Tilghman speaks out

Yesterday, President Shirley Tilghman, along with Susan Hockfield, the President of MIT and John Hennessy, the President of Stanford University, released a statement responding to Harvard President Lawrence Summers' controversial remarks on women and the sciences. As a board we stand behind Tilghman's decision to speak out on the issue and applaud her commitment to encouraging women's advancement in these fields. At the same time, we hope that Princeton — and other universities across the country — will continue to supplement such messages with tangible policies to remedy the current situation. Talk alone is not enough, but at least it's a start.

The statement sends a message not only to the academic community but also to women scientists here at Princeton. Tilghman's actions tell these women that they have allies who stand behind them and their work.

Many female academics today will tell you that the academy is still closed off to women in several important ways. Yes, female scholars have greater access to junior positions than they did decades ago, but there are still formidable barriers facing them on their way to tenure. Notably, the years that women are seeking tenure are also the prime years for starting a family. While a large percentage of men in the Ivory Tower have stay-at-home wives, female scholars often have to search for day care options that are frequently expensive and scarce.

Tilghman's statement represents a commitment to take specific, tangible action in support of these women. Instead of focusing on possible connections between biological and social differences, she points to concrete steps universities can take today to encourage women to pursue positions in math, science and engineering.

The current administration has already taken steps to address the paucity of women faculty in these fields. Last year, the University released a report on women in the natural sciences and engineering at Princeton, which prompted the appointment of Joan Girgus, a former psychology professor and dean of the college, to the position of assistant dean to the faculty to oversee gender equity. Girgus is working with departments to address the University's lack of mentoring opportunities for women in the sciences. Additionally, in the fall of 2003 Tilghman appointed the Task Force on Health and Well-Being, which has since called for the University to improve childcare facilities for faculty and graduate students.

While these are important first steps, the true test of Tilghman's commitment will come down the road when the University is able to step back and assess the results of the administration's policies on female faculty. Tilghman has focused the debate on the right issues; now it's time for her to follow through. If she does, her actions will speak for themselves.