As one of the few colleges in the nation to boast a 50/50 ratio of women to men, the University has solicited the attention of the popular magazine, Seventeen, becoming one of the publication’s “50 Coolest Colleges” for women. The University is noted for its tendency to catch the attention of “earthy, on-the-go girls.”
“I think that ‘earthy’ is the right word. Most girls on campus are more worried about their studies than their appearance,” LSA senior Jake Leonhardt said.
“In addition, it seems as if women have a strong voice on campus and are treated with more respect than other places, like Detroit.”
“There are lots of people who are active in promoting issues of concern to women,” LSA freshman Lindsay Rubin said. “But as a whole, gender issues are not dominant on campus.”
“Even in classes where there are few girls, if anything the instructor calls on the girls, rather than the guys,” Rubin said.
Faculty at the University said they agree with the magazine’s assessment of women at the University.
“The psychology department is very supportive of what I do,” psychology Prof. Lilia Cortina said. In her research, Cortina focuses on women in the workplace and sexual harassment.
“I especially like how the University stands out among other universities in its treatment of issues of ethnic minorities and different cultures,” Cortina said.
“The atmosphere is very encouraging and I think the undergraduate students feel comfortable speaking up.
“As far as administration is concerned, it was nice to see a woman as the department chair for both psychology and women studies for the past 10 years,” Cortina added.
Director of Women’s Studies Pamela Reid said she believes the future of the department to be bright and optimistic in the wake of its 30-year anniversary.
“The Women’s Studies Department at the University has been trying to be a leader in the field, dispelling the notion that the department is for white women only. Especially since it is multi-inclusive by definition and is organized with the intention of bringing about multiple perspectives,” Reid said.
“In addition, the department has been part of a movement to incorporate students into discourse about issues that are relevant to them,”she added.
But LSA sophomore Andrea Perkins said she feels that while the student body is equally distributed, the faculty ratio is not.
“Although there are many female GSIs, there aren’t that many professors,” Perkins said.
“But on the other hand, women are represented more equally in athletics and many other organizations, like Sister-to-Sister, aimed at helping women.”