Request to Appoint Branch College/University Chairs NOW

Approximately 18 months ago. AAUW-PA and Association reactivated the college/university partner program, where colleges and universities pay dues to belong to AAUW. Dues are nominal and range from $125 for an accredited school with an enrollment of fewer than 1,001 to $350 for an enrollment greater than 30,000.

In return, the college/university partner receives the following tangible benefits:

1. special consideration in the award of Campus Action Project (CAP) grants (up to $5,000, deadline in the fall):

2. free student affiliations, with online access to AAUW information and discounts; and

3. 15% reduction in fees for four or more students attending the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, held annually in June in the Washington, D.C. area.

Currently, there are 27 college/university partners in PA. They are: Albright College, Bryn Mawr College, Butler County Community College, California University of Pennsylvania, Cedar Crest College, Dickinson College, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg College, Haverford College, Juniata College, Kutztown University, La Roche College, Manor College, Mansfield University, Moravian College, Penn State University-University Park Campus,
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Seton Hill University, Slippery Rock University, Susquehanna University, Thiel College, University of Scranton, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, Washington & Jefferson College, Widener University
Wilson College. Chatham College has applied.

In 2008-2009, these Pennsylvania college/university partners failed to renew: Cabrini College, Duquesne University, Franklin & Marshall College, Luzerne County Community College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, and Shippensburg University, representing a loss of 17% from the previous year. At the Association and state levels, we have lost touch with these institutions. In addition, you and your branch know other institutions that will make valuable allies or partners, even in these tough financial times.

Franklin & Marshall College won a CAP grant and will be sending representatives to the student leader conference in June, as will the University of Scranton, our second CAP winner. I believe the fact that PA has 2 of the 11 national awards is a direct result of increased communication by Association and AAUW-PA regarding benefits to the college or university. In addition, several young women will be attending the student leader conference, again, thanks in large part to improved communication with colleges and universities, many of whom are not partners. Juniata College, a partner, has piloted the state program in Emerging Leader Interns and in electronic student affiliates and reports 21 new affiliates. WOW!

Here is the job description of a Branch College/University Chair:

Objective: Establish/retain ties between branches and local colleges and universities,

whether or not they are college/university partners

Activities: Establish/develop communications with key administrative and faculty personnel;

communicate the AAUW equity mission and programs, such as the student leader conference; communicate to AAUW-PA/Association concerns and suggested improvements. Work to establish Emerging Leader Intern and satellite programs. Develop/retain college/university partners. Explore what the college or university can do for your branch: speakers, rooms, cooperative programs?

Time commitment:

1) Approximately 16 hours during the summer and early fall to identify a key person on campus who will be your Campus College/University Chair (if the college or university is already a partner, I have this contact information) and to communicate AAUW advantages, including Educational Foundation fellowships and grants and the CAP grants to institutions, and explore ways the college or university can help the branch; and

2) In February, an additional 8 to 16 hours will be required to get the word out on the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, and probably do some follow-up. If you are successful in establishing an active student affiliate, you or another member of your branch will need to be the branch contact and mentor.

Note that college/university partner membership follows the fiscal year (July-June), so getting in touch with current partners in early July is important as is recruiting new partners during the summer, when there is a bit more administrative time on campus.

Consider inviting an attendee at the National Conference for Women Student Leaders to be a guest speaker at your branch (list available in July).

Additional info is available at aauw.org/ Join/Renew (green box to the right at the top of the home page).

Please take prompt action on this request and be sure to include contact information as you complete the Branch Officer Form in June. If Association has your branch chair name(s), information will be sent, and I will know with whom to work. Thank you.

Graham Boose

AAUW-PA College/University Chair

GDBoose@comcast.net

610-405-2993 phone