Commission on the Status of Women
MINUTES
Friday, February 17; 9:00 - 10:30am
Room: Wisconsin Room, Davies
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is charged with making recommendations to the Chancellor
regarding issues, policies, and initiatives affecting women, as well as seeking input from and providing
information to those individuals, departments, units, and organizations interested in the status of women.
PRESENT:
Teresa O’Halloran, Mary Canales, Judy Gatlin, Abby Vercauteren, Traci Thomas-Card, Vicki Reed, Kristina
Bourne, Pat Karlen
APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES:
January 31, 2012: Accepted
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
o
o
o
o
o





FEBRUARY: Friday, Feb. 17; 9:00 – 10:30; Wisconsin Room, DC: plan listening session
MARCH: Tuesday, Mar. 6; 9:00 – 10:30, Wisconsin Room, DC: women’s history month
MARCH 14; 12:00 – 1:00; Presidents Room, DC.: Listening Session
APRIL: Friday, Apr 20; 9:00 – 10:30; Schofield Room 202: meeting with Chancellor
MAY: Friday, May 4; 9:00 – 10:30; Wisconsin Room, DC—wrap
Reminded CSW members that the Spring 2012 Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership Regional
Workshop is scheduled on Wednesday, April 18 at CVTC
Teresa shared information about the 9 to 5 organization’s leadership training in Washington D.C. this May,
and a near-full scholarship is available. Contact Teresa and/or Catherine Emmanuelle for more information.
Members were reminded to forward their Outstanding Women of Color in Education award nominations to
Caitlin Lee (leemai@uwec.edu) by February 24.
Teresa is looking for nominations for the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Fellowship. The position receives
50% release time and is part of the Chancellor’s Diversity Advisory Committee
A lactation room has been designated on the third floor of the new Centers. Kristina had some
input/questions about the room and will get in touch with Chris Hessl to discuss. Pat will ask Chris and Rick
Gonzales whether a lactation room will be designated in the new academic building.
NEW BUSINESS:


Discussed sending a statement regarding making the UW System a “premier equity pay for women” system
to the University Personnel Task Force. Traci agreed to write the statement. The majority of CSW had
already responded to an email with their support to forward the recommend to the Task Force. It will be
forwarded to Teresa and the chairs of the work groups. The statement will include a recommendation
urging those working on a project to keep issues affecting women in mind as they do their work.
Listening Session: It was decided to move the session to March 14. It was suggested that we have a power
point that lists all of the departments/organizations on the panel….including their missions.
CONTINUING BUSINESS:

Women’s and LGBTQ Resource Center
o The question remains whether CSW want to make a recommendation to the Chancellor.
o Jacqueline Bonneville put together a proposal regarding the Resource Center’s staff and budget
and would like to present it at our next meeting. I sent an email to her with date, time and
location.
o Teresa gave an overview. Pat shared Teresa’s support/concerns. Overall discussion resulted in
Teresa agreeing to summarize CSW’s support to the recommendation that two people be
assigned …but if not possible…it supports one permanent position be assigned; there continue
to be student internship opportunities made available, there be equal balance between WAGE
and LGBTQ, and that the permanent position be a member of CSW.

Encourage Faculty Across Disciplines to Consider and Highlight the Role of Women in the Discipline No Discussion Took Place
o Make it obvious who our women’s studies affiliates are—link to CSW website
o Look into CETL/ORSP workshops
o Start with a capstone class
o Have a student go through all UWEC websites—looking for gender neutrality
o Add to CSW a link where people can report non-gender neutrality website issues
o Piggyback issues of gender with collection of resources document
o Teresa suggested we invite Aaronette on March 29 to give a presentation on this issues. She is
a speaker from UC Santa Cruz
o We will discuss more at next meeting

Work/Life Balance – Employee Satisfaction
o Wellness Committee—update from Vicki: Vicki Reed gave an update from the Wellness Committee.
They have been working with the Chamber of Commerce and will soon roll out more information on
changes regarding taking back health. Vicki has been in touch with WEA Trust. Vicki will provide more
information at the next meeting.
o
o
o
o

Tuition benefits—Syracuse and Vermont
Children’s Center Committee--update from Traci Thomas-Card
The question remains whether CSW wants to make a recommendation to the Chancellor
Work/Life Research—update from Teresa, Kristina, Melissa, Vicki
Safety on Campus—Teresa: No Discussion Took Place
o UW System has opened the door for campuses to establish a policy that would allow the
Chancellor to make an exception to not being able to carry a concealed in a UWEC building.
(For example, an exception for a female that has a restraining order against someone and
believes she is in danger.)
o There was an application for exception, the request was denied. UW-Eau Claire continues to
look at all avenues to assure employee safety on campus.
o Are there any new updates from Teresa?
o Are we ready to take this off of our agenda?
o Does it belong anywhere on our website?