Minutes Women’s Issues Committee Meeting November 14, 2013 Present: Ellie Schemenauer, Jo Ellen Burkholder, Cindy Konrad, Candace Chenoweth, Janay Alston, Ronna Timmerman Approval of the Minutes: Ellie Schemenauer moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Cindy Konrad, all were in favor. Committee Reports Athletics – the committee will try to find a replacement for Amy Edmonds Women’s and Gender Studies – the fall newsletter has been sent out. Ellie announced two travel study opportunities that can count towards the Women’s Studies major/minor/certificate. Cindy offered to develop a class on LGBT issues and/or sexualities in the future. University Health and Counseling Services (Whitney Henley) – Whitney sent a report on various sexual assault education presentations (see below under old business). LGBTQ Task Force, Pride Resource Center, & WCC - Warhawk Connection Center (Cindy Conrad) Cindy has been working with the PRIDE Center, SAVE, and Greek organizations on a collaborative program called “Learning Good Consent.” The program will help students understand why it’s important to have open conversations with partners. Mara Kiesling had been a guest on campus and made suggestions about changes which could help transgender students. The Safer Sex Drive is scheduled for December 3rd. There will be HIV testing available. The WCC is hosting the Multicultural Series. Cindy would like to schedule a workshop to talk to faculty and staff about LGBT issues in order to address reports from students. The College Retreats were suggested as a venue. Inclusive Excellence – no report Old Business Sexual Assault Education o There were presentations by Liz Ogunsola (Title IX Coordinator) and Whitney Henley (Violence Prevention Coordinator) this semester, however we only had 28 attendees. These presentations were targeted to faculty and staff. o Presentations by SAVE (Supporting a Violence-free Environment) are occurring this semester and reaching approximately 55 students. SAVE is collaborating with other student organizations to present large scale education programs (focusing on consent and bystander intervention) for the spring semester. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a presentation for your class or group, please contact Whitney Henley, henleyw@uww.edu Women in Leadership – the nomination forms have been sent out with a due date of December 1rst. Cindy will check to see if Loretta Ross can speak at the event. Ronna, Candace, Ellie, Janay and Cindy volunteered to meet to choose the honorees after nominations are received. Children’s Center – the resignation of Holly McFaul and other changes left the Center with little continuity in leadership. Ellie reported that LTE teachers have the same skills, education and time in the position as regular staff, leading to a discussion of LTE’s on campus. The committee discussed various ways they might be able to support change. Ellie will do some research on the positions at the Children’s Center, and then draft a letter from the committee. Film – Academic Motherhood – How Faculty Manage Work and Family – the committee will preview the film during the January meeting. Work/Life balance – Cindy has a speaker in mind who may be able to speak at her women’s lecture series or the Provost’s WIL reception, and will send a link to a webinar given by the speaker. She also suggested an interactive workshop scheduled at lunch time, and hoped she could get support from the Provost for staff to attend. The Provost will be acting as Interim Chancellor by the time planning for this event begins, therefore the committee needs to know who to contact and when speakers are chosen for this event. Lactation rooms on campus – Janay reported that the lactation room in Hyland is completed. ID card access is needed (requiring contact with the building manager). The room is located on the first floor. The committee suggested submitting a campus announcement regarding the new room, and making an addition to the campus breastfeeding policy on the HR website. Another suggestion was that a woman be the point of contact for the access card. Liz Ogunsola sent several links regarding breastfeeding policies. New Business Cindy asked that the Women’s lectures series be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Ideas for speaker and topics will be discussed. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Fellows