Yesterday I said that access and climate are two of the main issues confronting women engineers, whether it be in academia or the professional workplace. Usually, when you hear those in positions of institutional power talk about the same thing, the words used are recruitment and retention. So what's in a word?
No question - engineering departments and companies could be exercising much more effective recruiting practices than they currently do. And, they could take a much more active stance towards retention - not just the usual lip service.
But there is a particular mindset that obtains when one only thinks of the issue in terms of recruitment and retention. Recruitment and retention suggests, ever so subtly, that everything is just fine here in Engineering Land, and the main problem is getting those recalcitrant Others to come on over and play Our Games in Our Way, stick around on Our Turf on Our Terms.
If, however, one allows one's self to think of the issue in terms of access and climate, another ever so subtle change in mindset occurs. The powers that be, if they would ponder access, might think about how they act as gatekeepers - and not just in their "official" recruiting activities. If they gave a thought to climate, they might begin to consider that retention is going to involve more than a monthly pizza party for the Others and participating in MLK, Jr Week festivities. Yes, Business As Usual is actually going to have to...um...change.
Oh...my...god. She's talking about Lowering Standards, isn't she? No, you morons, I'm not. Your precious standards let plenty of mediocre and sub-par white males through the gates right now, while simultaneously keeping out plenty of talented women and men of color. Think about it. Is every white male you graduate a genius? Yeah, I didn't think so.
11:17:52 AM 
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