agree go see your family doctor again.
This happen today. I still ... (unable to understand) is not comfortable for me. (noises on
mic) This is an issue always with Iowa Care. (recording cuts out) Thank you.
(recording cuts out)
Whiston: (recording starts in midsentence) ... member of the Consultation of Religious
Communities and um, I guess what's most noticeable to me here is that there are very
few African American people here. I think it's wonderful that the immigrant community
has come and shared some of their experience and stories, um, but I think it's, I don't
know if it's because where this is, um, but I also would ... I would guess that's part of it,
but I also would guess part of it is people not feeling safe to come forward and say what
they have to say. So I hope that you will find some other ways and venues to, um, to
...make yourselves available to the African American community, urn, and particularly to
African American juveniles, because I think that's where the greatest level of
disproportionate contact with our law enforcement is. Urn ... the Consultation of
Religious Communities has made a commitment to be involved in these issues because,
urn, starting probably three or four years ago, um, maybe even longer than that, we began
as pastors of communities and other identified religious people in the community, um, to
field complaints from people, from citizens of the community, from friends of people
who had had trouble, urn, particularly in the area of policing. And we continue to field
those sorts of, um, complaints and so we've made a commitment to do what we can. You
know, we've had meetings with various officials and also the, run, Consultation has
committed resources to having a program to try to help families get established and
become successful in the community. Um, but I think it's a very serious problem in Iowa
City, uh, race, kind of across the board. Police and transportation is certainly part of it. I
would echo the person who said housing. Um, it's not just affordable housing. I think it's
affordable housing for minority people, particularly. Um, certainly where law
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enforcement and the criminal justice system is concerned, I think it's very important that
...not only that you collect good data locally and you know look at patterns and behavior
of specific officers, but that you also look at it in a systematic way, because I think that
the way the criminal justice system is used in our country in the last generation, um, has
built into it racial inequity, and so that everything involving policing, court systems,
incarceration needs to be looked at. Um, not just individual behaviors but policies and
practices and budgets and, um, and looked at very systematically in terms of what are the
racial inequalities that exist and what are ... and how are the policies and practices likely
to lead to a continuation or an exacerbation or a ... a healing of those, urn ... there're lots of
really, really good national models now our there, and so I hope one of the things you
might be able to do is to look at some of those and recommend to the City Council that
they take a fairly comprehensive look at all city policies and practices and departments,
um, and recommend maybe one or two of the models that you think are the best. So I'm
very delighted to see you all up there and the work you're doing and, um, again I hope
that there will be a way to draw more, um, African American people into this
conversation, and particularly low- income African Americans. Thank you.
Abubaker: (recording starts midsentence) ... question for the police. One time I, uh, watch, uh,
Cops and I saw the police catch a man from (unable to understand) We see his
underwear and took it to his car. Is any possibility to let him wear his dress? Thank you.
Porter: (noises on uric) Hi, my name is Royceann Porter. Um, couple of weeks ago we had a
situation, um, at the Spot where a lot of our kids hang out. Um, one of the things I want
to say is that we had some `girls gone wild,' urn ... girls got in a fight. So therefore the
police was call, um ... you said to get up and say something about a police officer. Well, I
want to speak on two. I won't say their names, but I was, um, standing there and I
witnessed a situation where they questioned the girls and immediately it was said that the
girls were going to be charged with simple assault. Urn, two of `ern was going to be
charged but not the other three. So I mean as the officer, um, kind of did, um ... an
investigation of talkin' to the girls he literally... this was my first time here in Iowa City
seeing this because if they say you're going to be charged, usually it is what it is. You're
going to be charged, um, and it's just that, but this officer he talked to each individual,
um, he listened. He talked to the parents. He listened. He talked to ... lie just went
around and this was all in the same night. I couldn't believe it. I was like, wow! He
really just going on and on and on and he was asking questions, but ... when it all boiled
down to it, they didn't get charged. You know? He ... he ... me personally, me seeing that,
I thought it was beautiful because I'm like, okay, here we go again with more kids in the
juvenile court system. So, um, one of the things I want to know is more education on
whether or not is it a police officer's discretion, or is it the policy — this is what it is, you
were fighting and I have to charge you. I would like more education. I'm pretty sure a
lot of us would like to know — do you have to or could you work this out? Could you
just, you know, say hey, let's look at this, because he end up not charging nobody that
night, and I thought that was beautiful, so ... that's one of the things that I would like to
know — the policies — and do you have to call it as it is or could you make that decision as
to whether or not to charge that kid? Another thing is, um, Orville spoke on the, um,
community event that we have at the Spot. Um, back in September we did a police
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"know our rights and responsibilities." Um, we had quite a few people come out. Um, it
was to engage the community, but to let them know their rights and responsibilities of the
police, and so we had a police officer who did come in. He told us rights and, uh,
responsibilities, um, just knowing your rights and responsibilities I think, um, we need to
get more people educated on that too. Lot of people don't know, um, some of the things
that he told us, cause we didn't know, but it was very helpful. So ... that's all I have to
say.
