The world is changing. Or at least the Schools of Nursing and Engineering and Applied Sciences would like to think it is. Each school is traditionally stereotyped as gender-distinct. But according to officials in these schools, these gender barriers are showing signs of decay. And the prejudices that once pressured students to shy away from traditionally female- or male-dominated fields are no longer as powerful. Though statistics do not reveal a dramatic increase in cross-gender applications or enrollment in the schools, the opinions of students, faculty and administrators alike indicate a general trend towards acceptance. The School of Nursing has seen only a slight increase in male students in the past few years. In the fall of 1993, 18 undergraduate men enrolled in the school's freshman class of 84. That number was an increase from last year's 17 and from 14 in 1991. But the seemingly insignificant numbers undermine the strong convictions of these few students. "It's the 90s," said Nursing sophomore Charles Huckel. "Old fashioned uneducated people have no place in nursing." Huckel explained that he decided to apply to the school because of the potential for advancement that a career in nursing offers. His decision was made independent of the stereotypes that preceded him. "I've never experienced any kind of prejudice here at Penn," he said. "The administration and faculty are thrilled with my decision to break the so-called gender barrier that is still held by many people." Nursing junior Jon Kerekes agreed. "It's really weird because I was originally [looking into] the medical profession as pre-med, so I got an invitation to attend a program that Penn was giving for people in the medical field," he said. "It was about nursing." This introduction primed Kerekes for a career in nursing. "Everyone's been really supportive," he said. "I think it's a very healthy relationship." Kerekes said that relationship is based on mutual respect and encouragement. "I'd have to say it's definitely a different experience being with women every day," he added. "It's brought out a lot of good sides in me. And I think I've brought out a lot of good in my colleagues." Kerekes also explained that his education is preparing him well for a future career. "I'm in a frat on campus," he said. "A lot of my brothers are graduating and they tell me that they don't really know what they've learned here. But every day I'm taking care of patients. I'm really learning stuff that's useful." Huckel added that traditional stereotypes lose their relevance in the eyes of the patient. "A person in the hospital doesn't care who's caring for them," he said. "I'm a very caring person but a very strong person. That's what defines a nurse." Both Kerekes and Huckel plan to enter careers in nursing, or closely related fields. Nationally, the socially-driven gender walls surrounding the nursing profession seem to be cracking as well. "If there were any stereotypes that men were holding, those are rapidly diminishing," said Dan Mezibov, director of public affairs for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. "I think with all the coverage of the nursing shortage?and the explosive growth in the health care field, the word has gotten out there that there are fairly secure jobs," he said. "So everyone's gut sense is that there are more men entering [the field]." Of 380 universities polled nationwide, 88.2 percent of enrolling undergraduates, totalling 76,966, are women. Only 10,339 are men. Women make up 90.9 percent of the graduates of these schools, according to AACN statistics. Of the 232 universities reporting graduate schools, 95.7 percent of graduates are women. "While roughly three percent of the nation's registered nurses are men, this year's AACN survey found that nearly 12 percent of first-time nursing students in bachelor's degree programs are men," according to a report published earlier this year. This increase is indicative of the future of the nursing profession, Mezibov said. The women in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are fighting their own battle for equality. And they appear to be winning. Last year, 83 women matriculated into a class of 452, representing 18 percent of the total number of students. In 1992, that figure was up to 22 percent. And three years ago, women made up 18 percent of the incoming student class, according to Katherine Becht, assistant to the associate dean for undergraduate education. "We don't use quotas," Becht said. "We do do a real outreach for women." And that outreach is reflected in the feelings of the students. "To me, I don't really notice [being a women] that much," said Engineering sophomore Deborah Fox. "I just have more friends that are guys. [And] it takes a little less to get noticed. You're a little more special." But being "special" is not a hindrance to Fox and other women in the school. "I've been told that further along the line, it exists," she said. "Now, it just makes it a little easier. But I don't think that the women work any less harder than the men." The University, according to Bonnie Webber, professor of Computer and Information Science, is doing "pretty damn good" in encouraging women to take an active and integral role in the school. "Encouragement is extremely high," she said. "Penn's percentage of women faculty is very high compared to other schools." She added that women at the University are especially attracted to the Bioengineering and Computer and Cognitive Science departments, but explained that "it's clear that women are moving into all the professions." Webber, who is also the faculty advisor for the Society of Women Engineers, noted that "there are very few things stopping us." The Society of Women Engineers, is a national organization "committed to promoting the study of engineering by all students, especially females," according to Society President and Engineering junior Lesley Bride. The 60-member chapter at the University organizes a "Women in Technology Day" for prospective freshmen, advance registration advising and resume building workshops. The Society's "Women in Technology Day" gives pre-University students the opportunity to meet with current students and faculty in order to give them "a better sense of what Penn is like," Webber said. In addition, the SWE planned a program for 20 Philadelphia high school students Saturday. The program included a discussion of "the benefits of studying engineering and working in that field," Bride said. "We'll have a professional female engineer from the EPA give a presentation." This introduction is indicative of the type of encouragement the school attempts to foster, according to Webber. "Not only are women active in the Society of Women Engineers," she said. "But in Hexagon and [the Engineering Student Activities Council], women are very, very active leaders as well." Bride, one of the school's female student leaders, said she has found her experience in the Engineering School "very rewarding." "I think being a female has been an asset and will continue to be in my career as an engineer," Bride said. "There have been a few negative experiences in the classroom with certain older teachers feeling they have to explain it twice to the girls." Outside the University, the number of women entering the field of engineering is also definitely increasing, Bride added. "Professional women engineers [warn students]?to beware of the idea that a woman only gets a job because of her gender," Bride said. "Although it is a small advantage, in the world of engineers, recruiters want who can do the job best." But the former stereotype is the target of the school as a whole. Gregory Farrington, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, said that while the school has no quota for women faculty members, "we'd like [the number] to be 51 percent." "For so many years, women have been directed away [from engineering]," he said. "We're doing reasonably well in the national scene. We've hired?a very high percentage -- half or more -- of women faculty in the last several years." In addition, Webber suggests that "engineering [be] viewed as a set of problems to be solved." "I certainly am coming from the view that more women should work in engineering," Webber said. "There is a type of problem-solving that we are very good at." This combination of advocate groups, increased hiring and redefining the profession has give the school an edge in attracting women and fostering their development as future engineers. As highlighted by gender-dominated statistics, the stereotypes of masculine engineers and feminine nurses persist. Yet, each school is currently working to overcome the stereotypes that precede it.
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