2011

5th Year 3rd Quarter (February 1, 2011 – April 30, 2011)

• The WISEST Facilitator Model Will Continue: There will be internal support shared by the Provost and the Deans of Engineering and Liberal Arts and Sciences for the successful Facilitator model for three additional years, AY 2011 - 14.
• The External Advisory Committee Members Came to UIC WISEST on April 29: EAC members came for a one day review of WISEST progress and will send a report in May
• New WISEST Assistant Professor Initiative (WAPI) Seminars Were Piloted: The WISEST WAPI Facilitators subcommittee offered two additional career development panels for assistant professors on departmental dynamics and funding.
• The UIC WISE Program Won the 2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM Student Mentoring: WISEST Senior Evaluator, Dr. Manorama M. Khare, was a member of the institutional team awarded the 2009 NSF Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
• The Faculty Climate Survey Will Be Administered in the Fall of 2011: The survey development group reviewed the final survey format this past quarter and a process has been put in place for distribution and analysis.
• Dr. Millie Dresselhaus Was The WISEST Distinguished Lecturer/Leadership Seminar Speaker:  Dr. Dresselhaus came to campus April 14-15 and provided a Leadership Seminar and a scientific lecture, and met with students.
• A No Cost Extension Request Has Been Submitted to NSF: The no-cost extension will support the second distribution and analysis of the Faculty Climate Survey.
• Two Visiting Scholars Presented Lectures in Chemistry and Civil & Materials Engineering: Dr. Maria Feng and Dr. Joanna Aizenberg were Visiting Scholars this past quarter.
• New Lactation Rooms Have Been Opened for STEM Areas: Three new lactation rooms have been launched to help create a STEM life- friendly work climate.
• The Faculty Child and Elder Care Program Has Been Renewed: The program for faculty piloted last year was renewed to provide life friendly services beginning April 5th.

5th Year 2nd Quarter (November 1, 2010 – January 31, 2011)

• The WISEST Recognition Event Occurred November 4th: WISEST commemorated its progress and celebrated the contributions of key stakeholders on November 4th to a standing-room audience of over 50 individuals.
• The Number of Women STEM Faculty Increased to 49: From baseline 2005 to October 2010, total STEM women faculty increased from 33 to 49.
• Two New WISEST Governance Members Joined the Executive Committee: The new Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Jerry Bauman will be the chair of the WISEST Executive Committee, and the new Interim Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dr. Astrida Orle Tantillo will be a Co- PI.
• The Child & Elder Care Resource & Referral Faculty Program Will Continue Next Year: The pilot program has completed its third quarter. This program will be continued as a regular faculty life- friendly program to aid recruitment and retention for another year from April 5, 2011 through April 4, 2012.
• The Life-Friendly Partner Accommodation Policy Was Revised: Policy language was revised in November to clarify that the policy could be applied in cases where the partner is in the same department.
• Faculty Climate Survey Planning is Progressing: The survey development group was formed and plans are underway for the follow-up distribution in Spring 2011.
• Dr. Millie Dresselhaus Will be The WISEST Distinguished Lecturer/Leadership Seminar Speaker: Dr. Dresselhaus will come to campus April 14-15 to provide a Leadership Seminar on the history of women in STEM and to provide a scientific lecture.
• A WISER Funds Applications Call was Issued in December for a January 27th Deadline: WISER Fund Applications Announced.

2010

5th Year 1st Quarter (August 1 – October 31, 2010)

• The Year 4 External Evaluators Report was Completed: The Year 4 report can be found under Annual Reports
• Recruitment and Retention Data on STEM Women Faculty is Promising: Tenure system women faculty numbers increased from 33 in AY 2005 -2006 to 49 in 2009-2010.
• Two New Faculty Retention Initiatives Were Developed by the Facilitators: The WAPI and SUCCEED P & T Training were developed and piloted.
• The STEM Fall Women Faculty Networking Event Broke Attendance Records: Two Co-PIS organized the event on September 28th for 29 faculty members.
• The Child & Elder Care Resource & Referral Pilot Program Completed its Second Quarter: The pilot 2nd quarter report showed there were 38 intakes by direct telephone contact or through the website.
• Faculty Climate Survey Planning Began: The second distribution of the Faculty Climate Survey will be in the spring of 2011.
• Dr. Pat Gurin was The Leadership Seminar Speaker Organized by The Office of Diversity and Cosponsored by WISEST: Dr. Gurin provided a lecture on the benefits of diversity.
• The Salary Equity Study Was Completed: The salary equity study was conducted to determine the nature and source of variations among faculty salaries in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines. The study was completed under the guidance of the Office of Institutional Research and the final report is being reviewed by our internal team.  

