Today! Building a Better Training Program for Field-Based Studies

WiSE Professions will feature Building a Better Fieldwork Future, in two independent but related sessions.   “Fieldwork is an essential component of training and research in many scientific disciplines. However, the imbalanced power structure of academia coupled with the remote and informal nature of field sites heightens risks of sexual harassment and assault during fieldwork, especially for women and other at-risk groups. Limited existing research suggests that incidents are widespread and insufficiently addressed by protocols developed for office and classroom settings.” 

Scenario-Based Bystander Training to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Assault in Field Settings. On March 31, 3:45-4:45 pm EST in conjunction with the Perspectives on Career and Gender graduate seminar, Melissa Cronin, University of California, Santa Cruz, will discuss the development, evolution and assessment of the 90-minute  workshop she, Roxanne Beltran and Erika Zavaleta  developed with support of the Thoreau Foundation and Center to Advance Mentored, Inquiry-based Opportunities (CAMINO).  The program has expanded to include 28 trainers at 8 other institutions.  

Workshop:  Building a Better Fieldwork Future: Preventing & Managing Sexual Harassment & Assault in the Field Science. On April 15, 7-8:30 pm EST (some seats still available),  certified trainer Dr. Amanda Adams, Conservation Research Program Manager, Bat Conservation International and Lecturer, Biology, Texas A&M University, will introduce “the unique risks posed by fieldwork and offer a suite of evidence-based tools to prevent, intervene in, and respond to sexual harassment and assault. A series of practical intervention scenarios, the workshop guides participants on how to be an active and engaged bystander, report incidents, and plan field settings to minimize risk. Armed with these tools, participants can play a role in ensuring that field settings are safer, more equitable, and more welcoming for the next generation of field scientists.“ 

 Full abstracts and Registration links for both are available at:  bit.ly/WiSEProfessions

Kids Day honors ESF Women through their Stories

Women's History Month has celebrated some of the contributions of women faculty, staff, trustees, administrators and students for their contributions to campus and community. For more than a century, ESF women have made their mark on the ESF campus, for the betterment of all that work and study here.

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay with the support of ESF Diversity commend SUNY-ESF women contributing to...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Tuesday, March 30, 2021

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay, along with ESF Diversity are recognizing SUNY-ESF women contributing to...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Monday, March 29, 2021

#WomensHerStoryMonth continues with SUNY-ESF ESF DiversityESF's First female valedictorian was Theresa B Young, who...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Friday, March 26, 2021

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay with the support of ESF Diversity remember SUNY-ESF women contributing to...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Thursday, March 25, 2021

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay with the support of ESF Diversity remember SUNY-ESF women contributing to...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Wednesday, March 24, 2021

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay with the support of @ESFDiversity remember @SUNY-ESF women and SUNY ESF...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Tuesday, March 23, 2021

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay with the support of @ESFDiversity remember @SUNY-ESF women contributing to...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Tuesday, March 23, 2021

@ESFKidsDay and @ESFdiversity join Clean Water Action in acknowledging ESF PhD student Kaira Fuentes. In addition to...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Monday, March 22, 2021

SUNY-ESF ESF Diversity is participating in @artforce5’s #WEdraft and honoring one of Syracuse ‘s many New Americans, GraceJones. OIDE Diversity Fellow Bobbetta Davis is representing ESF!

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Sunday, March 21, 2021

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay, along with ESF Diversity are recognizing the SUNY-ESF women contributing...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Friday, March 19, 2021

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay, along with ESF Diversity, are recognizing the SUNY-ESF Women contributing...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Wednesday, March 17, 2021

In honor of #WomensHerStoryMonth @ESFKidsDay, along with ESF Diversity are recognizing the SUNY-ESF Women contributing...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Tuesday, March 16, 2021

In honor of Women's History Month @ESFKidsDay, along with ESF Diversity are recognizing the SUNY-ESF women (including...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Monday, March 15, 2021

In honor of Women's History Month @ESFKidsDay, along with ESF Diversity are recognizing the SUNY-ESF Women contributing...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Thursday, March 11, 2021

In honor of Women's HerStory Month, we asked folks to share how ESF Women contribute to history or campus, community and...

