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University community meets presidential candidate Brehm
01-16-2001 | University Relations

Sharon Brehm speaking at forum About 80 people attended a diversity forum and a room-bulging crowd attended the open forum of Iowa State presidential finalist Sharon Stephens Brehm Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, in the Memorial Union Gallery.

Brehm currently serves as provost and professor of psychology at Ohio University, Athens.

Following are highlights of her comments at the two forums.

On diversity within a university.
Diversity is so important because research shows that people don't learn in a homogenous environment, when things are predictable and always the same. In that sense, diversity is at the heart of the university experience.

On diversity initiatives that work.
Ideas such as minority students scholarships, a multicultural center, special funds to hire individuals from underrepresented groups all are good things, even when separate. To really make a difference in the environment on campus, these efforts have to be brought together and coordinated. And when programs don't work, don't give up. Diversity is a long-term issue, so be persistent and keep the efforts coordinated. I sense ISU has the commitment, but you're frustrated by the results so far.

On the biggest challenges facing women in higher education.
1. Women are less likely to go into certain fields, especially in science, technology and engineering, even though society values these areas and the jobs there are good.
2. Women are expected to behave in a certain way and it's a fairly narrow path: be nice, be kind. We're all human beings, but men have more behavioral latitude.
3. (The situation is better than it was 30 years ago, but) Sexism still exists in higher education. It demeans women and undermines their potential.

On the tension between teaching and conducting research.
Research and undergraduate education go together very, very well. Research universities have the opportunity to create wonderful active learning situations for undergraduates by including them on research teams with faculty and graduate students. It's big-time science and elite but small colleges can't offer that.

On supporting family farms and rural communities versus promoting specialized corporate agriculture.
I'd look for a win-win situation -- and that should be a solution that's better than just a compromise. It seems all agree economic development is the goal; the disagreement is in how it should proceed. It's important to begin with the facts and to consult lots of people before a decision is made.

On the status of temporary faculty.
It's a very, very distressing situation. The biggest problems tend to be in urban areas. Temporary faculty are not tenured, but they should have reasonable pay scales and benefits and reasonable working conditions. I feel a lot of universities haven't stepped up to this yet.

On the importance of athletics to a school's image.
Athletics contribute to an individual's development. You learn to lose with grace and to win with grace. Student athletes are students first and it looks as if Iowa State is graduating student athletes in a timely manner and that's good. Athletics are a unifier and they do bring recognition to a school. You have to be careful to have a good intramural program as well as interscholastic program, so that the majority of your students don't have to be spectators.

On reallocating funds from departments to the central administration.
Ohio University doesn't "reallocate." Deans are allowed to keep saved money at the end of the year. As provost, I worked with the deans to come up with a "tax" one-half percent the first year, three-quarters of a percent the second and a full percent in the third year. Units make requests for this money. This springs marks the third year, so we'll have to decide whether this will continue.

On affirmative action in higher education.
The system at the University of Michigan just survived its first court challenge and it's one I agree with. They use a point system for student admissions that is perfectly good. Race is a factor, but not the factor. The university has documented the role diversity plays in learning, and it has succeeded in getting the corporate world to stand up and say "this is what we want, what we need, in our workforce," and it's a diverse workforce.

On recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff.
General competitiveness in the marketplace affects this. And there are small pools of minorities in certain fields and everyone is trying to hire them. Factors such as campus environment and quality of life in the community become very important. I also think dual-career issues are a big factor in this area. Coming up with two good jobs is difficult, but it can make the difference.

On anti-discrimination protection for homosexual employees and students.
Sexual preference is a person's choice. I have many gay friends. Your domestic partners benefits plan is wonderful. Sexual orientation should be included in student and employee anti-discrimination clauses.

On the records of a university foundation.
The foundation's annual report should spell out what the revenues are and how the money was spent. I think we have to respect donor wishes on whether their names are shared publicly.