GOAL # 1 TO EDUCATE THE EOU COMMUNITY ABOUT GENDER ISSUES
Aims, AY 2002-2003 activities and AY 2003-2004 objectives:
1: To inform the President and the EOU Community annually about the campus environment as it affects women.
AY 2002-2003: Objectives:
. That Commission co-chairs schedule regular meetings with President Creighton to discuss climate, initiatives, and concerns related to specific complaints or barriers.
The PCSW Co-Chairs met frequently with President Creighton through the year to provide an update on the activities of PCSW
. That we conduct a research project on the recruitment and retention of women faculty and report our findings to the President and campus community.
. That we develop our Internet home-page, with information on current activities and resource links.
The PCSW Web page in currently in progress with a target date for completion at end of spring term 2003.
In addition, we provide an update to the EOU community through several five minute access announcements to the assembly. During one of these occasions, we read an open letter regarding issues of sexual assault. We also participated in the new faculty orientation Fall 2002.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- Continue monthly updates to the president
- Provide one assembly access per term
- Complete web page and maintain, keep current
- Participate in new faculty orientation
- Participate in new student orientation
- Participate in general campus information event on the quad
2. To continue to educate the campus community about the need for positive attitudes toward women
AY 2002-2003 Objectives:
. That we develop programs at the Women's Research and Resource Center to provide campus and community awareness and understanding. At a meeting scheduled for June 10 we will develop specific plans for activities at the center next year.
Created a mission statement for the Women's Research and Resource Center (WRRC)
Established an ongoing steering committee for WRRC, coordinated by Rosemary Powers as the PCSW Co-Chair
Provided workshop for WRRC volunteers and PCSW members on sexual assault and referral
Organized and implemented brown bag workshops for returning students
Opened an account with the EOU Foundation so individuals can contribute to WRRC through the PCSW index
. That we examine and report on the gender distribution of leadership regarding major campus initiatives.
Unable to complete - This objective arose from our observation that many time-consuming campus service and volunteer leadership positions were consistently held by women - We do note that this year the Spring Symposium chair was Greg Monahan.
. That we support the performance of The Vagina Monologues on campus (this is planned for next year).
Performed three times with a total of approximately $1400 contributed to the Shelter from the Storm from ticket sales. We are planning to support this again next year.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- Continue to develop programs and workshops through WRRC
- Continue brown bags discussions for returning students
- Establish a firm foundation for WRRC, which includes stabilizing it as a campus resource and establishing a minimal budget
- Work to secure work study assistance in staffing the center
3. To support increased funding and permanent status for Gender Studies Minor Program.
AY 2002-2003 Objectives:
. That we continue to lobby for a full-time, tenure track position for this program, which, because of the number of faculty willing to present gender-related courses, would help move the program towards its eventual goal of becoming an academic major.
. That we work with the Gender Studies Coordinator to develop events and resources related to gender studies, the women's center, and other PCSW initiatives.
The Gender Studies Coordinator and WRRC volunteers organized the workshops for the WRRC in sexual assault referral. The coordinator also consulted with the PCSW in our work on proposed revisions to EOU's policies on sexual assault and harassment
Gender studies worked with PCSW to bring in Allan Johnson, a speaker on gender equity.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- Continue to support Gender Studies as a program that is closely related to the central mission of PCSW
- Continue to lobby for a full-time, tenure track position for the Gender Studies program
4. To conduct at least one annual forum dealing with women's issues
AY 2002-2003 Objective:
. To host a forum on the topic of recruitment and retention of women at EOU.
Unable to complete
However, we involved a large number of campus and community members in an ongoing discussion of EOU sexual assault and sexual harassment policies and campus safety issues related to women
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- To host a forum on the topic of recruitment and retention of women at EOU.
- Continue involving campus and community in discussions about EOU policies relative to sexual assault and sexual harassment
5. To celebrate International Women's Day (March 8 each year)
AY 2002-2003 Objectives:
.We will organize events again this year, and seek more community members to assist with the implementation of the program. The meeting on June 10 regarding the Women's Research and Resources Center will help us assess the general interest in organizing this event for next year.
WRRC volunteers organized and presented a week-long program this year. PCSW organized the "Woman of Courage and Vision" celebration and presented awards to Dixie Lund and Danae Yurgel.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- We will support WRRC in providing leadership in organizing events again this year, and will seek more community members to assist with the implementation of the program.
GOAL # 2: TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE EOU COMMUNITY
Related aims, activities for AY 2002-2003 and proposals for AY 2003-2004
1. To encourage women to discuss and report gender discrimination, harassment and violence they have experienced at EOU
AY 2002-2003 Objectives:
. That we work as part of the new diversity committee to promote fair practices and strong policies and procedures that promote gender equality.
Rosemary Powers was a member of the Diversity Committee. PCSW member Jill Gibian will serve next year.
. That we promote a revision of EOU's sexual harassment policies, and ask that the PCSW review proposed changes.
Progress toward this goal includes:
Policy revisions were started at two all-day retreats
These revisions are ongoing and will be completed in Fall 2003
Met with Harris Shelton to discuss the issues
We consulted with Christian Steinmetz, Jackie Grant, Tonia St. Germain for their input on these revisions
We met with Ambassador Leaders and the Director of Residence Life to discuss possible future workshops for students on sexual assault prevention
On five separate occasions, PCSW or its co-chairs served as a listening committee to individuals who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment.
. That we research EOU's historical and current practices regarding gender equity and report our findings to the President and the campus community.
. We recommend strengthening the mentor program for faculty, so that faculty who are vulnerable as a result of gender discrimination or harassment may have a strong advocate as they seek redress for their complaints. We recommend that all mentors of new faculty receive specific information on their role and responsibility in these matters.