Coulter: (recording starts midsentence ) ... transportation is how it affects the ... also the juveniles
and the kids in the community. If someone wants to speak, uh, regarding those issues,
that'd be good as well ... and also how, um, kids interact with police officers as well.
Roberts: Dorothy, as you mentioned, we certainly had hoped there would be some youth here
this evening, um, certainly in our variety of ways that we were publicizing this, not only
through the formal, uh, mechanisms, just informally through connections that any of us
had. We had ... we had hoped to see a few more youth, um...paitly it could be the
location, partly it could be this may be the last thing that any youth wants to do on a
Thursday night, which is totally understandable, um ... I see any number of students on
the bus because I do ride the bus regularly and there were a few I just mentioned, say, this
is going on Thursday night, what do you think? Do you want to ... come down and ... and
just talk about your experiences, and of course I would get this look — you gotta be
kidding me, lady! (laughter) So, I tried to recruit, um, but I think it does tell us as a
committee that we need to ... perhaps try a different type of venue to make that connection
and a little bit more student - friendly way. This may not be the best for that particular
group.
Coulter: (unable to hear, feedback on mic) ...on behalf of my colleagues on the Committee, but
I think most of us are here to listen, not to (unable to hear, noise on mic) pronounce...
make some pronouncement of some, uh, solution. I think it's ... it's a matter of working
with the community and .... I don't feel comfortable sitting up here (coughing, unable to
hear) That's not the way we work with the community. Um ... and so it's difficult for us,
uh, and I really appreciate your patience and ... and your willingness to come forward
under not very friendly conditions in some way, and it doesn't surprise me that some
people are not here! Uh ... and ... but uh, I want you to know that ... we understand how
awkward it is to try to work with the community in these kind of, uh, situations and I do
want to thank you, the community, uh, for coming forward and that it's at least my hope,
uh, and uh ... that, you know, we can ... we can come to some recommendations that
involve working with the community, assisting the community, finding community
leadership, supporting that community leadership, providing resources for the community
to go forward to address these issues. Sorry to make a political statement like this, but,
uh, I kind of reached my limit! (laughing) Thank you!
Elliott: I'm back! When I was up here before I talked about what I thought was mainly our
community's responsibility — to provide an orientation who, for people who come here
and would not be familiar with the kinds of expectations that we have and the way that
our laws are executed. And I think that's ... I think frilly that our community does have
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoc Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
Page 15
that responsibility to provide an orientation, same as we provide information of what's
required to get a driver's license, but this is a two -way street, and uh, the people who
come here and are not familiar with our ways and our peculiarities, uh, do I believe have
a responsibility? And I'll recount a ... an experience — I talked with Ms. Vanden Berg, uh,
during our break. Uh, when I lived on the southside of Chicago about 79r" and IC tracks,
uh, my best friend was Chucky Plusnick. He lived with his brother and his mother and an
uncle in an apartment across the alley from us, and I was at a meal with them one time — I
forget whether it was noon or evening, and I forget whether Chucky's brother or his
mother started to say something in a foreign language, which I now assume was Polish,
but I do ... I don't know, and the man, the uncle, the father, raised his hand and said, `No,
we're in America. We speak American." So I use that as an example that this is in fact a
two -way street. We should be able to help with the orientation of people who not ... may
not be familiar with what the expectations are. But those people also have a
responsibility to seek out and try to learn what is expected of them. So I hope that's
perhaps helpful.
Abubaker: Is any possibility for Spanish community to get like every (unable to understand) a
police officer (unable to understand) and we have somebody translate, because we have
...we don't know a lot about, uh, law and we need the police come and (coughs) the
community ask question and most of us we don't understand the ... the law. They can get
someone translate for the community (unable to understand) can feel free to ask. Thank
you.
