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2004 annual report

Women's Commission Annual Report, 2003-04

The 2003-04 academic year was one of reorganization for Grand Valley's Women's Commission. The year actually began in May 2003 when six women agreed to serve as a core committee to guide the commission, while drawing on additional people and resources for events. This represented a structural change for the commission, which had been a 15-member committee.

The Women's Commission core committee draws from the ranks of facilities services, faculty, administrative/professional and clerical/office/technical staff.

They are
Sally Alder, Facilities Services
Michele Coffill, News and Information Services
Connie Ingham, Biology Department
Carol Kountz, Writing Department
Patricia Oldt, Administration (ex-officio)
Sulari White, Academic Support Office.

The commission, which met monthly beginning in September, draws on the resources of more than 25 people interested in helping with various activities.

The commission continued a strong and positive relationship with the Women's Center. Meetings are held in the center's lobby (161 Kirkhof Center); the center's phone number (331-2748) is used as a contact number in commission materials.

Activities:

In September, the commission teamed with the Women's Center, Office of Equity and Planning, Positive Black Women, and Women and Gender Studies to host the Women's Welcome Reception. More than 100 people attended the evening reception and learned about various women's groups on campus.

The commission worked with the Women's Center to continue co-sponsoring the "Her Story" series in the fall and winter semester. The following women shared their personal journeys and their path to leadership roles: Bennie Beretta, Lois Owens, Wendy Wenner, Pat Oldt and Veta Tucker. The last Her Story, in March, was a presentation by a community member who has HIV.

In March, the commission worked with the Women's Center, Positive Black Women, and Women and Gender Studies to sponsor the Outstanding Women's Awards ceremony. More than 130 people attended the noon event. Awards were presented to students and faculty. The commission presented the Maxine Swanson award to Wendy Wenner, dean of the College of University-Wide Interdisciplinary Initiatives.

Accessibility:

The commission has a Web site (www.gvsu.edu/w_commission/) and an e-mail address (womencom@gvsu.edu).

Issues researched:

The commission researched two topics throughout the year by bringing in guest speakers. Tanya Howell, a student-parent, and Mary Ann Krause, director of the Children's Center, spoke several times about the need for infant daycare on campus. Jacqueline Hill, from the Educational Support Program, spoke about domestic partner benefits. Both of these issues will continue to be topics of discussion next year.