Almost two weeks after its first meeting on Nov. 3 the Yale School of Medicines Gender Equity Task Force is remaining silent about its plans moving forward. <\/p>\n
The task force, chaired by Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Diversity Linda Bockenstedt, was launched in July following discussions among the medical school administration about gender issues before sexual harassment allegations against former cardiology chief Michael Simons MED 84. But the lack of communication coming from the task force has made several medical school faculty members concerned about its objectivity, necessity and potential efficacy. <\/p>\n
What we dont need is another faculty committee thats just going to waste a lot of peoples time doing yet another report thats going to get buried, said professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry Joan Steitz. <\/p>\n
A medical school faculty member, who asked to remain anonymous because she was afraid of the administration responding negatively, agreed with Steitz, noting that the school does not need another committee but rather a leader who is willing to change the schools climate. <\/p>\n
According to School of Medicine Dean Robert Alpern, the lateness of the task forces first meeting had nothing to do with a lack of enthusiasm for its mission, but was rather due to the hectic schedules of the individuals involved. <\/p>\n
Alpern added that the administration was made aware of the Timess investigation in the week prior to the articles publication. Still, he said it was a total coincidence that the first meeting was the Monday after the article was printed by the Times. <\/p>\n
Eleven of 13 faculty members interviewed raised concerns about the task forces objectivity. Though eight committee members are female, all but two of the 12 were appointed to positions including chiefs, associate deans, chairs and directors by the medical school administration. <\/p>\n
Our task force seems to feature a lot of the same people the University has already appointed. Is it really objective or are there favorites? said another medical school faculty member, who asked to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation by the administration. <\/p>\n
Despite the lack of confidence in the task force expressed by multiple faculty members, cardiology professor Steven Wolfson said he thinks the task force is making a serious effort to improve the climate for women at the medical school. <\/p>\n
Alpern said that one of the criteria for being a task force member is the ability to think independently, but the first anonymous source said that a large number of outspoken faculty who have worked on gender equity in the past were left out. Alpern said he thinks the 12 individuals selected are the best for the job. <\/p>\n
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At medical school, faculty unconvinced of task forces value<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Almost two weeks after its first meeting on Nov. Continue reading