“…According to the study, the majority of
students enrolled at TMSF’s 45 public HBCUs are female (63 percent), but
females hold a minority of the faculty positions at those institutions (45
percent). Average salary gaps between male and female faculty exist across all
professorship ranks — full, associate and assistant…” (The
Diversity Online article about
this study and the link for the full study are copied below.)
This study’s findings mirror my research about U.S.
faculty of color in communications…They also mirror what the FSA/AFT/AFL-CIO
has found here at ASU from eyeballing what data we have been able to collect on
this issue. In my studies, women of color faculty members found sexism an even
bigger obstacle toward equity than racism…Hmmmm…..
Know Justice, Know Peace, Know Prosperity,
Rev. Dr. E-K. Daufin, Professor
Department of Communications
334.229.6885
Lectures, Performances, Workshops,
Consultation:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ekdaufin/
Want More Energy? Relaxation? Motivation?
Balance Your Brain Chemistry, Here's How:
http://ekdaufin.isagenix.com
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From Diverse Online
Current News
New Study: Gender Matters on
By
Sep 28, 2006, 19:50
Female
faculty at public historically Black colleges seem to fare better in terms of
ratings, salaries and tenure numbers when the president or chief academic
officer is also female, according to a new study released Thursday by the
Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. This was just one of many findings in the
study, which examines the role that gender issues play in the success rates of
students and faculty at public HBCUs.
Funded by a
grant from the Ford Foundation, “Understanding Gender at Public
Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” details how gender impacts
faculty ratings, salaries and tenure as well as student recruitment, retention,
achievement and graduation. It is the first study of its kind focusing
exclusively on public HBCUs.
Dr. Shirley
Geiger, the study’s principal investigator and chair of the Department of
Political Science, Public Administration and Urban Studies at
“Certainly, the findings … suggest that gender
issues should be high on that list,” she says. “I am equally
convinced that the study’s findings demonstrate that there is a strong
need for a
The proposed center would help address attitudinal barriers, including the assumption that
women’s studies are not critical to students’ studies and the
reluctance of female students to be associated with anything related to
feminism. The center would also offer scholars the opportunity to engage in
research about issues facing women of African heritage throughout the diaspora.
According to the study, the majority of students enrolled at
TMSF’s 45 public HBCUs are female (63 percent), but females hold a
minority of the faculty positions at those institutions (45 percent). Average
salary gaps between male and female faculty exist across all professorship
ranks — full, associate and assistant.
“This study re-confirms that gender does matter and,
therefore, the entire campus climate is affected by gender issues,” says
Dr. Mary Evans Sias, president of
Dr. Carolyn Mahoney, president of
The report also reveals a continuing bias against female
faculty when students rate faculty members, which can impact the likelihood of
being offered tenure. Sixty-one percent of male and female faculty saw the need
for a women’s center at their institution and 48 percent saw a need for a
women’s studies program.
The study also shows that 92 percent of students aren’t
concerned with the gender of their professors, although 31 percent of Black
male students prefer having a Black male teacher. In addition, the race of
professors did not appear to be an issue for students in the survey, despite
empirical evidence to the contrary.
Equally deserving of further study is the chilly climate
students and faculty perceive toward homosexuals at public HBCUs, the report
says. It also suggests reviewing institutional data and comparing the
professional experiences of males and females. Other recommendations include
the full disclosure of institutional salary data, especially for female faculty
and the creation of productive venues for the telling and hearing of faculty
stories.
“We conducted this study to uncover the compelling
implications of gender differences at our member institutions. We believe that
discovery will lay the foundation for dialogue and solutions,” says
Dwayne Ashley, president and CEO of TMSF. “It is our intent that …
[the report] can serve as a guidepost for leading changes to improve the
educational environment at HBCUs and other institutions for faculty, staff,
students and communities.”
The study can be viewed at www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org.
— Diverse staff reports