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Women's Studies Plans for the Future
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Women's Studies Program
The Women’s Studies Program recently held a planning retreat to begin drafting a five-year development plan. Julie Hile, an organizational consultant and Director of the Hile Group, facilitated the meeting that was attended by thirty people, including women’s studies affiliated faculty and interested faculty, staff, and graduate students. The Hile Group has also donated $10,000 in services to facilitate the planning process. Alison Bailey, Director of Women’s Studies Program, opened the retreat by reporting on the increased support to the Program received from Dean Olson and College of Arts and Sciences. In the Fall Address Dean Olson announced, “Now that the Program has a permanent director and assistant director in place, the College has committed substantial new resources to the Women’s Studies Program, increasing funding for programming, personnel, travel, and operations. As the Program continues to grow and become increasingly more important part of Illinois State University more important part of Illinois State University’s intellectual landscape, I believe it will become appropriate to begin discussions about whether the program should move toward full departmental status.”

The College’s commitment to the Women’s Studies Program has generated much enthusiasm among women’s studies stakeholders. Inspired by this energy, participants in the retreat brainstormed a rich description of what women’s studies at Illinois State is and is not today, and raised numerous questions about what they think the program could be and should be. “From the results, it is clear that participants see a need for greater visibility and recognition of and a larger role for women’s studies in the curriculum, in student life, and in the community,” said Becca Chase, Assistant Director of the Women’s Studies Program.

In order to continue work on the development plan the Program has scheduled three luncheon meetings, a happy hour, and another planning retreat. Over the course of the academic year, participants will develop a clear vision for the Program, set priorities, and settle on a plan of action.

Upcoming fall meetings to discuss the development plan for Women’s Studies are scheduled for:

Tuesday, October 4 at 12:30, Lunch Meeting held in the WS Program Office
Wednesday, October 5 at 12:30 Lunch Meeting held in the WS Program Office
Friday, October 14 at 5:00, Happy Hour held at Fat Jack’s
Thursday, November 10 at 2:00, Planning Retreat

If you are interested in attending any of these gatherings, please contact Rozel White at 438.2947 or rwhite@ilstu.edu
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