Roberts: (unable to hear; too much feedback on mic) ...into whether it's communication due to a
language barrier, communication due to ... I don't understand this policy, and so that's
certainly one of the things that as a committee that we will be discussing, and that's
obviously going to be part of the ... pail of a variety of recommendations that we'll be
making to the City Council. There's lots of areas here where communication is not
working. Or not working as well as it should.
Townsend: I think another area that came up repeatedly is consistency, and how law's applied
and ... and other, you know, other parts of the city government and we need to take a look
at that also.
Roberts: As a committee we've also considered this is the one public forum that we knew that
...that we wanted to have before we got into the variety of holiday time, but we're
certainly considering the ... the possible need that we would want to do another public
forum. If any of you have some input on, you know, perhaps a venue that would be, you
know, whether it's a little bit more user - friendly than the way we set it up this evening,
um, or just some suggestions on that. We have a lot of work ahead of us and our
recommendations to the City Council, we need to make those recommendations by early
March, so we still have quite a timeline ahead of us, though that timeline is going to go
very ... very quickly. So we would appreciate your input if you have some other ideas or
suggestions on how... if we were to have another public forum, if there is some different
format that you think would be helpful.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoc Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
Page 16
Townsend: (unable to hear) ...we understand (mumbled) and what we have, you know, you
mentioned that it would be nice to have someone to come and explain things, and you
know, a lot of times we don't realize just how much power we have. I would suggest that
what you do is get together as a group and just kind of put down the things that you are
concerned about, the things that you feel that you need a better understanding of, and if
it's whatever area it is, I mean, our police chief, you know, you have the ... you can
approach him and ... and share that, and he can have someone to come out. Uh, of course
we're going to take note of that and put it in our report, but there are a lot of things that
you as a community, we as a community, you know, can do because we have that right.
(feedback on micincreasing)
Coulter: Does anyone want to share recipes? (laughter) (unable to hear; noises on mic)
Roberts: (laughing) (several talking)
Botchway: Tom really helped me out here and just wanted to explain to everyone the reason why
we're just sitting up here and waiting for people to give more comments is not just
because we have nothing else to do, but um, because we allotted this time between 6:00
and 8:00, just to make sure that, you know, people were working or people wanted to
come in at 7:50 or 7:55 that we were available for those people who had comments as
well and so ... we're going to be here until 8:00 so if anyone wants to share (laughing)
anything then, um, you know, feel free, um, I don't know if we want to do recipes, but
um, something along, you know, the lines of, um, I really feel like, you know, um, some
of the things we've talked about... there's definitely suggestions, you know, I ... I know
something, you know, you might not feel it's something that really might do a lot, but...
you never know, I mean, I didn't even think about the fact that having someone to
interpret, um, the rights and responsibilities, um, being a good idea, but that's a good, I
mean, that's a great idea. That's a really good idea. You know, I didn't think about that
as being such a...a big ordeal, but it is. So ... suggestions along those lines, you know,
even if you might think they're really miniscule and small, you know, could really help
us out as far as what we can provide, as far as recommendations to the City Council,
so ... sign your name, uh ... and I didn't mean to say it was a bad idea. I just meant to say
that it's not an idea I thought of, so...
Coulter: (unable to hear)
Christoffer: Yeah, I just have a question for you. Do you also work with the disabled part of the
community? Is that included in the diversity minority... part of this?
Botchway: I would hope so, yes.
Christoffer: Okay. That's what I just came here to find out, cause I didn't see any of that
information... included disabled. Okay. Thank you very much. (several respond)
Townsend: (unable to hear) ...Council was to, uh, make recommendations for law enforcement
and transportation, but you know, we've kind of covered that ... thus far and, you know,
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Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
r��v
Page 17
the mic is open for any concern now because even though it's not our charge, when we
do our final report we can ... we can mention it or include it.
Coulter: (unable to hear) ...disability, uh, and we've already heard about some healthcare issues
and so forth, uh ... those who have especially with public transportation, or with, uh, law
enforcement or whatever, uh, yeah. There's going to be difficulties there just as there
are, uh, with different racial or ethnic or immigrant groups or ... or those in low socio-
economic status, so on and so forth. Uh, and ... if...if you ... if you, any of you have issues
of that sort, where you don't think appropriate accommodations are being made, where
you're exposed to ... to inordinate difficulties in ... in, uh, being able to ... to carry on your
life, let's hear `em! Uh ... that ... that's every bit as valid as anything.
