UD Men for Gender Equity Initiative
Overview of UD Men for Gender Equity
UD Men* for Gender Equity was an opportunity for men to increase their gender equity knowledge, skills, and strategies to affect positive personal and departmental change and enhance institutional inclusive excellence. We sought to build a network of men-identified allies among the faculty and staff who were committed to taking an active role in gender equity at UD.
- Equity Allies: Men* faculty and staff who attended a two-hour workshop facilitated by the Advocates (initially or an external facilitator) and then participated in ongoing professional development, through voluntary workshop opportunities. The Allies served as proponents for gender equity in their departments and units, modeling inclusive actions.
- Equity Advocates: Men* faculty and staff who participated in a two- day train-the-trainer style workshop, and then worked to continue campus engagement and education for themselves and others, on issues of gender equity while also serving as proponents of gender equity in their departments and units. Equity Advocates were accountable to the Women’s Advisory Council, which oversaw the initiative.
Duties:
- Attend Equity Advocates training session.
- Facilitate short workshops for Equity Allies (1-2 times per semester).
- Participate in meetings with the Women’s Advisory Council and with other Equity Advocates.
- Participate in key UD Men for Gender Equity events.
- Advocate for equitable treatment of women faculty and staff on campus.
Together, the Equity Advocates and Allies, in consultation with the Women’s Advisory Council, worked to be agents of change by committing to actively engaging as vocal proponents of gender diversity and equity.
The Women’s Advisory Council (WAC) was a critical part of the UD Men for Gender Equity Initiative. The WAC selected and oversaw the Men’s Equity Advocates, directed content for Men’s Equity Allies sessions, and informed men of climate issues as it pertains to women. Accountability over Equity Advocates was a critical task of this Council, as was establishing a clear hierarchy with respect to this initiative. Equity Advocates were a group of men-identified faculty, staff and administrators interested in learning from women faculty and staff members in departments, colleges, and the university in order to create equitable treatment at UD.
Contact:
Individuals should email UDMenforGenderEquity@udayton.edu with any questions or concerns.
History of UD Men for Gender Equity
Founded at North Dakota State University (NDSU), Advocates and Allies Men Faculty Gender Equity Initiative focuses on developing men’s gender equity knowledge, skills, and strategies to affect positive personal, departmental, and institutional change. The initiative also focuses on building a network of men allies who are committed to gender equity and a cadre of advocates trained to facilitate workshops. The NSF-funded initiative has since expanded beyond its original STEM focus to other disciplines and has been adopted by numerous universities.
In January 2019, the UD Men for Gender Equity Initiative launched at the University of Dayton. The initiative was coordinated by a Planning Team with representatives from across UD's campus. Facilitators from North Dakota State University and Auburn University came to UD to offer Men’s Equity Allies Workshops, as well as sessions for women interested in learning about this initiative. Over two days, 166 campus members attended equity workshops (3 sessions for men, and 2 sessions for women).
In September 2019, these facilitators returned to campus to offer both the two-hour Equity Allies Workshops and the two-day, advanced-level Equity Advocates retreat. Men-identified Equity Advocates will then serve as facilitators for future Equity Allies sessions, with the goal of expanding and sustaining the initiative moving forward. The external facilitators also trained the newly named members of the Women's Advisory Council, as the initiative transitions to their leadership.
Prior to the creation of the WAC in Summer 2019, the initiative was managed by a Planning Team, which provided coordination and oversight for the initiative.
Learn more about the initiative from start to suspension (as of March 19. 2014).
Be an Agent of Change
University of Dayton President Eric Spina closed out the 2020-2021 academic year by offering his thoughts on the UD Men for Gender Equity initiative and its efforts.
Click here to read his remarks in full.