Women’s Center May 2018 Newsletter

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We are pleased to share with you our May 2018 edition of Voices, the University of Connecticut Women’s Center’s newsletter.  As we close out this academic year and transition to the summer break, we hope you will take a few minutes to read through our last edition until the Fall.

Highlights include overviews of some of our Spring programs; awards and spotlights on graduating seniors; and an update on the Center’s “sorry jar.”  Please feel free to share it with others who might be interested.  Best wishes for a restful and relaxing summer.

Please take a few minutes to read through the newsletter.

If you would like to be added to our distribution list, please send your contact information to womenscenter@uconn.edu.

University Lactation Policy – Room Listing Updates

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The University adopted a Lactation Policy made effective on 12/20/2016. This new policy reinforces the University’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for employees and students who are breastfeeding. The policy enables employees and students to express milk in a private place, have reasonable break time and a location within five minutes of their work and study areas.

The full policy is available at http://policy.uconn.edu/?p=7009. Procedures, which include specific guidance for students, employees, graduate assistants and supervisors, are available at the end of the policy.

Information about Lactation Rooms on campus is available at http://web2.uconn.edu/hrnew/docs/Lactation_Locations.pdf

For more information, contact: The Department of Human Resources at (860) 486-3034.

Hub for Women in STEM

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The UConn Persistence of Women in STEM Committee is pleased to announce the launch of UConn’s first ever Women in STEM hub, UCSTEMinist, geared specifically towards the unique needs of women pursuing STEM degrees and careers. Majoring in STEM can be both challenging and rewarding. As a woman pursuing a STEM degree, it may feel like “cards are stacked against you”. Stereotypes, biases, lack of mentorship and other concerns can be overwhelming, but the website seeks to tell students that they are not alone. This site is designed especially for them to provide necessary with information, resources, and connections so that they can reach their personal and professional goals. The hub provides information that is both insightful and empowering for women in STEM. Please explore the site at your leisure, share with your staff and students who might be interested and let us know what you think. This initiative has been supported by UConn’s Persistence of Women in STEM Committee which is currently housed under the Institute of Student Success under the direction of Dr. Maria D. Martinez and was founded in fall 2014 as an extension of the Women in STEM subcommittee of the University’s Graduation Retention Task Force.

 

Outstanding Senior Women Academic Achievement Awards

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The Provost’s Office, UConn Alumni, and the Women’s Center annually sponsor the Outstanding Senior Women Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony, which recognizes women undergraduate and graduate students who have excelled academically within each school/college and demonstrated high achievement in research and service to the University community.  The program also celebrates the recipients of the 100 Years of Women Scholarship, which was established in 1992 to honor current matriculated UConn undergraduate and graduate students and/or a high school senior planning to enroll in the University of Connecticut, who have demonstrated a commitment to women’s issues through service to their community or school as a role model or advocate.  A reception is held in their honor during Commencement weekend.

 

 

Get Involved! Volunteer!

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If you are looking to get involved at the Women’s Center or events concerning gender equity, come join our committees.

 

Programming  works to create and recreate Women’s Center programs which include discussions, film screenings, and interactive activities surrounding topics regarding feminism, body image, media literacy, politics, herstory, and mental health. These include annual programs such as Fat Talk Free Week, Love Your Body Day, Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Start Smart, Women’s Herstory Month, Elect Her, Lunafest, Pay Equity, and Fresh Check Day. Although these are some of the Women’s Center’s signature programs, we plan on organizing additional programs based on educational, cultural, social and developmental needs of students, with the goal of advancing gender equity on campus and in the wider community.

Contact: Alexa Lugo, student3527@ad.uconn.edu

Tuesdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm

 

Marketing promotes the initiatives of the Women’s Center to engage the campus community. This includes the development of all marketing communications including social media, promoting events, and generating advertisements.

Contact: Ming Montgomery, student4328@ad.uconn.edu

Mondays from 6:30pm-7:30pm

 

Outreach seeks to raise the profile, increase visibility, and promote community awareness of the Women’s Center. The Outreach Committee seeks ways to expand the Center’s capacity through reaching out to and building relationships with other organizations and entities on campus.

Contact: Alex Dutro-Maeda, student4362@ad.uconn.edu

Fridays from 3pm-4pm

 

Internal Relations is charged with enhancing the physical and social environment of the Women’s Center and creating an inclusive community for sharing ideas on feminism and gender equity.  We will be working on things like archiving, interior decorating, staff meetings, fundraising, community building, organizing, and more!

Contact: Jenny Giri, student4326@ad.uconn.edu

Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:30pm

Elect Her – UConn Women Win 2018

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ElectHer_UConn-01Have you ever thought about running for office, now or in the future?

Register now for this FREE Student Leadership Training Program.

This year’s Elect Her: UConn Women Win training will be held from 1pm to 5pm on Friday, February 9th, 2018, at the Women’s Center on the University of Connecticut Storrs campus. This training will demystify the campaign process and teach you how to develop and communicate an effective message, how to reach out to your constituency, and how to win a campaign!  You will have the chance to learn from experienced facilitators and communications experts, as well as to network with women who currently hold office in Connecticut.

State Senator Mae Flexer will be the keynote.

There is a limited amount of spaces available on a first come, first served basis.

Students interested in participating must register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UConnElectHer2018

100 Years of Women Scholarship – Now Accepting Applications

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The University of Connecticut’s Women’s Center is pleased to announce the granting of the 100 Years of Women Scholarship Award for the twenty-sixth year. The 100 Years of Women Scholarship Fund was established in 1992 to honor a current matriculated UConn undergraduate or graduate student or a high school senior planning to enroll in the University of Connecticut, who, as a role model or advocate, has demonstrated a commitment to women’s issues through service to their community or school. Applicants must be enrolled for the entire Fall 2018/Spring 2019 academic year. The scholarship award ranges from $750 – $1,000.  Deadline for applications is February 28, 2018. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

learnmore

 

2018 Women’s Advance Conference – Call For Proposals

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The UConn Women’s Advance Conference is a professional development opportunity for women staff and faculty at all levels of the University that is designed to expand skills, increase knowledge, and enhance networks to promote a more inclusive and supportive working and learning environment at the University.

