Is the Hostility Real?

While a number of council members say they believe the council--while improving--remains a difficult forum for women, another group contends that the council is not as hostile as some have made it out to be.

Several council members dispute Haynes' assertion that gender played the major role in creating a hostile environment, saying instead that personality and politics were the relevant issues.

"It's hard for a women to be assertive without being characterized as shrill, harsh and bitchy," says SAC member Melissa B. Weintraub '97. "I'm sure Liz fell prey to some of those characteristics. But I think that her discomfort was a result of some fundamental differences over the direction the committee was taking, not only her gender."

Current SAC chair Marco B. Simons '97 also questions the role of gender as a dividing force on the council.

"It's difficult for me to agree that gender discrimination was a part [of her resignation]," Simons says. "SAC has very active members who are women, so I don't see it as likely."

And other representatives say women are at case participating in council debates and forums.

"Women on the U.C. feel very comfortable speaking," says Jennifer R. Dean '96.

New Women's Group

Regardless of the debate about the council environment toward women, women are clearly making inroads at council meetings.

This year, the creation an informal women's caucus had enlarged the role of women at council meetings.

"[The women's caucus] is acting as a proactive body of political women who want to address the issues of women on the U.C. and women on campus in general," says Drake, a caucus member.

Rebecca E. Stich '98, one of the chief organizers of the caucus, says official recognition of the caucus is not currently necessary because much of its proposed legislation is supported by the full council.

"The only time I think that [an official caucus] will come into play is when we all want to formally sponsor an amendment as a symbolic gesture, and when we want to have the full strength of the women on the council," Rawlins says.

According to Blais, an official caucus would be subject to council policy against discrimination. The caucus would have to admit male members to gain official recognition.