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Women faculty meet to plan career goals by Cindy Abole Public Relations MUSC female faculty gathered at the Gazes Auditorium on Sept. 17 in an informal, exploratory meeting to discuss campus workplace issues, career planning and other topics.  Dr. Rosalie Crouch headed the Sept. 17 women scholars forum at the Gazes Auditorium. About 50 female faculty discussed career development and family-friendly policies. The event, led by Rosalie K. Crouch, Ph.D., and hosted by the Office of the Provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, was organized with the support and funding of MUSC leaders to seek input and advice, discover ways to advance the promotion and careers of women faculty, and establish methods and plans to meet these goals. “These are issues challenging many colleges and universities today,” Crouch said. “At MUSC, only 12 percent of women faculty are tenured. We're looking at ways to improve the tenure rate within our institution while addressing workplace issues to help promote long-term faculty careers for women and employee satisfaction.” The hour-long discussion addressed current issues relating to women faculty, including gender equity relating to salary gaps, promotion and academic ranking. The group concluded that relevant data from the university and other resources was imperative to address this issue. Also discussed were programs designed for tenured-track female faculty, networking and mentoring. Participants talked about workplace improvement recommendations and the adoption of more family-friendly policies including family leave, pregnancy, family care and progress with university child care.  The meeting concluded with the formation of five working subcommittees: barriers to progress, women scholars planning, women scholars workshop, family-friendly workplace and culture, and junior faculty issues. Obstetrician Kate Menard, M.D., and UMA's chief medical officer, has great hopes for the group's success.  “Dr. Crouch really hit the target talking about women-related issues in this presentation,” Menard said. “As a respected senior faculty member, she was able to share an important perspective with us and help guide us ahead.” Menard, who's been at MUSC for almost 13 years, believes the group has the ability to forge ahead by honing in on specific issues and collaborating with colleagues to apply specific initiatives, thanks to the backing of university leaders and a budget they can lean on.  “I know there are many issues that may challenge us, but the act of coming together and talking is a great start,” she said. Another participant, Elizabeth Letourneau, Ph.D., found the meeting hopeful. Letourneau, an assistant professor with dual appointments to the College of Medicine and Institute of Psychiatry, has been a faculty member since 1993. For years, she remained hopeful toward's the university's stance of supporting a child-care benefit for employees. A new mother, Letourneau, like many of her female colleagues, would prefer to resolve the child-care effort once and for all.  “Revisiting the child-care initiative is a good issue to start with,” Letourneau said, commenting on a child-care issue report delivered during the meeting. “As a working mother, I know there's a demand for this type of care on campus.” Letourneau would like to see the group tackle faculty-related issues, such as career development for tenured-track female faculty and family-friendly policies, to make MUSC a balanced employer. Letourneau joined the group's family-friendly workplace and culture subcommittee to examine specific issues and make recommendations. Assistant professor Lisa Cunning-ham, Ph.D., Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine moved to Charleston from the University of Washington-Seattle in January. A junior faculty member, Cunning-ham attended the Sept. 17 meeting seeking a chance to network with others and gather information. “The meeting was a great success,” she said. “With all of the talk and interaction, it was easy to see that this gathering energized a lot of people who were present.” Cunningham, like most of her junior colleagues, seeks active mentorship opportunities, especially programs with senior faculty women. “It wasn't until I visited MUSC that I learned the Department of Pathology chairperson was a woman with school-aged children. That helped me make my decision,” she said. “Dr. (Janice) Lage has been influential in establishing a comfortable environment that's supportive to women.” A basic scientist in auditory neuroscience research, Cunningham hopes the group can address career issues including faculty tenure and career building, specifically in educational, clinical and research areas.  “I need help navigating in a research career track,” said Cunningham, who would appreciate advice on topics such as building a lab, research funding and grant writing. “There needs to be a mechanism or model in place to guide junior faculty.”     Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. 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