Women Faculty in Higher Education: Academic Administration and Governance in a State University System, 1966-1977

Abstract

This work examines the assimilation of minorities in large hierarchical organizations, focusing on the special case of women faculty in higher education institutions. The changing role of faculty women by academic rank in academic administration was determined for a state university and college system for an 11-year period. Women's participation in faculty governance was also assessed during one academic year. Women were found most frequently at the lowest faculty rank and least often at the highest rank, though their proportions increased at each rank from the earliest time to the most recent. The number of women administrators increased in the 11-year period, mostly in the lowest-level positions as chairs of traditionally female disciplines and the newer interdisciplinary departments. Women's opportunities for advancement in the faculty and as administrators appear to be optimized at the older, larger campuses and at those located in large metropolitan cities.