Roberts: Thank you, Royceann. (several talking)
Porter: (several talking) ...in my community events I would like to say that, um, we would love
to have you on the southeast side of Iowa City to try to get more people to come in and
talk with you. Um, so the Spot would be available in doing a community events. We
offer childcare, as well as feeding the people, so, um, I think that would be a pretty
decent, um, to have you guys come over to the Spot, um, a lot of people over there don't
have transportation, um ... cars. The parking here, downtown, uh, childcare, that all is a
reason why probably some of `ems not here tonight but ... just let me know!
Roberts: (unable to hear) ...you know, like two weeks ahead of time, or does it really matter?
Porter: Just let us know... beginning of the month because we plan it the last Thursday of every
month.
Roberts: Okay. Thank you!
Porter: Uh -huh.
Coulter: I don't know if this would be in conformance (recording cuts in and out) of the City's
behavior for committees, but I ... I'm not sure we wouldn't do better if we had a stand -up,
mill about, no mics, no (laughs) no tables, no name cards (laughs) uh, let's just ... let's just
mix and talk. Uh ... what do you think? Royceann? (unable to hear response away from
mic)
Porter:... before this group was formed, what we did was sit around the table and people listened
and everybody was able. It was just a round table, you know, nobody ... you didn't have
to stand up and all that. You just was able to just tell your story sittin' around a table,
so ... that will be fine.
Townsend: (unable to hear) ...intimidating for someone to come up and give their thoughts. So
as a buffer, you'd think you'd be able to communicate with the community and kind of
get a feel for what their concerns are, get that to our committee, and then that way we can
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoc Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
--3A
Page 18
just throw out topics and people can respond. That's... that's more of a buffer, and I think
we... they may be more comfortable with that.
Porter: That's fine. Yep.
Roberts: Royceann, I just wanted to ask you because of your contact with students, have you
heard much feedback about the expanded eastside loop route? Is that working better for
students?
Porter: It is working. It's workin'.
Roberts: Good!
Porter: It is working.
Roberts: Glad to hear that.
Porter: Yeah, it is working. (laughs) I can tell you that! I don't know, um, I haven't had the
opportunity to go downtown to the Old Capitol Mall to know what the problems are, if
they're being ... if there've been any, but just that route itself..
Roberts: ... substantial change down there (several talking)
Porter: Okay. It's quiet.
Roberts: Yeah.
Porter: Should have had that bus a long time ago. Just one bus! (laughs) Yeah, so ... it has made
a tremendous difference.
Roberts: Good.
Porter: Yes.
Townsend: (unable to hear) (several talking) ...I think (laughter) I think that situation is the ... the
epitome of what we're dealing with, I mean, we had a situation that kind of slipped up on
us, but with communication once we acknowledge it with communication, some changes
were made to address it and ... and that's a lot of what we're dealing with. We've got
things going on all around us that we're not aware of, that we could do something about it
if we have the knowledge and can open up communication. So you know I ... I think
communication's going to be a key in the future.
Paulios: Hi, uh, my name's Jason Paulios. Um, I'm a teen librarian here at the Iowa City Public
Library and I just wanted to make a quick mention about the same thing that we were just
talking about in that, um, we run a computer lab, uh, for early -out days on Thursdays, uh,
and it traditionally is, there's 20 computers and it runs just, you don't need a card. You
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Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
137r
Page 19
just come in and you sit down as a teenager and use the internet and, well, Facebook but
um, so uh ... it's traditionally always busy and ever since the bus change, we're struggling
to find anyone to come in and use it (laughing) anymore so it's like I applaud you and I
also, uh ... my numbers are dwindling. So um ... so I've been going under the assumption
that it's working very well. So, uh, (laughing) I commend the group and the group, uh,
they were sort of justice group, I well, think is also involved in making that happen and,
um, and just wanted to congratulate the City as well on, uh, the bus route for that. So,
thanks!
Abubaker: I would like this group to give us, uh, orientation about the rule about landlord, cause
we have a lot of comment and we don't know which our right. A landlord, landlord
orientation.
