University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Women

Meeting Minutes

September 23, 2003

I. Announcements

A. Welcome to all members! Welcome to Carol Bresnahan, visiting American Council on Education
     Fellow from University of Toledo!

B. Please mark your calendars for our upcoming meeting dates:  10/28, 12/2, 1/27, 2/24, 3/30, 4/27,
     3:00 - 5:00 pm @ 500 Swanlund Administration Building.

II. New Business

A. National Initiative for Women in Higher Education: Agenda for the 21^st Century Executive Summary (a
     copy of which was handed out to everyone in attendance).  Please use this as a springboard to identify
     any issues you believe need attention on the UIUC campus.  E-mail secretary Marcy Townsend
     (mltownse@uiuc.edu) by 10/1 with your top issues and we will discuss them at the 10/28 meeting.

1. We will be using their Commitment to Action model as a guide to define and implement
    our goals on these issues. 

III. Recap of meeting with Kathleen Pecknold and Kathryn Anthony on 09/16

A. New Items

1. Campus Conduct:  Follow up on university-wide efforts for improvements in preventing
    sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

a) 10/28 Meeting:  Mary Ellen O'Shaughnessey, Associate Director of
    Academic Human Resources, will speak.

2. "Tangible Initiatives"

a) Carol Bresnahan spoke about her concerns with campus parking garages,
    their stairwells in particular.  This is one of the first impressions this
    University gives to its visitors and such facilities give out signs about what
    this institution cares about. 

b) Kathryn Anthony proposed that the Committee looks into gender-friendly
    speaking podiums for faculty and guest lecturers.  She explained how this is
    an issue that indirectly "puts women off" and sends subtle messages about
    whether or not they belong here.  Marcy Townsend will research who and
    how these podiums are purchased and report back at a later date.

c) Joyce Wright reminded the Committee to follow up on its initiatives to
    improve women's restroom across campus, as there is a particular
    restroom in the Undergraduate Library whose repair has been neglected
    for more than a year.

d) Linda Beale suggested that the Committee examine the portraiture of men
    and women across campus.  The campus needs to look at the effects of its
    large, imposing "overwhelmingly male" portraits on display in our buildings;
    what are the impacts this has on current and future students and faculty.

e) Patricia Morey proposed that the Committee look into improving and
    possibly adding more spaces for women on campus.  The current
    Women's Studies facilities are in need of major expansion, however, the
    funding is not available.  Jacque Kahn reminded us that there was a
    proposal in the 1980s for such an expansion.  She will bring a copy of that
    proposal to the 10/28 meeting for everyone to review and to generate new
    ideas for campus improvements.

f) Joyce Wright suggested that the Committee examine women administrators
   of color and underrepresented ethnic backgrounds at this University and the
   climate in which they operate-what is the environment perceived by
   current and potential administrative members and how can this be
   developed and taken advantage of to recruit and retain such women.

g) Melody McDaniel raised her concerns with women's safety in the
    residence halls at UIUC.  With the new card-key system, outsiders have
    easier opportunities to enter the building unknowingly.  She wants the
    committee to develop a plan to educate female residents.

B. Follow-Up on Initiatives from Recent Years

1. Flexible appointment structures:  Work with Dean David Daniel from College of
    Engineering and possibly other administrators who would like to begin implementing such
    positions. Monitor progress and keep CCSW informed. Faculty committee member
    delegated:  Linda Beale, Kathleen Pecknold, Carol Bresnahan

2. Mentoring initiative:  Monitor progress of mentoring programs across campus and keep
    CCSW informed.  Committee member delegated:  Kathleen Pecknold and
    Carol Bresnahan

3. Improving women's restrooms across campus:  Monitor progress and tangible
    improvements based on last year's recommendations Committee member delegated: 
    Deanie Brown (nomination)

C. Follow-Up on Ongoing Issues

1. Monitoring program in childcare facilities: Keep Committee up to date on progress
    across campus. Committee member delegated: Kathleen Pecknold

2. Completing status report on undergraduate women:  Keep committee informed on
    results. Committee member delegated: Patricia Morey, Joyce Wright

3. Monitoring Faculty Excellence, TOPPS, and other new hires:  Keep Committee
    informed. Committee member delegated: Kathleen Pecknold

4. Monitoring faculty women's salary: Compile information and report to committee. 
    Ask Carol Livingstone.