The important matter of gender equity on university campuses across the country was in the spotlight at the Advance Plan D Advocate FORWARD meeting hosted by NDSU on May 17. FORWARD stands for Focus on Resources for Women’s Advancement, Recruitment/Retention and Development.
Specifically, university leaders came to NDSU to discuss the status of Advocates and Allies programs on their campuses. Attendees included representatives from NDSU, Ohio State University, Lehigh University, West Virginia University, University of Maine, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Wyoming, University of North Texas and Campbell University.
NDSU, as part of its National Science Foundation ADVANCE FORWARD initiative, developed and implemented the Advocates and Allies approach, which is designed to improve gender equity through the proactive engagement of men faculty.
Advocates are senior male faculty who are educated about issues of gender equity, while Allies are men faculty trained by Advocates as proponents for gender equity in their departments.
“The eight institutions came to talk about their progress, and to learn from each other about what works and what can we take to other institutions,” said Canan Bilen-Green, vice provost for faculty and equity. “In the end, we want to produce a model that we can tell institutions, ‘This is how you would implement a successful gender equity advocates and allies program.’”
NDSU’s program is recognized as the model for involvement in gender equity initiatives, Bilen-Green said. “Our Advocates continue to train men at NDSU and campuses across the country,” she said, noting the number of NDSU’s female faculty has increased significantly since the entire ADVANCE FORWARD program began.
Participants presented the successes and challenges at their respective institutions and discussed ways to identify and recommend structures, practices and materials for universities to form effective Advocates and Allies programs.
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