Sullivan: Just a thought that came to me while I was sitting there, but maybe something you folks
could consider, I'm not sure how realistic this would be but I wonder if you could hold a
meeting ... I know some of you probably couldn't attend, but if you could hold a meeting
like for example some day during lunch at City High, and uh, just invite kids to, um, take
part, you know, I think lunches are in like three shifts and maybe you could do something
like that or immediately after school, I mean, I know you'd lose some kids then to, uh,
employment or sports or whatever but um, it's just a thought. That's a big population of
the young people that you're trying to reach.
Townsend: (unable to hear) ...we need parent, uh, parental consent for something like that?
Sullivan: I would say you just have to work with the School Administration and see if they could
work that out. I don't ... I can't answer that. I don't know.
(female): (unable to hear) ...we did focus groups at the (mumbled) keep up that model to reach
the young people, and it was ... and we had parents too, and it was just smaller, informal,
and someone, you know, we had a set set of questions and recorded that and it was far
less intimidating than a ... than a venue like that. So I ... I think there's some possibility of
even doing that in the schools, uh, during lunch I think that would work. And then
we ... we'd just get consent from parents or ... or keep it informal. So...
Christoffer: Hi, I was just wondering when you have like listening posts like they do for the
Board of Supervisors and the City Council? We have something like that set up?
Botchway: I'm not familiar with what you're talking about. Can you explain a little bit?
Christoffer: Where you might meet somewhere and people can come in, and ... tell you some
concerns that they have. So that you're aware of that. Every now and then just mention
it like in the paper, or on the City web site ... that you'll be having a listening post. So
some people do it at different restaurants, you know, City Hall or the Library.
Botchway: That's a great idea! Thank you. (several responding)
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Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
-39,
Page 20
Christoffer: Okay, thank you.
Coulter: Our committee has a limited lifetime but the Human Rights Committee, uh ... would you
suggest ... make that suggestion perhaps to the Human Rights Committee?
Abubaker: (recording starts midsentence) ...like the student at City ... at, uh, West High. When a
student lives like less than two miles, they don't get school bus, and the parent gets hard
time to let the kids go school. If any possibility about public school or the.... the... any
possibility to let them get bus from Coralville to get, uh, to City High. I know a lot of
students over there because they say less than two point that's why they can't get the bus,
and the parent, they have a hard time to take their kids to school. Thank you.
Roberts: (recording starts midsentence) ...school district policy though that's not something, uh,
we have discussed that as a committee, although we don't have any authority over that
but its there's so many issues related to that two miles, uh, two mile limit that
is ... sometimes just does not work very well for students and parents.
Abubaker: Yes. Thank you. (several speaking away from mic)
Botchway: All right, we have ... we have two minutes left
anything forth ... for discussion? Anything at all!
to accept correspondence, um, in documents.
Vanden Berg: (unable to hear)
Roberts: Second.
Does anybody else want to, um, bring
All right. Uh, like to consider a motion
Botchway: All right. Motion on the table. All in favor say aye. All opposed same sign. Motion
5 -0. Motion to adjourn.
Townsend: (unable to hear) (several responding)
Botchway: Motion to adjourn.
Coulter: So moved.
Bakhit: Second.
Botchway: All in favor say aye. All opposed same sign. All right, motion to adjourn. Thank
you for everyone coming! (applause)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Ad Hoc Diversity
Committee's Public Information Gathering Session of November 15, 2012.
Information from loan Vandeneerg re subcommittee /small groups In hiah schools:
I did talk with my supervisor here at the district and she indicated that we could hold focus groups at the
schools without parental consent. We would make parents aware that we are doing this activity (i.e. in the
weekly update from the principal, on the web -site, etc..), but active consent would not be necessary.
I didn't have time to get in touch with all of the high schools, but I did visit with one high school administrator
and she thought over lunch would work the best, we wouldn't have to worry about conflicts with after school
activities and we don't have to work out the logistics of getting students home. We would get a fabulous
turn -out if we had pizza —I can work on that if the committee likes that idea. Her suggestion would be to put
together a flyer that we'd circulate to invite students —we could have a sign -up in the office. I'd envision a
group of 10 students with 2 committee members. I'd be happy to be one of the facilitators.
Also, she said before break would not be ideal. We lose some students for the holidays and the overall stress
level is pretty high, so the week after break (the week of January 7th) would be work best. Right now the
week of January 7th is wide open for me... I could do a lunch focus group any day. So, I'll make contact with
the other high schools next week.
