U-M launches plan

The University of Michigan announced April 15 a plan to foster the professional success of its women faculty, staff and students. The initiative, the "Michigan Agenda for Women: Leadership for a New Century," sets the year 200 as a target date for becoming "the leader among American universities in promoting the success of women of diverse backgrounds."

Drafted by President James J. Duderstadt in consultation with numerous women and men throughout the University, the Agenda proposes a range of goals and specific strategies and actions.

"The draft is just that-a draft," Duderstadt said. "We will be seeking the suggestions and contributions of many individuals and groups throughout the University community as the draft is refined. To achieve the vision proposed by the Agenda, it will be necessary to change the University in very profound, pervasive and permanent ways."

Duderstadt noted that he had a strong personal interest in the Agenda. "I am fortunate to be a friend and colleague to many talented, wise, energetic and determined women, and I have seen firsthand some of the barriers that continue to prevent women from achieving their full potential and contributing their great talents and leadership, not just to this University, but to society at large. And I have learned that at times, my male-biased view of the world was just plain wrong."

Calling the Agenda the "highest priority of my presidency," Duderstadt noted that the University has made some progress over the past two decades. "For instance, in 1950, women were only 32 percent of the student body. Toady, women comprise 48 percent of undergraduate and 40 percent of graduate enrollments. Professional schools have made similar progress, and women have assumed more roles in middle and upper management.

"Yet it is also clear," he continued, "that the University simply has not made enough progress. Our actions to date, while characterized by the best of intentions, have been ad hoc and lacking precise goals and strategies."

The Agenda, which proposes such goals and strategies, will augment the Michigan Mandate, the University's plan for evolving into a diverse, multicultural institution.

Among the Agenda's goals are the following:

¤ Develop and implement a targeted strategy specific to each unit for increasing the presence and participation of women staff and faculty at all ranks where they are underrepresented, with special attention to increasing the presence and participation of women of color.

¤ Improve assessments of gender patterns in compensation and resource allocation to staff, faculty and students.

¤ Establish a Presidential Commission to evaluate and restructure faculty tenure and promotion policies "to better reflect the contemporary nature of University teaching, research and service, and the increasing diversity of U-M faculty."

¤ Create a climate that develops opportunities for the full participation of women staff, faculty and students in decision-making processes.

¤ Commit the full resources required for the appointment of 10 new senior (tenured and tenure track) women faculty over the next five years. (In fall 1993 there were 281 senior women faculty and 1,683 senior male.)

¤ Create a career development awards program for women faculty members who make significant service contributions to the University, to assist them in their capacity to carry out research.

¤ Appoint more women to such key positions as executive officers, deans, directors and chairs.

¤ Assess University policies and practices from the point of view of family responsibilities (e.g. child and elder care), and implement appropriate actions.

¤ Analyze those job categories that traditionally have been dominated by women, such as the "office" job category, to address gender and racial equity concerns and provide better opportunities for advancement.

¤ Design and implement a campuswide education program for students, staff and faculty aimed at eliminating violence against women and discouraging the presence of behavior or activities that degrade women.