Vol. 25 No. 19Issues and Policies Committee -- Chaired by Nancy Herron, director of academic affairs at the Penn State McKeesport Campus, it has three subcommittees to focus on faculty, staff and student affairs.
The faculty affairs subcommittee is chaired by Catherine Harmonosky, associate professor in industrial and management systems engineering. This committee is continuing its review of the Tenure Track Study and the Recommendations of the Joint Committee to Review Promotion and Tenure Procedures; investigating the increase in fixed term I teaching positions for women; and discussing eldercare/childcare issues.
The staff affairs subcommittee, chaired by Jenny King, administrative assistant in the Office of International Programs, is exploring the possible revision of staff vacancy bidding/hiring procedures; reviewing the liaison function of the Staff Focus Committee and its advising function to OHR; and examining alternatives for instituting a Staff Senate/Assembly.
Diane Greenfield, a writer/adviser in the Division of Undergraduate Studies, and Edna Hernandez, an undergraduate student, are co-chairs of the student affairs subcommittee which works to inform students about the commission and to communicate student concerns to the commission. This subcommittee is also compiling a directory of mentoring programs available for students at University Park and will pilot a mentoring program for women undergraduates with current and former commission members and volunteers.
In addition to its subcommittee work, the Issues and Policies Committee is coordinating a review of the Administrative Fellows program, and will compile focus interviews, surveys and demographic information from the first 10 years of this program.
Professional Development Committee -- Chaired by Kathleen Matason, administrative assistant in the Department of Meteorology. At the suggestion of President Graham B. Spanier, this committee is working to simplify the Administrative Fellows application process. In addition, it is in the early planning stages for a Middle Management Fellows Program, is involved in planning a mentoring program for faculty and staff and is organizing the third workshop for women in the technical services at Penn State.
Nominating Committee -- Chaired by Ingrid Blood, associate professor in the Department of Speech Communication Disorders, this group forwards the names of qualified women to the University's president for appointment to vacancies on the commission. Also solicits nominations for the Rosemary Schraer Mentor Award, to be presented at the commission's annual banquet in March.
Patricia Book, associate vice president and associate dean for Continuing and Distance Education, chairs the Women's Athletics Committee. The efforts of this committee focus on the Title IX study and implementation of a salary equity study for male and female coaches.
Liaison Committee -- Chaired by Mary K. Howett, professor of microbiology and immunology at The Hershey Medical Center. This committee is analyzing data on the effects of downsizing in the CES, is planning a workshop to be held in conjunction with the commission's annual banquet in March and is investigating the use of Picturetel technology as a method to bring the commission's meetings to other Penn State locations.
Outreach Committee -- Chaired by Debra Putt, staff assistant in the Department of Biology, this committee is planning a campuswide event for the 1996 Take Our Daughters to Work Day, to be held April 25; details will be mailed to all University Park employees in early 1996. This committee is also responsible for monthly articles in the Intercom to inform the University community of the commission's activities. The committee plans to review the Achieving Women at Penn State booklet for its effectiveness and to recommend strategies and alternatives for recognizing the achievements, contributions and successes of women who work and study at Penn State.
Banquet Committee -- Chaired by Tineke Cunning, counselor in Career Development and Placement Services, this committee is responsible for planning the commission's annual banquet, scheduled for March 18. The speaker at this year's banquet will be Ellen Bravo, executive director of 9-5, National Association of Working Women, who will address one of the greatest challenges facing women and men in our society today -- the integration of work and family. Banquet ticket information will be distributed University-wide in the near future.
Penn State women are encouraged to volunteer to serve on any of the above committees. More information on the commission and its activities is available from the commission office, (814) 863-7696.
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