What's WCGL?

Mission Statement | Guiding Principles | Structure and Function | FAQ

Mission Statement

In order to address the under-representation of women in scientific professions, the Stanford Chemistry Women's Committee on Graduate Life aims to improve the experience of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, particularly women, in the Stanford Chemistry Department and to increase their chances of success in future academic, industrial, and "non-traditional" careers. In particular, the WCGL's goals are:

• To increase the exposure of graduate students in the Stanford Chemistry Department to successful female scientists working in academia, industry, and "non-traditional" sectors so that members of the Department can learn from their research and personal experiences
• To increase the visibility of and provide opportunities for female scientists in the Department
• To encourage a sense of community among and to foster a supportive environment for female scientists in the Department
• To encourage and facilitate honest dialogue between male and female graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty and staff about issues relating to gender equality and specifically about the challenges facing female scientists
• To identify ways in which the Department might facilitate meeting the above goals

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Guiding Principles

Inclusion

Every member of the graduate community interested in improving gender equality in the sciences is encouraged to get involved with the WCGL, whether by coming to meetings, attending WCGL events, or simply by sharing comments and concerns with the committee. The committee highly values open, honest dialogue with all members of the University.

Honesty and Respect

Members will be honest and treat one another, the issues, and the Department with respect in order to avoid unnecessary inefficiency and division.

Professionalism

Out of respect for all members' other time commitments, members should come to meetings prepared and work efficiently.

Consensus

Decisions should be made by consensus whenever possible. Consensus encourages creativity and the full participation of committee members. In the rare case that consensus cannot be reached, a majority vote can be used to reach a decision.

Independence

The WCGL should work with the Department administration as necessary and beneficial to the committee's aims. However, its decision-making processes should remain independent in order to not jeopardize the success of its mission.

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Structure and Function

Complete details of the WCGL's structure and function (e.g. rules for voting, officer positions, etc.) can be found in our official Constitution.

Relation to the Department Administration

The WCGL should work with the Department administration as necessary and beneficial to the committee's aims. However, its recruitment and decision-making processes should remain independent in order to not jeopardize the success of its mission.

The WCGL should seek the informal guidance of a faculty member at all times.

Relation to the SAC

The WCGL and SAC should remain in frequent contact and collaborate as reasonable in order to meet both organizations' goals.

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FAQ

1. What was the motivation for forming the WCGL?

   The committee's founders -- Chrissy Brown, Nahrain Kamber, Alice Lincoln, and Tracy Terry -- were inspired by the dearth of female faculty in the Stanford Chemistry Department and a perceived failure by the Department to address the need for female mentors for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The committee informally surveyed the department by e-mail regarding gender-related concerns and found that lack of mentoring was the primary concern of most respondents. However, respondents also raised other concerns that should be addressed. As such, the benefit of this committee's existence should not be predicated on the lack of faculty (i.e. hiring female faculty is not a reason to disband). Rather, it should be a group whose mission, described above, is pursued in an ongoing fashion.

2. Compared to the number of minority students receiving advanced chemistry degrees and continuing on to successful careers in chemistry, the number of women is quite high. Why is this committee focusing on the concerns of female graduate students instead of the concerns of minority graduate students?

   A large percentage of women entering graduate school will leave before completing a Ph.D. or will abandon their goals for scientific careers (in particular, academic careers). For this reason, efforts to increase female participation in Chemistry should focus at the graduate level, specifically at increasing graduation rates and post-graduate academic success.

   In contrast, a disproportionately small number of minority students enter chemistry graduate programs. Efforts to increase minority participation in chemistry should be focused at the undergraduate and pre-college levels.

   Given the WCGL's limited resources and the striking differences between when/why women leave Chemistry or academia as compared to minorities, the WCGL would be hard pressed to address both of these disparate issues effectively.

   The WCGL fully supports the increased participation of minority groups in chemistry.

3. Will men benefit from the WCGL?

   Yes! The WCGL believes an open, ongoing discussion of gender equality should serve to benefit all members of the department, regardless of gender.

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