Where are the women?

The science department is missing some chromosomes, but the problem is not with a lab expiriment. \nIt's among the faculty -- the XX combination is noticeably elusive in departments that continue to be dominated by men. \nA study by Donna Nelson, an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma, confirmed what many women already knew -- females compose only a small proportion of research positions in science, mathematics and engineering fields at top universities. Research indicates that even though women are earning an increasing number of Ph.D.s in traditionally male-dominated disciplines, they represent only between 3 and 15 percent of full-time professors at top departments.\nIU's own situation parallels these findings. Terry Dworkin, dean of the Office for Women's Affairs, told the IDS last Thursday that female graduate students and faculty members in science and math are underrepresented at IU as compared to other Big Ten schools. \n"This has been a continuing problem that has been specially addressed by a number of deans," she said. \nDworkin and others in the media suggest the difficult balance between domestic responsibility and work is one factor possibly dissuading women from taking university positions. Several schools have created proposals to enhance working environments and make their programs more conducive to women. \nDuke University, instated the "Women's Initiative" last year after an internal study revealed many pressures women face on campus. In response, the university improved paid parental leave policies, doubled on-campus child care and continues to implement progress through the Initiative. \nIf IU hopes to remedy the situation, it should look inward. In this case, understanding the problem is essential to finding the solution. We are fortunate to have a unique commodity in former IU--Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm. When Brehm accepted the position as President Adam Herbert's senior advisor, her primary focus became women in higher education, with the goal of instating an institute for women on IU's campus. We hope she will apply her efforts, which include examining similar programs at other universities, to this particular question regarding women's affairs. \nWe should also continue to encourage and support women who are exploring science and technical fields. The fact that women are, in fact, earning a robust number of doctorate degrees is a good sign. As issues are sorted out at the top, we must continue to support women who are still pursing undergraduate and graduate degrees. \nIU has at least one group to back this effort. The Women in Science Program, which is run within the Office for Women's Affairs, is an operation that promotes the participation of women in science and mathematics fields at all academic levels. WISP offers travel grants for science students to visit academic conferences and sponsors research days allowing students to share projects. \nIt is imperative to uphold positive programs like WISP as important work proceeds to unravel problems at the faculty level. IU's effort should reassure women there is a place for them in top-notch technical fields.