University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Women

Meeting Minutes

3:00-5:00 p.m., 500 Swanlund Administration Building

1. Approval of Minutes from October 29, 2002 meeting: Minutes Approved
2. Old Business
   1. Rape Awareness and Prevention Committee: Delegated member Michelle Pincus discussed issues concerning rape awareness and prevention.
      1. Complaints surrounding the Rape Crisis Hotline have been made. Individuals reported "no answer" when calling the hotline. Instead, they were directed to an automated message, in which calls were returned at later time.
      2. Issues concerning previous attacks on campus were also discussed. At the time of our meeting, within the last 6 months, 14 attacks have occurred on campus. 9 of the 14 attacks were directed toward Asian Americans, one of which was a sexual assault. Committee members discussed the situation.
   2. CCSW postcard/announcement: The committee continued to discuss the need for and effectiveness of informational postcards. The committee also discussed alternative and more economical advertising methods. Suggested methods include memorandums and/or posters. Committee member Susanne Aref shared her concern regarding the effectiveness of posters. Susanne Aref feels that individuals will not receive information unless directly sent to them. As a result, delegated member Deanie Brown will provide the committee with a list of individuals within her area who are without dedicated computers. A memo with committee information and meeting dates will be distributed to these individuals as well as students. Additionally, the committee will explore "Inside Illinois," the Dean's and directors' list serve and CCSO list serve will also be investigated as possible solutions. The committee will distribute information and an invitation to attend meeting in early 2003.
3. New Business
   1. Analyze deficiencies and improve women's restrooms: Delegated member Deanie Brown further discussed survey research conducted by custodial staff, examining the condition and status of every restroom on campus. Preliminary results reveal Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is one of the few campus buildings with family restrooms in which restrooms for persons with disabilities can also be used as family restrooms, as they open directly off a hallway. Member Kal Alston discussed the need for more separate facilities parent and child could use the restroom alone. Committee member Pat Morey raised the issue of accessibility in restrooms for persons with disabilities. Committee Chair Kathryn Anthony stressed that family issues, especially the ability for parents and children of the opposite gender to use the same restroom, needed to be addressed when remodeling campus buildings, especially one like IMPE and Assembly Hall.
   2. Flexible appointment structures for faculty: Delegated member Lynda Cabrales and Lakeisha Johnson with Kal Alston as a consultant, discussed research surrounding flexible appointment structures for faculty. Lynda and Lakeisha will provide the committee with a report summarizing the research conducted. Member Kal Alston discussed issues and concerns of campuses that offer part-time tenure track positions that could present potential problems for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus.
      1. Potential concerns include the Provost's Communication Number Nine guidelines for promotion and tenure which focus on (1) research (2) teaching and (3) service, and equity fairness issues. Kal Alston suggested multiple year contacts as a solution. The Senate is also discussing part-time tenure. Committee member Gale Summerfield discussed the disadvantage of split appointments that may cause confusion between departments. The committee will seek to examine the Pennsylvania State study, which addressed similar issues and can be obtained through faculty Senate secretary Robert Demaru.
      2. Concerns surrounding domestic partners were removed from the agenda of the recent meeting of the Board of Trustees (BOT). The new state legislature may pursue this issue. The domestic partners issues may be added to the March 2003 BOT meeting agenda.