President's Commission on the Status of Women Records, 1971-2010

Predominant Dates: 1973-1996

These records were generated and collected by the President's Commission on the Status of Women, an independent commission established in 1972 responsible for advising the President and other administrators on issues of concern to women on campus. The records in the collection document the activities of the commission in its research and advisory role.

Creators

ID: RG 159

Extent: 2.3 cubic feet

More Extent Information

Scope and Content Notes

Biographical / Historical Notes

The President's Commission on the Status of Women (PCOSW) was established in 1972 as an independent commission responsible to the President. Composed of both men and women from the student body, faculty, and university staff, PCOSW advises the President and other administrators on issues of concern to women at the University, such as the availability of child care, lighting on campus and other safety issues, institutionalized sexism in the hiring process, pay equality, and the recruitment, retention, and tenure of women faculty.

The Commission has regularly sought input from faculty, staff, and students on issues of concern to women, and commission members frequently represent the group at events like University Day and Charter Day. According to Mary Perkins (Chair, 1988), the mission of the commission is to “recruit, employ, and promote women in student, faculty, staff, and administrative positions; improve educational opportunities for women at both undergraduate and graduate levels; appoint women faculty, staff, and students to positions of greater responsibility in university governance; and establish and maintain programs that enhance the professional development of women in teaching, research, and service.”

PCOSW has historically advocated – and continues to advocate – for women at every level of University service and involvement. In 1987, PCOSW and the College of Science co-sponsored an initiative – “Women in Science” – as a support network for undergraduate women in science. Co-organized by Anne Brodie (Biochemistry and Biophysics) and Ilsa Kaattari (Microbiology), the initiative is still active. In 1989, PCOSW advocated that the Women Studies program at OSU be elevated to department status.

In 1992, PCOSW spearheaded the creation of the Staff Development Award, with funding from then-President John Byrne, the Office Personnel Association (OPA), and the OSU Management Association (OSUMA). The award was created to “commend the efforts of a supervisor at any level who supports and encourages classified staff and management staff to participate in educational opportunities. The award consisted of a framed certificate, $400 to be used to fund further staff development, and $200 as a bonus to the supervisor. Later that decade, the name of the award was changed to the University Professional Development Award.

In 1994, PCOSW’s Faculty Recruitment and Retention Committee presented the results of their five-year focus on the “concerns and treatment of tenure-track women faculty at OSU.” Entitled “Achieving Parity for Women at Oregon State University,” the report laid out the current level of underrepresentation of women at OSU, the challenges women face both in and out of the work place, and how the goal of parity might be achieved. The Committee also formulated twelve recommendations that would assist in reaching parity, including: raising awareness on campus of the underrepresentation of women at the ranks of associate and full professor; hiring more women at all ranks, particularly at the senior rank of professor; establishing University-wide rules for parental leave, and affirming OSU’s positive and supportive philosophy toward the right of parental leave; conducting a University-wide salary equity study of faculty salaries; and investigating the extent to which women faculty experience gender harassment in the classroom and in their interaction with students.

In its role as advocate for women at OSU, the Commission has often responded publicly to developments and traditions on campus that are seen as sexist and demeaning to women. In the past, such controversies have included the continuation of the Ms. OSU Pageant, and the portrayal of rape on a T-shirt produced by an OSU fraternity for the annual Civil War game.

According to the Commission’s current bylaws membership in PCOSW is comprised of General Members and Ex-officio Members. New general members drawn from the ranks of faculty and classified staff are appointed by the President of OSU. Annually, a call for volunteers is sent out by the OSU Faculty Senate Office. The list of volunteers is then forwarded to the President’s office; the President makes the final selection, and mails a formal letter inviting the individuals to serve on PCOSW. Student general members are appointed by the Associated Students of OSU (ASOSU). Ex-officio members are “standing members representing other campus organizations and units that have similar goals and can assist PCOSW in furthering its mission.” Unlike general members, ex-officio members are invited by the Leadership Team to serve on the Commission; they are not appointed by the President.

