Western: PUI Status Frames Need for

Advancement for Women

Kathleen L. Kitto

Sue Guenter-Schlesinger Western Washington University

HRD,  ADVANCE  -­‐  Catalyst  #  08111257  

March 4, 2013

WWU •  15,000 Students •  94% Undergraduates, Retention 84% (2nd year) •  Seven Colleges + Graduate School •  CST

–  Biology –  Chemistry –  Computer Science –  Engineering Technology –  Geology –  Mathematics –  Physics/Astronomy –  Science Education, AMSEC

ADVANCE Catalyst Grant Provided Baseline Measurements

College of Sciences and Technology (CST)  

v Applicant  Tracking  Trends  v Hiring  Trends  v RetenBon  and  PromoBon  Study  v CST  Climate  Survey  v CST  Focus  Groups  v On-­‐Line  Forum  v Best  PracBce  Research    

Structure

v Principal  InvesBgators            Kathleen  KiPo,  Associate  Dean,  CST  at  the  Bme    

 Sue  Guenter-­‐Schlesinger,  VP  for  Equal  Opportunity  and        Diversity    Arlan  Norman,  Dean,  CST  (now  reBred)    

           v Research  Associate          Debra  Young  (joint  CST  and  EOO  appointment  at  the  Bme)  

Faculty Leadership Team

 v Karen  Bradley        Chair,  Sociology  v Todd  Morton        Chair,  Engineering  Technology  v Joann  O<o        Chair,  Biology  v Debra  Jusak        Computer  Science,  former  Chair  

v Kristen  Larson      Physics,  Associate  Professor  v Robert  Mitchell      Geology,  Associate  Professor  v Elizabeth  Raymond    Chemistry,  Assistant  Professor  

Western’s Unique PUI Characteristics

•  Directly  impacts  women  in  the  sciences    

•  CriBcal  component  in  developing    model  for  insBtuBonal  change    

PUI Characteristics

#1 Heavy undergraduate teaching load #2 Student centered, independent

research and study with undergraduates #3 Time intensive and inflexible laboratory

schedules

PUI Characteristics (cont’d.)

#4 “Unwritten” but real expectation/ pressure for research productivity

#5 Small department size results in less

hiring and persistence of status quo #6 Heavy service load due to small

department size

PUI Characteristics (cont’d.)

#7 Individual success highly dependent on peer evaluation and thus overall department climate acceptance #8 Fewer leadership opportunities for women

PUI Impact on Women: •  Reality differs from expectations

•  Biggest impact to mid-career women faculty

•  Perceptions and peer pressure in small department

interfere with leave opportunities

•  Work/life balance adversely affected by heavy teaching/job responsibility and research expectations

•  Isolation exacerbated by lack of critical mass of women in small science departments

Additional Campus Initiatives Position Western for Institutional

Transformation

•  HERI Faculty Survey

•  LGBT Faculty Study

•  Student Climate Survey

Additional Campus Initiatives Position Western for Institutional Transformation

(cont’d.)

•  Staff Climate Survey

•  Hiring and Demographic Trend Data

•  Research/White Paper on Best Practices

•  Top Level Support à Campus-wide Diversity Task Force

Western Ready for Change

•  Faculty Assistance Center (FAC)

•  Comprehensive Internal/External Collaboration (partnerships with other PUI’s)

•  Development of Change Agent: Faculty Advancement Center (FACT)

FACT Provides:

•  Chair Leadership & Development •  Mentoring •  Mid-Career Support •  Leadership Development/Opportunities •  Teaching Development •  Diversity in Hiring •  Inclusive Climate •  Work-Life Balance

Thank You HRD, ADVANCE - Catalyst # 08111257