Here's my schedule before break:
Late afternoon / evening of the 11th or 13th
Afternoon of the 14th
17th, 18" and 191h - pretty open during the day or evening, would it be possible to do something with the
Crisis Center / Salvation Army Holiday distribution ?? Just a thought[
Name
Address
On June 19, 2012 the City Council created an Ad Hoc Diversity Committee; 1) to study the operation
of the City's transit system, including but not limited to the downtown interchange as it relates to
minority populations and 2) to study the operations of the City law enforcement, including but not
limited to the Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) as it relates to minority populations. Your input
is important to us.
Law Enforcement.
Have you had the opportunity to interact with the I,
at neighborhood events?
police officers
What issues challenge the relationship between the police and the City's minority communities?
In your experience what has worked best to strengthen the relationship between minority populations
and the police? Why?
What other recommendations would you make that would improve minority communities relations
with the police?
If you were the Police Chief, what effects would you undertake to improve police relations within
minority communities?
Have you heard of the Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB)? If yes, please explain.
Name
Address
On June 19, 2012 the City Council created an Ad Hoc Diversity Committee: 1) to study the operation
of the City's transit system, including but not limited to the downtown interchange as it relates to
minority populations and 2) to study the operations of the City law enforcement, including but not
limited to the Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) as it relates to minority populations. Your input
is important to us.
Transportation:
Do you use City transportation?
Do the City bus routes work for you? Do they go where you need to go? How well does the
schedule work for you?
What issues challenge the relationship between transportation and the City's minority communities?
What is working well? What needs to be unproved?
In your experience what has worked best to strengthen the relationship between minority populations
and City transportation services? Why?
What other recommendations would you make that would improve minority communities relations
and transportation needs?
What effects would you undertake to improve transportation within minority communities?
2,
PROPOSED LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
12 -03 -12
Police Citizens Review Board
Education (Process, Procedure, Authority /power)
Option for PCRB member to participate in complainant interview with Police
City Manager participation in officer interview
Police Civil Service Recruitment Education
State & federal regulations
Barriers to testing
Pending Recommendations to Council from Human Rights Commission:
1. The Human Rights Commission recommends to the Iowa City City Council that a conunittee
be established to review the Police Citizen Review Board. That committee can be
compromised of city staff, councilors or community members, but must contain at least one
human rights commissioner. The review board would investigate the strengths and challenges
of the current Police Citizen Review Board model and consider whether it is the right model
for the city. In reviewing the strengths and the challenges of the current Police Citizen
Review Board, the review committee would determine whether the current structure best
serves the city. (March 20, 2012)
Pending Recommendations to Council from Police Citizens Review Board:
1. To change the name to Citizens Police Review Board. (June 12, 2012)
2. To remove the language regarding Formal Mediation within the City Code and from the
Standard Operating Procedures. (June 12, 2012)
3. To offer as an option, the ability for a Board member to accompany the complainant during
the police investigation interview process for a PCRB complaint, at the complainant's request.
(June 12, 2012)
4. Recommendation to change the Board's 45 -day reporting period to 90 -days. (October 9,
2012)
Page 1 of 7
&M dk4s
Subscribe ' About I
ARTS ATHLETICS CAMPUS Ci
U12012 Annual Report: The Vear in photos, our broad spectrum of diversity, and more...
AR12: Changing face of UI diversity
Barnes finds her purpose, research focus outside of comfort zone
BY: LOIS J. GRAY 1 2012.11.30 1 10:25 AM
Photo by Tim Schoon.
(Editor's Note: New buildings aren't the only things changing the face of
campus. The faces of Ul students are also literally changing. Strolling across
campus one sees more international and Hispanic students, more veterans,
http://now.uiowa.edu/2012/1 1 /ar 12- changing- face- ui- diversity?utm_ source= Tweet &utm_... 12/3/2012
Page 2 of 7
and more students with cognitive or intellectual disabilities. Read on to get
a glimpse into one students life, who represents several facets of the broad
spectrum of diversity at the Ul.)
Frances Barnes recalls the profound culture shock she experienced when
she first arrived in Iowa three years ago.
"1 had never been to the Midwest before and wasn't prepared for how
different everything was," says the 33- year -old College of Education
Rehabilitation and Counselor Education ( htto : / /www.education.uiowa.edu /rce)
doctoral student from North Carolina. "And I mean everything —the weather,
the landscape, the culture, and not seeing as many people who looked like
me.,,
Coming from a historically black college to a predominately white institution
was a huge adjustment for Barnes, who says her mentor back at North
Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University pushed her to make the
transition.