The Commission is governed by a Leadership Team consisting of: a Chair or Co-Chairs, a Public Relations Officer, a Membership Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Website Officer. Chair / Co-Chairs serve two-year terms, and may serve only one consecutive, two-year term. All other officers serve year-long terms, and may serve no more than four consecutive terms in the same office. Faculty, staff, and student members serve for one three-year term; student members may be appointed for a one-year, renewable term. All terms of office begin and end in August.

The Commission’s work is typically conducted between August and May, and much of this work is done outside of general meetings, in committees with special focus. Past committees and task forces have included the Institutional Services and Practices committee, the Research Assistant committee, the Sexual Harassment Task Force, the Women in Science Task Force, and the Women on Committees Task Force. Present standing committees include the Speaker Series, Scholarships and Awards, and Campus Climate and Institutional Change.

The leadership team for PCOSW for the 2019-2020 school year is comprised of: Whitney Archer and Diana Ulrey (Co-Chairs), Brittany Nefcy (Treasurer), Kim Hack (Secretary), Mealoha McFadden (Membership), and Erin McIlraith (Communications). Past chairs have included Mary Perkins, Debbie Colbert and Cari Maes (Co-Chairs, 2017-2018), Laura Rice (Chair), Karel Murphy (Chair), Moira Dempsey (Co-Chair), and Michelle Bothwell (Co-Chair).

[Sources used in this guide: The central, OSU landing page for the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, and especially the “About” and “Bylaws, Annual Reports, and Meeting Minutes” tabs, was consulted heavily in writing the historical note for this collection. Additional sources used are linked to in the text of the historical note.]

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Arrangement

Preferred Citation: President's Commission on the Status of Women Records (RG 159), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Acquisition Note: The records were transferred to the University Archives in numerous accessions from 1992 through 2011.

Acquired: 1992. Additions to the collection are expected.

Languages of Materials

English

Other

Container List

Series 1: Organizational Records, 1972-2010 Add to Shelf

Series 1 is comprised of records documenting the structure and mission of the President's Commission on the Status of Women, including by-laws, constitutions, membership lists, and meeting minutes and agendas.

Box-Folder 1.1: By-laws and constitutions, 2005-2008 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.2: Membership lists, 1972-2010 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.3: Membership packets, 2006-2008 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.4: Mission statements, 1972-1998 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.5: Organizational histories, 2003-2008 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.6: Strategic action plan, 2007 Add to Shelf

Sub-Series 1: Meeting Minutes and Agendas, 1973-2010 Add to Shelf

Box-Folder 1.7: 1973 - 1988 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 1.8: 1988 - 1991 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 1.9: 1991 - 1992 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 1.10: 1992 - 1993 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 2.1: 1994 - 1995 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 2.2: 1995 - 1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 2.3: 1997 - 1998 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 2.4: 2004 - 2007 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 2.5: 2008 - 2010 Add to Shelf

Series 2: Correspondence, 1971-2010 Add to Shelf

Comprised of correspondence, this series also includes reports sent as attachments to correspondence. In addition to documenting the day-to-day administration of the Commission in areas such as membership selection and the organization of events and workshops, this series also reflects PCOSW's interaction with other OSU departments and programs.

Box-Folder 2.6: General, 1971-1977 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 2.7: General, 1981-1985 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.1: General, 1985-1987 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.2: General, 1988-1989 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.3: General, 1990-1991 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.4: General, 1991-1992 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 3.5: General, 1992-1993 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.1: General, 1993-1994 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.2: General, 1994-1995 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.3: General, 1995-1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.4: General, 1996-1998 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.5: General, 2000-2010 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.6: Intercollegiate Athletics Department controversy, 1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.7: Membership, 1995-1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.8: Survey on the President's Commission on the Status of Women, 1997 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.9: Workshop: Barriers to Mobility for Women, 1995-1996 Add to Shelf

Series 3: Committees and Task Forces, 1973-2007 Add to Shelf

Series 3 contains documentation of the activities and meetings of PCOSW committees and subcommittees. The issues addressed by these committees include: faculty child care needs, lack of women faculty, the prevalence of sexual harassment on campus, campus lighting and other safety issues, and gender disparities among the graduate student population. The committees for promotion and tenure, and recruitment, comprise a large portion of this series.

