October 2006
Greetings from the DirectorThe start of the 2006-2007 academic year brings exciting news from the Women in Science and Engineering Program. The Science Office, previously located in the Frieze Building, has moved into a wonderful new location in 1712 Chemistry Building. The space, generously remodeled by LS&A, provides not only office space for the Science staff, but also a large open workspace perfect for visiting groups of middle school girls as well as noon workshops for undergraduate and graduate women. We love being so much closer to the students we serve as well as feeling that we are right in the middle of the action! We could even hear the band performing on the steps of the Graduate Library during welcome week. We are adjacent to the Science Learning Center which is an additional and welcome perk. Be sure to stop by and say hello when you are passing by. The WISE Engineering Office is still located in 1240 Lurie Engineering Center where visitors are also welcome. The year has gotten off to a terrific and busy start. In addition to Welcome to Michigan events for both undergraduate and graduate women, we also hosted the 5th annual Sally Ride Science Festival, a FIRST Lego League Team, and several workshops. A Friday nigh dessert party in the chemistry office for undergraduate women was a huge success with over 50 participants. The chocolate fountain was a big hit! On a more serious note, we are closely watching the campaigning for the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (Proposal 2) which will be on the ballot this coming November. Proposal 2 would ban affirmative action programs...”based on race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origins.” While we cannot predict how the courts will rule on programs to promote science and engineering for girls and women should this initiative pass, we can say that such programs have been critical in ensuring access to and success in these non-traditional fields for women. If you are interested in the potential consequences of this proposal on women in education and the workforce, be sure to visit the website of the Center for the Education of Women, http://www.umich.edu/~cew/, and read their research reports based on the experiences in California and Washington when similar initiatives were passed. We look forward to the rest of the fall semester and hope to see you at one of our events! Please stop by one (or both!) of our offices to say hello. We love to hear from you!
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