January 30, 2018
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is an organization that was established in 1992 as a direct result of ABOR recommendations. With twenty-six years of history, CSW actively serves the campus community as advocates for a just, equitable, and inclusive learning and working environment. We are stewards of equity and inclusion.
In light of recent events at the University of Arizona and with the growing #MeToo and Time’s Up movements against workplace harassment and inequities, CSW would like to affirm its support to members of the campus community. CSW has a history of advocating for pay equity across campus and improving the University as an equitable workplace. This is important to CSW members and leadership, as we believe that pay equity improves the campus climate and contributes to building a positive campus culture. Unfortunately, significant pay disparities exist between men and women. We know this. It does not move the conversation to action if we pretend it is not a reality on our campus. It is also not helpful to dismiss or demean individuals who choose to come forward with their experiences regarding pay inequity and unfair treatment in the workplace. We support women. We value women’s lived experiences. Coming forward publicly to report these incidents is a difficult and fraught process. We admire and support those who work to make the university a better place by drawing attention to—and formally addressing—these ongoing issues, and fighting for equality in all areas of our work, research, and studies on campus.
There is power in our voices.
We encourage President Robbins and campus leadership to allow space for open and transparent investigation into issues of pay and promotion inequity, campus climate, and sexual harassment. Talk to women. Hear their experiences and learn about the campus climate, then take appropriate and courageous action toward change. It is critical to include women leaders on campus in these conversations. We encourage leaders to facilitate engaging and inclusive dialogue with faculty and staff groups regarding how to address and report concerns of pay and promotion inequity and sexual harassment, in order to prevent issues in the future. Creating purposeful, effective, and practical policies to deal with issues of diversity and pay disparity will have a tremendous and powerful impact on creating a supportive environment at the university for all faculty and staff. This extends to positively impact the student experience at the University.
CSW is committed to this work that lies ahead. In the coming months, CSW will collaborate with other campus offices to host sessions for faculty, staff and graduate students on how to deal with these issues within the institution. We extend the offer to assist the President and his office in any appropriate manner to improve University climate.
Commission on the Status of Women
CSW is a volunteer group made up of faculty, staff (appointed and classified), graduate students, and includes people from all gender identities who work to support women and female-identified persons on campus as well as achieve the university's goals of inclusive excellence and diversity across campus.
We welcome any feedback or suggestions from the campus community on ways we can continue to support staff, faculty and graduate students through our work. Email us at csw@email.arizona.edu. Visit the website at http://csw.arizona.edu/