History

The Gender Equity Council is charged to act in consultation with the Chancellor to: 

• Oversee the development of programs that support goals, objectives and initiatives of the Ten Year Plan addressing women's issues; 
• Identify persons responsible for implementing this plan; 
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs designed to accomplish this plan. 

Identification by the Task Force

The genesis of the Council stems from the task force on Women's Issues (2000-2001). Areas that were identified by the Task Force as being of concern to the new Council are: 

1. Learning and work environment 
2. Balancing work and personal life 
3. Hiring, promotion and retention of Women 
4. Expansion of educational opportunities for women students 

These concerns, and others that will come to the table as time progresses, and are focused on the enhancement of the total campus climate of benefit to all individuals. 

Learning and Working Environment 

I. Advocate for the development of programming that address current and emerging challenges for all women on UW Oshkosh campus. 

• Leadership training 
• Responding to listening sessions 

II. Advocate for women experiencing learning/work climate issues. 

• Individual Responders 
• Listening Sessions 

III. Advocate for safety and security measures/policies. 

• GEC representative to sit on Safety Task Force University Wide committee 

Balancing Work and Personal Life 

I. Advocate for current and emerging issues related to Non University responsibilities to in conjunction with a productive work life. 

• Child care services/access 
• Adult caregivers 
• Advocate for financial support 
• Flex time 
• Continuing education 

II. Advocate for domestic partner benefits among faculty and staff- support domestic partner policies. 

Hiring, Promotion, and Retention of Women 

I. Increase administrator, supervisor, and campus-wide awareness of issues related to all women. 

II. Advocate for increasing opportunities for Women to fill Administrative Roles.

III. Continuously explore ways to improve campus climate and working conditions to increase the retention of women. 

Expand Opportunities for Women Students 

I. Investigate opportunities to increase the number of women in non-traditional fields 

II. Investigate to increase the number of women seeking advanced educational opportunities. 

III. Support the ongoing endeavors of the Women's Studies program.