The Women's Leadership Council, which University President John T. Casteen III announced last February to provide greater gender equity at the University, is close to officially forming after many months of planning.
The committee recently sent out membership invitations to a small, select group of faculty, staff, current students and alumni, both male and female. The committee did not disclose the recipients of the invitations, since they have not yet received the replies to the offer.
Some of the prospective members had expressed interest in the council beforehand, others served on either the task force or the interim committee, and still others were visible and active leaders in the University community who have not yet been involved in the process but have displayed interest in the issues the council plans to address, said Joan B. Fry, special assistant to the president and a leader in designing the council.
Officials wanted council membership to comprise a broad representation of the many diverse groups on Grounds in order to be aware of as many points of view as possible, Fry said.
"I see these members of the leadership council as ambassadors across Grounds," she said. "They need to listen to hear what people have to say about the gender climate and to inform others of the climate - it's a two-way system."
Former Faculty Senate Chairman David T. Gies, who served on both the task force and interim committee, said the council may prove to be influential in University affairs and create positive changes.
Gies said Casteen suggested that the council give regular reports at cabinet meetings, where Casteen convenes with other top University officials.
The Faculty Senate joined in council efforts last spring when they hosted a forum entitled "The Climate for Women at U.Va." The forum examined the role of women at the University and some of the inequities faced by female professors and staff members.
Such events will aid the council in choosing which issues to pursue.
The council has not been handed a formal plan of action, only recommendations from individuals across the University community, Fry said.
The 1999 Task Force on the Status of Women, which studied gender issues at the University, recommended that Casteen form the council.
The Council is designed to address issues related to the gender climate at the University, and to work with Casteen and University officials to improve overall gender equity around Grounds.
A mixture of task force and interim committee members worked together to decide who to offer membership in the council. About 15 invitations were delivered.
Starting the council in the tenth anniversary year of the founding of the Women's Center is very fitting, Fry said.
Read More
Student Council passes appointment bill, approves new CIOs at final meeting of semester
By Arshiya Pant | 20 hours agoMendoza Gonzalez also said she will be meeting with Kenyon R. Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, to discuss further strategies for the Student Council Endowment Fund.
Professors speak about leading productive dialogue on Israel-Hamas war
By Lexie Stadler | YesterdayThe event was hosted by the University’s Task Force on Religious Diversity and Belonging, which is designed to ensure that the University is welcoming to community members from all religions and cultures.
Honor Committee considers formal ban of AI detectors as evidence in trials
By Lexie Stadler | 2 days agoThe Committee also addressed balancing student perspectives with those of Committee representatives during panel discussions.
