Professor becomes 44th recipient for ‘outstanding’ service

Professor Jean Robinson became the 44th recipient of the Dean of Faculties Distinguished Service Award earlier this semester at a reception held in her honor. Cyndi Connelley-Eskine, executive assistant who coordinates special events for the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and the Dean of Faculties, estimates that some 100 people attended the reception held at the Wells House on Wednesday, April 11. This larger-than-usual turnout is indicative of Robinson’s impact on campus. \nWith this award, Robinson, who has also received several teaching awards, was recognized for her outstanding service both within the University and within the community. \nRobinson said she thinks she won the award because she has “done a lot in a lot of different areas.” And though she has received several teaching awards, she noted that it was nice to be recognized for the other work she has done, as well.\nSince coming to IU in 1977, she has done much to advance the position of women within the University at nearly every level.\n“She’s one of the big movers in the women’s movement here,” Conneley-Eskine said.\nWhen Robinson accepted the position of half-time coordinator of the Women’s Studies certificate program 30 years ago, she said they had no faculty. In the following years, she helped build the program up into today’s gender studies degree program. Though she now teaches in the political science department, Robinson has remained actively involved in women’s issues on campus for the duration of her career at IU. \nShe also served as Dean of Women’s Affairs from the late ’90s until 2002. \nWhile serving as dean, Robinson also conducted extensive research into the status of female students and staff on campus, the results of which led to increased funding for recruitment and retention of women in sciences.\nIt was also while she was dean that Robinson said she became more aware of sexual assaults on campus.\n“It was really stunning to me (to see) the number of problems on campus,” Robinson said.\nShe saw these issues as everyone’s responsibility and obtained a grant from the Department of Justice to create a program for New Student Orientation about sexual violence. Whereas before the issue had been primarily dealt with during Welcome Week and was mainly directed to female students, now all incoming freshmen are able to address it before even moving into their dorm rooms. \nThe effectiveness of this new program may be hard to judge, Robinson warned, because even if the number of reported rapes on campus go up, it may only mean people are more willing to come forward.\nIn addition to her involvement in women’s issues at the University level, Robinson has been active in community service as well, serving on the Middle Way House board and as the faculty sponsor for the group Friends of Middle Way House. She is also an accomplished and well-liked teacher.\n“She really surprised me because she really comprehends whether or not you get it,” senior Kyle Brandle said of her.\nBrandle, who is in Robinson’s Politics of Sexuality and Gender Class, said he was impressed by Robinson’s ability to tell what students understand and then to challenge them further.\n“She (has) really pushed me,” he added.\nRobinson said working with students is the most rewarding part of her job.\n“It’s really cool to see students learn new things and grow and mature and become more actively involved in the world and making a difference,” she said.