Friday November 2, 2001

Study provides for funding of a new position to deal with inequality

A new UA project will aim to bridge the status gap between men and women in the university.

The Millennium Project, which was released today, examines the inequalities of pay, position and funding for faculty members of different genders, and recommends several solutions for rectifying the disparity.

According to Millennium Project statistics for 2000-2001, 87 of the departmental administrative positions are held by men, while women hold 17 positions. Men also make up 83 percent of full-time professors compared to women, who make up 17 percent.

Likewise, the average salary for a male full-time professor is $86,514, but only $77,435 for women, according to the study.

The project asserts several recommendations, including the creation of a full-time position to gather and analyze faculty data to deal with inequalities at the university.

"We certainly hope data gathering could be done this year," said Millennium Project co-chair Naomi Miller.

Miller said that one of the first things to be formed by the Millennium Project is an oversight committee, which will work with the president's cabinet to ensure that the project's agenda is implemented.

The study also recommended a full-time position for a project oversight coordinator and an annual operations budget to support the costs of the recommendations.

Toni Griego Jones, liaison for the Commission on the Status of Women, said that both President Peter Likins and Provost George Davis have been supportive of the Millennium Project.

She said she believes equal pay can be acquired soon, but equal status will take some time.

"I'll probably be retired by that time," Jones said.

Formal evaluations of the project's progress are planned after it reaches its second and fifth year of existence.

The project - which was commissioned by Likins - aims to create diversity fairness and a hospitable enviroment for female employees.

A national advisory board of scholars and administrators with reputations in the areas of gender and higher education was also formed to collaborate with the project.

"They are open to listening," Jones said.

Initiatives recommended by the Millennium Project are intended to cost money while other initiatives will take more work than monetary resources, Miller said.

"There is no hidden pot of money," Miller said. "With the combination of work and a judicious use of resources most of the initiatives can be done."

Before the project's existence female faculty would address their concerns to the Association of Women Faculty, but Jones said women were still fearful of retaliation for speaking out.

"It's hard for women to speak out," Jones said. "They're labeled as negative, they take a risk of hurting their career."