In What Ways Can I Help?

          Women's Studies

Women's Studies deserves your support because, since 1980, we have been "Making a Difference at WVU...Making a Difference for You." This slogan, which we adopted as part of our anniversary celebration, sums up what students tell us about the importance of women's studies in their lives. It also highlights our unique WVIJ-wide responsibilities, for, while we are a unit of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, we work with over 100 faculty across the university. Women's Studies now is a major at V/VU as well as a popular minor and an area of emphasis in the Regents BA Program. Graduate students have available to them a certificate program and a women's studies-directed Master of Arts in Liberal Studies.

WVU students say that women's studies courses help them grow both personally and academically. Typical comments included: "I learned self-awareness, confidence, assertiveness, and leadership skills. I found my 'voice' and the courage to express my own opinions. I learned about networking, risk-taking, nurturing and respective people different from myself. Women's studies opened my eyes to discrimination that goes on based on gender, race, and socioeconomic class. Women's studies taught me how to think about a question from all sides. Women's studies gave me support - I know now I'm not the only feminist at this university."

In addition to teaching classes, the Center for Women's Studies sponsors scholarships and awards for outstanding students; the Judith Gold Stitzel Endowment for Excellence in Women's Studies Teaching and Learning; the Judy Mossburg Fund to support faculty, staff, and student professional development opportunities; and the Women's Studies Difference Fund to support our graduate teaching assistants and provide enrichment opportunities for our students. Through our Women's Studies Program Development Fund and Women's Studies Residency Fund, we provide public programming for the WVU community and the public by co-sponsoring lectures and exhibits and by hosting an outstanding scholar who comes to campus for a week each fall. We do all this with your private support - and we could not do it without that support. You do make a difference.

WOMEN'S STUDIES PROGRAM PRIORITIES

• Support for the Women's Studies Difference Fund that is future oriented to continue to make a difference by encouraging graduate student research and teaching; support graduate students in their women's studies commitment; increase access to our introductory course WMST 170; support the WMST 170 teaching assistants through salary enhancements; increase undergraduate and graduate student enrichment opportunities.
• Strengthen the endowment which supports the Women's Studies Residency Program in honor of Judith Gold Stitzel.
• Build the Women's Studies Program Fund (2V1 16) which provides the greatest flexibility for the Director of the Center.
• Enhance the Velma Miller Fund which recognizes female graduate students with leadership skills and a commitment to social justice.
• Increase funding for the Judith Gold Stitzel Endowment for Excellence in Women's Studies Teaching and Learning.