4th Year 4th Quarter (May 1 – July 31, 2010)

• The External Advisory Report for Years 3 -4 Cited Achievements and Offered Recommendations: The six distinguished EAC members submitted their May 6 report to the Chancellor and Provost and were impressed with WISEST’s achievements and progress since their 2008 visit.
• The 12th new Faculty Member Aided by a WISEST Startup Award Joined Biological Sciences: Dr. Terri A. Long began her UIC career as an Assistant Professor in July.
• The Executive Committee Confirmed the 11 nominated Departmental Facilitators: The STEM department heads nominated departmental facilitators for the next academic year.
• The STEM Spring Women Faculty Networking Luncheon Was Held May 6th: Two Co-PIS organized and hosted the luncheon for 22 faculty members.
• The Faculty Child and Elder Care Resource & Referral Pilot Program Completed its First Quarter: The first quarter usage report found that 152 faculty used the services to either speak directly with a consultant or used the web based services.
• WISEST Disseminated Information through Multiple Presentations This Quarter: WISEST Disseminated Information at the GC Midwest HERC Diversity Conference, CUWFA National Conference, and at the Purdue ADVANCE Regional Meeting.
• Two Subcommittees Formed to Develop an Early Career Faculty Academy and a P & T Workshop: Two major retention initiatives facilitators subcommittees began their planning in July.

4th Year 3rd Quarter (February 1 – April 30, 2010)

• Annual Campus Townhall Held on February 18th for 56 Faculty and Leaders: An original campus theatrical production portraying classroom gender schema dynamics was delivered concluding our year- long leadership series on unconscious gender bias schemas in student evaluations of teaching and classroom dynamics.
• Pilot Infant/Toddler/Child and Elder Care Resource & Referral Program Launched April 5th: This pilot is the third new campus-wide life-friendly policy enacted to address faculty’s need for infant/toddler child care information. Elder care is also part of the pilot.
• The Climate Task Force Began a Review of the Partner Accommodation Policy in April: The Climate Task Force began a review of the partner accommodation policy which is the fourth life- friendly policy it has reviewed to address faculty recruitment, retention, and diversity.
• The WISEST Combined Annual Strategic Planning and IAC Meeting was Held on April 15th: Heads, Facilitators, WISEST PIs, WISEST Team, and the Provost met to discuss Mentoring as a key to departmental climate transformation and to delineate strategic objectives for the next 15 months of the ADVANCE award.
• Three WISEST - Departmental Visiting Scholars Came to Campus This Quarter: Distinguished scholars in Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Civil and Materials Engineering came to campus this past quarter and showcased the diversity of scholarship.
• Multiple Evaluation Efforts Were Completed This Quarter: Follow-up interviews were conducted with 28 of the 47 (58%) STEM women faculty. The data is being analyzed and a final report will be submitted next quarter. An on-line survey was conducted with the WISEST facilitators as a follow-up to the focus groups conducted at baseline.  Sixteen of the 19 facilitators have responded and data is being analyzed. The Salary equity study has been completed and results were presented to the WISEST executive committee in March.
• The EAC External Advisory Committee Met on April 30th:  The six distinguished advisors came to campus to review our progress for Years 3 and 4, and provided guidance on the final 15 months of the NSF award period.

2009

4th Year 2nd Quarter (November 1, 2009 – January 31, 2010)

• Nine WISER Funds Were Awarded in December 2009: Nine assistant professors were awarded WISER funds to provide support during periods of intensive caregiving and to provide a small amount of research funding for AY 2009-10.
• The 2nd Year 4 WISEST Leadership Seminar Focused on Student Evaluations of Teaching: The November 6th seminar and panel discussion featured Professor Deborah Jones Merritt from the Ohio State University.
• A Second WISEST Postdoc Accepted a Tenure Track Faculty Position: Dr. Yaniria Sanchez de Leon accepted a tenure track position in Puerto Rico this academic year and will begin a research laboratory.
• Climate Task Force Identified Annual Issues: The Climate Task Force met in December and will focus on the Dual Career Partner Policy this year.
• Evaluation: Follow-up interviews were conducted with STEM women faculty, an on-line survey was issued in January for the WISEST facilitators, and data collection has begun for the Year 4 NSF required outcomes tables.

