UB's "Gender Matters 3" to Help Students, University Community and Public to Examine the World Through a "Gender Lens"

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- More than 25 programs and events highlighting issues involving women and gender will be on tap during "Gender Matters 3," the third annual Gender Week to be held Sept. 17-24 at the University at Buffalo.

"Gender Matters 3," presented by UB's Institute for Research and Education on Women and Gender, informally known as the Gender Institute, will include myriad events sponsored by more than 25 academic and service units throughout the university that are certain to offer something of interest to faculty, staff, students and members of the larger Western New York community.

Among the many offerings will be lectures, panels, symposia, poetry readings, open classes, films, a choral ensemble, library exhibits and a dance concert with a women's swing band.

A wide variety of topics will be addressed during the week, including advancing women in science and engineering, theories of rape, women in Buddhism, planning for women-friendly cities, the role of Native American women in "centering nations," and women and unions.

Barbara Bono, director of the Gender Institute and associate professor in the Department of English in the UB College of Arts and Sciences, notes the importance of holding Gender Week early in the academic year.

"By exposing students early on to the many ways that gender influences the study of society, health, economics, law and culture, they will be more likely to include a 'gender lens' in their own examination of the world while at UB," Bono explains.

The week will open with a major, day-long symposium, "Advancing Women in the Sciences and Engineering at UB: Promotion, Tenure & Beyond," to be held Sept. 17 in Center for Tomorrow, North (Amherst) Campus. The goal of the symposium is to start the process of institutional transformation as articulated by the National Science Foundation Advance Program. UB President John B. Simpson will offer remarks. The keynote address will be delivered by Sue Rosser, dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Institute of Technology.

The celebration will conclude with a reading by internationally renowned poet Susan Howe, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Samuel P. Capen Chair for Poetry and Humanities in the Department of English. The reading, "Le Sexe Qui Parle III," will take place from 4-5 p.m. Sept. 24 in 120 Clemens Hall on the UB North Campus.

Additional highlights of Gender Week include:

• The event's keynote address, "Is the Glass Ceiling Really Broken," by Margaret Sullivan, editor of The Buffalo News, to be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 20 in the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts (CFA) on the North Campus. Sullivan will discuss women's leadership in journalism and media nationally, as well as in Western New York.

• "A Matter of Respect," an interactive drama addressing the problem of sexual harassment, to be held from 7-9 p.m., Sept. 21, Black Box Theatre, CFA. The drama will be presented by the Theatre for Change and be co-sponsored by UB's Office of Student Affairs and Office of Equity, Diversity and Affirmative Action.

• "Leading the Way in Higher Education: Women's Leadership from Concept to Reality," an address by Claire Van Ummerson, former president of Cleveland State University and current vice president of the Office of Women in Higher Education at the American Council on Education, to be held from noon to 1:30 p.m., Sept. 22, in 120 Clemens.

• "Brava! Music by Women Composers," a vocal concert featuring the work of women composers from Hildegard von Bingen to the present day by the Freudig Singers under the direction of Roland Martin, adjunct instructor in the Department of Music, UB College of Arts and Sciences, at 7 p.m., Sept. 22, St. Joseph University Church, 3275 Main St.

• "Women and Unions: Strategies for Equity," a panel discussion examining union strategies to achieve pay equity, fair working conditions, opportunities for promotion and access to jobs, to be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 in 31 Capen Hall, North Campus. The panel is sponsored by Buffalo Chapter, United University Professions (UUP).

• Celebration and "tea dance" with music by the Ladies First Big Band, at 7 p.m., Sept. 23, CFA Atrium, North Campus.

All events will be free and open to the public. For a complete calendar and up-to-date program descriptions, go to http://www.womenandgender.buffalo.edu.