Issues in Progress
President's Commission
on the Status of Women
The commission held its final 1997 meeting Dec. 4. Staff concerns committee
chair Deb Floyd reported on a meeting with consultant Joan Herald, who gave
advice on organizing the glass ceiling study. Mandy Gordon, who is organizing
the focus groups, will look at including more medical staff and faculty,
who weren't well represented in the previous focus groups. Herald suggested
the committee test a pilot survey and focus group of selected Emory women
before undertaking a full-blown effort.
Joyce Jones said Human Resources Vice President Alice Miller would be
visiting the Employee Council meeting on Dec. 17. Council members planned
to ask her questions relating to the glass ceiling, Jones reported.
Neither chair for the faculty concerns committee was present at the commission
meeting. However, commission Chair JoAnn McKenzie attended the committee's
last meeting and reported they are continuing work on leave policy and tenure
equity for women as well as a mentoring program. They will select five or
six comparable institutions and compare their leave policies to Emory's,
McKenzie said. Ali Crown said a file in the Women's Center contains information
about model mentoring programs at other colleges and universities. The committee
decided to take the time to do thorough research before issuing recommendations,
McKenzie said.
Karen Brown-Wheeler reported for the student concerns committee that
"Prune" Harris is taking over compiling the handbook. Brown-Wheeler
will review a final draft over the semester break, and the handbook should
be ready for printing in January.
In preparation for the commission's next meeting, which President Bill
Chace will attend, McKenzie plans to meet with him on Jan. 13 for a briefing.
She asked that committee members be prepared to discuss priorities with
him. Brown-Wheeler said she thinks the president could give students suggestions
for pursuing greater faculty-student interaction. Floyd said the staff concerns
committee would need his help in securing the approximately $5,000 it may
cost to undertake the glass ceiling survey.
Gordon gave an overview of the first bylaws committee meeting. They plan
to look at the commission's mission and see if it needs updating or revising,
as well as look for outdated or inaccurate rules. McKenzie said she's gathered
bylaws and mission statements from other commissions for comparison.
Discussion followed as to how presidential commissions serve the Emory
community and how they are empowered to represent their constituencies.
Jones said as the commission goes through the nominating process for next
year, the process should be as inclusive as possible in representing the
women of Emory.
During liaison reports, Jones said disabled student access around campus
was a topic at a recent University Senate meeting she attended. The suggestion
was made to invite Rebecca Katz-Doft, the student who spoke at the Senate
meeting about disability issues, to a future commission meeting to see what
solutions she proposes and how the PCSW can become involved.
The commission's next meeting will be held at the Women's Center on Jan.
15 at 3:30 p.m.
-Stacey Jones
Employee Council
Following the call to order, President Erik Oliver greeted the council
and introduced Alice Miller, vice president of Human Resources. Miller's
talk mostly focused on the perceived 'glass ceiling' for women at Emory.
Miller told the council that the glass ceiling was mostly a perception
problem. She listed numerous women who hold upper management positions at
Emory. She told members that recent studies showed salaries were equal for
men and women with similar jobs.
She went on to say that the University is implementing several new initiatives
in the new year and the ultimate goal is to have all promotions go to current
employees. Miller then opened the floor to questions. She was asked about
mentoring programs, cafeteria benefits plans and the ability to bank sick
leave. When questioned about the number of women recruited from outside
the University, she said sometimes women have to switch employers if supervisory
positions become fewer and the 'job pyramid' shrinks.
Following the question-and-answer session, the council elected Ann Holt
to serve as secretary elect.
-Scott Barker
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