Historically there have been few opportunities for women and men to share equal power in the shaping and implementing of policy and practice in our academic, corporate and governmental institutions. Even today (with growing numbers of exceptions) women are a small minority at the upper levels of our colleges and universities.

This means that most men and women have little or no experience in sharing institutional power. Today we are in the earliest stages of discovering what it means for men and women of similar and different sexual orientations, races and cultures to meet each other in our full power and voice at work.

This Gender Forum is dedicated to providing a safe situation where both genders can take some more steps toward honest dialogue and deeper understanding of one another's professional and life circumstances, as well as of the institutional helps and hindrances we can affect together.

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The over-arching collective goal of this Forum is to increase our competence in understanding the roles of gender and sexual orientation in how we prepare students for today’s world.

The over-arching individual goal of this Forum is for each of us to take personal responsibility for an environment of gender equity and balance in all aspects of our Schools and in our lives.

Awareness:

1. How traditional academic norms and practices can contribute to differential gender treatment.
2. Understanding differing life circumstances and their impact on professional life.
3. Understanding the impact of language and behavior on others and practice alternatives.
4. Understanding the dynamics and behaviors that support/hinder collegial relationships.

Skills:

1. How to manage uncomfortable situations with the other gender.
2. Some new ways to be in dialogue with the other gender.
3. Building genuine relationships across genders.

Academic Environment:

1. Include honest, serious, open discussion-not politically correct conversation-about gender issues in all areas of academic life.
2. Increased support across and among genders and academic roles.
3. Increased attention to finding innovative solutions to the urgent problems of balancing work and personal life.
4. Increased overt leadership in all academic groups to address individual and institutional sexism.
5. Reshaping the academic culture so it supports both women and men in bringing their full potential to the table.