We have been given permission to include PCSW literature in the new faculty packet
In addition, we developed a code of conduct at the request of president, which is currently under review by the Student Affairs Committee and the Executive Committee
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- Clarify the role of the PCSW with respect to reporting issues of sexual assault or harassment
- Develop an appropriate means of tracking complaints and the result of the process
2. To work with Shelter from the Storm in helping members of the EOU community to report harassment and violence, publicizing its services on campus and educating the campus about gender issues.
AY 2002-2003 Objectives:
. That we promote the use of the Women's Research and Resource Center for informal meetings and support groups and co-sponsor at least two such events with the Shelter From the Storm.
We made the Center available for informal meetings
While we didn't schedule an event at the Center with Shelter from the Storm, we did sponsor the training event for WRRC volunteers, which was conducted by the shelter staff.
. That we co-sponsor another theatre benefit for Shelter From the Storm (Ken Bush will be directing The Vagina Monologues next year).
Completed (see above)
. That we continue to have PCSW members on the Shelter Board.
Two members of PCSW are on the board.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- To co-sponsor more training events with Shelter from the Storm
3. To encourage the EOU administration to help create a positive environment for women by regularly scheduling workshops for employees on discrimination and harassment.
AY 2002-2003 Objective:
. That we work with the diversity committee and our administration to bring Allan Johnson here as part of EOU's commitment to professional development and respect for diversity. That as preparation for this, we plan a series of brown-bag discussions of Johnson's book to take place in Fall 2002.
Completed
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- Work with the diversity committee and our administration to sponsor initiatives in curriculum reform related to gender issues
4. To assess the external lighting on campus each year
AY 2002-2003 Objective:
. That Commission make this "safety check" part of our annual responsibility.
Completed
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- That Commission make this "safety check" part of our annual responsibility in the fall of the year.
GOAL # 3 TO PROVIDE FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF WOMEN FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS
Related aims, activities for AY 2001-2002 and plans for AY 2002-2003
1. To support the establishment of an affordable child-care facility
AY 2002-2003 Objectives:
That we lobby our administration to support continuing development work in planning for ways to respond to this need. We need to locate initial organizing funds to help with writing grants and conducting research on sites and affordability questions.
A work study student has compiled information from all past efforts and is preparing a summary report for our use in planning specific initiatives.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- To complete the summary report on child care and to investigate possible grant monies for initiating a project for the EOU community.
- Convene a meeting of concerned stake-holders and potential providers to discuss possible
ways to meet this need.
2. To support the establishment of a women's center on campus
AY 2002-2003 Objectives:
That we develop specific objectives at the June 10 meeting. In general, we want to move forward this year with making the Center an active part of campus and community life. We foresee writing grants for special projects, and seeking support from local groups as appropriate.
We held a retreat on June 10 and wrote a mission statement and objectives for the Center. We planned activities for the academic year as described elsewhere. The Center was open and staffed each quarter for approximately 30 hours a week by student and faculty volunteers. Student members of the WRRC steering committee have written a constitution and submitted it for approval to the Student Affairs Committee for a campus student club called SAGE: Student Advocates for Gender Equity.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- See Goal # 1, Objective #2 above
4. To find ways to encourage adult low-income women to attend Eastern.
AY 2002-2003
. That we bring this issue to the June 10 meeting and ask for suggestions. If there is interest in continuing with this effort, we will add it to our objectives for next year.
The Brown Bag Discussions for returning students were an effort to provide some assistance and support to this population. We were unable to design ways to actively recruit low-income women to Eastern. Susan Whitelock, a member of the steering committee for WRRC, has worked with the Admissions Office to ensure that issues for returning students are included in new student orientation.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- We will raise this issue again in the fall, which PCSW members may wish to continue pursuing.
3. To establish a web-site that provides information that is useful to women.
AY 2002-2003
. That we update the site, providing an ongoing list of activities and accomplishments by women and for women on our campus. The site could be an important place to publicize EOU's commitment to equality for women and encourage women who care about gender equality to become students and seek employment here. Next year we will have a student worker at the Women's Center (Lindy Freitas) developing useful Internet links, and we will ask the student who developed the Gender Studies Home Page (Johvanna Yaoch) to assist us in updating our site.
See Goal #1, Objective #1 above
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- See Goal #1, Objective #1 above
1. To send at least two representatives to the annual Oregon Women in Higher Education Conference
AY 2002-2003 Objective:
That we encourage commission members to attend this annual event, and nominate appropriate women to be honored for the outstanding woman in higher education award.
None of the PCSW members were able to attend.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- That we encourage commission members to attend this annual event, and nominate appropriate women to be honored for the outstanding woman in higher education award.
2. To join at least one national group working on gender equity in higher education
AY 2002-2003: Objective:
That we delegate a commission member to research potential groups and submit a report for our consideration in the Fall of 2002.
Unable to complete
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- To bring this issue to the first fall meeting of PCSW
AY 2002-2003 Objective
To receive at least what we received last year, and to begin working on grant writing to secure funds for special projects related to the Women's Research and Resource Center.
PCSW budget at the level of approximately $700 was approved for AY 2002-2003. We also received $2500 from President Creighton, $500 from OSU AG Program, $500 from the EOU Foundation, and $250 from the Affirmative Action Office to support the Allan Johnson visit in November 2002.
AY 2003-2004 Goals:
- While the $700 amount will likely meet the basic expenses of PCSW for regular copying and small events, we need to secure funds for the "Improving Campus Culture" poster campaign that has been initiated in collaboration with representatives from PCSW, Student Affairs, Counseling, Student Health, and Residence Life. The cost will be approximately $1400. At this time, it is not clear which of the participating groups will help cover the cost of printing these posters.
- We also need to submit a budget for basic expenses at WRRC and a proposed budget is attached.
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