The hard Facts A critical look at the revealing data

Intro: OSU

Wide variety of graduate programs.Enrollment Summary for Spring 2014Difference in numbers between 2013 and 2014 for males and

femalesShows the programs with the highest numbers for males and

femalesLocal: OR

The assumption was that more males than females are enrolled at OSU.

OSU

Graduate program enrollment by gender:

In 2013:Men: 1,946Women: 1,718

In 2014:Men: 2,046Women: 1,764

OSU

Programs with higher number males:

• Engineering = 2013: 813 2014: 788

• Science = • 2013: 242 2014: 234

• Business Administration = 2013: 185 2014: 190

Programs with higher number of females:

Graduate School = 2013: 433 2014: 377

Education = 2013: 201 2014: 200

Public Health and Human Sciences =

2013: 195 2014: 190

Findings

• There are programs with more men than women, but there are also programs with more women then men.

•More men are enrolled at OSU than women. Men make up 53.2% of the enrollment while women are 46.8%.

InterviewsA personal Look: Qualitative data

Graduate student interviews• The participants for the graduate student interviews were

a forestry student (MFS), 2 engineering students (MES and Alyssa), and a geology student (Adonara).

• Both males participants provided answers, but asked to remain anonymous. The females gave answers and permission for their name to be used.

• These interviews are not a representation of the whole population.

Questions Asked • Do you see a difference in number of people of a certain gender in

your program? If so, what do you think that is? Do you think gender role stereotypes contribute to this?• Do you think gender equality is important in your program? Why

or why not?• What are your beliefs about gender performance? For example,

do you think that there are certain jobs that are better done by men than women?• Do you believe that gender roles are still deeply institutionally and

socially rooted in the workplace? Why do you think that is? Does that worry you? • Do you believe that there are certain resources that would help

this process? What would they be and why do you think they would help?

Graduate Student AnswersDifference in numbers?•MFS:

• More females than males in the college of Forestry• Does not think that gender stereotypes contribute to this.

•MES: • Far more men than women in Engineering. • Seems to be a combination of lack of interest and discouragement from academic

advisors.

• Alyssa (Engineering): • Gender disparity is very noticeable in graduate school.• Thinks that gender stereotypes can contribute to this.

• Adonara (Geology): • I definitely see a difference in number of people for each gender.

Gender Equality:• MFS:• Thinks being surrounded by the best people who do the best research,

regardless of gender, is important.

• MES:• Gender equality is very important.

• Alyssa (Engineering):• Gender quality is important in every program.

• Adonara (Geology):• Gender equality is definitely important.

Gender Performance:• MFS:• Thinks that there is a biological difference between men and women

that may predispose one gender to either gravitate, or be more successful in certain roles.

• Adonara (Geology):• Feels that there are certain jobs that might be easier for a male to do,

but women should be allowed to try if she wishes to.

Gender Roles• MFS:• If the best candidate for a job does is not selected for that job based on

his or her gender, then yes, I would be very worried. • If a workplace was dominated by men or women because those people

were the best qualified candidates for those jobs, I would not be concerned.

• Alyssa:• Sexism is absolutely still institutionally and socially rooted in the

workplace; it's 2014 and the wage gap is still there. • I think it's still around because any change of this magnitude is going to

happen very slowly, as a result of the work of many dedicated people.

Resources?• MES:• Chicktech.org. I think people should pick a career that is both practical

and makes them happy. Maybe we should be focusing more on parents? It seems like parents might be having a hand on discouraging their children through inaction. Start in the home.

• Alyssa:• Presence of important mentors

• Adonara:• We have to change society. Resources aren’t going to help.