Posted by ESF Take our Kids to Work Day on Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Title IX Coordinator Rebecca Hoda-Kearse Speaks on Harassment and Whistle-Blowing

Rebecca Hoda-Kearse

    Whistle-blowing and gender-based harassment issues face virtually every institution, and SUNY-ESF is no different. Rebecca Hoda-Kearse knows this intimately due to her role as the Title IX Coordinator at ESF where she oversees campus-wide reports of harassment. She met with the graduate student seminar “Perspectives on Career and Gender” last Wednesday, March 17 to kick off  series of in-class guest speakers and facilitate a conversation about gender discrimination. Hoda-Kearse spoke about Title IX legislation in place to prevent against gender discrimination, which states that no person shall be discriminated against or excluded from any educational program “on the basis of sex.” She went on to introduce the problem of structural power differences between men and other genders, and explained how unequal power relationships can become fertile ground for harassment (such as quid pro quo). Students then shared many personal experiences with discrimination, harassment, and assault. Unsurprisingly, everyone in the conversation had either experienced or knew someone personally who had experienced harassment. It was noted that men are rarely named as the most common perpetrators of violence and harassment - instead,  actions are often referred to passively, i.e. “violence against women.”

    At SUNY-ESF, students and employees have many options for reporting Title IX violations, including directly to Hoda-Kearse or through the “Resilient Oaks App." Reporters can choose to remain anonymous.

    

    Hoda-Kearse is the Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer at SUNY-ESF, working closely with the Offices of Student Life, Human Resources, and Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. She oversees Title IX issues and reporting for the campus and manages discrimination-related complaints including sexual harassment.

Next up!

Next in the speaker series hosted by the Gender and Career seminar will be an installment of the campus-wide Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions (WiSE Professions) Speaker Sereis.   Melissa Cronin from UC-Santa Cruz will be discussing an innovative, interactive fieldwork bystander intervention training titled “Building A Better Fieldwork Future” she developed in collaboration with Dr. Roxanne Beltran and Dr. Erika Zavaleta of UCSC. All those who plan or participate in fieldwork, or are interested in fieldwork are encouraged to attend - registration is available at bit.ly/WiSEProfessions.

Perspectives on Career and Gender/WiSE Professions

As part of the course requirements for FOR797 Perspectives on Career and Gender, students share  responsibility of reporting on speakers, both in class and in the campus-wide Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series.  The preceding was prepared by Leah Prudent, graduate research assistant and PhD student, SUNY-ESF Department of Sustainable Forest Resources.

ESF Women in STEM Fields: panel discussion with recent alumnae

 On March 11,  ESF Women in STEM Fields, the ESF Alumni Association celebrated Women's History Month with a career path panel discussion featuring some of many recent alumnae working in STEM fields. Panelists Aislinn Brackman '13 (Paper Engineering), Change Agent/Continuous Improvement Specialist, von Drehle Corporation; Olivia Liu '15 (Landscape Architecture), Assistant Landscape Architect, New York City Parks; Hilary Niver-Johnson '11 (Environmental Science), Proprietor, Sustainable Viticulture Systems; Emily Thiel '14 (Environmental Communications), Education and Outreach Coordinator, WNY Prism.   

Debbie Caviness, Director of the Alumni Association asked panelist about their career paths, challenges, and the  surprising things about their current work.  They also shared frustration of the perception that they were less experienced than male counterparts, even when credentials demonstrate that they indeed are qualified.

This session is a collaboration of the Alumni Association, Career Services, Admissions, and ESF Women's Caucus, for current ESF students and employees as well as for prospective and incoming students. 

WiSE Professions in STEM fields, and in the field.

Explore career path, and the critical importance of empowered bystanders in field-based education and research through the 2021 Women in Scientific Professions Speaker Series.  

On March 11,  ESF Women in STEM Fields, the ESF Alumni Association will celebrate Women's History Month with a career path panel discussion (1-2 pm EST, Join Session) featuring some of many recent alumnae working in STEM fields. Panelists include Aislinn Brackman '13 (Paper Engineering), Change Agent/Continuous Improvement Specialist, von Drehle Corporation; Olivia Liu '15 (Landscape Architecture), Assistant Landscape Architect, New York City Parks; Hilary Niver-Johnson '11 (Environmental Science), Proprietor, Sustainable Viticulture Systems; Emily Thiel '14 (Environmental Communications), Education and Outreach Coordinator, WNY Prism.   This session is a collaboration of the Alumni Association, Career Services, Admissions, and ESF Women's Caucus, for current ESF students and employees as well as for prospective and incoming students. 

