University of Michigan. Commission for Women.

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Commission established in 1971 to investigate discrimination against women. It preceded the university's Affirmative Action Office which was formed in 1972. Membership includes faculty, staff, and students.

From the description of Commission for Women (University of Michigan) records, 1989-1997. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 80634695

The Commission for Women at the University of Michigan was established by President Robben Fleming in 1971 due to pressure from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to stop discrimination against female employees and staff. The University of Michigan's initial noncompliance to this demand resulted in $15 million in federal contracts being withheld from the University. The Commission for Women preceded the University's first Affirmative Action Office which was formed a year later.

Barbara Newell, Fleming's assistant and acting Vice President for Student Affairs created and lead the first commission. Although initially funded, the commission has been a volunteer organization since 1977 consisting of faculty, staff, and student representatives from across campus. In 1977, the commission merged with the Affirmative Action Office, which is responsible for compliance with federal statutes.

The Commission for Women primarily acts as an advocacy group, serving in an advisory role to the Affirmative Action Office and provides programs designed for the professional development of women. Over the years, the commission has tackled issues such as equal employment opportunities, equal compensation and benefits, and career development. The commission also convinced President Duderstadt to hold Town Meetings to discuss areas of concern to women on campus.

Currently, the Commission for Women is continuing as a volunteer organization, staffed by members of the university with the chair and co-chair changing somewhat annually. The commission supports the Michigan Agenda for Women and sees itself as a conduit between staff women and the university administration, working to provide different strategies toward improving the climate for women at the university.

From the guide to the Commission for Women (University of Michigan) records, 1989-1997, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Office of Human Resources and Affirmative Action (University of Michigan) records, 1964-2004., 1974-1988 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Cruzat, Gwendolyn S. Gwendolyn S. Cruzat papers, 1972-1990. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn University of Michigan. Affirmative Action Office. Affirmative Action Office (University of Michigan) records, 1969-[ongoing]. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf University of Michigan. Commission for Women. Commission for Women (University of Michigan) records, 1989-1997. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Jeanne Tashian papers, 1970-1973 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Tashian, Jeanne, 1942-. Jeanne Tashian papers, 1970-1976. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn University of Michigan. Affirmative Action Office. Affirmative Action Office (University of Michigan) records, 1969-1993. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Gwendolyn S. Cruzat papers, 1964-1990, 1973-1976 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Commission for Women (University of Michigan) records, 1989-1997 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn University of Michigan. Office of Human Resources and Affirmative Action. Office of Human Resources and Affirmative Action (University of Michigan) records, 1964-2004. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Affirmative Action Office. (University of Michigan), publications, 1973-1994 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Affirmative Action Office (University of Michigan) records, 1969-1993 Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith corpname corporateBody
associatedWith Cruzat, Gwendolyn S. person
associatedWith Cruzat, Gwendolyn S. person
associatedWith persname person
associatedWith Tashian, Jeanne. person
associatedWith Tashian, Jeanne, 1942- person
associatedWith University of Michigan. Affirmative Action Office. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Affirmative Action Office. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Office of Human Resources and Affirmative Action. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Office of Human Resources and Affirmative Action. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Michigan--Ann Arbor
geogname
Subject
Women
Women
Women college students
Women college students
Women college teachers
Women college teachers
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1989

Active 1997

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