Commission on the Status and Needs of Women at Carnegie Mellon University

The Commission on the Status and Needs of Women at Carnegie Mellon (COSNW), Collection, 1967-1996 ([1971-1979])
Carnegie Mellon University Archives, Official University Archives

Extent
Three boxes (Boxes 1-3); 1.5 linear feet

Historical Sketch
In the early 1970s there began to be a new consciousness about the inequality of women in America. Prior to the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment on March 22, 1972, President Stever established the Commission on the Status and Needs of Women at Carnegie Mellon University to address the inequalities of women at Carnegie Mellon. The Commission was started in order to address the issues of women at the university concerning admission, housing, counseling policies, treatment in the classroom, placement services, as well as the inequities in women's salaries, fringe benefits, and the distribution in the occupational structure of the university.

The Commission intended to relieve discrimination at the university and provide women with equal opportunities to admission, employment, retention, promotion, and salaries. The Commission wished to provide women full equality with their male counterparts at CMU, and "equal pay for equal work." Prior to the establishment of the Commission, these realities did not exist at Carnegie Mellon University.

As a result of the establishment of the Commission on the Status and Needs of Women at Carnegie Mellon, the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) was established in 1971. The OEO was established as an official university office to continue to address the needs of women and minorities at Carnegie Mellon University. The OEO answers to the national department of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide evidence that the university is working to eliminate sex and racial biases. Without this evidence, the university is at risk of losing federal funds. The office also provides continuous monitoring of affirmative action programs designed to correct discriminatory practices at the university.

Scope and Content Notes
The Commission on the Status and Needs of Women at Carnegie Mellon Collection contains records dealing with the pursuit of women's rights and equality within the work place and student body here at Carnegie Mellon University. This collection includes surveys and reports that evaluate the positions of women at the university as faculty, staff, and students. In addition, the collection includes many financial records that illustrate the budgetary aspects of the Commission. This collection contains information on the participants of the Commission including, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and their affiliates. There are several reports published by the Commission that quantify the information collected by the Commission. There are also many newspaper clippings that focus on the Commission, all of which have been photocopied for preservation purposes.

The collection is divided into seven series. Series are arranged alphabetically:

Series I: Correspondence (1970-1995)
This series contains correspondence between national women's organizations, government agencies, other universities, alums and others interested in the Commission on the Status and Needs of Women at Carnegie Mellon. The early correspondence mainly focuses on the formation of the Commission, the later correspondence focuses on the progress of women at Carnegie Mellon in the mid-1990s.

Series II: Financial Statements (1971-1972)
This series contains records of the financial transactions made by the Commission. The series incorporates account summaries, bills, budgets, invoices, and payroll time sheets. Also included, are personnel "Manpower" lists from 1971. These lists identify all University personnel including employment date, sex, race, and job title.

Series III: Memoranda (1970-1995)
This series contains memoranda between the various women's groups on campus and University administrators. The memoranda focus on issues concerning the progress of women at Carnegie Mellon.

Series IV: Publications (1967-1996)
This series contains clippings, newsletters, pamphlets, posters and press releases. The clippings are from local and national newspapers, as well as other periodicals. The articles focus on sex discrimination in academia and also summarize and analyze the reports of the Commission on the Status and Needs of Women at Carnegie Mellon.

Series V: Reports (1969-1995)
This series is comprised of preliminary, final, and summarized reports on the status and needs of women at Carnegie Mellon University. The reports were given by the Presidential Task Force on Women's Rights and Responsibilities, the Commission on Status and Needs of Women, and the Women's Commission Oversight Committee at Carnegie Mellon University.

Series VI: Surveys (1969-1971)
This series incorporates several surveys conducted by the Commission on Status and Needs of Women focusing on women employees at Carnegie Mellon University. The surveys were taken during 1969-1971 and include statistical data about faculty, staff, and students at Carnegie Mellon.

Series VII: Miscellaneous (1968-1994)
This series includes miscellaneous information including agendas, minutes, notes, and rosters of several campus as well as national women's organizations. The series also has several files that contain information about personnel at the university. Other information in this series include schedules of Women's Studies classes offered at local colleges and universities; and information about national women's organizations.

Provenance
The provenance is unknown at this time.

Restrictions
Restrictions on Series II: Financial Statements, FF12 Payrolls, 1971; FF13 Payrolls, 1972; and Series VIII: Miscellaneous Personnel - Action Notices, 1971.

Related Collections
None.

Processor
April 7, 2004: Collection arranged and finding aid written by Angelle Pryor.

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Container List: Commission on the Status and Needs of Women at Carnegie Mellon University

Bx. 1
Series I: Correspondence

Series II: Financial Statements

Series III: Memoranda

Bx. 2
Series IV: Publications

Series V: Reports

Bx. 3
Series VII: Surveys