Between 1989 and 2015, the President’s Advisory Commission on Women’s Issues (PACWI) provided recommendations to University leaders on a wide range of issues affecting women students, faculty, and staff. The objective of the Commission was to help women achieve full and equal participation in all aspects of life and leadership at the University of Michigan. PACWI promoted the development of new policies, practices, and procedures designed to enhance gender and racial equity.
In April 2015, many units at U-M began restructuring various roles and initiatives to advance the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Toward that end, the Center for the Education of Women decided to focus more of its efforts and resources on the success of populations that may be less traditional, less represented, and therefore under-resourced. As part of that decision, CEW made the decision to no longer coordinate and staff PACWI. No alternative staffing model for the Commission was provided.
In Fall 2015, President Schlissel and Vice Provost for Equity, Inclusion, and Academic Affairs Robert Sellers initiated the process to develop a campus-wide, school-by-school plan to improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the Ann Arbor campus. By the Fall of 2016, new DEI initiatives, measurements, and forms of accountability were shared publicly in the University’s five-year strategic DEI Plan. PACWI has played a vital role at U-M, and its energies and ideas will continue to be realized through a new generation of leaders and members of the University community.
The tremendous accomplishments of PACWI since its inception in 1989 are numerous and something for which members over the years can all be proud. At its final meeting on Friday, April 17th 2015, PACWI members reviewed major accomplishments of the Commission and celebrated those successes with a reception. In attendance were students, staff, faculty, and postdoc PACWI members from across the decades. Many lively reflections were shared as members recounted victories achieved and the work yet to be done.
The PACWI Accomplishments presentation, including speaker notes, can be downloaded here.