4th Year 1st Quarter (August 1 – October 31, 2009)

• The 12th Faculty Startup Awardee Hire Accepted an Offer to Join UIC: A new faculty member will join Civil and Materials Engineering increasing the number of women faculty from 1 – 2 in Civil and Materials Engineering (CME).
• WISEST Exceeded its Five Year Target for Startups: With the 12th startup hire confirmed, WISEST exceeded its five- year goal of 11 startup - supported hires.
• The NSF Site Visit (Mid-Award) Visit took Place September 15-16 2009: Over seventy UIC individuals met with 6 NSF evaluators and 2 NSF staff members in a productive two-day meeting to assess WISEST’s  progress at the mid point of the ADVANCE award. 
• The Year 4 WISEST Leadership Seminar Series Launched: The October 2nd seminar and workshop featured Professor Joey Sprague from the University of Kansas.
• The Two-Year Postdoctoral Research Associates for Academic Diversity Program Concluded: Five URM post docs concluded their UIC program; one was hired as a UIC tenure track professor and another obtained a tenure track faculty offer elsewhere.
• A  New Climate - Focused Presentation Was Launched in Engineering: WISEST assisted Engineering to develop a positive learning environment slide presentation, “First Lecture” for students during the first week of their classes.
• A Lactation Room Subcommittee Was Formed: WISEST members joined the new subcommittee to draft a lactation room policy for the Faculty Senate. This effort will be another gain for creating a life-friendly environment on campus.

3rd Year 4th Quarter (May 1 – July 31 2009)

• 12th Faculty Startup Award Pending: WISEST exceeded its goal to provide 11 start up awards by extending an offer to a 12th candidate.
  
• Provost Approved a Child Care Resource & Referral Program One-Year Pilot: The Provost approved the Climate Task Force’s recommendation for a faculty one-year pilot to provide an infant/toddler child care resource and referral service.
  
• Child Care Resource & Referral Selection (R&R) Subcommittee Formed: The child care R&R subcommittee submitted their provider organization recommendation to the Climate Task Force in July.  
  
• The 2009-10 Leadership Seminars and Town Hall Theme Declared: Unconscious implicit bias in teaching evaluations by students and junior faculty classroom management issues will be the theme for this year’s climate- focused seminars and town hall.
  
• The STEM Women Faculty Network Met on May 6th: The faculty network served as a forum to raise concerns about student evaluations of teaching and gender bias classroom behavioral dynamics.
  

3rd Year 3rd Quarter (February 1 – April 30, 2009)

• Faculty Startup Awards Goal Achieved: WISEST met its 5 year goals to support the hiring of 11 new STEM faculty women; 3/11 were URM women faculty.
  
• Women STEM Faculty Increased from 33 to 46 in 3 Years: Women STEM faculty have increased from 33/247 in 2005 (year before the ADVANCE IT award began) to 46/251 as of October 2008.
  
• SUCCEED Faculty Search Workshops Had Impact: Between 2006-2008, 12 women faculty out of 26 STEM faculty (46%) were hired following SUCCEED training of the search committee.
• Institutional Advisory Committee (IAC) Met on April 28th: LAS Dean (Co-PI) Dwight McBride facilitated a meeting focusing on faculty development strategies and classroom management.
  
• NSF PAID Grant Submitted: Under the leadership of the WISEST team, a NSF PAID proposal to expand our search training to promote diversity was submitted in February.
  
• Climate Task Force Considered Infant/toddler Program Pilot: The task force members met on April 17th to review a proposal to pilot an (infant/toddler) child care resource and referral consultation service.
  
• Visiting Scholar Lecture Presented to “Standing Room Only” Audience: Professor Tejal Desai, UCSF/UC Berkeley, came to campus on March 5 - 6th and was hosted by Bioengineering and WISEST.
  
• Leadership Seminar Presented: WISEST sponsored a three-hour intensive workshop, “How to Engage the Media with Your Work,” on April 17th.
  
• Post Doctoral Institute for Career Development and Academic Diversity Launched New Seminar: The 16th original institute seminar, “Managing a Single Investigator Laboratory”, was delivered on March 9th. 

3rd Year 2nd Quarter:  (October 31, 2008 - January 31, 2009)   

• Startup Funds Awarded: Two startup awards were approved for underrepresented minority (URM) assistant professors in Physics and in Biology.
  