Box-Folder 4.10: Campus Life sub-committee, 1991 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.11: Education committee, 1973-1974 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.12: Employment committee, 1973-1974 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.13: Faculty Concerns sub-committee, 1990-1991 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.14: Faculty Recruitment and Retention sub-committee, 1992-1994 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 4.15: Family and Parental Concerns sub-committee, 1993-1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.1: Graduate Student sub-committee, 1993-1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.2: Institutional Services and Practices committee, 1993 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.3: Long-range Planning Commission, Women's Task Force, 1985-1986 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.4: President's Commission on the Prevention of Hate-related Activities, 1994-1997 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.5: Professional Development and Climate Issues sub-committee, 1997 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.6: Promotion and Tenure committee, 2004-2007 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.7: Recruitment and Retention of Women Faculty sub-committee, 1989-1990 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.8: Research Assistant (unclassified) committee, 1980-1981 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.9: Salary Equity Planning committee, 1995 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.10: Safety committee, 1979-1988 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.11: Sexual Harassment Task Force, 1985 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.12: Staff Development committee, 1988-1991 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.13: Staff Development Award sub-committee, 1992-1993 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.14: Staff Development Award sub-committee, 1994-1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.15: Student Issues sub-committee, 1990-1991 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.16: Task Force for Classified Female Employees, circa 1984 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.17: Women's Advancement and Gender Equity (WAGE), 2009 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 5.18: Women in Science Task Force, 1985-1986 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.1: Women's Issues Task Force, 1986-1987 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.2: Women on Committees Task Force, undated Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.3: Women's Studies Program Review sub-committee, 1988-1991 Add to Shelf

Series 4: Reports and Studies, 1971-2007 Add to Shelf

The reports and studies included in this series primarily document the work of various PCOSW standing and ad hoc committees and task forces. Subjects covered in these reports include: the status of women in the Oregon System of Higher Education, availability of child care, women and philanthropy, the salary gap between men and women in academia, OSU graduate assistantships, OSU staff morale, and the OSU Women's Center.

Box-Folder 6.4: Achieving Parity for Women at OSU, 1994 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.5: Annual Reports, 1990-1991 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.6: Campus Climate, 2005 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.7: Child Care Task Force Final Report, 1985 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.8: Concept paper: Women and Philanthropy, 1993 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.9: Faculty Salary Study, preliminary report, 1979 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.10: Graduate Assistantships at OSU, 1989 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.11: Head-count Study (Subcommittee on Faculty Women), 1986 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.12: Institutional Procedures and Criteria for Program Redirection, Reorganization, Reduction, and Termination, 1992 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.13: Institutional Self-study on Sex Equity, 1986 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.14: Office of Women's Studies, Interim reports, 1973-1974 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.15: OSSHE Equity / Fairness Workshop report, 1985 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.16: OSU Staff Morale Survey, 1990 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.17: Parent Needs Assessment, 2007 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.18: Parity Research and Reports (other universities), 1995-1999 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 6.19: Path to Parity: Progress report, 2004 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.1: Promoting Women's Participation in Higher Education: The Status of Women in OSSHE, 1992 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.2: Promotion and Tenure Summary Reports, 1995-1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.3: The Status of Women Academic Staff at OSU, 1971 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.4: Women's Center Benton Annex Strategic Plan, 1993-1994 Add to Shelf

Series 5: Ephemera and Newspaper Clippings, 1988-2010 Add to Shelf

The ephemera in this series includes brochures for PCOSW and the Women's Center, and flyers and announcement for PCOSW events and open staff and faculty positions. Subjects addressed in the news clippings include: the Ms. OSU Pageant, Playboy Magazine's recruitment of OSU students for its annual PAC-10 pictorial, fraternity t-shirt controversy, and the neglect of date rape cases.

Box-Folder 7.5: Brochures and announcements, 1988-1995 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.6: Brochures, 2007-2010 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.7: News clippings: General, 1992-1995 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.8: News clippings: Intercollegiate Athletics Department controversy, 1995-1996 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.9: News clippings: Playboy magazine recruitment on campus, 1993 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 7.10: News clippings: Ms. OSU Pageant, 1991-1992 Add to Shelf

People, Places, and Topics

Related Materials

Image from a brochure titled "The President's Commission on the Status of Women," ca 1990s.

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