WiSE Professions will then shift focus to those planning, training, and conducting field research with Building a Better Fieldwork Future, in two independent but related sessions.   “Fieldwork is an essential component of training and research in many scientific disciplines. However, the imbalanced power structure of academia coupled with the remote and informal nature of field sites heightens risks of sexual harassment and assault during fieldwork, especially for women and other at-risk groups. Limited existing research suggests that incidents are widespread and insufficiently addressed by protocols developed for office and classroom settings.” 

·        Scenario-Based Bystander Training to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Assault in Field Settings. On March 31, 3:45-4:45 pm EST (PLEASE REGISTER HERE), in conjunction with the Perspectives on Career and Gender graduate seminar, Melissa Cronin, University of California, Santa Cruz, will discuss the development and assessment of the 90-minute  workshop she, Roxanne Beltran and Erika Zavaleta  developed with support of the Thoreau Foundation and Center to Advance Mentored, Inquiry-based Opportunities (CAMINO).  The program has expanded to include 28 trainers at 8 other institutions.  

·        Workshop:  Building a Better Fieldwork Future: Preventing & Managing Sexual Harassment & Assault in the Field Science. On April 15, 7-8:30 pm EST (Please Register here; note space is limited),  certified trainer Dr. Amanda Adams, Conservation Research Program Manager, Bat Conservation International and Lecturer, Biology, Texas A&M University, will introduce “the unique risks posed by fieldwork and offer a suite of evidence-based tools to prevent, intervene in, and respond to sexual harassment and assault. A series of practical intervention scenarios, the workshop guides participants on how to be an active and engaged bystander, report incidents, and plan field settings to minimize risk. Armed with these tools, participants can play a role in ensuring that field settings are safer, more equitable, and more welcoming for the next generation of field scientists.  

This workshop will bookend a series that launched during the winter break with a screening of  Picture a Scientist, in which “(b)iologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights. Along the way, from cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, we encounter scientific luminaries - including social scientists, neuroscientists, and psychologists - who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all.” The screening culminated in a discussion January 21 with Dr. Mary Collins (Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies), Jennifer Keating (Project Coordinator, Choose Action Network); Nicole Williams '05 (Finance & Operations Director, Ocean Outcomes) and Rebecca Hoda-Kearse (Title IX/Affirmative Action Officer), moderated Dr. Malika Carter, Chief Diversity Officer.  Screening and panel were presented by the ESF Alumni Association in collaboration with the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity; ESF Women's Caucus; and the Choose Action Network

The WiSE Professions Speaker Series is a program of the ESF Women’s Caucus, presented by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with the assistance of other groups and offices across campus.  For more information, contact Heather Engelman, engelman@esf.edu.  

ESF Women making HerStory

In honor of Women's History Month, the ESF Women's Caucus and Office of Inclusion Diversity and Equity would like to acknowledge the many ways that ESF Women (current or past faculty, staff, administrator, alumna, student) are making/made history, or that contribute/contributed to campus, community or beyond!  We hope to share these tributes over the course of the month with the nominees and (with their permission) via social media.  Please nominate ESF Women through this form.

Dr. Carter in draft Jersey & cards.

To thank you for your help in recognizing these amazing individuals, we'll have some drawings later in the month for an Alice Paul Women's Empowerment Draft jersey (1-size 2X) and decks of Women's Empowerment Cards (5) created by the talented students of Art Force 5, and donated by the OIDE.  Each nomination can be entered to win.  

For more information about the ESF Women's Caucus, visit https://www.esf.edu/womenscaucus, and to learn more about initiatives launching through the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, visit https://www.esf.edu/IDE.

This Alice Paul 19th Amendment Women's Empowerment
Draft Jersey can be yours!

 

Pronouns: why include in your biography and email signature block

Thank you for asking about why we are including our pronouns!  In short, because It helps many. 

