September 15, 1999

The meeting of the University Committee on Women began at 3:10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 1999.

Present: Linda Charles, Tanya Zanish-Belcher, Barb McManus, Bonnie Dix, Jeanne Burkhart, Penny Rosenthal, Quincie Cooper, Dianne Bystrom, Judy Dolphin, Silvia Secchi, Leslie Bloom, Jill Bystydzienski, Linda Ciccone, Blue Maas, Deb Muenchrath, Marie Lathers, Mary Ann Evans, Nancy Knight, Pat Miller, Theresa McCormick.

Name plates will be created. The Chair will collect and distribute them at each meeting.

Penny Rosenthal volunteered to be note taker today.

Teresa McCormick stated that Penny Rosenthal had volunteered to be Vice Chair of the UCW. The floor was open for further nominations or volunteers. Since there were none, Penny was approved.

Leslie Bloom is Chair of the Faculty Women’s Network (FWN). The FWN holds noon lunches that provide networking opportunities through information gatherings of women. Barbara Caldwell will be asked to continue on the FWN. New member, Deb Muenchrath, will also work with the Faculty Women’s Network.

• The Way Up XVII Conference will be held on November 4 and 5 at the Collins Plaza in Cedar Rapids. Contact Doreen Hayek at the University of Northern Iowa (319) 273-7300 for further information. The UCW budget provides funding for the Chair and Vice Chair to attend.

• Women in Touch is coordinated by Pam Thomas at the Women’s Center. The first meeting has not been scheduled, since a speaker for the event has not been found

• The Catt Center for Women in Politics (see Newsletter).

• The Hispanic Heritage celebration starts today and continues for one month.

The UCW Retreat on September 10, 1999, was facilitated by Ann McMillian of the Center for Creative Justice. Issues were identified and organized and three top priorities emerged: A) data/assessment, B) networking, and C) Provost relations.

A. Data/Assessment (Members: Barb McManus, Tanya Zanish-Belcher, Deb Muenchrath, Silvia Secchi, Judy Dolphin, Blue Maas, Mary Ann Evans).

Goal/Objectives–Examining demographics of women in different departments and comparing to the university as a whole. The College of Agriculture was chosen because the leadership is currently in transition. When the results of the examinations are further along, there should be a comparison within the college to see how they are dealing with graduate assistants, faculty, professional & scientific, and merit staff. ("How" and "Why" asked and hopefully answered.) The College of Agriculture examination will be the pilot study.

Suggestions/Discussion: Percentage of degrees graduate students receive in different departments nationally.

Percentage of degrees earned (sought nationally by women). Is this percentage decreasing in the sciences?

Separate international from domestic students.

B. Networking and Outreach (Members: Jeanne Burkhart, Bonnie Dix, Penny Rosenthal, Linda Ciccone, Nancy Knight, Quincie Cooper, Linda Charles, Erin Rosacker, Laura Hamilton).

The group agreed to add "Outreach" to the subcommittee name (Networking and Outreach) because it is difficult to measure improvement or action without outreach.

Goal/Objective: Bring together either physically or organizationally fractured groups of women working to improve the climate for all on campus. Answer: Who is doing what? How? Collect information and bring women together socially.

Ideas: Noon speakers addressing how to network.

C. Provost (Members: Jill Bystydzienski, Marie Lathers, Dianne Bystrom, Pat Miller, Pam Thomas, Theresa McCormick).

Goal/Objective: With the current change in administration, the opportunity is present to articulate UCW goals, gain direction/charge and support from Provost. Funding for the UCW comes from the Provost’s Office, therefore, regular communication is important. The UCW can assist the Provost in voicing women’s issues to upper administration.

UCW committee members meet with the Provost to express desires, concerns, and goals of the committee and also gain an understanding of Provost Richmond’s direction for UCW. Invite Provost Richmond to general UCW meetings. Gain a stronger voice in the search process of vice presidents and other administrative positions.

Three working teams divided, discussed and created beginning action plans.

The next meeting of the UCW will be held on Wednesday, October 13, from 1-2:30 p.m. in Memorial Union room 244). Teams will bring action plans to present to the group. The remaining two meetings for the semester will be held on Monday, November 15, from 2:30-4:00 p.m. (M.U. Pine Room) and Wednesday, December 8, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (M.U. Pine Room). Denise Wagner will request available meeting times from UCW members and create a grid with "ideal" times for the spring semester.

Respectfully submitted,

Penny J. Rosenthal, Vice Chair

University Committee on Women

PJR/dw