Women on Council Meet to Discuss Role

Approximately 10 female Undergraduate Council members met Wednesday night to discuss the role of women on the male dominated council.

The female council members discussed a number of gender related issues for over an hour, according to member Melissa Garza '94.

The meeting, organized by Garza, Hillary Anger '93 and Jennifer W. Grove '94, focused on ways to increase female membership on the council and strengthen their presence.

Currently there are 21 women on the 88 member council, and there has never been a female chair in the history of the council. Former Vice Chair Maya Prabhu '94, who resigned from her position in the fall, was the first female vice chair in seven years, Garza said.

"Generally the only executive elected position women get is secretary, if they get any at all," Garza said. Garza attributes the lack of female executives to the low number of women on the council.

Garza said more female leaders could benefit the council.

"Men and women have different styles of leadership. They also explore issues differently. Take Date Rape for an example," Garza said. "That's a specific issue where it would've been nice to have a more equal number of men and women on the council."

The women also discussed ways to encourage women to be more vocal during council meetings, Garza said.

According to Grove, "A lot of [women feel] uncomfortable speaking because it seems the women have a different speaking style [than men]. They frequently feel uncomfortable speaking because the current chair, especially, will cut women off... [The women] feel a number of the other members don't respect their opinions."

The female council members said they should urge women in such situations to continue to speak their minds. "Don't worry if you don't feel [as] if you sound like the future president... just say what you want to say," Grove said.

Female council members should also become more involved with the administration, Garza said.

"The only people involved with the administration are generally committee chairs," Grove said. "Since so few women are chairs, women don't have the opportunity to say, 'I just met Dean Jewett for tea."

Both Grove and Garza emphasized that the meeting "was nothing against the men."

"It was simply a positive thing for the women. [We want] to assert our role, make our presence on the council felt," Garza said

The female council members said they should urge women in such situations to continue to speak their minds. "Don't worry if you don't feel [as] if you sound like the future president... just say what you want to say," Grove said.

Female council members should also become more involved with the administration, Garza said.

"The only people involved with the administration are generally committee chairs," Grove said. "Since so few women are chairs, women don't have the opportunity to say, 'I just met Dean Jewett for tea."

Both Grove and Garza emphasized that the meeting "was nothing against the men."

"It was simply a positive thing for the women. [We want] to assert our role, make our presence on the council felt," Garza said