 

The UConn Women’s Advance Conference Planning Committee is seeking proposals by February 23, 2018 for workshops and presentations for the UConn Women’s Advance Conference to be held on May 9, 2018.

UConn staff, faculty and community professionals are invited to submit proposals that cover a wide range of topics including, but not limited to communication skills, cultural competency, negotiation skills, organizational time-savers, professional networking, leadership development, workplace climate, navigating the tenure process, global engagement and work/life flexibility.

 

 

 

Selection Criteria

Sessions should provide in-depth information, practical ideas, and specific strategies for the attendees to use once they return to their workplace.  Hands-on examples, opportunities to practice new skills, and active participant involvement are encouraged.

Session proposals should contain the necessary information for the proposal reviewers to judge the relevance, quality and potential community interest in the proposed topic.  Proposals should answer the questions: What will attendees take away from the session? What will attendees be able to use in their job/role?

Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of:

  • Connection to one or more conference themes listed above
  • Timeliness/relevance of topic
  • Topic’s contribution to women’s professional development
  • Adaptability of ideas to a variety of roles
  • Diversity of perspectives
  • Diversity of presenters
  • Quality of content
  • Detailed description of session
  • Clearly stated purpose and learning objectives

 

All proposals must be submitted through the online submission form at
 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018AdvanceProposals by February 23, 2018.

Download the 2018 Advance Conference proposal information here or see below.

 

 

Due to budgetary considerations, it is not possible to offer an honorarium to workshop presenters; however registration fees will be waived.

 

 

Sessions are 1 hour and 30 minutes.  The following information must be provided in the proposal:

Presenter Name/Title/Contact Information (contact information will not be published without permission).

Co-Presenter(s) Name/Title/Contact Information (contact information will not be published without permission).

Session Title: Presentation titles should be descriptive of the content of the session.

Session Type: We welcome a variety of formats:

Panel – This is a more formal, moderated discussion between 3-4 presenters with contrasting or complementary perspectives and a moderator.  Please explain what each presenter will discuss.

Roundtable – This is an interactive session led by one or more presenters that provides the opportunity for participants to engage in discussion and network with others around a common theme or topic.  Please describe the theme or topic in detail, the questions posed to participants, and desired outcomes.

Workshop – This session provides an in-depth review of (or introduction to) a topic of interest to the community, typically provides participants with materials and/or ideas that are immediately useful, and ideally devote significant time to hands-on activities by the attendees.

Session Description: Please limit to 50 words (if the proposal is accepted, this will be used in the program materials.  It may be edited to conform to space constraints).  Be concise and accurate; describe the program in a way that conveys its value and creates a desire to attend your presentation.

Session Outcomes: Articulate two most important outcomes that describe what attendees will gain, rather than what you want to tell them. What strategies, tools and knowledge are included in these outcomes?

Session Levels: The level is determined by the person(s) designing the presentation. The determination is based on the amount and level of information as well as the pace at which the information will be presented to the attendees.

Beginner – The session presents introductory concepts and general understanding of the topic. Attendees have minimal to no prerequisite knowledge and limited previous experience with the topic or material.

Intermediate – The session presents detailed, in-depth materials and instruction and attendees have some prerequisite knowledge. The content moves beyond basic information and facts and provides additional materials to help the attendees understand how to apply this knowledge to their job.

Advanced – The session presents sufficient material and opportunities to gain new knowledge, practice its application, and complete a definitive action. Attendees have pre-existing knowledge and experience applying this information to their job. The session needs enough material and time to allow the attendees to achieve and demonstrate the objectives.

Appropriate for any level

Session Target Audience:  Conference attendees are comprised of faculty, staff and graduate students.

Presenter Bio (brief – 50 words)

Co-Presenter(s) Bio(s)

Session logistics

  • Room set-up
  • tables and chairs
  • lecture style
  • open floor space
  • LCD Projector & screen
  • Laptop (if you are unable to provide your own)
  • Sound
  • Flipchart/markers

Maximum # of participants (not to exceed 50)

Special instructions or requirements of participants

Questions or comments

 

 

 

 

Please share this call for proposals and form with your colleagues.

 

 

Looking to Get Involved? Join a Committee!

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The Women’s Center is currently searching for committee members for our Programming, Marketing, Outreach, and Internal Relations committees!

Through their work at the Women’s Center, committee members will have the opportunity to develop a variety of professional skills within a community of students and staff dedicated to promoting gender equity at UConn.

 

Programming is responsible for the planning and implementation of Women’s Center programs and initiatives on topics such as feminism, body image, media literacy, herstory, and mental health. This includes some of the Women’s Center’s key and signature programs, such as Elect Her and the Lunafest film festival.

Marketing promotes the initiatives of the Women’s Center to engage the campus community. This includes the development of all marketing communications including social media, promoting events, and generating advertisements.

Outreach seeks to raise the profile, increase visibility, and promote community awareness of the Women’s Center. The Outreach Committee seeks ways to expand the Center’s capacity through reaching out to and building relationships with other organizations and entities on campus.

Internal Relations assists with the day to day operations of the Center, professional development of the staff, and implementation of meetings and teambuilding activities with the Center. This committee is key to the overall efficiency of the Center’s work.

For more information about the committees or the Women’s Center, please stop by the Center or reach out to womenscenter@uconn.edu.