Minutes

Women’s Issues Committee Meeting

September 13, 2012

Present: Lauren Smith, Ronna Timmerman, WhitneyHenley, Cindy Konrad, Samantha Samreth, Akiko Yoshida, Ellie Schemenauer, Mai Yer Yang, Jo Ellen Burkholder, Liz Ogunsola, Candace Chenoweth,Janae Alston, Marijuana Sawyer

Approval of the Minutes – the minutes were approved by acclamation.

Announcements

  • Susan Johnson is lecturing to the League of Women Voters on the “Season of Civility.”
  • The Women’s Studies Consortiumis October 5-6. Marijuana Sawyer is the recipient of the Women of Color award from UW-W.
  • The Campus Diversity Forum will be held on September 27, 28. Robert Moses will be a featured guest. The diversity website poster has been distributed.
  • There will be an LGBT dance performance at UW-W and a related workshop for students. These events will take place October 29-30.

Committee Reports

  • Women’s Studies (Lauren Smith)- new faculty member Monique Listonwill be teaching two GENED classes fall and spring.
  • University Health and Counseling Services (Whitney Henley)- reported on the building renovation and new hires. There was low attendance at the first SAPAC Meeting – Whitney asked that WIC members refer anyone interested in the prevention of sexual assault to her. The sexual assault response group has not yet met. In October there will be a wellness fair, and they are looking for displays. The UHCS will have an open house this fall. Lauren Smith asked about getting men’s groups involved in learning about sexual assault.
  • LGBTQ Task Force & Pride Resource Center (Cindy Konrad) – reported on a poster sale fund-raiser for SEAL. Candace Chenowethfound the sexual explicitness in some of the posters objectionable, and talked about the challenges of teaching female international students how to react to sexualovertures. Whitney will draft a letter to Student Affairs to express concern about the posters, which will be reviewed by the committee. Cindy talked about the possibility of having the campus rated, or a scorecard for the campus. Residence Life will sponsor Boxes and Walls – Lauren suggested a service learning program to support this in the future.
  • Warhawk Involvement Center –Intergroup Coordinator Mai Yer reported. Shewould like a student worker and advisory council.
  • Inclusive Excellence - Liz Ogunsola talked about Title IX and how each institution has named a coordinator to look at policies. The inclusive excellence discussion questions prompted a committee debate about the relationship between diversity education and international/global education.

Old Business

  • Gender-related speakers for L&S speaker series – Lauren asked for ideas
  • Plans for 2012-2013 – the group has been discussing work/life balance among other issues and is looking for input on what to accomplish this year.

New Business

  • Women in Leadership – Lauren described the Women in Leadership process for the new members
  • WWHEL – The WWHEL conference is October 25 & 26.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Fellows