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Human Rights Commission Minutes <br />August 19, 2015 — Draft Minutes <br />Page 5 of 9 <br />182 c. Update on Student Essay Contest <br />183 <br />184 Commissioner Christiansen s�ated the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions had <br />185 decided not to use the question submitted by Roseville for the essay contest. She feels that this <br />186 decision will make teachers feel like they have not been heard and the question would not <br />187 correspond with the curriculum. The League is forming a question around the disproportionate <br />188 intervention between law enforcement and people of color. <br />189 <br />190 Chair Groff stated the Commission could decide to continue with their own question but this <br />191 would mean that the City and the students would not be able to participate next year in the State <br />192 contest. <br />193 <br />194 Commissioner Christiansen stated if the contest remains local the prizes would be: $100 for first <br />195 place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place. The prizes for the League of Minnesota <br />196 Human Rights Commissions has been changed to: $300 for first place, $200 for second place, <br />197 $100 for third place, and honorable mention is $25. <br />198 <br />199 Commissioner Carey pointed out that the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions is <br />200 late with presenting the question for all communities, meaning no city has an advantage over <br />201 another. She asked why the City would proceed with their own contest rather than continuing to <br />202 participate in the State contest. <br />203 <br />204 <br />205 <br />206 <br />207 <br />208 <br />209 <br />210 <br />Chair Groff stated the League might have the question available in within the next couple of <br />weeks. <br />Commissioner Christiansen expressed disappointment that the League and the Commission had <br />concerns about low participation and the question that had been presented would bring <br />participation up because it aligned with the curriculum throughout the State. <br />2ll Commissioner Slade stated the nature of the question the League is working on may encourage <br />212 more participation because it is more relevant to what is happening in today's society. She asked <br />213 if participants could choose what question they would want to answer and this would determine <br />214 if they would be eligible for the State contest or the local contest. <br />215 <br />216 Chair Groff stated they would not want to present too many choices. <br />217 <br />218 Ms. Collins stated teachers might be reluctant to push working on an essay for the League <br />219 question because it is controversial and the City would see a significant drop in participation. <br />22o She clarified the two options the Commission had were to use the question prepared by the <br />221 League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions or Roseville could decide to use their own <br />222 question and conduct their own local contest. Both options might pose future problems. <br />223 <br />224 Commissioner Carey stated Roseville's recommendation for a question had been presented to the <br />225 League and had not been approved. <br />226 <br />