• WISER Funds Awarded: Ten assistant professors received WISER funds for life cycle and career support.
  
• Modified Duties Policy Adopted: Effective January 1, 2009, all UIC tenured and tenure track faculty members with a new child under the age of six are granted a period of modified teaching duties without a reduction in effort or salary.
  
• Departmental Action Plans Completed: 11/11 STEM departments completed their action plans summarizing Year 2’s progress and identifying their Year 3 action plans to transform their climate.
  
• Post Doc Institute for Career Development and Academic Diversity: A new seminar (15th original seminar), “Preparing a budget for an agency-targeted proposal”, was developed and delivered on December 16th.
  
• WISEST Post Doctoral Research Associates for Academic Diversity: Two post docs, Dr. Lauren Pintor and Dr. Yaniria Sanchez de Leon, delivered departmental research seminars as part of their post doctoral institute faculty job search preparation in December, 2008.
  
• SUCCEED (Faculty Search Workshops): The SUCCEED facilitators presented the faculty search workshop and tool kit to the search committees in Bioengineering on November 18th and Pathology on December 3rd. 

2008

3rd Year 1st Quarter:  (August 1 – October 31, 2008)   

• Seminars/Leadership/Town Hall: The October 15th Town Hall featured a theatrical production portraying the faculty search committee and issues of implicit unconscious race/ethnicity bias for an audience of 43 individuals from across campus.
  
• Year 3 Strategic Planning Meeting: The annual Strategic Planning Meeting was held on September 8th and focused on STEM women faculty retention, URM women faculty recruitment, leadership development, and institutionalization.
  
• Visiting Scholars: Dr. Karen Vogtmann, Professor of Mathematics at Cornell University, visited campus on October 13-14 and delivered a public seminar to 94 faculty and students.
  
• The STEM Women Faculty Network Met: The network meeting was hosted by ECE Head and WISEST co-PI, Mitra Dutta, and met on September 17th; 28 faculty members attended.
  
• Post Doc Institute for Career Development and Academic Diversity: Three new WISEST post doc institute seminars, focusing on development of the faculty job application package, were delivered on August 28th,September 23rd, and during the month of October.
  
• WISEST Post Doctoral Research Associates for Academic Diversity: In September, each WISEST Post Doc met with her full advisory team to review Year 1 progress and develop her Year 2 Individual Career Development (ICDP) plan.
  
• SUCCEED (Faculty Search Workshops): The SUCCEED committee presented the faculty search tool kit/workshop to the Mathematics search committee and Department Head on September 9th.
  

2nd Year 4th Quarter:  (May 1 – July 31, 2008)  

• Faculty Startups: The remaining pending offer extended in Year 2 was accepted during this quarter. A new Electrical and Computer Engineering assistant professor will join UIC. Four faculty were hired using startup funds in Year 2.
  
• New Startup Request Procedures: A new request process was developed this quarter to clarify the request process, decision timeframes, and selection criteria. These will serve to clarify the process and provide flexibility.
  
• SUCCEED (Faculty Search Workshops): Plans are underway to provide a September SUCCEED workshop to the Mathematics search committee emphasizing outreach and the toolkit.
  
• NSF 3rd Year Site Visit: A planning committee has been formed for the September, 2009 site visit.
  
• Post Doc Institute for Career Development and Academic Diversity: Four new seminars were developed and delivered on May 1, 7 & 14 (delivered twice), June 2, and July 10. The monthly seminars launched a series on the development of faculty job application packages and proposal draft reviews.
  
• Institutional Advisory Committee: The IAC was sponsored by the Dean of Engineering, the IAC met on May 19th. The program covered: faculty data, program progress, and award investments.
  
• Climate Warming Policy/Resources: The Faculty Exit Survey was launched in May to all campus exiting t/tt faculty. The Salary Equity Task Force met in May and has begun preliminary analysis.
  
• Seminar/Leadership: A Town Hall planning committee has been formed to script the September theatrical production depicting the subtleties of unconscious bias in race/ethnicity within a search committee setting.  The Clinical Performance Company actors from the College of Medicine will perform.
  
• WISEST Offices Relocation: The WISEST offices relocated in June to the east side of campus to be closer to faculty and administrative constituents.
  

2nd Year 3rd Quarter:  (February 1 – April 30, 2008)

• Two WISEST Start-Up Awards: Two awards have been committed for a hire in Chemistry and in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
  
• The Post Doctoral Institute for Career Development and Academic Diversity: The institute delivered two new career-building seminars.
  
