We accepted the responsibility of serving as cochairs of the Task Force on Women at UB with trepidations. At first reading, the charges to the Task Force appeared dauntingly comprehensive. We knew that community expectations were high for a thorough and detailed, but rapid, response. We realized that investigations of many issues would be complicated by preconceived opinions, cultural myths, and/or ignorance.
We quickly came to appreciate that American academic institutions are largely derived from centuries-old monastic models that excluded women entirely. Seen from that perspective, women are relatively recent interlopers in the academy. Although it is not surprising that full gender equity remains elusive, we are appreciative that UB has undertaken a systematic analysis to accelerate the process of modifying deeply rooted social and institutional patterns.
To our great fortune, a resourceful graduate student member of the Task Force retrieved a document that had been prepared by late UB Professor Ann Scott and published in the May 14, 1970, issue of the Reporter. Dr. Scott's report, The Half-Eaten Apple A Look at Sex Discrimination in the University [at Buffalo], had accomplished many of the tasks assigned to us in 1995, including a detailed demographic analysis of conditions at UB and an overview of women's status in other academic institutions, with general and specific recommendations for achieving gender equity at UB. The Half-Eaten Apple has been our inspiration and, to a large extent, our model and guide. It was reassuring to realize that our task was do-able, as Dr. Scott had produced her report essentially alone and with much less institutional cooperation than had been provided to us. The Half-Eaten Apple served as a valuable reference that made it possible for us to compare the UB climate for women twenty-five years ago with the present. None of the extramural reports we studied benefited from such precious historical information. In addition, the Scott report helped us focus our energies and define practical goals for Task Force activities over a limited time.
For each aspect of women's lives at UB that was reviewed, our aims were to describe existing conditions, make comparisons with other similar institutions, assess the concordances or discrepancies between actual circumstances at UB and the perception of them, and, finally, consider strategies that might alter conditions that seemed in the most urgent need of improvement. We were also concerned to find ways to modify faulty perceptions and correct misunderstandings. In formulating recommendations, our main premise has been that the creation of a woman-friendly campus is absolutely essential for the academic and financial prosperity of UB.
We believe that this study of the status of women at UB is important for three rea sons. First, the status of women in our society has changed dramatically over the past three decades. The reasons for this change are complex, and require careful study and analysis at the societal level. If the university can be viewed as a microcosm of our soci ety, this study may help us understand what has taken place and what is still changing in the academy.
Second, as the university faculty age and a significant number of faculty members retire, a strategic plan must be developed to increase diversity in keeping with changes in American society. Participation in the academy should reflect the ethnic, racial, and gender composition of American citizenry. Priority must be given to hire women in the schools, faculties, and departments where women are underutilized or essentially absent.
Third, UB is typical of many large public research universities that are undergoing change. In its sesquicentennial year, the university has an unprecedented opportunity to establish a model for the role of women in the academy.
There have been many rewarding aspects to this task. The opportunities afforded to us to meet and work with colleagues, especially women, across the university community were educational and stimulating. We made many friends whose opinions and perspectives we value and respect. We came to appreciate that women at UB are extraordinarily proud of their professional association with the university. They are accomplished, energetic, resourceful, and ambitious. Women at UB recognize that their personal career success is closely linked to the prosperity of the institution. They are anxious and willing to cooperate in all possible ways to promote that prosperity. This report is testimony to the positive force of women at UB.
Bernice K. Noble
John M. Staley