{"id":149,"date":"2008-02-27T02:39:32","date_gmt":"2008-02-27T09:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/malcs.net\/blog\/?p=149"},"modified":"2012-07-02T04:09:33","modified_gmt":"2012-07-02T04:09:33","slug":"adios-womens-studies-ybroyles-gonzales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/2008\/02\/27\/adios-womens-studies-ybroyles-gonzales\/","title":{"rendered":"Adios Women’s Studies – Y.Broyles Gonzalez"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adios Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies<\/strong>
\nsubmitted by Yolanda Broyles-Gonz\u00c3\u00a1lez, University of Arizona<\/span>
Professor and Head, Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department<\/span><\/p>\n

I write to announce my departure from the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department (effective 12\/31\/2007) and to explain the experiences and concerns that motivate this decision.<\/p>\n

I joined the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department in fall 2004 as part of an effort and hope to build intellectual\/racial\/cultural diversity. More than ever, I am committed to the responsibility and dream to include underserved constituencies in my teaching, to foster intellectual diversity, and to build bridges between the university and the community. I cannot accomplish these goals and dreams to the best of my abilities if I remain in Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on my time in Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies I am pleased with some accomplishments. Together we created the Ph.D. degree and we also concluded a very positive academic program review in July 2006. Prior to going on leave, I received the Graduate & Professional Student Council\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Administrator of the Year Award and also the Faculty Member of the Year Award. That speaks to the positive appreciation for my work, which is further documented in my 2004 and 2005 Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies performance reviews.<\/p>\n

Having recently returned from my one-year research leave, it is clear that the positive environment that enabled our accomplishments is missing. The departmental fracture in the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department, arising from last year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s failed Chicana Studies faculty search, has far-reaching repercussions. Several troubling aspects of that search have minimized the Department\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s effort to diversify our curriculum, while also eroding collegiality. I highlight only three symptomatic aspects:<\/p>\n

First, the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department resoundingly voted \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to the hire of two distinguished Chicana Studies scholars. In doing so, Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies drew very narrow and exclusive intellectual boundaries, particularly with regard to what counts as an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153acceptable\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chicana\/Latina scholar and colleague. In my own estimation, Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies should strive to expand its inclusivity and not just replicate existing academic interests.<\/p>\n

Second, I can well appreciate intellectual differences, but not the openly disrespectful treatment of Chicana scholars visiting our campus. That disrespect has done inestimable harm to Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 credibility on this campus, and it informs our own current work environment.<\/p>\n

Third, the governance and decision-making process in the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department during the search ran contrary to democratic governance. Backchannels governance, not democratic consensus-building, carried the day. Let me elaborate.<\/p>\n

I came into the search process very late, after the Dean\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s office had rejected the first short list. The Dean\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s office then requested that I bring my Chicana Studies expertise into the search. We invited candidates to campus. At the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s final discussion and decision meeting, however, it became clear that the decisions had already been made outside of the meeting. Some absentee votes were even cast in advance of the meeting and without benefit of collective discussion. Intellectual differences surfaced only briefly and were not regarded as welcome opportunities for in-depth discussion and mutual enrichment. The disregard for internal democratic process was notable; the rush to cast votes was foremost.<\/p>\n

In a related vein, a week prior to that meeting a senior colleague invited me to lunch and explained to me that the way to secure desired outcomes at meetings was to line up the necessary votes\u00e2\u20ac\u201done on one\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbefore meetings. With all due respect, that is not my idea of decision-making through democratic consensus building.<\/p>\n

Presently Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies continues to prominently advertise a chronically understaffed, marginal, and virtually non-existent \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Chicana\/Latina Studies concentration.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Yet based on what I witnessed during last year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s search and beyond, I no longer harbor the hope of building Chicana\/Latina Studies within Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies. Other factors also play a role.<\/p>\n

During the 2005-06 academic year we revived the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Women of Color Taskforce, a standing committee mandated in our by-laws. Graduate students met on a regular basis for an entire year. Those meetings became an important forum where Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies students of color\u00e2\u20ac\u201das well as students from other departments\u00e2\u20ac\u201dcould discuss departmental and campus racism, while also considering ways to combat it. At the conclusion of that year of meetings, the students had one firm recommendation: that Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies faculty and graduate students undergo a program of anti-racism workshops beginning in fall 2006. The Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department never followed up on that critical recommendation. I reminded the faculty of that recommendation at our November 2007 faculty meeting, upon hearing that our current Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Anti-Racism Task Force (the new name of our Women of Color Task Force) is pondering how to address our racisms.<\/p>\n

When I recently returned to Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies at the end of my research leave (August 2007) the very few Chicana graduate students in our Department were gone. Only one graduated. Furthermore, there is not one historically underrepresented student of color among our current 13 graduate students. Nor do any of our current graduate students pursue Chicana\/Latina Studies. In truth, my intellectual interests can best be put to productive use outside of Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies.<\/p>\n

Various other challenges remain for the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department. There are entrenched problems that no departmental chairperson can solve alone. Among those entrenched problems is the chronic lack of common ground (or mutual interest) between the two sides of the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies house: applied researchers (Southwest Institute for Research on Women), on the one hand, and the professorial tenure track side on the other. That unhappy union needs re-assessment. Another entrenched problem in need of sustained collective attention is the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s longstanding inability to recruit and retain historically underrepresented students of color, in a city that is predominantly Mexican American and Native American. Also, the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Advisory Council (WOSAC) needs more positive attention from faculty if it is to remain a strong community-based organization. Year after year, WOSAC members volunteer their precious time and monetary resources to enhance Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies. If nothing else, self-interest should logically motivate all faculty to become WOSAC members.<\/p>\n