• The External Advisory Committee: The EAC members met with WISEST leaders on February 27th.
  
• Leadership Seminar on, “Gender and the Academy:” The seminar was delivered by Robert Drago, PhD, on February 28th.
  
• Three Visiting Scholars: The departments of, Earth and Environmental Science, Computer Science, and Chemistry and presented lectures and met with students and faculty in March.
  
• The New Automatic Tenure Hold Policy Became Effective in August: The Provost has announced a revised life friendly policy:
  
• Infant/Toddler Childcare Task Force: The members reviewed service providers and presented the final report to the Provost on April 23rd.
  
• Exit Survey Instrument: The final instrument was completed and will be launched in May 2008.
  
• The Provost‘s UFRP Program: The program was revised adding funds to support units hiring new underrepresented faculty.
  
• Dr. Wenjing Rao: The Electrical and Computer Engineering department welcomed Dr. Rao, a WISEST startup awardee to campus this quarter.  
  

2nd Year 2nd Quarter:  (November 1, 2007 – January 31, 2008)

• WISEST Start-Up Funds:  Two new faculty were hired in Chemistry and Computer Science in fall, 2008 and provided WISEST startup funds.
  
• The Post Doctoral Institute for Career Development and Academic Diversity: The Institute designed and delivered three new career-building seminars.
  
• Faculty Search Committee Training: SUCCEED reached three new STEM departments this quarter.
  
• Visiting Scholar: a scholar was hosted by Electrical and Computer Engineering and presented scientific lectures to faculty and students.
  
• The Climate Task Force: The members recommended an automatic tenure hold policy, post childbirth or adoption, which will now be reviewed by the Deans Council.
  
• The Infant/toddler child care task force: The members considered a range of information and models and will provide a recommendation to the Provost next quarter.
  
• The Salary Equity Study: The study group has developed productivity metrics, and data gathering is underway.
  
• The first annual Townhall: The first townhall topic was the, “Faculty Search Committee” and premiered as a theatrical production to 81 participants.
  

2007 

2nd Year 1st Quarter: (August 01 - October 31)

• 5 Post Doctoral Research Associates for Academic Diversity: The pilot cohort began their two-year program.
  
• Start-up funds: Startup funds supported the hiring of two new Math and EAES scholars in August, 2007.
  
• The “Post Doctoral Career Development Institute for Academic Diversity:” The Institute launched October 24th with the first seminar on worklife balance.
  
• GCHERC: The Greater Chicago Higher Education Consortium phase 1 searchable website launched in September to assist dual career partners.
  
• Two Visiting Scholars: Two scholars in ECE and Chemical Engineering presented scientific lectures and met with faculty, heads, and students.
  
• SUCCEED: Faculty search committee training was conducted for over 40 College of LAS heads and administrators.
  

First Year 4th Quarter: (May 01 - July 31)

• The WISER Fund for AY07-08: One award was provided to Dr. Wang in Biological Sciences to aid in managing her lab during a major life cycle event.
  
• Four Departments Received Visiting Scholar funds: Four departments were awarded Visiting Scholar funds to host prominent women scholars in AY07-08; they are ECE, Computer Science, EAES and Mathematics.
  
• The WISEST Website: The website was completed. This site provides a platform to disseminate information across campus and nationally.
  
• NSF ADVANCE Program Directors Visited Campus: The program directors conducted a  first year site visit on May 29th and met with the PIs, Provost, VC for Research, IAC, d Facilitators, WISEST Director, and Evaluator.
  
• WISEST Post Doc Research Associates Orientation: The advisors, mentors, heads, WISEST PI, Director, and special assistant to the Provost on diversity met to plan for the successful on-boarding of the 5 new post docs this fall.
  
• Feedback from the Spring STEM Women Faculty Meeting.  Twenty-two out of 39 STEM women faculty attended) was issued; the participants asked for more network time with periodic facilitated discussion meetings.
  
• The Climate Survey Task Force: The task force, chaired by the VC for Research, issued final recommendations to the Executive Committee meeting in July. It featured a short- term goal of offering department head climate change training.
• Strategic Planning Meeting. The meeting was held July 26th and addressed first year accomplishments, priorities, transitions, and action planning for Year 2.
  

