“A feminist conceptual model of
leadership ‘rests in the assumption that leadership manifests itself where this
is an action to bring about change in an organization, an institution, of the
social system-in other words, an action to make a positive difference in
people’s lives. Leadership, then, is
conceived as a creative process that results in change’” –Helen Astin and Carol
Leland
Leadership, as mentioned above, was exhibited on campus last week. The Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) hosted
its fourth annual event, the Fall Forum.
Historically, the CSW has sought to hear the voices of the
Creighton Community. In 2010, the
committee decided to assemble a group of women on campus and hear their
concerns. Professor Christine Wiseman
and Sr. Maureen Fey helped facilitate the day.
Faculty, staff, students and administrators voiced their opinions on the
culture of Creighton and how women played a role on campus. They gathered and eight themes emerged as
characteristic of Creighton in 2010:
·
Lack of Communication
·
Lack of Mentoring and Networking
·
Women are Not at the Table
·
No Central Location/Person/Advocate
·
Family Concerns
·
Need for Education
·
Work Life Imbalance
·
Lack of Role Modeling
From these themes, Summit attendees chose to sign their name to a
report submitted to Fr. Schlegel and campus.
The CSW worked the following summer to create a strategic plan, or a way
of proceeding, based on the needs identified.
They have been working diligently to address a culture shift on campus
ever since.
Last year, CSW recognized the need to listen to the community once
again. With new university leadership, a
paid parental leave policy adopted, a new office of Equity and Inclusion on
campus unveiled, and a campus climate survey conducted, the CSW knew it was
time to bring campus back together to take the pulse of our community.
The Committee sought to open the lines of communication by presenting
climate survey results. They aimed to
empower participants with information as they learned about communication and
gender. They wanted to listen to
concerns so that they can set the agenda for the CSW to do additional advocacy
work on campus. And they wanted
participants (student, staff and faculty) to network informally at lunch and
through optional book clubs. Throughout
the day, many voices came together in one forum!
As the day wrapped, additional themes gathered by listening to
participants were shared. Much work is yet
to be done, as several themes appear strikingly similar to the 2010
report. The CSW is compiling the data from
the day and will issue a summary report to Father Lannon and campus. This data will be used to set the future
agendas for the committee. I encourage
you to visit the Committee’s website to review the fall 2012 report, once
published: www.creighton.edu/women.
As a Creighton community, we are called to be agents for change. I pray that the Committee continues to
collaborate with the Lieben Center, Women in Medicine and Science, Women and
Gender Studies and many others throughout the community to engage in the
“creative process” and advocate for the status of women at Creighton.
Kindly,
Michele Starzyk
Assistant Vice President for Student Life
CSW member
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