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| Vol. 18, No. 39 | Aug. 26, 1999 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 39 | Aug. 26, 1999 |
The Commission on the Status of Women has been a leader in promoting women's equity on campus and has served its purpose well for the past 25 years.
"The Commission works closely with the Office of Women's Affairs on issues related to women, and much has been accomplished," Carol Hoffecker, Richards Professor of History, newly appointed chairperson of the commission, said.
"This year, I think the focus of the commission should be to reassess its changing role and direction while continuing to support the programs that are in place," she said.
The commission, which reports to the president, is committed to achieving equity for women and responding to their concerns in such areas as safety; salaries; the recruitment, promotion and retention of women; sexual issues; and child care. Members of the commission represent the faculty, professionals, salaried staff, administrators and graduate and undergraduate students.
Hoffecker succeeds Patricia Nelson, food and resource economics, who was chairperson from 1997-99.
The commission was formed in 1973, a few years after Hoffecker joined the UD faculty in 1970, so she said she has had the opportunity to observe the commission during its entire existence and also has served a term as a member.
"When President E. A. Trabant founded the commission, there were decided inequities for women in terms of pay, promotion and opportunities throughout the University. The commission reported to the president, acted as a advisory board and as a forum for members of the University community to pinpoint problems, discuss them and offer suggestions for solutions," Hoffecker said.
"Enormous strides have been made in the last quarter of a century, and there are excellent programs-such as the Women of Promise dinner and the Take Back the Night march-and services in place for women," Hoffecker said. "Although the commission should continue to monitor women's equity issues to insure that the momentum continues, it also is a time to consider new programs and objectives."
Having served as the first woman associate provost for graduate students from 1988-95, Hoffecker said she is interested in helping women graduate students obtain the intellectual tools they need and the self-confidence to assert themselves to insure their career paths are not blocked by gender-related difficulties.
Hoffecker said she also is interested in sponsoring outstanding women in academia, politics, journalism, science and other fields to speak on campus to women students, in particular, and the campus community, in general.
"In the past, when the Women's College was in existence, Dean Robinson invited a nationally known professional woman to speak to students on Founders Day, and I'd like to see this tradition revived. There are many women in the region who are at the top of their professions, and I hope to encourage them to share their experiences and expertise with our students," Hoffecker said.
Hoffecker also chaired the General Education Committee, whose mission has been to recommend curricular changes in undergraduate education. One of her overall goals, she said, is to create a campus environment that encourages each generation of students to make the most of their potential abilities and their lives, regardless of gender.
Hoffecker has been involved with women's issues and programs throughout her career. She served on the committee of the "Women's Rights: Living the Legacy, Forging the Future" program on campus last year to commemorate the 1898 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention; wrote Beneath Thy Guiding Hand: A History of Women at the University of Delaware; and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Delaware Women in 1996.
The author of nine books on Delaware history, Hoffecker served as chairperson of the history department from 1983-88, president of the Faculty Senate in 1981-82.
She received the Francis Alison Award, one of the University's most prestigious awards for faculty, and the University's Medal of Distinction, in 1998. 
-Sue Moncure