First Year 3rd Quarter: (February 1 - April 30)

• Four Post Doctoral Fellows for Academic Diversity Named: This unique two-year comprehensive career-building fellowship will prepare aspiring underrepresented women scientists in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, to achieve a faculty position. This fellowship offers a match with a research advisor, senior faculty mentors, and monthly seminars to address research, publications preparation, teaching, and a personal development career plan. An annual stipend is provided for travel to a scientific meeting.
  
• Start-Up Funds Support Drive the Hiring of Women Scientists: Through start-up funds support, three outstanding women faculty will join the Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, and Earth and Environmental Science Departments in the fall of 2007 and 2008. 
  
• 100% of Department Heads Created Action Plans: All eleven STEM departments Heads prepared annual action plans to enhance the recruitment and retention of women faculty and methods to transform the climate.
  
• Baseline Qualitative Research Implemented: 100% of the Department Facilitators and the Department Heads participated in focus groups and one-to-one interviews. This research provides insight into the current departmental climate and culture, transformation drivers, the use of current policies, and the impact of initiatives.
  
• Dr. Geri Richmond Presented Leadership Seminar: Geri Richmond, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Materials Sciences, the University of Oregon,  presented, " Battling Biases and Barriers: Necessary Steps Our Academic Institutions Must Take to Assure a Strong Science and Engineering Workforce."  Post docs and graduate students received information on "Negotiating for What You Need to Achieve Your Personal and Professional Goals."
  

First Year 2nd Quarter: (November 1, 2006 - January 31, 2007)

• The Post Doctoral Fellowship for Academic Diversity was Launched: National ads for the new fellowship were posted. Department facilitators proactively identified potential candidates. Potential advisors worked collaboratively with candidates to develop outstanding research projects.
  
• Visiting Scholars Invited to Campus: Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Chemical Engineering received funding to bring outstanding women scholars to UIC to showcase their scholarly work and to serve as role models.
• Dr. Claire Van Ummersen Presented Leadership Seminar: Claire Van Ummersen, Ph.D., Vice President, Center for Effective Leadership, American Council on Education (ACE) presented the ground breaking work, "No Talent Left Behind".
  
• The Institutional Advisory Committee Launched: The first meeting with the Deans, Department Heads, Senior Facilitators, PI's, internal researchers was held in January. This stakeholder group provides oversight to the success of WISEST.
  
• Full-Time Director Hired: Linda Siebert Rapoport joined UIC to execute the five WISEST strategies to support institutional transformation and increase the number, participation and leadership status of women faculty in the academic science and engineering disciplines.
  
• Search Committee Training Provided: Two special sessions on search committee training with a focus on unconscious bias were presented.
  

2006

First Year, 1st Quarter: (August 1 - October 31)

• The NSF ADVANCE Grant Awarded: UIC became the only Illinois based institution of higher learning and one of only nine fully funded university based programs to achieve the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE Grant for $3.3 Million over a five year period.
  
• Governance Structures Implemented: The management structure, Executive, Institutional and Advisory Committees were confirmed to provide oversight and stakeholder involvement in the five year grant. Facilitators were identified to serve as liaisons between their departments and WISEST.
  
• The WISER Fund Awarded: This fund was awarded to two researchers to get back on track and resume their careers after a period of intensive caregiving.
  
• UIC Climate Survey Final Report Issued: The Climate Survey captured the perceptions (67% overall response rate) of all College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) and College of Engineering Faculty members regarding their workplace. The report summary showed that the factors with the biggest influence on faculty thoughts of leaving, either directly or indirectly, were overall satisfaction, departmental climate, and resource availability. Faculty who perceived the department as a positive place to work and who felt the resources were adequate were less likely to think seriously about leaving.
  
• Workshop Series Launched: The WISEST PI, in her capacity as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, launched four new series of workshops for junior, mid-career, underrepresented faculty, and for department heads.  In addition the Underrepresented Faculty Mentoring Program offered small group writing support for 35 faculty.
  
• WorkLife Leadership Seminar Presented: The presenters were, Dr. Mary Ann Mason, JD, Dean of the Graduate Division, Professor of Social Welfare, University of California At Berkeley, presented, "Institutional Change for Work-family Balance: The Family Friendly Edge". Professor Joan C. Williams, JD, Distinguished Professor of  Law, Hastings College of  Law, University of California, presented, "Achieving work-Life Balance: Personal Solutions or Institutional Change with Discussants, Dr. Kathleen Gerson, Professor, Department of Sociology, New York University, and Dr. Paula England, Professor, Department of Sociology, Stanford University