"She said I needed the exposure and experience," Barnes says. "And I am a
true believer that experience is the best teacher. It is my belief that a person
learns the most when they are unaccustomed, uncomfortable, and face
mysteriousness with a desire to remove such feelings."
Barnes isn't alone. UI officials say that the university has made significant
strides in both recruiting and retaining students across a broad spectrum of
diversity.
This includes students of different ethnicities, international students,
student veterans, LGBT students, students with disabilities, and first -
generation students, according to UI Chief Diversity Officer Georgina
Dodge —a challenge in a state that still has a small minority population
overall.
Most diverse class ever
The fall 2012 incoming class was UI's most diverse ever, with 16.2
percent -725 students — identifying as minorities, continuing a trend that
has seen that mark grow from 12.6 percent in 2010 and 14.2 percent last
year.
http: / /now.uiowa. edtt/2012/ 11 /ar 12- changing- face -ui- diversity ?utm_ source= Tweet &utm_... 12/3/2012
Page 3 of 7
Of a total of 31,498 UI students (21 ,999 undergraduates, 8,129 graduate
and professional students, and 1,370 postdoctoral and post professional
M.D. students) currently on campus, 12.6 percent identified themselves as
African- American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American /Native Alaskan, Native
Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander, or two or more races; 11 .3 percent were
international students representing 101 countries, and 55.2 percent were
from Iowa.
There has especially been strong and steady growth in the number of
Hispanic students attending the UI, much of this due to joint outreach
programs coordinated by the Center for Diversity and Enrichment
(hup:11cde.uiowa.edu/) in the UI Chief Diversity Office and UI Office of
Admissions (httu: / /adMissionS.tllowa.edu /) .
Over the last three years, enrollment of Hispanic students has grown by 37
percent, from 1,099 students in fall 2010 to 1,505 students in fall 2012.
International student numbers have also surged with 2,191 students in
2008 to 3,576 in fall 2012. The largest number of international students
comes from China, South Korea, India, and Taiwan.
A growing number of student veterans also attend the UI, with the fall
enrollment at 552.
Significant progress has also been made in identifying first - generation
students, currently 5,670 students.
African - American student numbers have increased by 7 percent from 784
students in fall 2010 to 837 students in fall 2012; and students who identify
with two or more races or ethnic categories have climbed from 243 in fall
2010 to 420 in fall 2012.
Conversely, numbers of Native American students have declined from 120
in fall 2010 to 83 in fall 2012, Asian- American student numbers have gone
down slightly from 1,114 in fall 2010 to 1,086 in fall 2012, and Native
Hawaiian student enrollment has been stagnant (from 36 students in fall
2010 to 35 students in fall 2012).
Note: According to the Ul Office of the Registrar, the data trend seems to
indicate an increase in minority enrollment but it is difficult to say for
certain because the federal guidelines for ethnicity and race self
littp: / /now.uiowa.edu /2012 /11 /arl2- clianging- face -ui- diversity ?uttn_source = Tweet &utm ... 12/3/2012
Page 4 of 7
identification have changed. As a result, more individuals of mixed races or
Hispanic ethnicity may be willing to identify themselves.
Embracing change, providing resources
What most distinguishes the changing face of the UI campus, Dodge says, is
how UI students are embracing those changes.
"Students are excited about meeting each other and connecting across
differences," Dodge says. "A good example of this is UI Student
Government's 'Get to Know Me' program (http: / /www.vouttibe.com /watch?
v= O_XkRmIETGs &feature= youtu.be) , with the fabulous video on their website. We
need to give our students credit for being smart enough to realize that they
are citizens of the world, and the world contains all types of differences that
they need to live with."
Barnes is also a first - generation college student, and says that support for
this aspect of her identity has been crucial to her success on campus.
"President Mason has lunch once a year with the i- fellows, a program that
supports new doctoral students," Barnes says. "It's amazing to sit down and
talk with her. I loved hearing her story about being a first - generation
college student. I really felt a connection with her."
But it doesn't stop there. Barnes says that the UI offers resources ranging
from the culture centers to festivals and offices that support diversity.
