Women 'left out in cold' in class

Women may be bundling up now to protect themselves from the cold weather, but some women may need more than a coat to protect themselves from the "chilly classroom climate."

Chapman discussed the causes and consequences of gender bias yesterday afternoon with a small semi-circle of students at one of the center's Brown Bag Lunch Series discussions.

"There is a lot of biases in particular classrooms," said Gina Zrudlo (senior-biobehavioral health). "With certain professors it stems throughout."

Three elements contribute to chilly classroom climate -- what is being taught (curriculum), who is doing the teaching (faculty) and how is it being taught (teacher-student interaction).

The traditional curriculum is overwhelmingly biased toward white males, which can result in negative consequences for both genders, Chapman said.

"Women and minorities are underrepresented, misrepresented, distorted or have completely vanished from this curriculum," she said.

Women are also underrepresented in higher education employment, Chapman said. Twenty-eight percent of faculty members in the United States are women -- the majority are instructors, temporary appointments or untenured. Opportunities for role modeling and mentoring are diminished and educational experiences for both men and women are lessened, she said.

Unjustifiable sexist humor, female stereotypes and derogatory comments directed at women are often present in the classroom environment, Chapman said. Additionally, professors often speak in male-oriented terms, interrupt female students' responses more frequently and give less verbal support to women.

"Chilly classroom climate jeopardizes women's development -- personally, academically and professionally," she said.

The consequences of this climate can be serious for female students and may ultimately lead to their academic downfall, Chapman said.

"Women get separated from their ideas, separated from their creativity and vanish from the view of other people," she said.

Consequences include lack of participation, decrease in class attendance, lower career aspirations and weakened self confidence.