November 11, 2020 Minutes

The November meeting took place from 3:00pm – 4:30pm on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, via Zoom. 

Zoom Webinar Recording
(you must be logged into your WFU email to view) 

Coach Steve Forbes, Men’s Basketball Head Coach 

  • MEN’S BASKETBALL UPDATES
    • National Signing Day is today, November 11
    • ACC Media Day, tonight at 7:30 p.m. 
    • July started with practice using protocols 
    • To date, not a single positive COVID test since coming back on campus.
    • Initially four days a week practice for an hour, moved to eight hours per week in October, now in regular practice
    • In the Joel for the first time this past Saturday for a game day prep and it was the first time they were able to have a socially distanced pregame meal together 
    • Coach leads with G.R.A.C.E. core values: 
      • G – Grateful/Gratitude
      • R – Respectful
      • A – Accountable 
      • C – Committed 
      • E – Enthusiasm 
  • QUESTIONS
    • Q. How different is WFU from other places you have worked?
      A. Higher academic standards, people are helpful and exciting. 
    • Q. How do you feel about being picked last in the ACC?
      A. We have only one way to go – UP, looking forward to a challenge.
    • Q. What opportunity is there for fans to attend?
      A. 16% capacity, so limited, more to watch online or TV. 
    • Q. What is expected from the team this year?
      A. That we play hard, execute the plays, and hustle.
    • Q. What surprised the most about the community?
      A. Hasn’t been worried about covid – not out much, people have been great, campus is beautiful.
    • Q. Where will you be five years from now?
      A. Get good players and get competitive, hopefully before the five year mark.  
    • Q. How much better will defense be?
      A. Teams always play tough – if you don’t defend, you don’t play.
    • Q. Are you visible around campus?
      A. Not as much as I should be, again, trying to stay safe.
    • Q. Who has stood out in practice?
      A. Odie, Mucous, Ish, Jacobi, Williamson. 
    • Q. Who are your role models?
      A. My parents, I have always looked up to them as role models.  
    • Q. What is your strategy to get fans involved?
      A. It’s going to be hard this year with capacity and other restrictions in the Joel. Will have to be mostly virtual and on TV.  
    • Q. Do you use data analytics?
      A. Numbers are important, we use them. End of the day just need more points than the other team.
    • Q. How has COVID impacted the attitude of the team?
      A. It hasn’t, I am a planner and have learned through this to be a bit more day to day, ebb and flow. Just attack the day, day to day. 

Frank Davis, Director of Men’s Basketball Operations

  • MEN’S BASKETBALL UPDATE (CONT’D)
    • COVID is creating logistical challenges for the team
    • ACC schedule is out, but it is subject to change
    • 7% capacity is more like it in the Joel rather than the 16% that Coach Forbes spoke of
    • Kudos to the team for taking care of themselves, and working through travel to be able to play these games
    • Please support us from home! 

Olivia Bresnahan, Director of Women’s Basketball Operations

  • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL UPDATE
    • THREE seniors graduated last year
    • Went to ACC tourney last year but just fell short
    • This year trying to make an impact, currently 12th of 15, looking to surprise folks this year – feel stronger than 12th
    • Four strong incoming freshman
    • ACC schedule released today and working on travel to get to games and how to maintain guidelines – face shields, no food on bus, etc. 
    • First game in Florida, will be in a bubble using the same protocols as the WNBA
    • Three day tournament coming up
  • QUESTIONS
    • Q.  What are you doing this year to get to the tournament?
      A. Four new players to offset loss. Phenomenal efforts, excited to play against others besides ourselves. 
    • Q. How has your experience playing helped with your job?
      A. FSU and Ducane, so I know the lay of the land.  
    • Q. How long will the team be in the bubble in Florida?
      A. Five days. Travel, practice, then three games – two of them against teams in top 25.
    • Q. What are the team strengths that you can already see?
      A. This is our most competitive team in three years. They go the extra mile. Intensity. 

Penny Rue, Vice President for Campus Life

  • TITLE IX REGULATIONS
    • The last major update to Title IX was in 1975
    • Final rule was 5/6/20 and compliance deadline was 8/15/20, even amid COVID, a tremendous group together to go through the process
    • Five faculty members, numerous staff, executive committees of faculty and staff, and student group 
    • Kami Chavis also served as co-chair

Aishah Casseus, Director of the Title IX Office

Interest was in EEO something else and knew work would be needed in T9 – Landed in  Florida State, Interim there for a while, then to WSSU, met the Wake group and didn’t know what I could do different but learned about the Med School, and at Wake – didn’t need the buy in, already had it and the support to do more than what the regulations required. At WFU she was not fighting against what the University wanted, but aligned. Wanted the challenge – here she is. Excited about the new policy and to navigate the new.

Q:  How will the new administration impact the new regs?
A:  Administration may not make it priority with covid, etc. – the department of education may not have it at top.

Q:  Clery Act?
A:  Currently a bit in flux, will keep finger on pulse. Regina Lawson will be helping navigate.

Q: Aisha, what do you feel will be your  biggest challenge?
A:  I don’t anticipate the law of T9 being the challenge, but rather getting to know campus. Like to engage with students and can’t right now. We are very vocal. Get to know campus, faculty student orgs etc.

Q:  Will this apply to med school?
A:  Yes

General Session:

Ashley Berry – Update on presidential search. Steph Carter noticed that there was not a staff member on the committee to select, and Steph was able to sit down with the BOT roach, executive committee of staff advisory committee will be meeting with a member of the search committee to share the thoughts and concerns from staff to the selection group. 

An email is coming and will be in the minutes tomorrow. 

Standing committees

Communication Elizabeth Dam-Reiger – A recording link will be in the minutes. Follow us on social media, we will have a break in December so social media will be the best resource. Please submit your thoughts on the survey for president selection. Email coming tomorrow for survey. 

Events: Whitney Barker – October meeting we chatted about how to get the committee more involved – virtual game night coming. Continuing to explore how to recognize staff contributions and show appreciation. 

Fringe: Matt Grau  – Nov 1 is the official transition date for the new committee year. Initial meeting talked about the traditional calendar year benefits cycle and how the committee plays a role in the process. We will meet in Nov/Dec to plan our schedule and prioritize the upcoming year. 

Membership: Ashley Berry– First meeting has been held to discuss the role in SAC. Filled vacant positions within group 2 and from Athletics. Welcome to Kathleen Stimely and Cameron Speaks. 

Pro Humanitate: Kim Flowers – 2 ways to help this holiday season, donate a gift card for a WFU family, or donate to Chaplain’s emergency fund. 

Outside Committees: No reports

General Announcements – WFU Artisans’ Fair is a FB virtual event being held on Saturday Dec 5 from 10a – 3p. If you want to be a vendor ask Ashley for link,

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