Case Western Reserve Improves Campus Climate for Women
Many academic environments not as supportive of wives, mothers
Studies show women working in academia are less likely to marry. They generally will have only one child, delay having a second child and rarely—less than 1 in 10 women faculty members compared to 1 out of every 3 men—have as many as three children.
While academia in general applauds what's been coined as "daddy privilege," Robert Drago, lead researcher of a study on the work-life issues faced by female faculty members, said he found that women report removing wedding rings and covering up other evidence of their marital status during job interviews at universities. They also hide that they are mothers, he said.
Drago, the author of Striking a Balance: Work, Family, Life and three related books, gave the keynote lecture at Case Western Reserve University's 5th Annual Provost's Leadership Retreat hosted by President Barbara Snyder and Provost W. A. "Bud" Baeslack. The event for deans, department chairs and other administrators focused on "Consolidating our Gains, Shaping our Future."
While Drago noted that Case Western Reserve has some good policies in place to support women faculty members and is working toward additional options, many universities are not improving inclusion on campus. Read more.
Campus News
Submissions for presentations are being accepted now through January 30 for Research ShowCASE 2009, which will take place Thursday, April 16. The campus community is invited to join fellow faculty, staff and students in presenting their latest research and scholarship. This year's graduate and post-doctoral poster competition includes cash prizes. Refer to the Research ShowCASE Web site for details.
Gifts for the seventh annual Giving Tree program should be returned to the Thwing Center Operations Office (across from the Thwing Center Post Office Station) by Wednesday, December 17. Gifts will go to 100 children served by Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services Inc. living in neighborhoods close to Case Western Reserve University. Contact Arlet Wright at 368-2654 or Suzanne Leach at 368-2679 for more information.
For Faculty and Staff
The participant tax-deferred contribution limit is increasing to $16,500 in 2009 for Salary Reduction Agreement contributions made to the 403(b) plans sponsored by the university. Participants age 50 and older may contribute up to an additional $5,500 on a pre-tax basis. To increase per paycheck contributions, employees should submit a Salary Reduction Agreement form (Plan A and Plan C forms can be accessed online) to Benefits Administration. Call 368-6781 with questions.
For Students
Undergraduate students are invited to submit an original essay or image expressing their view of mathematics. Essays—which should not exceed 1500 words—should be submitted electronically in pdf format to MathEssay@case.edu. Winning essays and images will be featured on the department of mathematics Web site. The submission deadline is December 19. Read the contest details.
Events
In cooperation with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Astronomical Society, the department of astronomy is sponsoring the 2008-09 Frontiers of Astronomy Lecture Series. Renowned astronomers from across the country will give free lectures at the Natural History Museum. Sally Oey of the University of Michigan will speak beginning at 8 p.m., Thursday, December 18, on "Powering the Universe with Massive Stars." Light refreshments will be served.
The Center for Global Health and Diseases is hosting a seminar featuring John Vulule, director of the Kisumu, Kenya Medical Research Institute's Center for Global Health & Research, from 1-2 p.m., Tuesday, December 16, at the Wolstein Research Building, Room 4-136. He will speak on the topic "Trends in Entomological Research at the Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya Medical Research Institute." Call 368-4818 for additional information.
The views and opinions of those invited to speak on campus do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration or any other segment of the university community.
