CCSW addresses women's issues on campus

With women significantly outnumbering men in UNO's undergraduate program comes the basic need for a group of individuals focused on maintaining and improving women's conditions on campus.

The Chancellor's Council on the Status of Women has been attending to women's needs since 1972.

While its goal is to provide a forum for women in the campus community, it currently lacks major input from one of its most important populations: the undergraduate community.

"That student has perspectives that we don't," said CCSW member Elizabeth Keller. Currently in her second year of working toward her Ph.D in criminal justice, Keller has been a member of the CCSW for two years.

Keller is one of the six graduate students that participate in the commission.

According to Laura Grams, an assistant professor in the Philosophy and Religion Department and a faculty member of CCSW, the group strives to get an even balance of faculty, staff and students to participate every year.

And every year, they give their proposals and reports to the UNO Chancellor, Nancy Belck.

"She really cares about the students on campus," Keller said. "I'm excited that she uses this venue to meet the needs of the students."

Keller emphasizes that when women's needs are addressed, the whole campus is affected.

"What I like is that while women are our primary focus, the things that we do ultimately benefit the entire campus," Keller said, obviously proud.

Lights on campus, for example, and whether or not security is heavy enough to maintain a woman's feeling of security on campus are a few issues continuously addressed.

The core themes of CCSW are the ABC's: Awareness of women's issues, Balance in women's lives and the Community and women's roles. According to Keller, CCSW consistently works together with women's resources and student health services.

Why should undergraduate students become involved?

"I have been both a traditional and a nontraditional student," Keller said. "I can really see the kinds of issues that students face on campus."

But with the overall environment on campus changing, the CCSW is striving to keep up with women's needs. For example, dorm life is a newer aspect to the UNO campus, and unfortunately the CCSW can not have a complete understanding of this community without a student representative.

Keller admitted that when she first became a member, it was a little intimidating.

"But we are such a welcoming group," Keller said. "There are always introductions at the first couple of meetings, and you will always have a turn to speak."

Within the group are several subcommittees. Members can choose their top three interests and will normally be placed in their choice committee.

Next semester, the group has a lot on their plate.

They hope to begin a voter registration drive, just in time for the fall elections.

"Young women vote in very low numbers," Keller said. "But the decisions the next president makes effects all women, whether they're 24, 44, or 64 (years old)."

One of their continual activities is Susan B's coffeehouse, hosted in the fireplace lounge of the Milo Bail Student Center. This event brings in a speaker to talk about important issues, like domestic violence, leaderships and health.

"The group is very important," Grams said. "It really helps us to advance that status of women and helps to better the entire campus community."

For more information, contact Assistant Planning Director for Distance Education, Lanyce Keel at 554-2020, or Laura Grams at 554-2629 or visit the CCSW Web site at www.unomaha.edu/ccsw/index.htm.