Harvard university will finally take definitive action regarding the representation of females among its tenured faculty.
Yesterday, reports were released by Harvard's Task Force on Women Faculty and the Task Force on Women in Science and Engineering, both of which were formed in February, following controversial remarks by Harvard President Lawrence Summers.
At an economics conference in January, Summer cited "innate differences" between women and men as a reason for low numbers of females in math and the sciences. The comments came after concerns were first raised last June in a letter to Summers by a group of female professors.
The firestorm surrounding Summers' remarks eventually led to a vote of "no confidence" from from the Harvard faculty in March.
Summers stated that Harvard will commit $50 million over the next 10 years to support the proposed initiatives.
"I want to make clear at the outset that this is a serious effort calling for a serious commitment of resources," Summers said.
The task forces' report identified both issues for immediate action as well as long-term recommendations to aid in breaking down the barriers that prevent more women ? both students and faculty ? from acheiving success in science, engineering, and academia in general.
Since Summers became Harvard's President in 2001, the precentage of annual tenure offers to females declined from 37 to 11.1 ? an all-time low for the University.
Consequently, the task forces' central recommendation is the appointment of a Senior Vice Provost for Diversity and Faculty Development.
This position will concentrate on faculty appontiments to ensure that there is an increase of women and other underrepresented groups at Harvard.
A search to fill this position will begin immediately.
Other major recommendations include initiatives to support a balance between work and family life, such as enhancing maternity leave policies and increasing the availability of child care.
To improve the representation of women in science and engineering, Harvard plans
to introduce the Summer
Undergraduate Research Program, study centers for introductory science courses, and mentoring programs.
"It is crucial not only for Harvard, but for the nation, to attract talented women to careers in science. But to do so, women need to see careers in science as desirable and realistic life choices," said Barbara Grosz, Task Force on Women in Science and Engineering chairwoman.
Grosz headed the review which led to the recommencations along with Radcliffe Institute Dean Drew Faust and Evelynn Hammonds, professor of the history of science and of African and African-American Studies.
A public comment period for the recommendations will last through June 30.
