NDSU FORWARD

Since its creation in 2002, NDSU's FORWARD group has been working to enhance the NDSU community. With representation from each college at NDSU, the FORWARD group is committed to establishing a university culture in which all individuals are nurtured and supported to develop to the fullest potential, and the criteria for success and achievement incorporate unique skills and contributions of both men and women.

Formerly known as the ADVANCE project group and developed by a former dean of engineering and architecture, the group examines recruitment, retention and advancement of science, technology, engineering and mathematics women faculty. An informal group of faculty and administrators wrote a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation's ADVANCE program.

"While preparing the grant proposal, we realized that the scope of the problem was larger than expected," said Canan Bilen-Green, FORWARD committee chair and associate professor of industrial manufacturing and engineering. "We also recognized the need to examine existing data related to the issue."

After exploring literature in gender and organizational life for the first ADVANCE proposal, the group decided to adopt the name, FORWARD. The members wanted to sustain momentum and the sense of community they gained while working together on the ADVANCE project.

"Vowing to continue our work, we developed a strategic plan. We continued working to offer data-driven solutions to institutional challenges that limited NDSU's ability to recruit, retain and advance women faculty," said Bilen-Green.

In efforts to improve conditions across the campus, FORWARD has conducted research on the effects of several institutional policies and practices. In 2007, the group initiated systematic institutional data collection and analysis related to gender. Research studies also were conducted on recently resigned NDSU faculty.

In working to improve the institutional structure, FORWARD conducted a childcare needs assessment study in 2004, resulting in childcare facilities for faculty and staff who are parents. After collaborating with Facilities Management in 2004-05, baby changing stations have been installed in every building on campus. In the spring 2007, a pilot lactation facility for nursing mothers was launched.

To improve campus climate for women, a teleconference for NDSU deans and department chairs took place in 2004, covering gender-related issues on college campuses. Three other institutions, funded by the National Science Foundation, participated. FORWARD continues working on development of a comprehensive extended leave policy and formalizing family leave procedures.

FORWARD members also have started participating in selection processes of major administrative positions, meeting and interviewing candidates to provide feedback to search committees. They have developed training for search committee chairs, which is now required before a search takes place. The group also has worked with the Office of Equity and Diversity to track applicant pools and develop a policy that will not allow searches to move forward if the search committee has not recruited an adequately diverse applicant pool.

For a list of members or for more information, go to www.ndsu.edu/FORWARD. For additional information, contact Bilen-Green at 1-7040 or canan.bilen.green@ndsu.edu. [This article is published by the Office of the Vice President for University Relations - January 16, 2008]