2005-2006 CSW ANNUAL REPORT

The NAU Commission on the Status of Women organizes itself through various working groups, each of which focus on specific issues relevant to women on our campus.  The following is a summary of the mission accomplishments, recommendations, and/or future directions of the NAU CSW's working groups for 2005-2006.

Career and Professional Development/Leadership

The Career and Professional Development/Leadership Group organized several events during the Spring Semester.  These included a continuation of the HerStory Series. CSW, in cooperation with the Arizona Women’s Leadership Network (part of the American Council on Education’s National Women’s Leadership Network) hosted a series of “HerStory” brown bag lunch sessions that focused on developing and advancing leadership for women on campus.  As part of this effort, several women leaders on campus shared their personal stories and experiences with leadership. Additionally, CSW co-sponsored a panel discussion entitled:  “Women as Leaders:  Composing our Lives ~ Balancing the Personal and Professional.”  Approximately 45 women on campus attended the discussion.  These sessions provided very valuable opportunities for women on campus to meet and network with other women leaders on campus.

 Fundraising and Scholarship

The Fundraising and Scholarship Committee along with the support of the CSW Commissioners sponsored four fundraisers during the 2005-2006 academic year.  The 3rd Annual Silent Auction was moved to the fall and raised around $1,500.  A Format solicitation letter was sent to NAU faculty, staff and alumni at the end of the Fall semester, and the 2nd Annual Garage Sale was held in April.  In addition, Commissioners were encouraged to contribute via payroll deduction.  With the proceeds from these fundraisers, as well as, the foundation funds remaining from the previous academic year, CSW was able to fund two $500 scholarships for the 2006-2007 academic year.  In addition to the $500 scholarships, CSW also received a donation of two $75 bookstore gift-certificates from the Office of Academic Assessment, which were also awarded to the scholarship recipients.  Rebecca Garcia and Heather Seagle were the 2006-2007 CSW Scholarship Recipients.  Both recipients were invited and recognized for academic excellence and service to their communities at the 2006 NAU Diversity and Equity Awards dinner.

 The annual CSW garage sale was held on Saturday, April 15, 2006 near downtown Flagstaff. There was great participation by CSW members, with Elizabeth Hellstern providing a great location, lots of donations, baked goods, and plenty of volunteers for sorting, pricing, organizing and staffing the sale.  Weather threatened our schedule, with rain and snow on Friday night, as the sale was being readied.  But the morning was sunny. The sale began promptly, and it wrapped up in the early afternoon with all remaining items being donated to Goodwill.  Approximately $1,000 was netted for the CSW scholarship fund.

Bylaws

As a result of changes to the Leadership Group and Committee structure, the bylaws for CSW required change and approval from the general membership.  The committee members included Erin Stam, Denise Hood, Heidi Fogelberg, and Bea Valvo.  The committee was lead by Trish Rensink.  The bylaws were revised and accepted by the general membership at the May meeting.  The bylaws may be accessed on the CSW website at http://www4.nau.edu/csw/.

Awards Banquet

CSW co-sponsored with the other University Commissions, the first annual Diversity Awards Banquet on March 28th at the Dubois Center.  The sit down dinner included a welcome address by President Haeger and presentation of Awards by CSW, CED and the Native American Commission. 

All Commissioners from the 3 commissions were invited and the Presidents office paid for the dinner and invitations and managed the logistics for the evening.  David Camacho gave a closing speech.  Over 70 people attended this event which was considered a success by all involved.  The Co-chairs from all commission participated in the planning for the event.

NAU Child Care Task Force:

The NAU Child Care Task Force accomplished a great deal this year in the area of developing a plan to bring an early childhood education lab and child care center to campus.  The CSW group joined forces with other interested groups on campus (CSAC, College of Education) and gained the support of NAU administration to move forward with designing a structure, seeking funding, and gaining support for the early child education program.  The NAU Architect has designed a plan for the facility and the university will hold and provide the land (off of Lone Tree Road) provided the group can utilize the land in the next few years.  The group has received permission to seek funding and has a dedicated and diverse group of individuals working to uncover possible sources of funding to build the facility and to cover start up expenses.  More information will be available in early Fall when this campus wide group meets again.

Service Activities:

CSW participated in several service projects this year, including some national and local efforts.  The group collected items to distribute in Phoenix to Hurricane Katrina refugees.  CSW contributed money to sponsor the printing and distribution of Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence information cards.  These cards provide contact information and identify assistance programs available for victims. CSW members also distributed the cards in their home unit.  CSW participated in a Campus Lighting and Safety Assessment on September 28^th.  This assessment identified locations across campus which needed lighting improvements to provide a safe environment for all NAU community members. 

Women’s Health Theme

The theme for 2005-2006 was Women’s Health.  At All Commission meetings throughout the year, speakers presented information on the following topics related to women’s health.  October meeting: Vicky Howard, from North Country Community Health Center on Breast Cancer Awareness.  November meeting: Jon Rudy, from Fronske Health Center: on Healthy Living During the Holidays.  April Meeting: Lesley Lutes, Assistant Professor, NAU Department of Psychology on Anorexia, Bulimia and Eating Disorders.

Contributions to Campus Diversity Efforts

There were many promising changes on the NAU campus involving diversity initiatives.  Members from all three University commissions were asked to attend the ACE diversity conference in Phoenix in October with the Active Co-chair representing CSW at that event.  The Conference was a great learning experience and gathering of ideas on addressing diversity and equity issues on campuses.  The CSW co-chairs participated in suggesting edits for the campus wide Diversity and Equity report which was published in Spring 2006.  They also worked with David Camacho, Special Assistant to the President on forming a campus-wide task force which will meet and direct diversity planning for the Campus.  The CSW active co-chair is a standing member of that group.  That group met in May to begin planning for the future.