Emory Report

November 15, 1999

Volume 52, No. 12

Issues in Progress: President's Commission on the Status of Women Chair Catherine Howett Smith convened the Nov. 4 meeting by saying the commission's fall event, the Nov. 3 panel discussion of the "Invisible Barriers" study, was "magnificent." She said the turnout was very good and the feedback she'd received was all very positive. In committee reports, the faculty concerns committee reported that its "professional problem-solving group" was progressing well, and the committee is working to find the right format for this pilot program. The staff concerns committee, barely 24 hours after the panel discussion, reported it was tired and ready to celebrate. The student concerns committee said it was working on two projects: a sexual assault prevention and awareness program, and an eating disorder awareness program. Regarding the latter, the committee said it had studied the efforts of a few institutions around the country such as Southern Methodist and Penn State universities. In the Women's Center report, Ali Crown solicited nominations for the 2000 Unsung Heroine Awards. She also announced that Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox, the first woman to hold the office, will be the speaker at the Unsung Heroine Awards Dinner, to be held Feb. 15 at the Houston Mill House. Following the liaison reports, the commission engaged in a lengthy discussion about the University's new health care plans. Feeling toward the new plans, and toward the Open Enrollment process for switching to them, was almost unanimously negative. Complaints included the selection of doctors available under the new plans; the increased cost of EmoryCare; the quality and/or lack of information disseminated about the plans; and the deadline for enrollment. Howett Smith said the executive committee would decide whether it would be feasible to petition for an extension to the Nov. 12 deadline for enrollment. -Michael Terrazas Return to November 15, 1999 contents page