A decade has passed since researchers coined the phrase "chilly climate" to describe the many small behaviors that together create a hostile environment for women in academe.  While progress has been made, women like most minorities have not yet become fully integrated on today's campuses. 

Slippery Rock University supports the State System of Higher Education's goal to achieve excellence and gender equity by following the guidelines developed by the American Council of Education Commission on Women in Higher Education.   A social equity plan has been designed to meet two principle objectives relative to gender:  1) to clearly articulate a future-oriented plan that makes gender equity a reality; and 2) to continue to provide leadership that demonstrates a strong commitment for gender equity of both women and men students, faculty, staff and administrators. 

The following goals and strategies will ensure the timely implementation of particular strategies designed to accomplish gender equity at Slippery Rock University. 

GOAL:  Ensure fair treatment for women and men in all aspects of the living, learning and workplace environment.

STRATEGIES 

• Continue to support an environment which encourages women to seek leadership  positions.  On an annual basis evaluate the results of that support and if necessary seek creative ways to enhance efforts.
• Achieve proportional representation of women and men in policy-making positions of all kinds in university planning work.  Recruit, hire and promote women in proportion to their availability and requisite skills in the work force.
• The university will seek to involve the President's Commission for Women in policy making and university wide committee work. 
• Involve the Faculty Development Committee in providing orientation, mentoring and workshops for untenured persons so that all may be encouraged to realize their leadership potential.

GOAL:  Assure that accountability exists in reclassification/promotion procedures for staff.

 STRATEGIES         

• Seek to influence state specifications as they impact on staff job descriptions and the need to have those descriptions updated to reflect modern technologies.
• Distribute written desk audit guidelines and procedures distributed to staff.
• Develop staff orientation programs and workshops as needed to keep staff informed of changing university policies/procedures.     

GOAL:  Maintain a supportive campus climate for women.

STRATEGIES 

• Continuously evaluate campus safety.
• Continue to ensure that gender equity is considered in hiring, promotion, tenure, professional development and salary.
• Continue to review evidence of sexual harassment document's effectiveness.  Provide support and adequate follow through for all sexual harassment charges/reports and ensure a timely response to and resolution of all such reports.

GOAL:  Continue institutional commitment to the Women's Studies Program and encourage gender inclusion throughout the curriculum.

STRATEGIES  

• Work closely with faculty and curriculum committees within departments.
• Work closely with faculty and curriculum committees within departments.

GOAL:  Develop policies, procedures and programs that support children and families in the broadest sense. 

STRATEGY       

• Determine, through various means, the needs of faculty, staff and students related to the role of the university in the provision of adequate childcare.

GOAL:  Increase visibility of the President's Commission on Women.

STRATEGIES 

• Create activities and informational materials that foster greater campus awareness of issues affecting women and families.
• Encourage women to increase their participation on campus wide committees.
•  Develop campus programs that focus on the personal and professional development of women students, staff and faculty.