NIU is on track to provide more resources for women, according to a recent review of the 1989 Presidential Commission on the Status of Women.

“We began this intensive review a year ago, and we have now reached conclusions which represent the collective thinking of the commission,” said Sheri Kallembach, associate director of registration and records.

The report, which can be found at www.niu.edu/depts/women/pcsw/ace2000.htm, shows what has improved at NIU and provides new recommendations about the status of women on campus.

“In 1989, a large report was written by the American Council of Education [ACE],” said Amy Levin, director of women’s studies. “We looked at that report and applied it to NIU.”

The report includes the original recommendations of the ACE national agenda for women in higher education and the recommendations made by the

Presidential Commission on the Status of Women in 1989, and it examines NIU’s progress in meeting those goals and plans for continued action.

“A lot of the recommendations have been met, like the women’s center,” Levin said.

The report from 10 years ago secured the Gender Incentive Hiring Plan for the university, expanded the Faculty Development Center, paid attention to sexual harassment and developed a residence hall for students who have children, which will open in 2001, along with other improvements.

Even with all these changes, more improvements will be made.

“We still need to work on subtle ways women are disadvantaged that are not immediately obvious,” Levin said.

Another change that occurred this year is a lactation policy giving mothers a specific place to pump milk for nursing children — part of a plan to improve the climate for women and families.

The report also has set several projects into motion: Spring Rewards, which recognizes accomplished women, an examination of stalking on campus and an investigation into women’s salaries.