Present: Karen Baker, Barbara Burrell, Virginia Cassidy, Sally Conklin, Joanne Dempsey, Deborah Haliczer, Kathy Hotelling, Sharon Howard, Glenda Jones, Amy Levin, Doreen Mace, Carol Patch, Jan Rintala, Julie Robertson, Lise Schlosser, Josephine Umoren, Randi Wolfe.
Absent: Stacy Allie, Valerie Guyant, Lorraine Scurti, Denise Schoenbachler, Leslie Simmons.
The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by Chair Barbara Burrell in Lowden Hall 304. Jan Rintala made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 13, 2005 meeting and Virgina Cassidy seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Campus Climate and Quality of Life: Kathy Hotelling reported on the Alcohol Education Task Force. They held their last meeting of the semester Friday. An on-line survey regarding student attitudes and behaviors was developed primarily by Betty LaFrance in Communications. It was sent to over 12,000 students and received 3,160 responses. Three $100 cash incentives were offered. Betty LaFrance is analyzing the data in May and then she, Billy Molasso, Amy Franklin and Kathy Hotelling will be summarizing the data. July is the deadline for bench marking with other universities. The goal is to have recommendations to present to the Task Force at the end of August for discussion. Recommendations are due to Dr. Hemphill by November 1st.
Personal and Professional Development: No report.
Research: The research committee made the following proposal:
The Research Committee proposes that the PCSW establish a policy of recognizing women receiving university-wide awards, tenure and promotion through a letter citing each person for her accomplishment each year and that the awardees be listed in the PCSW website.
A standard letter will be developed and copies will be sent to supervisors.
The vice-chair of PCSW will have the responsibility for carrying out this project each year.
Joanne Dempsey made a motion that this proposal be accepted along with the distributed list of awards. Kathy Hotelling seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously.
A summary of statistical data received by Dan House on NIU women was distributed to members. It is hoped that this information will be available on an annual basis to the Commission. The data has prompted a letter to Human Resources asking three questions:
I. Applicant Availability, Recruitment & Selection
Question: Given the gender and minority composition of the applicant pool for faculty positions, what is the selection ratio by gender and minority status?
Rationale: When considering the points mentioned previously regarding current female faculty representation at NIU, the relationship between the current gender profile and selection rate by gender is unclear. For example, it may be that the selection rate for qualified female applicants for a particular department is quite high, thus indicating that gender diversity is supported for that particular department. On the other hand, if the selection rate could be improved for another department, these data may provide the evidence needed to consider additional alternatives for candidate sourcing, for example.
Specific Data Request: At the departmental level, a) number of applicants by gender and minority status (applicants defined as individuals applying for a faculty position in response to an open position), and b) number of selected and hired employees by gender and minority status.
II. Career Progression & Development:
Question: Does the amount of time at any given faculty rank differ depending on gender or minority status?
Rationale: When considering the advancement of women and minorities at NIU, an important consideration is the timing of advancement in the context of one's overall career progression. Although it is clear faculty advancement is occurring, it is unclear whether this progression is happening at a quicker rate for some groups, as compared with others. Should any significant differences exist, these data may provide the evidence needed for additional focus on mentoring, work/life considerations and/or assessment of individual career advancement preferences.
Specific Data Request: At the departmental level, time in faculty rank by gender and minority status.
III. Retention & Attrition:
Question: Do turnover (voluntary/involuntary) rates differ by gender or minority status?
Rationale: This information, when analyzed in combination with the data requested above, will be particularly useful for evaluating potential areas of focus for targeted and/or alternative retention strategies.
Specific Data Request: At the departmental level, number of voluntary and involuntary separations at each faculty rank by gender and minority status, and by length of employment (less than one year; one to three years; three to five years; five to ten years; greater than 10 years). Please note: For purposes of this request, voluntary turnover is operationalized as employee initiated and occurs when an employee leaves by the employee's own choice. Involuntary turnover is operationalized as organizationally initiated and occurs when an employee is discharged or terminated.
Awards and Recognition: As many members of the committee as possible will be convened over the summer to discuss the creation of a new recognition award for women who do not meet the requirements for the Stricklin Award but contribute to the NIU community for women. Possibly this new award could be connected to the celebration of the PCSW 25th anniversary celebration.
It was suggested that a news release should be made prior to the presentation of the Stricklin Award to make sure that colleagues are aware and able to attend the ceremony. It would also give more prestige and recognition to the award. This will be duly noted and passed on to next years Award committee chair.
Salary Equity Task Force: Focus groups for the most part have had good results. The theme seems to be mentoring--for both good and bad--the need of more mentoring and that mentoring had gotten them through.
Affirmative Action Diversity Resources Report (AADR): Held a meeting yesterday.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Jan Rintala and seconded by Deborah Haliczer. The motion was approved unanimously. Barbara Burrell adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Baugh