My departure is motivated by my desire to work in a more tolerant and diverse intellectual environment, instead of one that keeps narrowing. I can no longer represent Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies with any degree of conviction, let alone enthusiasm, to any prospective donors or students. In leave-taking I send heartfelt thanks to the hard-working community members that comprise the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Plaza Executive Committee. They are the tireless leaders who have brought hundreds of thousands of dollars into Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies. I will also always cherish my years of close collaboration with the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Advisory Council (WOSAC) and its Executive Board, a visionary group that has always worked with indomitable spirit to raise funds for faculty and students. Also, endless thanks to the WOSAC membership who loyally pay the yearly $55 membership dues and who serve as vital linkages to community constituencies. The Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department staff members who work above and beyond the call of duty merit special recognition and thanks. Finally, I thank all my students and also the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department for valuable lessons.<\/p>\n

In tlanextia, in tonatiuh<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Adios Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies submitted by Yolanda Broyles-Gonz\u00c3\u00a1lez, University of ArizonaProfessor and Head, Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department I write to announce my departure from the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department (effective 12\/31\/2007) and to explain the experiences and concerns that motivate this decision. I joined the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies Department in fall 2004 as part of an effort and hope […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-149","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-general-news","7":"entry","8":"override"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":793,"url":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/2011\/10\/05\/job-international-and-womens-and-gender-studies-at-university-of-oregon\/","url_meta":{"origin":149,"position":0},"title":"Job: International and Women’s and Gender Studies at University of Oregon","author":"Theresa Delgadillo","date":"October 5, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"University of Oregon. The Departments of International Studies and Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s and Gender Studies invite applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor to begin September 2012 in the field of global health and development. We seek a scholar who will hold a Ph.D. by the time of appointment and whose expertise\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General News"","block_context":{"text":"General News","link":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/category\/general-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":836,"url":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/2011\/10\/08\/job-womens-gender-and-sexuality-studies-northeastern-univ\/","url_meta":{"origin":149,"position":1},"title":"JOB: Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Northeastern Univ","author":"Theresa Delgadillo","date":"October 8, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"The Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Northeastern University in Boston (www.northeastern.edu\/womensstudies) invites nominations and applications for Director and Advanced Associate or Full Professor, with tenure, starting July 1, 2012. Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies is a University-wide interdisciplinary program which offers an undergraduate minor and a graduate certificate,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Jobs and fellowships"","block_context":{"text":"Jobs and fellowships","link":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/category\/jobs-and-fellowships\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":888,"url":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/2011\/10\/30\/job-womens-gender-and-sexuality-studies-univ-of-cincinnati\/","url_meta":{"origin":149,"position":2},"title":"JOB: Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Univ of Cincinnati","author":"Theresa Delgadillo","date":"October 30, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"The Department of Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at the University of Cincinnati invites applications for a tenure-track position of assistant professor to begin August 1, 2012. A PhD in women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, gender and\/or sexuality studies or a related field by July 31, 2012 and a specialization in sexuality studies\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Jobs and fellowships"","block_context":{"text":"Jobs and fellowships","link":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/category\/jobs-and-fellowships\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":181,"url":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/2008\/08\/08\/job-advanced-asst-prof-lgbtq-studies-macalester-college\/","url_meta":{"origin":149,"position":3},"title":"JOB: Advanced Asst Prof LGBTQ Studies, Macalester College","author":"la Webjefa","date":"August 8, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"The Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department at Macalester Collegeis hiring a full-time, tenure-track advanced Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in the field of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender\/Queer Studies.\u00c2\u00a0 Strong preference will be given to a candidate with interdisciplinary work based in the social sciences.\u00c2\u00a0 The successful candidate will\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":141,"url":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/2007\/11\/29\/diss-fellowships-womstu-at-ucsb\/","url_meta":{"origin":149,"position":4},"title":"Diss fellowships: WomStu at UCSB","author":"la Webjefa","date":"November 29, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Two positions to begin July 1, 2008 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA WOMEN'S STUDIES PROGRAM DISSERTATION SCHOLARS TEACHING FELLOWSHIPS 2008-2009 The Women's Studies Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for two fellowships for the academic year 2008-2009. Applicants must be advanced to candidacy and expect completion\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":26,"url":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/2006\/09\/12\/job-feminist-media-cultural-studies-sdsu\/","url_meta":{"origin":149,"position":5},"title":"JOB: Asst Prof, Feminist Media & Cultural Studies, WomStu, SDSU","author":"la Webjefa","date":"September 12, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Irene Lara is circulating a job announcement for the department of Women's Studies at SDSU. Tenure track, assistant professor rank. The Department of Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Studies at San Diego State University invites applications for a tenure-track position, assistant professor rank. We seek to strengthen our offerings in the following area:Feminist Media\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Jobs and fellowships"","block_context":{"text":"Jobs and fellowships","link":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/category\/jobs-and-fellowships\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=149"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malcs.org\/archive-2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}