Results of Open Forum on February 21st, 2006
February 2006
On Tuesday February 21st the Office of Women’s Programs and the Community Counsel hosted an open forum on the possibility of creating a Women and Gender Studies Program at WPI. In defining gender and women studies, the Community Counsel thought that in women and gender studies, one may ask questions such as:
- How will better understanding gender roles help me professionally and through my life?
- In what ways does gender influence the development of science and technology?
- In what ways has the development of science and technology influenced gender?
- How do gender roles in different countries compare with each other?
- How have gender roles changed throughout history?
- How do gender roles influence our experience as a female or male?
Some of the questions examined at the forum regarding starting a women and gender studies program were as follows:
- Where would this program be housed? Arts and Humanities?
- What is already being done on campus to further gender issues?
- Who would this benefit, current students or new students yet to be recruited?
Representatives from various areas of the campus were present including faculty from a variety of disciplines, staff including the Office of Women’s Programs and the Admissions Office and of course students, both graduate and undergraduate. It was determined that many classes at WPI already consist of a gender component, but as this is not a formal program, there is little recognition. While the group was in agreement that infusion of gender and cultural issues was important in all courses, many felt that courses focusing specifically on these issues would be beneficial. Suggestions on how this would look included elective classes, a gender studies minor, increased infusion of gender issues in sufficiency’s, including gender issues in a new first year program, and gender issues as preparation for IQP.
One of the main themes that arose was the need to make the classes/program mandatory in order to attract both men and women. It was determined men could benefit greatly from this class as well as women as it would encourage them to think about various issues such as childcare and work/life balance that are often the main concern of their female partners.
On the idea of creating a minor, some people expressed concern that if this class was to be one of the many minors at WPI, it would just be lost in the shuffle. As the talk progressed a few more themes arose such as the natural placement of this program in the Arts and Humanities Department and the best way to market this program while recruiting new students. Many of our competing universities such as RPI and MIT have gender studies programs and WPI may be loosing talented young women to these other universities for that very reason.
Several students expressed a concern over lack of time for more required classes and a general lack of interest in any class that does not directly relate to their major. One student said, “If the class will not help me in getting a job, it is a waste of time.” Although the concept of the well rounded student was brought up and discussed, the bottom line remained students will not elect to take a class that is not related to their chosen technological field. It seems current students would be reluctant to take part in the program, but the hope is as it becomes part of the culture new students will embrace this opportunity. This dialogue is on-going and any feedback is welcome. Please e-mail shell@wpi.edu.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: June 21, 2007 13:26:20