Commission on Status of Women seeks 'a few good men'

But the commission is hoping a few good men apply along with their female counterparts.

The application for a position on the commission states, "men are particularly encouraged to apply" because organizers say the group influences aspects of the University of Arizona community that affect both genders.

Jennifer Aviles, the commission's senior program coordinator, said the group deals with issues ranging from equal pay to employee career development.

"We feel that what we are doing is not necessarily just for women," said Aviles, an undeclared graduate student.

In 1995, Aviles said the organization initiated a study that investigated unequal pay between men and women in several UA departments. As a result of the investigation conducted by economics Professor Ronald Oaxaca, the UA College of Education admitted it had a problem and revised its salaries by putting men and women on an even playing field.

In the past two years, the commission has sponsored conferences on work-life issues.

One of the commission's responsibilities is to advise the UA president on the Arizona Board of Regents' Vision 2000 recommendations, a document created in the late 1980s that outlines the status, goals and objectives of women at the three state universities.

In February 1992, former UA President Manuel Pacheco appointed Jerelyn Schultz, professor of family and consumer resources, to be the commission's original leader.

Six years later, with several accomplishments under its belt, the group is looking for two faculty, three classified staff, two administrators, two academic professionals, two undergraduates and one graduate student to fill different positions.

Associated Students Sen. Mary Peterson is the liaison between the commission and ASUA. Peterson said she is impressed with the dedication of the group's members.

"They're really committed to the ideals of the group," Peterson said. "They have commitments from all over campus."

The commission will accept applications until Wednesday. More information about the commission can be found at its Web site, http://w3.arizona.edu/~csw.