Emory Report

March 20, 2000

Volume 52, No. 25

University Governance: President's Commission on the Status of Women Emory's health care plans once again were the main topic of conversation at March's President's Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) meeting, held Thursday, March 2. Last month, PCSW members voiced their concerns with Emory's newly adopted health insurance providers, CIGNA and Aetna, to President Bill Chace. Chace relayed the concerns to Alice Miller, vice president for Human Resources, who then met with PCSW leaders. Though amends have been made, many concerns haven't been addressed, PCSW officers noted. All members were urged to attend a March 22 meeting where Miller, Michael Johns (executive vice president for Health Affairs) and Rein Saral (Emory Clinic CEO) will address Human Resources representatives on changes within health benefits. PCSW members also were advised to monitor their experiences with Emory's health benefits and to not hesitate to voice their good and bad experiences with the plans. The commission then directed its attention to the nomination of new officers for the 2000-01 school year. Current chair Catherine Howett Smith distributed papers for nominations. Nominations originally were due Friday, Feb. 17, but Howett said nominations will be accepted until Friday, March 24. Elections will take place at the April PCSW meeting. Ali Crown, director of the Emory Women's Center, presented a slide show detailing the center's conception and birth. Nearing its 10th birthday, the center has instituted such programs as the University's Women's History Month celebration, the Unsung Heroines awards, the Mary Lynn Morgan Annual Lectureship on Women in the Health Profession. The center also established a 2,000-volume research library in its office and opened the "nursing nest," where Emory employees or students can nurse their children or use a breast pump during the day. Crown estimated that 4,000 women utilize the Women's Center each year, and she said the center averages 50 to 60 programs per year. Crown noted the Women's Center 10th birthday will coincide perfectly with the 50th anniversary of co-ed education at Emory. In other business, members discussed the group's upcoming Spring Event, which features U.S. Rep. Tillie Kidd Fowler ('64C, '67L). The Republican congresswoman, who represents Florida's fourth district, will speak to students, faculty and staff on Monday, April 3. For more information, contact Deb Floyd at 404-727-6829. PCSW will meet again Thursday, April 6, at 3:30 p.m. in the Administration Building. -Stephanie Sonnenfeld Return to March 20, 2000 contents page