College faculties short of women?

WASHINGTON — A new study says women are so rare among math, science and engineering faculties at top universities in America — and in Utah — that female students may earn even a doctorate without ever having a woman for a teacher.

"This sends a clear message to students that women are not welcome in math, science and engineering," said Donna J. Nelson, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Oklahoma. She co-authored the report, which was released Thursday at the National Press Club.

It looked at the "top 50" research universities in 14 different scientific fields, as ranked by the National Academy of Sciences according to research grants received. It reported how many women were among the faculties of each. Among top programs that are in Utah, only about one of every eight professors were female.

"There are few tenured and tenure-track women faculty in these departments in research universities (nationally), even though a growing number of women are completing their Ph.D.'s," the study concluded.

Nationally among science fields, the percentage of women faculty at "top 50" departments ranges from a low of 6.5 percent in electrical engineering to a high of 35.8 percent in sociology.

The study also said that even when women are hired in science fields, they are far more likely to hold lower academic rank than men. In all scientific fields reviewed except computer science, the rank of "assistant professor" — the lowest on the tenure track — has the highest percentage of women faculty.

The study showed that Utah university departments ranking among the "top 50" nationally followed the same pattern.

The University of Utah had four programs with "top 50" rankings. In chemistry, the study said only three of 29 U. professors in 2003 were women. In computer science, only three of 23 were. In chemical engineering, only two of 15 were. And in civil engineering, only two of 11 were.

Utah State University's electrical engineering program was ranked among the top 50 in that field — and only two of its 18 professors were female.

Brigham Young University's astrophysics program was also ranked among the top 50 nationally, but none of its six professors were female.

So in total for Utah, of the 102 professors working there in a "top 50" math, science or engineering program, only 12 were female — or about one out of every eight.

Women's group leaders also appeared at the press conference Thursday, saying the report shows universities should take steps to make the atmosphere more inviting for women.