I am guessing you prefer your full first name rather than a shortened version thereof?   That is how you have identified yourself in your signature block. You don’t have another line listed with the common short version, or any other way to refer to you in your text.  As a result, I feel pretty safe calling you that—even though you might sometimes go by the short form or a middle name with family or friends, or maybe your surname with teammates.

Normalizing conversations about pronouns makes it easier for folks for whom common prounouns don’t apply to share how they identify. Unfortunately, it remains unsafe in far too many places for some to be their true and authentic selves-not just in the LGBTQIA+ community, but heterosexual cisgender men shamed for being “emotional” or doing something “like a girl” or presuming cishet women don't have the  same skills and experience as their stereotypical male classmates or coworkers.  

Among all the places this needs to change, higher ed should top that list. Students and employees  commit to study, work and live (in case of dorm residents and those in labs and studios all hours of day and night) should not require bravery just to be.  My sharing my pronouns demonstrates that I hope the students and colleagues with whom I work trust me to do the same with me and in our community.  Plus, if folks are comfortable sharing, others are alleviated from guessing.   This sometimes seems to be a burden for folks, but calling people as they identify (full first name?  Short version?  prefer middle name?  Correctly pronounced?) adds to a respectful climate all around. 

In addition, higher ed is international.  Even if you are fortunate to have a name that faithfully represents your gender identity, that name can be unfamiliar to those from other parts of the world.

In addition to adding personal pronouns, some folks are also including "why” to enable those that are unfamiliar with that practice to learn more about it, by linking to GLSEN PronounGuide  or My pronouns, what and why

Some other good resources:

o   What are pronouns?  How do you ask someone’s pronouns? And other video clips:  https://pronounsday.org/resources

o   What to do if you or someone else accidentally uses the wrong pronoun: https://www.mypronouns.org/mistakes

o   Practice using various pronouns: https://pronouns.minus18.org.au/

ESF’s bathroom signage and menstrual product initiatives shared at SUNY Spectrum conference

“You saved my life: Restroom Stories of Safety and Survival - Messaging, Hygiene Products & Prophylactics” was recorded during the 3^rd annual SUNY SPECTRUM Conference, August 26, 2020.  Staff at ESF (Sue Fassler, Jules Findlay, and Heather Engelman), SUNY Upstate (Cristina Pope and Mattie Cerio), or both (Dr. Malika Carter) discussed menstrual product distribution, signage in bathrooms, and single stall and ADA accessible restrooms, as well as the lactation rooms on both campus—and normalizing the conversations about all these things. Upstate staff shared information about wudu stations, their distribution of complimentary prophylactic products, and how all of these impact their clinical Health Equity Index rating while ESF folks spoke about the unique challenges of field work.  The presentation shares some data and photos compiled by members of the ESFWomen listserv, as well as work that moved forward because they kept asking questions. 

One of the most important commitments we can make in supporting a culture of belonging on our campuses is to provide safe restrooms. Join us as we share our successes and failures with leadership buy-in, messaging, restroom renovations, signage, and complimentary hygiene and prophylactic products.

Learning Objectives:

• Practical knowledge of project planning steps in creating ALL Gender restrooms
• Practical knowledge on communicating and celebrating successes
• Learn how to implement a complimentary hygiene product service
• Learn how to implement a complimentary prophylactic service

Convener:

• Karren Bee-Donohoe  (She, Her, Hers), Associate Vice Chancellor, SUNY Office for Capital Facilities

Speakers:

• Malika Carter (She, Her, Hers), Chief Diversity Officer, Environmental Science and Forestry and Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Upstate Medical University
• Mattie Cerio (She, Her, Hers), Medical Social Worker & LGBT Program Manager, Upstate Medical University
• Heather Engelman (She, Her, Hers), Instructional Support Technician, Environmental Science and Forestry
• Sue Fassler (She, Her, Hers), Sustainable Facilities Manager, SUNY ESF 
• Jules Findlay, Coordinator of Education Abroad, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Rebecca Hoda-Kearse (She, Her, Hers), Title IX / Affirmative Action Officer, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Cristina Pope (She, Her, Hers), Director, Health Sciences Library Upstate Medical University
• Carl A. Thomas Jr (He, Him, His), Interim Affirmative Action Officer & Supplier Diversity Coordinator, SUNY Upstate Medical University 