Dodge says a number of steps are taken to create a welcoming climate for
all students through interactive programs such as Friends and Neighbors in
the Center for Diversity and Enrichment, which pairs international and U.S.
students, first as pen pals and then peers; the Building Our Global
Community (littr):Ilinternational.tiiowa.edu/`cultural-training/bqc) program in
International Programs, which provides opportunities to learn about cultures
from around the world; trainings such as Safe Zone
( http:/ hw✓ w. uiowa.edu /- Igbsfa /safezone.htmh , which teaches participants how to
support members of the LGBTQ community; and nondegree programs such
as the College of Education's REACH Program
(http: / /www.education.uiowa.edti/services /reach /defauit.asi)x) , which provides a
campus experience for students with intellectual, cognitive, and learning
disabilities.
http : / /now.uiowa.edtt/2012 /11 /ar12- changing- face -ui- diversity ?utm_source = Tweet &utm ... 12/3/2012
Page 5 of 7
"We are creating a community that provides a space for all even as we
educate ourselves about each other, diminishing the fear and
misunderstanding that comes through lack of knowledge," Dodge says. "It is
vital that we provide our students with the cultural capital they need to be
successful in this world —and that currency is knowledge of how to be in
relationship with others, no matter what differences may exist."
Getting outside of comfort zone
While attending college in North Carolina, Barnes says she was always in her
comfort zone. Coming to the UI propelled her into unfamiliar territory. She
saw few black faces. She initially felt alone.
"I was so scared before I came here," Barnes says. "I wondered if I could
make it in the doctoral program, how I would be treated. There were just so
many unknowns."
But it also gave her focus and a sense of purpose. And she started to get to
know a lot of people who reached out to her. She met other African -
American alumni mentors through a program established by the College of
Education Department of Rehabilitation and Counselor Education who gave
her support and encouragement. She also became an active member of the
college's diversity committee.
She got involved as the volunteer coordinator at the UI Women's Resource
and Action Center (htto: / /www.ulowa.edu /- wrac /) as well as the College of
Education's i- fellows program in the Office of Graduate Teaching
Excellence, which provides support to new doctoral students through
mentoring and networking. Through i- fellows, Barnes has developed deep
collegial ties and friendships with fellow graduate students from Taiwan and
Ethiopia, among other places.
"I've learned that when you're uncomfortable, you're forced to face your
fears, and when you face these fears, you discover that fear is a beautiful
thing, and you grow," Barnes says. "You use that fear as fuel, and when you
accomplish one goal or tackle one fear, it makes tackling other fears so
easy."
This experience also became the focus of Barnes' research, which examines
the transition for African - American students from historically black colleges
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to predominately white institutions and explores the reason there are so few
black students at the latter.
"It's kind of a catch -22. You've got to open opportunities to get African -
American doctoral students to come to the program and stay in the
program, but the factors that hinder them are lack of funding and lack of
other African - American students and faculty mentors," Barnes says. "And
having a social network of people you feel comfortable with is also
important."
Barnes believes she's had even more opportunities at the UI to interact with
others from around the nation and world, and that meeting Iowans from
small rural communities is another facet of diversity for her.
In fact, more than one third of the 112 students in the master's or doctoral
UI College of Education Rehabilitation and Counselor Education program are
domestic minority or international students. Even more diverse, 32 of the 52
doctoral students represent domestic minority or international students,
nearly 62 percent.
Diversity enhances the classroom experience
In a College of Education ethics course, Barnes had the opportunity to work
on a group ethics project with fellow graduate students from China, South
Korea, Puerto Rico, and Iowa.
"It was the most amazing experience I ever had," Barnes says. "We did a
presentation on a case study of group counseling, and it was really
interesting to see the different aspects of culture that influenced the
decisions that were made."
Barnes believes strongly in educating others about diversity and differences,
whether it's fellow students from small rural communities or faculty, staff,
and even members of the community.
"You have to meet people where they are and educate them," she says.
"Embrace it, understand it, and look at it as a learning lesson. When I'm
outside of my environment, where I'm no longer the majority, I really came
to understand and appreciate my own African - American culture even more
here at Iowa."
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Barnes has no regrets about coming to the UI.
"I'm learning so much more about the world, other people, and myself here
at Iowa then if I stayed in North Carolina," Barnes says. "I found my purpose
here coming outside of my comfort zone."
Contacts
Lois 1. Gray (mailto:Iois- 9ray@uiowa.edu), University Communication and
Marketing, 319 - 384 -0900
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