Support Participation and Advancement of Women in STEMM

On Women's Equality Day (today), National Academies reminds academia to  “continue to drive bias, discrimination, and harassment out of our institutions and society. Despite decades of research, funding, and programs dedicated to increasing the representation of women in science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and medicine, the numbers, particularly in leadership roles, have remained low or stagnant in many fields, especially among women of color. Our [free, downloadable] reports explore the wide range of structural, cultural, and institutional patterns of bias, discrimination, and inequity that affect women, and the steps that can be taken to increase representation in STEMM.”  Historically, these materials are promoted most heavily to marginalized groups.  However, those impacted most negatively by marginalization cannot fix the bias, or the culture that penalizes them for asking, by themselves.   

We all have a role in creating, and maintaining an inclusive, equitable work and learning environment.  Our students learn not only from course content, but by the examples set by faculty, staff and administration in their classroom and team management, policies, and mentorship models.  NAP titles include:  Promising Practices for Addressing the Underrepresentation of Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Opening Doors (2020); Seeking Solutions: Maximizing American Talent by Advancing Women of Color in Academia: Summary of a Conference (2013); Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2018), The Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM (2019), and Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering (2007).  These, and other reports and proceedings under heading of “women and minoritites”, are available to read online or download here.  Some titles are also available for purchase in ebook or print editions.

Some strategies suggested in these reports include:

• Networking and group mentoring for those in marginalized groups.  The ESF Women’s Caucus will be continuing its networking coffee breaks virtually this fall.  Please let us know your availability and a little bit about you  at  https://forms.gle/2xEqkXLSjzsDbPKx7  Also stay tuned for information from the IDE Committee/OIDE about affinity groups for students, and those newly forming for faculty and staff.
• Recognize that balancing work and family is a universal challenge, with potential impact on retention, equity and quality of work life.  The ESF Women’s Caucus, therefore, invites all caretakers (of children, parents, friends) to subscribe to FamilyResources to share resources, family friendly events on or off campus, or to request information from other list members.  To subscribe, email: listserv@listserv.syr.edu and leave the subject line blank, and message of:  SUBSCRIBE familyresources FirstName LastName.

In addition, the Association of American Medical Colleges Gender Equity Lab (GEL)  also invites registration for its upcoming webinar, Community Call: Creative Strategies to Address the Gendered Impact of COVID-19, September 3, 2020
3-4pm ET, With so many personal and professional changes to our lives as a result of the pandemic, more attention must be paid to how these changes disproportionately impact women, especially women of diverse backgrounds. During this community call, hosted by GWIMS, discuss with your colleagues creative solutions to the gendered impact of COVID such as caregiving and dependent care issues, working remotely, virtual practices and other topics – this call is open to all. [GEL] recently launched … to assist members with these emerging issues and more calls can be scheduled to meet the needs of the community and share resources. REGISTER.   Submit your questions and resources to discuss on the call.  Questions? Contact Rebekah Corlew or Diana Lautenberger

Mentoring networks resume this fall

Semesterly reminder that short breaks help individuals regroup and gain fresh perspectives, that women benefit Networking and group mentoring as their stress responses moderated by social supports.  Stresses will remain high while there are so many unknowns, so let us know when you could be available (about monthly) to meet virtually* and a little about you so we might group participants at  https://forms.gle/2xEqkXLSjzsDbPKx7  Also, if specific cohorts are already meeting on their own, or would be interested in doing so under a larger umbrella, let’s talk!

* I asked prior to last semester for thoughts about virtual meetings.  The general consensus was “no”, that conversation might be inhibited or people might find it distracting.  However, campus closures necessitated an unplanned experiment with this format.  Participation did drop for most coffee breaks, but there was a lunch cohort that continued to meet every few weeks.  This was invaluable for sharing information across offices, and strategies from working from home, in spaces that hadn't been planned for that.  The were welcome brief respites with friendly folks rather than crabby colleagues (some of whom may, or may not, be kids or partners also plunged into work/school-from-home 😊 situations).  Since many will continue working from home due to continued need to reduce density on campus/lack of physical meeting spaces, and some folks haven’t yet been relocated for planned renovation or surprise ventilation issues, coupled perhaps with child- and elder-support issues, we’ll be continuing remotely for the foreseeable future.